It was all Royal Caribbean's fault ?

[Dave]

I read this review which was posted on our CruiseReviews website today and thought "this has many inaccuracies". So I decided to post some facts and advice to "Mike", should he see this.

First off - it isn't Royal Caribbean's policy to require a birth certificate for closed loop voyages. It is part of the WHTI rules established by the U.S. Government. You can see it here at the Customs & Border Protection website, which says those over 16 need both a photo ID and a birth certificate.

Secondly, Royal Caribbean's own website states clearly that both forms of identification are required. You can read that here about mid-way down the page.

I also have to question "Mike's" memory of his phone call to Royal Caribbean. Is it possible that he confused the message and thought RCI said what he claimed in his review about adults only needing a photo ID, when in fact RCI told him adults needed both the photo ID and birth certificate? We'll never know unless RCI recorded the conversation and provides us with a transcript.

It is obvious that "Mike" didn't use a travel agent, since an agent would have ensured he knew what documents he needed in order to board the ship. And, it is also apparent that he didn't visit a cruise forum such as this one, where we would have provided accurate information on what was needed.

So here we see another example of someone who didn't do their homework when booking their first cruise.

Note to "Mike"...RCI couldn't let you board the ship and head to Key West because it would have been illegal, and thus "they would get burned".

[MCPayne]

Thanks for posting this Dave. I guess to be safe I should get my birth certificate for my cruise in October. I've never had it on either of my 2 previous cruises, but did have my driver's license and passport. On my passport, it states "Place of birth" Washington, USA."

[Dave]

If you have a passport you don't need a driver's license or birth certificate in your possession. A passport is both proof of citizenship and identification. Frankly, if you show up with a passport and also give them a birth certificate and driver's license they'll look at you funny.

For closed loop voyages it is "either, or". Either you have a passport or you have to show a photo ID and proof of citizenship (the birth certificate).

[penny3333]

If he had even read on RCI's website, or any cruise line for that matter, it states clearly that you are required to have proof of citizenship. An original birth certificate or certified copy or a passport. Birth certificates require a government issued photo identification with them. I cannot believe he worked for the government, either.

[Dave]

I cannot believe he worked for the government, either.

According to the review he works for the "goverment".

[Cruise Fanatic]

According to the review he works for the "goverment".

You and I will consider the military as a separate entity of the "government".

[Dave]

And I retired from TVA which is an agency of the federal "government". Although some old timers say "dad gum guvmint".

[cammy]

Have to agree that it's more than hard to believe you wouldn't know the requirements. We are traveling with a non-family member minor on our next cruise (July 2010) and I've already pulled up the forms from RCCL's websit that we will need, along with ID requirements so that we have either a passport or certified copy of his birth certificate, a form giving us permission to take him on the cruise, signed by his parents...and I worked for a government agency for 15 years...that doesn't excuse or validate me not doing my homework on the requirements for a cruise vacation.

[pink845]

Dear all,

Not complaining but what exactly is the issue with so many Americans not wanting to get a passport. We Canadians need a passport to enter the United States. We need a passport to return to Canada. My husband and boys love to travel all over the world and we fine our passports are great identification to cash travellers' cheques, etc.. Canadian passports are only valid for 5 years, and yes, they are expensive, $85 each but are wonderful and allow us so much freedom. A passport and a driver's licence are all we need to get almost anywhere or into anything. We enjoy travelling and we see the necessity of a passport the same way as we see insurance that we must buy to travel, it is a cost and it is simply added to the cost of travel. No if ands or buts about it. Simply get it to avoid identification issues.

[TexCruise]

I agree ....why do people have a problem of getting/ having a passport? They are so simple to use verses fumbling around with birth certs, drivers license, etc.