Just wondering if anyone has gone on the Valor recently using a birth certificate and picture ID, and if so, did you have any problems.

 I know the requirements have been pushed back to 2009 and a woman at Carnival told me today I didn't need it yet, but still want to hear from others on their experience.

 The $200 my husband and I would spend could be used for excursions or something equally fun when we go in October.

 Please post your thoughts and experiences...

June 1, 2009 they will be absolutely mandatory ... unless they push the date back again.  Doubt they will this time, though, since the State Department has their act together now.

Thoughts? get passports.  Fewer things to carry and keep track of.  An all-in-one proof of citizenship and photo ID.

But you'll be fine this October with the birth certificate and drivers licence.

There are a few other things that will be accepted after June 1 2009, but most Americans do not fall into the groups that it includes.  So you will need the passport or passport card to cruise.   here is a link that will give full details.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html#compliant_document

The new drivers license I know NY state is going to start to issue. 

This is a little off but my bf sailed on the Imagination in December 07 with a driver's license, Marine Corp ID, and social security card (long frightening story but he didn't realize until 2 am the morning before our 8 am flight that he did't have his birth certificate it was in his safe deposit box at the bank, although I tried to have him organized weeks in advance). So anyway they had him sign this waiver form (Miami port) and he was good to go. When we came back into Miami the guy at Customs kinda joked around about this situation but let him back in with no problems.

  I understand saving money, but in general they are a good thing to have. They are just an all in one document that is easy to carry around. You will find that they come in handy in many situations. This way you can always leave your original documents in safe keeping. I was planning our cruise and set the date for October because I thought we needed passports now and was worried on how long it would take to receive them (mine was expired and my partner has never had one). We went to the Post Office on a Sat to apply. We received them in the mail the next Monday (8 days later!). I was shocked that they came in that fast especially because we didn't expedite them and just used the regular service. Now I kind of wish I had planned our cruise sooner!