Do you have to have a passport to go on EVERY cruise???

Question

My husband is trying to plan my birthday trip .I told him i wanted to go on a cruse.We would like to leave either out of New Orleans or Texas...somewhere around that area. Theres only one problem..... about 20yrs ago he got into some trouble so now hes stuck with the "title" of a felon. I heard you cannot get a passport if you were a convicted felon.... any suggestion???

Answer 1

No, some cruise lines require them, some do not, but as the answerson you other question say, he should be able to get a passport.

Answer 2

well you dont NEED a passport just a photo id to board a cruise....but god for bid something happens and you get stuck on one of your ports of call that aren't in the us, then there is no way to fly back

Answer 3

You have two issues here, passport and criminal record.  I can answer the passport question but I think the US Passport office is the best place for an answer to the other issue.

You do not need a passport if your cruise ship departs from a US port, like Galveston or New Orleans, AND your cruise ends before the end of this year (December 31, 2007).

But  a passport WILL BE REQUIRED of all US citizens to reenter the USA starting January 1, 2008.

It best to go ahead and apply for the passport  as it will save you a lot of hassle traveling outside the country and MOST IMPORTANTLY, once you get the passport you will be set for 10 years. The web site below will answer all of your questions about passports.

Passports are issued by the US Department of State. But you can get the application at your local post office.  Or, just go online to the passport office web site below. You will need two small photos to go with your application and you can usually get those at a lot of places like banks, AAA office, some travel agencies do them and other places advertise passport photos.

You can turn in your application at the post office OR mail it to the passport office. If you need the passport in a hurry, you can request expedited service and pay extra for the express mailings.  The normal processing time was about six weeks, but because so many people have applied due to the new requirements the Passport Office has a huge backlog and it is now taking months to get a passport.  

Go to the passport office web site for answers to the other question:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passpor...

Answer 4

Check with the US Passport Agency and determine if there is such a restriction.  I do not believe there is.

However, if he is still on parole and has travel restrictions on the parole conditions, that is a different story.

If there is no restriction, apply for passports immediately.  It takes quite a while to get them and a passport is the best form of ID you can ever have.

Answer 5

If you need a passport to cruise depends on two things:

1)  Where your cruise is going:  Some countries require passports no matter what.  If you are sailing a caribbean itinerary, you are PROBABLY safe.  You should check with a travel agent or cruise line.

2)  Is your cruise post-January 2008:  All cruising passangers will be required to have a passport for sailings post January 2008.

As far as the felony goes, read this page from the US Passport office:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/inf...

If he isn't flagged, it is up to the discretion of the passport agency.

Answer 6

Not if the cruise itinerary is in the US, like Hawaiian cruises with NCL, you do not need passport for them because it's still US soil.

Answer 7

AS OF JANUARY 1 2008, you are required to have a passport for any and ALL cruises.

Answer 8

Go to the passport info website at www.usps.com/passport.

Chances are there should be no problem unless the terms of his parole or release restrict him from international travel.  That's what you need to find out.  Otherwise there is nothing in the law to restrict him from traveling.

Answer 9

As long as your cruise leaves and departs from the US or a US territory you don't need a passport. Passports will be required beginning January 2008. He shouldn't have a problem with his state issued ID, just make sure you go before the end of the year. Also as long as there is no stipulation of his parole or probation saying he cant travel outside the US, and he has no current warrants, he shouldn't have a problem.

Answer 10

there are no questions on criminal convictions on the application; the final decision is up to the state department. check with your parole or probation officer on any restrictions on leaving the country. also check with the country(s) you are going

to; some of them have restrictions on felons entering.