Ok, I got the passport card. My boyfriend (we applied together) cannot get one due to child support arrears. Don't judge please, he is paying double now and has been for the last 3 years. He knows he messed up. Anyways, from what I'm reading, we can still go as long as he brings his birth certificate. Our cruise begins and ends in Miami. Is this right? I hope it is......

He should be able to as long as it is his original or certified copy.  We had to order my boyfriend his certified copy, it cost us like $43.00 and we got it in 2 days via UPS. 

coleycole:

Ok, I got the passport card. My boyfriend (we applied together) cannot get one due to child support arrears. Don't judge please, he is paying double now and has been for the last 3 years. He knows he messed up. Anyways, from what I'm reading, we can still go as long as he brings his birth certificate. Our cruise begins and ends in Miami. Is this right? I hope it is......

I got this from the Carnival website under the new passport requirements. As long as the cruise starts and ends at the SAME U.S. Port this is called a closed loop cruise he should be fine with a birth certificate.

PASSPORT UPDATE:

CRUISE TRAVEL
Carnival Cruise Lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport. However, as of June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that both originates and terminates at the same U.S. port are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required.

Hi Coleycole,

I just got back from a cruise out of Miami. There were many people still using their birth certificate to board with. No problems that I saw. Just make sure it is a certified copy and that he has his drivers license.

 

Happy sailing!

Paula

Would the same law which prohibits him from having a passport, also prevent him from using his birth certificate?   While the birth certificate will ID him as a US Citizen, what happens when customs runs his name through their computer?  Will this name pop up and bad things happen?

I know in other cases, when a person isn't allowed to have a passport, they are also strictly prohibited from leaving the country.

 You would need a lawyer to look over the child support documents. He may be under judges orders not to leave the country. If that is the case he could be arrested at the port and denied boarding. If he is under judges orders not to leave the country you may still have time to get the judge to grant special permission for this trip.

Is there any update on whether the birth certificate and driver's license worked in your case? I am facing the exact same situation and have not been able to get a direct answer as to whether someone can still travel on a closed-loop cruise with child support restrictions preventing them from getting a passport. I would appreciate any further knowledge that you may have gained.

K

since June there have been 1,000's of people who have sailed with just their BC and DL

Make sure there are  no warrants against him either. If he is paying his jugements on time there shouldn't be any problems. But make sure to check the court documents.

klmcc77,

 

I should have read your post a little more carefully,

 

If he has restrictions for child support,  and if he happens to have a warrent out for his arrest, you should make sure that your state does not extradite for non payment.  If it happens to be one of the states that do,  they will hold him for your local athorities to show up.   I found this out from my daughter in law who happens to be in law enforement.

coleycole:

Ok, I got the passport card. My boyfriend (we applied together) cannot get one due to child support arrears. Don't judge please, he is paying double now and has been for the last 3 years. He knows he messed up. Anyways, from what I'm reading, we can still go as long as he brings his birth certificate. Our cruise begins and ends in Miami. Is this right? I hope it is......

I found this post and thought you may need to see this right away, sorry if I am intruding...It is from a post from a question in First time cruiser questions page one.

We noticed again when we waiting to board the Ecstasy on 08/31/09 a guest being led through the waiting area in hand cuffs. Also, when we arrived back to Galveston on 09/05 over the PA they called for a guest by name to come to the Information Desk several times. Embarkation had not started and in fact, it seemed we were late staring the embarkation.The last announcement was for the guest by name again and the message was "Unless (guest name) comes to the Information Desk the embarkation will not start."

In 15 minutes the embarkation started. I saw two females being led off in hand cuffs by Security and what appeared to be Federal officers.

I spoke to officials in the customs area as we were waiting in line and they said the two guest had outstanding warrants and the we arrested for the warrants. Also was told, CCL will let you on but people with warrants for their arrest will be not get back into the US. CCL must submit their passenger list to a data base for people with outstanding warrants. Just my guess. But for sure I did see the ladies when we were going and returning hand cuffed.

What I have learned since our last crusie is that IF the state, county or city that has the warrant out for this person and they are  willing to pay for the extadition, officals will detain the guest.  Some guest have been hand cuffed and taken and make the call to the office that issued the warrant and agreed to pay the fine over the phone by credit card.  What a way to end a beautiful cruise.    Bottom line. . .DON'T cruise if you have any unsettled tickets, warrants, child support payments or what ever.  Cruise ships are now required to HAND CUFF YOU and turn you over to arresting officers.  FYI. . .I have noticed on the cruises that have had this event. . .99.9% have been females.  Just reporting what I saw.

Just think of the hang ups the ones traveling with the ones hand cuffed have encountered.  

coleycole:

Ok, I got the passport card. My boyfriend (we applied together) cannot get one due to child support arrears. Don't judge please, he is paying double now and has been for the last 3 years. He knows he messed up. Anyways, from what I'm reading, we can still go as long as he brings his birth certificate. Our cruise begins and ends in Miami. Is this right? I hope it is......

Please see the post entitled don't cruise if you have outstanding warrants in this same section, page 1.. I got sent to detention so sorry if you get a double post.

As far a the cruise itself he would be fine with a certified birth certificate and a drivers license because it is a closed circuit cruise, but keep in mind that if he has a warrant for the child support issue he could be arrested when his name is run through the computer.  So I would check to make sure....better safe than sorry. 

We are in the same situation. My boyfriend was denied his passport because anything above $2,500 they deny you for. He owed $2,600 at the time and now owes $2,100. He has no warrants and the state is set up to directly take from his paycheck every month. We have a cruise in 28 days and he will be using his DL and BC. As long as he has no warrants and is paying, he will be ok-correct? Anyone know where to find this on legal websites? You guys are saying to check thru his court papers as well to make sure it doesn't say anything about restrictions to travel? Thanks :)

Let's see here.....you're going on a cruise and you owe back child support?  How about getting the priorities straight....