2007-03-21 13:04:08 · 15 answers · asked by molls77 1 in Travel ➔ Cruise Travel
Since this is a big debate. It wouldnt hurt to have one but the official answer is NO if going by cruise ship and yes if your flying!!!!!!!! Starting January 23, 2007 all international travel to and from the US to caribbean and all thsoe other places will need to have a valid passport when re entering the US..
As early as January 2008 anyone traveling by ship to a foreigh country such as the carribean, mexico, bahamas, and etc do not need to have one, just a valid ID, birth certificate or an expired passport when re entering the US... thats directly what the requirements state.
2007-03-21 13:52:01 · answer #1 · answered by coolliz2444 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The answer is NO. The passport regulation for cruising to Mexico is changed to Jan. 2008. If you fly, then you need the passport.
Still, the passport is the best form of ID.
The waiting period is currently around 12 weeks. The cost is $97. For an extra $60, it can be rushed to 3 weeks with no guarantee.
2007-03-22 18:11:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You will just need a state certified copy of your birth certificate. (And it's to get back INTO the US, not to go there, just as some general information)
You are allowed re-entry into the US when travelling by sea or land with a certified copy of your birth certificate (not a copy you made on a copy machine yourself - although it would probably work, you'd get to go through a lot of questions and answer sessions with Immigration). The requirement of having to have a Passport for re-entry is now just for air travel. Starting January, 2008, that requirement will change and you will be required to have a Passport also for sea travel re-entry.
It is "recommended", but not required until January. And with the backlog of Passport requests, the time it takes to get a Passport has grown a bit recently, so if you are going soon, it would be a good idea to apply for the future and hope you get it before you leave, but don't delay or cancel your cruise if you haven't gotten it.
One thing to keep in mind is now without a Passport, when you come back into the US and go through Immigration at the port, you will answer a few questions vs. being waved through if you are holding and displaying a Passport. But even at that, it's usually just a few quick questions such as where you were born and like what hospital while they are looking at your birth certificate.
2007-03-22 12:10:05 · answer #3 · answered by PH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The last guy that answered hit it on the nose... i have been on a cruise before and i had a passport. you do not need it except the cruise lines highly recommend it. Think of it this way -- if you miss the boat due to a delayed flight the morning of the cruise.. etc. The next step is that the airline should fly you to your first port so you can make the boat -- now if you have to fly to Mexico - and dont have a passport you are out of luck. I hope that makes sense... its better if you have one for reasons like that, but you arent required yet. However as soon as Jan. of 08 you may be required to have a passport for all travel via cruise ships... good luck. have fun on the cruise!
2007-03-21 21:27:06 · answer #4 · answered by beachchica21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you do NOT need a passport for sea travel to mexico. BUt it is very efficient if you do get one.If people actually checked the passport requirements on the gov't website, they'd see that they were REVISED, they would know before answering the question and looking like a fool. I had an argument with the lady at the post office when I was asking about the passport req's, and she was stating that you NEED a passport for SEA travel. ANd she argued with me about it so much, i just told her to go on the government website, and she ended up going on it, and she looked like a FOOL to all the other people in the room, b/c she was wrong. Its for air travel internationally. International SEA travel , you don't NEED a passport. Its highly reccomended though. It was revised in January 2007, so the passport thing is req'ed as EARLY as jan 2008, not 2007. BUt I would recommend it. You don't want to sit on line for hours and hours while other people are passing you gettting on the ship much sooner. We ended up getting one , and expediting it. So we can go right thru the lines and not have to deal with any problems. If you miss the ship you dont' wanna get stuck with no passport to get back! haha. Well just check out the passport req's on the goverment website. It was revised that is why all these people dont' know what they are talking about they are il informed.
2007-03-22 01:08:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can still get on with just a birth certificate but a passport makes things so much easier. I use mine all the time, even for domestic travel. A passport is perfect for the gate and security people.
2007-03-22 11:13:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A valid passport is required for all international travel.
See the following link on the US Department of State's Travel Page.
2007-03-21 20:09:11 · answer #7 · answered by henchook 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As of right now NO YOU DO NOT but in 2008 passports will be required for entering another country by air, land or sea.
2007-03-22 11:03:17 · answer #8 · answered by ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the past, you only needed your birth certificate, however since 2007 you now need a passport--its the law and not an option.
2007-03-21 23:41:39 · answer #9 · answered by lucy g 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Since January 2007 you MUST have a passport to leave the United States, if you plan to reenter
2007-03-21 20:36:01 · answer #10 · answered by Bill in Kansas 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋