If you leave the u.s. on a cruise ship do you have to have a passport?

Question

I am considering a cruise in March, and do not have a passport. I think the time is short, so may not be able to go without a passport. Does anyone know from a recent cruise if they accept any other forms of id? Or, what is the best route to get a passport.

Answer 1

The answer to your question do you NEED a passport NO, but it is recommended. A passport WILL BE required after January 2008. All you need to have is a valid driver's license and a certified copy of your birth certificate. I just did a cruise end of January right when the new rules went into effect and all i had was my bc and driver's license. I am in the process of getting my passport for future sailings as it is recommend and will soon be required. I travel with Royal Caribbean and here is an excerpt from their website:

Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship.

Caution: The requirements described below are either required by government regulations or reflect Royal Caribbean travel policies. They are subject to change without notice.

It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify all travel documents and obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel documents such
as passports, visas, inoculation and family legal documents required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries. The expiration of your passport must not occur within six (6) months of the scheduled termination date of your voyage.

Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country and may be subject to fines. If as a result of your lack of proper documentation, a fine or other cost is incurred by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., you agree to indemnify Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. for such expenses. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

Important: Royal Caribbean domestic sailings are all sailings originating and ending in ports located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Panama Canal sailings. All other sailings are considered to be international sailings. These include itineraries in Europe, South America and Australia/New Zealand including re-positioning sailings originating or ending in their ports. U.S. citizens traveling on our international sailings are required to have valid passports.

Domestic Sailing Requirements:

U.S. Citizen Passport Requirement

Air Travel

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 to enter (or re-enter) the United States.

U.S. lawful permanent residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551) issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to the United States.

Cruise Travel

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.

Until that time, the following travel document requirements apply:

International Travel A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
Domestic Travel For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended.
In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or a certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required.
A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.
Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID.

OUR RECOMMENDATION

Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.

Guests who cruise just prior to or after January 23, 2007, who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them.

For additional passport information visit www.travel.state.gov. Or if you prefer, contact Passport Express at www.passportservices.com/rci for applications and assistance.

US Naturalized Citizens: A U.S. passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended as it will speed-up your ship check-in formalities. In the absence of a passport, Naturalization papers (either original or notarized copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required.

Non U.S. Citizens: Valid passports and visas (when needed) including the original copy of Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green card") and any other travel documentation required because of alien status in the United States or with respect to any country on the itinerary. For visas, please contact the Embassies (Consular Services) of each country on your sailing itinerary or the visa service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services where you can email [e-mail] , fax [phone]), or call (1800.858.8579 ) for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality.


Canadian Citizens: A passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended as it will speed-up your ship check-in formalities (if you would like to find out how to obtain a passport, you can do so at The Canadian Passport Office website). In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original, notarized copy or certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal or provincial government agency. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID. Visas are not required for Canadian citizens.

Canadian Landed Immigrants: For those citizens of British Commonwealth countries who reside in Canada, valid passports and US visas are now required. Also required is the original copy of your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), formally the IMM 1000, or with respect to any country on the itinerary any other travel documentation required because of alien status. For Visas, please contact the Embassies (Consular Services) of each country on your sailing itinerary or the visa service of your choice, for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality.

Passport Express Services
Phone Number: 800.858.8579
Fax Number: 401.272.4839
Email Address: [e-mail]

International Sailing Requirements:
U.S. Citizens: Valid passports and visas (when needed) are required. For information on obtaining or renewing a passport visits the State Department's Website or if you choose, contact the contact the passport service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services where you can obtain information, forms and fees for obtaining passports and visas by visiting their website or calling 1.800.858.8579


Guests carrying an Official (maroon cover) passport must also be in possession of a valid Personal (blue or green covered) passport to allow vessel embarkation.

Non U.S. Citizens: Valid passports and visas (when needed) are required and any other travel documentation required by the governments of the countries on the itinerary. For visas/inoculations, please check with your travel agent, government
agencies, embassies or consulates or if you choose, contact the passport service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services where you can obtain information, forms and fees by visiting their website or calling 1.800.858.8579 and your physician or local health department or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website to determine travel and health documentary requirements.



Family Legal Documents:
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.

Inoculation / Health:
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website.

I know that is a lot of information and hope it is not too confusing. Hope this helps you. Good luck with your plans and if you do decide to go then Bon Voyage!

Answer 2

If you absolutely want on then you can express a passport but they cost alot extra, but to some everything up until January 2008 you dont need a passport instead you need a drivers license or photo ID, and proof of citizenship and a valid birth certificate an original if you choose to get a passport but if your going on a cruise a photo copy is more hten likely acceptable. Have fun.

Answer 3

To go on a cruise, you do NOT need a passport, HOWEVER, if something were to happen to you on the cruise, or to the cruise ship, you would not be able to fly back from the islands without a passport. It's kind of a gamble.

Answer 4

From what I have heard you do have to have a passport now to travel on a cruise ship. You also have to have a passport to travel to Canada or Mexico now as well.

Answer 5

If you were member of a group that traveled form it leaves from that group I do not believe that they check inside outside necessary that his check passport that it must make immigration before entering inside the cruise. In my case it was not member of a group of tour so nobody check me already being inside of the cruise.

Answer 6

Starting January 1, 2007, you need a passport for all travel outside the US. You might want to start on it now. It is a lengthy process.


http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Answer 7

I went on one in summer and didnt need a passport