Passport Card or Passport Book

[readytogo2]

We are planning on going on a 3 day cruise next year. I was wondering what everyone recommends on which to get Passport Card or Passport book? I think a card would work for no more then they will be used.

[TammiMcMan]

I think passport cards are pretty convenient if you live close to Canada or Mexico and drive back and forth often.

You're still taking a little bit of a chance if you get it for a cruise. It only allows for land/sea entry. So if you were in Bermuda, had an emergency situation that forced you to fly home, you'd have to go through a lot of red tape before being allowed entry.

It's kind of like buying trip insurance. You need to decide what chances you're willing to take.

[thrillme]

We just bit the big one and went for the book.

The passport card is great for land and sea entries in Mexico, Carribean and Canada...BUT if you decide after this 3 day cruise that you want to go to an "all inclusive" or you ever want to fly anywhere outside of the US you'll need the book.

If heaven forbid you should get hurt or ill while on this cruise you won't be able to fly home without a book.

If in the next 10 years you are 99%certian that you will have no need to:

a) Fly outside of the US or into the US
b) You travel only on a "closed loop" cruise (returning to same port) within Mexico or Carribean.

Then you can get by with a passport card.

The passport card is rather NEW I don't 100% trust that they won't change their minds. For us...it just seems easier.

Supposedly some states are supposed to offer to add this passport card to drivers licenses.

[TammiMcMan]

The passport card is rather NEW I don't 100% trust that they won't change their minds. For us...it just seems easier.

Supposedly some states are supposed to offer to add this passport card to drivers licenses.

I believe it will be a state issued enhanced drivers license. Like the passport card though, it will have limitations and may not be accepted everywhere.

If it were me, I would opt for the passport book. I think it's better in the long run.

[scootch713]

I too am trying to figure this one out.... with the three night cruise, you are only on Bahama land for 7 hours.... hmm.... right now I am thinking we will do the cards, but havent' made a final decision.

[DreamFinder2]

We just got back from a 7-day western caribbean cruise and used the cards...they worked fine. As previously stated, though, if you'd ever need to fly back for some reason, go with the book.

[Mulan]

We went for the book. It is a piece of mind knowing that should we have any problems we can fly back early from a cruise. Plus it is nice to have it incase you want to fly internationally. We've had to use it driving to/and from Canada, on another cruise, a trip to Jamacia and on an upcoming cruise. Adult passports last for 10 years. That's a long time to say that you'll never use it again.

[scootch713]

My husband has convinced me to just get the passport too... with it being good for 10 years and as much as my daughters and I like to travel, we will have it.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I can't imagine not having a valid passport. There's a whole big wide world out there!