Do you need a passport to go on a cruise?

[Scarpozzi]

I was thinking about going on a cruise, but a loved one that I'd want to go with me hasn't updated her passport with her current info yet.

I'm just wondering if anyone's gone on one recently to the Carribean and could enlighten me on what I should do.

 

[xanis]

Yes, you need a passport.

 

[bonkers325]

yes

 

[Lola]

I believe you do at this point.

Where are you thinking of going?
I know a cruise forum I belong to there was a post saying how quickly passports are being processed so, I would urge them to get one.
Even if they are not necessary yet, it makes travel SO much easier

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Yes, you need a passport.

Do you know for a fact?

I went to this site:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
And read the following:

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver?s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

I had just always heard that they were changing things....I'm not sure who to believe.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Xanis
Yes, you need a passport.

Do you know for a fact?

I went to this site:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
And read the following:

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver?s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

I had just always heard that they were changing things....I'm not sure who to believe.

Well my parents just got back from a cruise to the Carribean and Mexico and they said that passports were required so I was just taking their word for it.

 

[Mr Pickles]

Yeah you do now.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Xanis
Yes, you need a passport.

Do you know for a fact?

I went to this site:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
And read the following:

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver?s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

I had just always heard that they were changing things....I'm not sure who to believe.

That looks to me like it is not required yet.
My mom and brother did not have passports last fall on our cruise, and although they were not needed it was a much bigger hassle going about customs coming into port in St. Thomas then back to FLA.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Xanis
Yes, you need a passport.

Do you know for a fact?

I went to this site:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
And read the following:

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver?s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

I had just always heard that they were changing things....I'm not sure who to believe.

That looks to me like it is not required yet.
My mom and brother did not have passports last fall on our cruise, and although they were not needed it was a much bigger hassle going about customs coming into port in St. Thomas then back to FLA.

Here's another link....I'd be interested in the 2 document option:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/tra...el/chnge_in_proced.xml

 

[xanis]

I don't know now, maybe my parents just misunderstood or something. Even so I still suggest getting a passport. Like LolaWiz said, the processing times are pretty short and passports make excellent second forms of ID.

 

[MixMasterTang]

I think it also depends on where exactly you are taking a cruise. You can probably get by without one if it's the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, etc. But if you are hitting some of the other islands you'd probably have a bigger problem. Also what exactly do you mean by

hasn't updated her passport with her current info yet

?

 

[gleong]

Guess it's up to her to decide if the extra scrutiny she'll receive from CBP is worth not having to take the time to get a new passport.

 

[Kadarin]

I needed one back in '05 for my Caribbean trip (and again last year for the Bahamas).

 

[mrCide]

i believe it was recently changed. if you used to go by boat you wouldnt need a passport, only if you flew, but now you need it regardless. i think.

 

[luckysnafu]

I don't think you need one to get on the ship in the US, but if you are docking somewhere else you won't be allowed off the ship w/o a passport. So unless you want to be stuck on the ship the entire cruise, get a passport.

 

[hiromizu]

Required? I don't know for sure. Recommended? Absolutely. You never know when political refugees from Cuba pirate your ship and take you guys for hostage. If you had a passport, your chances of rescue are that much greater.

 

[beach2nd]

Yes you def need a passport. I am leaving for a Caribbean cruise on 4/13 and I am required to have one.

 

[akshatp]

You need a passport. 100% for sure definitely. We went on a cruise to the Western Caribbean last November, and a couple was in line next to us and showed up without their passports. They were denied boarding. So yes, you certainly do need one.

 

[rockyct]

Get a passport now if you need one for the summer. I've heard it can get backlogged for summer travel. Sure a passport is a slight hassle at first, but they are good for like 10 years if you're over 18.

 

[Eeezee]

You need one to get off the boat (and back on the boat for that matter). Some cruise companies will let you go on the cruise itself if you bring just a birth certificate, but you must have a passport if you want to go ashore. Call the cruise company if you're unsure.

In any case, it's good to have an updated passport. I don't know why the US Govt feels the need to try to establish some new government ID... the passport is already the ultimate ID.

 

[George P Burdell]

Never hurts to get a passport.