ID for 16 year old

Melanie · #1 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 04:13 AM

Our daughter has been on several cruises with us but this will be the first one since she turned 16. I just read on the Carnival website that 16 and over must show official photo ID. She doesn't drive so she has no license and we have not gone the passport route yet. Will a high school ID card be official enough? I cant believe I missed this information and we leave in six days! I will call Carnival in the morning but I was hoping someone might be able to answer me before then so I can put my mind at ease and get some sleep tonight!

Donna · #2 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 08:20 AM

If the school ID isn't good enough, you can always get a state id, they do issure them without a drivers license.

Pocono Pug · #3 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 08:46 AM

With the new government regulations a passport would be the best way. You can go to a passport office and have one made same day in most areas but you need to go to the passport office in your are only. I had a similiar situation when I went in August with my 14 year old son and had to go to the regional passport office in Philadelphia. It can be done. You just need to explain the situation to them. Good luck

2Littletime · #4 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 11:14 AM

I'm not sure about your state but here in Canada we can go into our provincial licensing offices and get a government issued ID that looks exactly like a driver's licence except it says 'This is not a driver's licence". All the other information is the same.

On another note though, on our Valor cruise one of the kids(16) had misplaced his govt issued ID in his checked luggage and they did accept his birth certificate and High School ID card. I didn't think they would but they did.

Good Luck!

Melanie · #5 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 11:28 AM

I was finally able to get a hold of my vacation planner at Carnival and he said that a high school ID will be fine. Whew!!

Thank you to everyone who replied.

spencercoop · #6 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie

I was finally able to get a hold of my vacation planner at Carnival and he said that a high school ID will be fine. Whew!!

Thank you to everyone who replied.

That is good. I wouldn't of thought a high school idea was fine.

Melanie · #7 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 02:14 PM

I wouldn't have thought that either. That is why I was in such a panic, being that we are leaving in less than a week! That's what I get for putting off getting our passports!

Pocono Pug · #8 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 02:42 PM

Now you can relax and enjoy your cruise. Have a great time.

lhp · #9 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 03:17 PM

As long as the high school ID has a picture....you are fine.

Our 17 year old son is a special needs child and he does not drive.

We have used his middle school id for years.

Donna · #10 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2009, 08:48 PM

When you get back, start the passport process, so next time, no worries, you'll be set to go :-)

Last year I had to re-new mine, took less than 2 weeks from going to local post office until it came in the mail.

terriann50 · #11 (**permalink**) January 27th, 2009, 02:52 PM

I have a special needs child also and he is 15 now but will be 16 in July so we decided to go ahead and just get passports for all of us it is much easier that way. They all came within 10 days of applying for them. Just go ahead and get them it is just much simpler and then you dont have to worry.

lhp · #12 (**permalink**) January 28th, 2009, 10:51 AM

Let me add this....

we have used Passports for years. ( in fact my sons are on their second ones)....but we do NOT take our Passports into PORTS with us.

We leave them in the cabin safe.

We use driver's license (or school ID with a picture) only when we go into ports. I do carry a photocopy of our passports at all times....but not the original into a port.

Should we get "robbed" (which has never happened...but it can) in port...then our passports are safe....

katlady · #13 (**permalink**) January 28th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhp

As long as the high school ID has a picture....you are fine.

Our 17 year old son is a special needs child and he does not drive.

We have used his middle school id for years.

My brother is austic (sp?) and my parents got him a state issued ID. He is over 21 years old so he can drink with it to. Sometimes he enjoys a glass of wine at dinner.