I am going to the bahamas on a cruise ship from Florida do I need a passport?

Question

I am going in April of this year if so is it too late for a passport?

Answer 1

No, you only need a passport if you are traveling by air. January 1, 2008, however, you will need it for cruise travel. have fun!!

Check out this website (the second bullet)

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Answer 2

As of January 23rd 2007 the rules have changed in regard to the passport requirements. I looked at several sites and they all say that you will need a passport when you FLY to and from.

Realize that you are going on a cruise ship and could not see if the new rule applies.

Best suggestions:

1. Contact your cruise ship immediately by phone to question on what is their Passport rule. One of their customer service representatives should be able to answer that.

2. You can get an expidited or a "rush" on your passport. Your local US Post office should have the details for you. Usually a copy of your iteneray will be required to show the "need" for a rush order for your passport.

3. This government website should be able to give you the steps on what you need to do next to rush your passport order:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Hope you have a safe and very enjoyable trip!

Answer 3

You only need one in,2007 if you are flying. In 2008, you will need one for cruising. I am cruising the end of March, I sent in for a passport a month ago, even though I didn't need it now, I will in the future. My only concern is that they kept my birth certificate when I applied. They said I will get it back with my passport. If they don't come within 2 weeks of boarding I'll have to buy another birth certificate.

Answer 4

in my opinion, i'd chosen the Mexico one. that is my cruising historic past: Carnival mind's eye (7 day Caribbean) Carnival Fascination (7 day Caribbean) Disney Magic (4 day Bahamas) Grandeur of the Seas (7 day Caribbean) Carnival Valor (7 day Caribbean) Carnival pride (7 day Mexican Riviera) I felt, that on the 4 day cruise, by the point you ultimately commence to sense settled in and then you're already getting off. i love having an entire week on the deliver. You get the comprehend the individuals and the employees and each thing. it really is tremendous. in my opinion i do not even truly like Nassau a lot. i have not at all been to Key West, notwithstanding it sounds truly tremendous... yet you get extra cultural enrichment in case you pass to Mexico. Puerto Vallarta has fantastically seashores. Mazatlan is almost a unload (probability-free, notwithstanding) with astounding outside taxis. Cabo is perfect yet there are too many travelers... nevertheless, pass on the Mexico one. i'd take virtually any 7 day cruise over a 4 day.

Answer 5

Yes, and you can get a passport in time.
You will have to show up at the passport document place with your tickets.

Answer 6

New Requirements for Travelers

* Media Notes
* Flyers & Fact Sheet
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Federal Regulations

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

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.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

* U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
* The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
* DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Media Notes

* 11/22/2006 Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007
* 10/17/2006 Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Flyers & Fact Sheet

* Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (pdfPDF)
* Fact Sheet - WHTI's Successful Implementation (01/30/07) (pdfPDF)
* Flyer on Passport Requirement for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007 (pdfPDF)
* Hoja de Informacion (pdfPDF)
* WHTI Information Sheet - French (pdfPDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

* Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)

Federal Regulations

*
Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)
*
Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)
*
Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

Other Relevant Links

* Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection