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

Question

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

Answer 1

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!

Answer 2

yes i have! but i don't have enough money get a cruise.... can you help me?

Answer 3

well if you want to get of the boat and visit another country...yes

Answer 4

does the cruise go to another country?

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

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).

Answer 7

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!

Answer 8

no i dont think

Answer 9

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...

Answer 10

Yes. If you are not citizen (GreenCard holder), I would check with cruise line and immigration service

Answer 11

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.

Answer 12

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).

Answer 13

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.

Answer 14

If the cruise takes you to forgien waters, then yes.....

Answer 15

hope this helps - the source is listed below

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Areas that fall under the WHTI:

    * Canada

    * Mexico



    * Bermuda

    * The Caribbean region (includes 17 regions)

AIR TRAVEL

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL

The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

    * JANUARY 31, 2008

      U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

    * SUMMER 2008

      At a later date, to be determined, the departments 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 either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

      The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

U.S. PASSPORT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

    * U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.

    * The Passport Card: This limited-use, wallet-size passport card is not yet available and is under development.  When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region (includes Bermuda).

    * Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document.  Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders are exempt from the passport requirement. DHS has more information on these travel documents.  This information may be seen at www.dhs.gov.

ABOUT WHTI

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on February 22 its intent to propose, as part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), significant flexibility regarding travel documents required for U.S. and Canadian children as part of WHTI requirements for U.S. land and sea border entry in 2008.

The goal of the initiative is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.

Media Notes

    * 09/04/2007  DHS Reminds Carriers and Traveling Public About the End of the Temporary WHTI Accommodation

    * 06/08/2007  Joint Departments of State and Homeland Security Announcement: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility Within Western Hemisphere

Federal Regulations

    * Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)

    * Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)

    * Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

    * Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Land/Sea Rule (pdf PDF)

Other Relevant Links

    * Department of Homeland Security

    * U.S. Customs and Border Protection