Getting a passport
 

I'm getting a passport. Do I need the card and the book? Is the book just for stamping? Would the card be enough for me to travel with?

Yes, I'm researching it. I just know there are several people here who travel abroad, so I thought I'd pick your brains, too.

Where are you going?

You need the book so they can stamp in it.

Cruise. I don't have to have one, but I'd like to have one (just in case). I've procrastinated too long. Hope I have enough time to get it by mid September.

I had to obtain a passport for the 1st time about 3 months ago. I ended up getting the book which is stamped each time you enter a new country. I bought the book because that was suggested at the time of purchase. Took about 3 weeks to get, although you can obtain one faster for an additional fee. Hope this helps.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...first_830.html


Get the passport, you'll be glad you did.

You can try to chase down the Mrs on facebook this evening, she just went through all of this last January.

AFLT

Just get a tatoo of your name.

The card is really more for people who live in a border area and are frequently crossing back and forth. 99% of people just need the book.

To answer your question (THE FIRST HIT IN GOOGLE WHEN YOU TYPE IN PASSPORT CARD VS PASSPORT BOOK):

You only really need a card.

On a cruise you are advised to put your passports in your safe. They sell novelty stamps in the port but you don't want to risk losing it. Supposedly you can take the book to guest services and they will stamp it for you at each port.

You've got time, you can always use a service...I got my 1st one in 7/10 days. When I come back to the US this time I need to have pages added. I'll either drive into a passport office and have it done or use a service.

Card is valid for land and sea entry within Mexico, Caribbean, Canada, Bermuda.

Passport is valid for anywhere, air land and sea.

Did you mean to say you need the book? I don't see any reason to get a card for a cruise - especially since she wouldn't be able to use it for any other travel in the future.

The card is less expensive.

I agree it's better to just get the book but you only really "need" the card for the type of travel she will be doing. Even then she doesn't even need one, just bring a birth certificate + photo ID.