Do you need a passport if you are going to the Caribbean on a cruise?

Question

We are going on a cruise, leaving from Florida and traveling the Caribbean via cruise ship. Do we need a passport?

Answer 1

The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June 7, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the childs proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov.

This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.

Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.

*******As early as January 2008, the departments will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks. ********

Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.

Answer 2

By law you are not required to have a passport when traveling to the Caribbean on a cruise ship until January 2008. You must either have a passport or proof that you applied for one, however to fly. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you have a passport or proof in case of emergency and you need to fly home.
The law was suppose to go into effort a few years ago but it keeps getting pushed out.

If you don't have a passport. please make sure you have one of the following documents plus a valid state issued photo ID so you don't get denied boarding:


A valid passport (recommended)
Original birth certificate or state-issued certified copy of a birth certificate with Picture ID, or
Original Naturalization papers
In addition to these requirements, all guests 16 years of age or older must provide an official photo ID

Answer 3

Depends on date and location. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are US territories, so you don't need one to travel there at any time.

Many other Caribbean destinations require a passport to travel there, and the US government will start requiring a passport from every returning citizen in 2008. As of 2007, the US only requires it from those returning by air (or anything else other than sea).

I'd ask your cruise line what they recommend, and check into your specific countries of travel. Some destinations may require passports (and other documents) to visit, and of those destinations, many will stipulate that your passport is valid 6-8 months past your departure.

Answer 4

Depends on when you are going. The state department has suspended the rule requiring a passport for people sailing on a cruise to the Caribbean. However that only applies to those traveling prior to September 30th and have applied for a passport. You need a copy of your passport application receipt from the state department or you will not be allowed to board the ship. You can get that document and real about it at:

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

Otherwise you need a passport. Currently standard delivery is 15 weeks, expedited is 4. A birth certificate or voters registration card is meaningless in travel now days (very old school) as they are not positive forms of ID.

Answer 5

Do you have any current information on needing a passport for the southern Caribbean going on a carnival cruise from san Juan to St Thomas, Barbados, St lucia, St kitts, St maarten

Answer 6

no you don't. Earlier this year you did, but somehow it's changed AGAIN. Eventually you will, but for now, youre fine. I have a passport, but my cousin doesn't and on the 23rd we're going on a cruise to Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Martiin. I know you at least need a birth certificate...but I would get in touch with your cruise line and get all of the requirements.

Answer 7

No you don`t need a passport but if you are intending to fly back you do,as long as you come back on the cruise your fine!
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Kaylina Krin=)

Answer 8

I know you didn't used to. You just needed proof that you were a US Citizen with a birth certificate or voters registration card. I heard that they are trying to change this, but as of yet I don't believe you need a passport. I also heard that soon you will also need one to visit Canada or Mexico...not sure when, check with your travel agent.

Answer 9

Not until at least Jan 2008, and as late as June 2009.

Answer 10

No - didn't need one out of Galveston Texas.