birth certificates still good?

[Emy's mom]

I read the post about unhappy "almost" cruisers. What was the comment about some of the islands needing a passport to let you reboard? I checked with Carnival and they stated that a birth certificate would be ok. Have any of you had any problems using your birth certificates? By the way we are taking the southern caribbean cruise on Destiny.

thanks for the help,
kk

[Mike M]

When are you cruising?

If it isn't until late June or July, why not go ahead and get the passport. It would eliminate any problems. Everyone will have to have one to cruise the Caribbean after 12/31/05.

If you do miss the ship or leave the ship (permanently) in ports such as Barbados or Aruba and do not have a passport your life will become very complicated.

Until 12/31/05 you will be able to sail with a birth certificate and government issued id, provided you are a US citizen. If not additional documentation will be required.

Take care,
Mike

[Rustedone]

we just got back from Eastern Carr, and birth certificates were fine... No problems..

[NYMac4]

We used birth certificates too but make sure they're the original with the raised seal ... at least that's what we were told we had to have ...

[Jim Bragg]

An Official copy of the original BC that is provided to you from the Government Agency responsible for the issuance is what they want. Not all states have raised seals on the document but they pretty much know which ones they are. A Xerox copy, even if notorized it no good. That said, if you have time to get a passport right now then by all means go ahead and get yours. As of the first of January 2006 they will be required for all cruises to the Caribbean.
Jim