Do I need a passaport if i go on a cruise?

Question

I live in California. The ship is going from Long Beach to San Diego, up-to Catalina Island, down to Ensenada, MX, and for last back up to Long Beach. Yes I was born here in the US. But I dont know were to go and what to do...... please help. Your help is much apreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Get one!
With all the security checks nowadays its worth having.. and I think I heard a recent news report that cruising people just even into Mexico would need more than a picture ID to get back into the country.
So get to the post office tomorrow fill out the application and smile for your picture. You can ask them to expedite the order if you need it fast. They are expensive though:
Age 16 and older: The passport application fee is $67. The execution fee is $30. The total is $97 .
Under Age 16: The passport application fee is $52. The execution fee is $30. The total is $82 .

Answer 2

Not Yet.

There is a lot of confusion regarding the new passport requirements and the date for requiring people to have passports for travel have been split into two categories and have two separate requirement dates.

The new passport requirements are coming from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and if you travel to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, etc via air you would have to have a passport by January 23rd. If you are traveling to those countries via land or sea (your cruise) then you won't need the passport until January 1st of 2008 (Rumor is this date is being bumped to June 1st 2008 but that isn't official yet.)

Part of the reason for the delay in requiring passports for land and sea travel is that some people do it very frequently, even daily, that they wanted to develop and implement the option for a passport card that is the size of a credit card so it could be carried in the wallet.

Now having said all that, it would not hurt to start the process of getting your passport if you plan on traveling outside of the states via cruise anytime after Jan 1, 2008 or via air anytime now.

If you don't plan on traveling outside of the US other then by car, train, or ship then waiting for the passport card could be a cost saving alternative because the cost of the new card is less then half that of a regular passport.

To get your passport is easy but takes a little time. You will want to get 2 pictures of yourself from someplace that can do passport photos. You can use AAA, some hour photo places, and usually there is a place right outside of the main post offices that will do these. Then you will need to get and fill out the passport form, which you can get at the post office or via the second link I have below. Then take those to your local passport acceptance location, usually the larger post offices around town with your State ID card and Birth Certificate and $97 ($84 if under age 16).

The text of the official announcement is as follows...

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

A link to the page is below...

Answer 3

I believe its only if your leaving the US, but i know they have had a lot of new issue's on the news about cruising and passport lately. Just to be safe, if i were you, I'd check the cruise lines web site.

But have a GREAT time, a cruise is the only way to travel, I have been on 5 Curie's in the last 6 years, an will not VA-CA any other way now. Its the best way to party, drink, met people, eat, have fun, get sun. eat more, dance, gamble, see shows, and get waited on all day long. It is the GREATEST!!! Have the time of your life. Have fun!!!!! Let us know how it was. I wish i was going too.

Answer 4

We are from the US and traveling to Mexico via cruise ship in February. While the US State Department doesn't require a passport yet, our cruise line does.

The $97 it cost to get the passports (plus the photos) is a small price to pay to be sure that I'm not standing on the dock, watching the cruise ship sail away with my money because I didn't have the proper documents.

Bon voyage!!

Answer 5

Well it depends on when your going if your going this year you will need a birth certificate and an ID like a drivers license and then you could get a passport but its not required until Jan of 2008 but its recommended and everything and then you can get your passport photo taken anywhere and then go to your local post office and they give you paperwork to fill out or you can get that on the internet and they will need a copy of your birth certificate but you dont need it as of this year.

Answer 6

a passport at hand is always the safest bet when travelling. the cruise lines you book with would be able to tell you for sure. i was on the bahamas trip that passed by jamaica from miami and just a valid picture id was needed even if i brouhgt my passport. but as i have said, the best bet is to bring one, immigration regulations has been very strict and inconsistent since 9/11. it never hurts to be sure

Answer 7

Yes, I believe that after December, 2006 you will now need a passport. Give yourself plenty of time to get it. It can take some time. Enjoy yur cruise!

Answer 8

Back in the day, a few years ago, your boarding pass for the ship was good enough. I would get a passport. You will be glad you did. They are good for 8 years. Use mine all the time

Answer 9

well yes u need a pasport when traveling even if ur are a US citiz.. remember your a citiz. to the US and no other country. you can get a passaport at a post office you will be givin and aplication to fill out with your general iffo. and it can take up to 1 month to recive your passaport. (remember take our ID birth certificate and important papers NOTE: they need 2 be copys)

Answer 10

If you will be leaving U.S. territory, you are required to have a passport. You can fill out the application and take your photo at any post office. Specific times apply-so check first.