Expired Passport: They Wouldn't Let Us On The Boat!
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Expired Passport: They Wouldn't Let Us On The Boat!
A few weeks before our cruise, stopping in Jamaica and Grand Cayman, I realized that my passport had expired. I called the cruise line to see if I had any options and was assured by one of the agents
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A few weeks before our cruise, stopping in Jamaica and Grand Cayman, I realized that my passport had expired.
I called the cruise line to see if I had any options and was assured by one of the agents of the cruise line that I'd only needed a legal Birth Certificate and picture ID (driver's license). With that I breathed a sigh of relief and figured, no problem!
What the agent failed to mention was that the birth certificate had to show that I was born in the USA (I was born in Canada). I am a US citizen, and moved to the states when I was 9, almost 50 years ago, so I never even gave it a second thought that this could create a problem. (my wife was permitted entry into Canada 6-7 years ago with Sam's Club card)
As you might've guessed, when were about to board the ship, we were denied entry because of my Canadian birth certificate. They said I needed a passport and refused to let us board.
Now the cruise line refuses to give me a refund (they offered me a 20% discount on my next cruise), even though it was one of thier own agents that told me I'd be fine without the passport, and made absolutely no mention that the birth certificate had to show I was born in the US.
I'm not an immigration expert, and figured that they knew what they were talking about....it's their business to know!
So now, I'm out the cost of the cruise for my wife and I, not to mention over $500 in shore excurions that we missed that were also not refundable. We also had to rent a car and spend the next 5 nights in a hotel just to try and salvage some of the vacation (our 20th anniversary, no less)
I did get the insurance (Travel Guard Chartis) but am told that this type of thing isn't covered by them.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can possibly get our money back? Is there anyone out there that may have had a similar situation? I really don't feel that this is my fault, being as I followed the instructions of one of the cruise lines agents.
Well it probably won't make you feel any better to know that even if you had a US birth certificate or even your US naturalization certificate that you'd potentially still have problems. Since 2007 if you are departing from the USA, regardless of any destination country's passport exemptions, you are required to have a valid passport and/or accepted departure documents in order to reenter the USA. And Jamaica requires a passport for US citizens for entry - no mention of birth certificate; Cayman Islands requires a passport or passport replacing documentation (probably the birth certificate the cruise line mentioned). I'm getting this information from Timatic which is a service airlines among others use to check current international travel documentation requirements: http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/
Unfortunately the position of many travel providers is that you are ultimately responsible for ensuring proper documentation before departure. If you read your cruise line contract, it's probably buried in there somewhere. However you did rely on them for information and they certainly gave you bad advice. Given the amount of money involved I'd certainly keep pushing the issue further up the food chain at the cruise line company. You could also try reaching out to a travel ombudsman such as Christopher Elliott to see if he can help improve your compensation.
Based on your post I suspect this was your first trip outside the US/Canada and that's why it never crossed your mind that you would need a passport. Before the USA tightened up post 9/11 security, it was certainly possible to cross our northern and southern border as well as visit many Caribbean nations with minimum documentation. But even back then for naturalized US citizens you had always needed to be able to prove your US citizenship if questioned by US authorities.
In the meantime as a naturalized US citizen you really should have and keep a US passport up to date. You don't want to lose your naturalization certificate as it is a pain to replace. You will need the certificate to submit with your first time application for a US passport.
I should add that I did have the insurance through Travel Guard Chartis, and though I'm submitting a claim, I'm am not holding my breath about getting a favorable reply from them. I'm guessing the insurance won't cover this sort of thing, but I'm giving it a shot anyway.
If anyone has any advice on submitting the claim (which lays before me now) and maybe wording things in a way that might help?
Also, my wife and I went to Canada (drove to Maine and took a boat to Nova Scotia) some 6-7 years ago, and my wife was allowed entry when all she had was a Sam's Club card as a photo ID. I suppose having that in the back of my mind also had me keep my guard down about documentation.
Unfortunately, P. Weber is right. It is your responsibility to know documentation requirements. The cruise line won't reimburse you. But I don't understand why you couldn't cancel and be reimbursed for your shore excursions. Usually you can cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled excursion. I don't know which cruise line you were on, but I've cruised on several and have always been able to cancel and be reimbursed.
All might not be lost -- depending on what insurance policy you purchased, you could be eligible for full reimbursement.
Unfortunately, P. Weber is right. It is your responsibility to know documentation requirements. Posted by H.M. Haskins
And I felt by calling Celebrity Cruises and asking one of their agents whether I had any options once I realized my passport had expired, took care of that responsibility. They were the ones that told me all I needed was a Birth Certificate and picture ID...and had I been born in the USA, that would have worked fine. The sticking point was that I was born in Canada, and that was never pointed out to me by the agent that I spoke with at Celebrity. I don't know who else I was supposed to call to verify this information.
As for the excursions, swimming with the Dophins etc would have had to be cancelled 14 days in advance, according to the "small print", to get a refund...understandably.
I'm very surprised that they would accept just a birth certificate from anyone. A few years ago, the law changed about Canada and the Caribbean, I thought. The result was that the passport people got several months behind in issuing passports because of the demand. I wouldn't even go to a border state without one these days!
I'm very surprised that they would accept just a birth certificate from anyone. A few years ago, the law changed about Canada and the Caribbean, I thought. The result was that the passport people got several months behind in issuing passports because of the demand. I wouldn't even go to a border state without one these days! Posted by ethrush
Yes, there are actually some places that will accept a birth certificate, such as the Bahamas and other areas of the Caribbean. I do know you need a passport if you're going to Canada. Much safer to just have a passport.
In Response to Re: Expired Passport: They Wouldn't Let Us On The Boat! : Yes, there are actually some places that will accept a birth certificate, such as the Bahamas and other areas of the Caribbean. Posted by NotADude
The entry requirements for these nations that still permit just the birth certificate do not preclude the entry requirements of the USA.
The sticking point was that I was born in Canada, and that was never pointed out to me by the agent that I spoke with at Celebrity. I don't know who else I was supposed to call to verify this information
I think the point is that you're not supposed to rely on what *anyone else* tells you. You are supposed to read your cruise contract and/or research and understand the requirements yourself. Unfortunately, employees don't always have the correct information or ask the right questions, which you discovered the hard way. Sorry you had such a disappointing experience.
Sorry for your lost trip but since 911 everything has changed ... unfortunately documentation requirements have tightened worldwide. As passengers we must be do the leg work in advance of booking (which includes any visa requirements). We have to fill out the paperwork and meet the requirements. I always check my passport status before booking. Another point, many countries require that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond your arrival date at the port (meaning that if your passport expires within 6 months of your entry stamp date they could deny entry in that country). So many rules, but in today's world we have to be our own expert. If you are not comfortable with all this legwork, use a professional travel agent (that would give you better recourse if things are amiss) ... always ask about health, visa and passport requirements before making any booking (if renting a car, ask about age and license requirements).
Well, Celebrity Cruises did have SOME mercy on us. They've offered 75% off my next cruise, which I suppose is better than the 20% they originally offered. Does anyone else feel this is a decent deal?
