2007-10-12 14:52:53 · 15 answers · asked by christie_hardin2002 1 in Travel ➔ Cruise Travel
See website below to read the NEW announcement made this week by the state department. It states clearly that the date for the requirement for passports or SEA travel has been delayed until summer of 2008. So, passports are NOT needed for SEA and LAND travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean nations until at least summer of 2008. You got many answers that are FLAT WRONG including the one stating you need a passport for sea travel starting in Jan. 2008. Read this page for yourself to be sure. Now, some cruise lines require their passengers to have a passport even tho the law does not, so CALL them and ask. Also, you may read the 2nd website to CONFIRM that the passport requirement for Sea travel has been " postponed until mid-year 2008.".( last sentence, 3rd paragraph). It also states in the 7th paragraph that people taking round-trip cruises which begin and end in the U.S. do not need passports until after that date. This is the official state department info. Have a great trip!
2007-10-12 19:46:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
IT AMAZES ME HOW SO MANY PEOPLE WILL GIVE ANY ANSWER THAT IS INCORRECT, BASED ON A GUESS.
The correct answer is that it depends on when you will start and finish your cruise. A new law takes effect on January 1, 2008 that requires ALL persons entering the US to have a valid passport. So if your cruise ends after December 31, 2007 (this year) you WILL be required to have a passport. Then you will need a passport for any type travel outside of the US by any means, car, plane, train, bus, cruise ship, starting January 1, 2008.
BUT, if your cruise is in Oct, Nov or Dec of this year and you return to US soil, and that includes the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hawaii since it is a part of the US, BEFORE December 31, 2007 you do not need a passport. A birth certificate and Gov't issued photo ID, like a driver's license, will suffice.
Check out the passport office's web site. In addition, if you have a cruise booked, each cruise line has a link on its web page with the latest requirements for passports. The last time that I checked almost all cruise lines have a requirement that you have a valid passport beginning January 1, 2008 and if not you will be denied boarding. And they make it clear that if you must have one because of the timing of your cruise , its your responsibility to get one and you will be denied ship boarding if you do not have one if its required.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passpor...
2007-10-12 22:23:43 · answer #2 · answered by TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As of September 2007, I believe it is, no matter where you are going outside of the US whether its islands or Mexico you need a passport of birth certificate. But I think starting Jan 2008 everybody will need passports whether you are going on a cruise or flying and leaving out of the US.
2007-10-16 17:01:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the cruise is going to any other countries then yes, especially if you want to visit the port. If you are not getting off the boat then it used to be ok (back like 10-15 years ago).
But today immigration will want to see one for re-entry into the country.
It is always best to have one. If anything went wrong you could have to ID yourself to a foreign police force and a passport is best (if someone falls overboard the next port police or whatever countries waters you are in will conduct an investigation and ask for ID).
2007-10-12 22:06:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you board the ship in the United States and come back to the United States....no. This is only until January 1, 2008. After that, yes, you will have to have one.
2007-10-13 10:20:15 · answer #5 · answered by Hannahbelle 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes!!!! definatly get one..and passports take up to a year to get, so you should start now if your thinking about taking a cruise!
2007-10-14 14:29:19 · answer #6 · answered by 3oh!3 fan! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As recently as summer 2006, you didn't (a birth certificate and driver's license sufficed). But now you do, unless it's a Hawaiian or Alaskan cruise (or a river cruise within the US).
2007-10-12 23:49:03 · answer #7 · answered by bj 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I can't say for sure because i dont know where your cruise is going, but I'm going to one outside of Florida, and we're traveling to one island for one of those days, and I have to have one. I just applied for mine, and since we're not traveling by air it's not backed up or anything. We should get ours in 6-8 weeks.
2007-10-12 21:56:24 · answer #8 · answered by BlackDahlia 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes. If you are not citizen (GreenCard holder), I would check with cruise line and immigration service
2007-10-12 21:56:30 · answer #9 · answered by Obama Happends 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
does the cruise go to another country?
2007-10-12 21:55:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋