are passports needed to cruise now?

Answer 1

The new regulations are only applying to air travel - not sea or land, that does not go into effect until 2008.

http://privatejetcharter.spaces.live.com/

Answer 2

NOT ALL CRUISES REQUIRE A PASSPORT RIGHT NOW!

Just wanted to make sure you saw it. Here are the criterias for passports.

2007 - Cruise starts and ends in a US port - You do not need a passport unless you are traveling to a country that normally would require one (South America, Europe)

2007 - Cruise starts or ends in a foreign port - If you fly in or out of the US to start or end your cruise then you must have a passport. Say your cruise starts and ends in Vancouver, BC and you are driving to and from the US. Then no passport is require, but you fly across that boarder and yes you would need a passport.

2008 - EVERYONE needs a passport no matter what.

Answer 3

Not until 2008 will you be "required" to have a Passport (and it's not to cruise, it's to get back into the US and in territories (US Virgin Islands, etc.)) HOWEVER, it is "recommended" that you get one because when ID is required, if you have a Passport, they motion you through the line, if you have a birth certificate you get to stop and answer questions or put into the "let's have a talk" line. So although not required, or needed, it's a good thing to have vs. the alternative.

Answer 4

As early as January 1, 2008, subject to U.S. Government amendment, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

Answer 5

NO for now for cruises to/from United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

However, starting 2008, YES, you'll be required to have a passport.

The US Department of State's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) 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.


BUT WAIT! If you're going to the Bahamas, you may want to get one anyway (FOR FREE!). If you're staying at any of the major hotel/resorts in Nassau or Paradise Island in the Bahamas from now till April 2007, you can get your US Passport application fee reimbursed -- that's $97/adult or $82/child!!!! So check out the hotel list and details and you may actually want to proactively get a US Passport now anyway: http://www.essistme.com/2007/01/09/how-to-get-your-passport-fees-reimbursed-for-free-97-adults-82-children/

Answer 6

According to the U.S. State Department, "as early as January 1, 2008, passengers heading to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea must have a valid passport."

Answer 7

Yes as of Jan. 1 this year you must have a passport when re-entering the country. So you will have to have one to come back through customs.

Answer 8

As of now if you are flying out of the country you need one to get back into the US but if you are cruising then you just need a valid ID and a birth certicate but it wouldnt hurt to have one so i would get one and the official regulation doesnt go into affect until January of 2008.

Answer 9

not if your cruising to caribbean or mexico not intill jan 8 2008 will you need a passport you can check out goverment site for all information but if traveling by air to caribbean or mexico yes you do. hope this helps

Answer 10

passports are required to re-enter the US. if you're cruise takes you out of the US, you'll need one to get back in, regardless of who you are or what you look like...

Answer 11

you will need a passport to return to the US anytime you leave the US through a port of entry, the answer is yes, consult your travel agent for further details