Do you need a passport to go on a cruise?

Question

im going on a cruise oct 23-nov 1st of 08 for my honeymoon. the ship is leaving from NJ and cruising to bahamas, st. martin, st. thomas, and san juan. some people are telling me yes and others are telling me no. if you answer would you please state your source? thanks!

Answer 1

Depends. If you are going to brittish territory on your cruise, then yes, definately. If you are going to mexico, canada, or us territory then you just need you DL/birth certificate until jan,2008 as the passport agncy went too slow to get this done in 2007. Always check with a post office to be absolutely sure though.

Answer 2

Yes, we are going on a cruise Dec 07 for our honeymoon to the Bahamas.  I emailed the cruise line and asked them they told me yes.  I would email them and ask them.  Royal Caribbean

Answer 3

Yes, but you can go with your ID and birth certificate, just takes longer.

Have fun!

Answer 4

Here's the official website, it's hard to understand, but I think you are ok with a birth certificate as long as you cruise in and out of the US:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbp...

If you haven't booked yet, this website has cruises starting at $159:

http://www.choiceretreat.com

Answer 5

see I will try to explain to you... passport is some thing important you can not move from your country with out passport.. and the good news is about visa if you will stay in any of this country more then 24 hour u have to buy it and if less then 24 hour then you don't have too...

Answer 6

To go on the cruise - NO

to be able to come back to the US - YES

and its all because your cruise is stopping in the Bahamas & St. Martin  - neither are US island and therefore require a passport now

Answer 7

I've been a Disney cruise two times & yes we did.

Answer 8

You need to prove that you have applied for one.  

You will need one as of 1/1/08.  

You will need to bring your birth certificates if you do not have your passport yet.

Answer 9

so long as the cruise ship doesnt leave the countries borders then you should be alright.

however it doesnt hurt to be safe.

get a passport

Answer 10

I see you got a wide variety of answers.  Here is what I believe is the most current info.  The requirement for passports for SEA travel goes into effect Jan. 2008.  so , tehnically, you do not need passports.  Also, the Passport service and Homeland security have announced that if a cruise leaves from and returns to the United States, you do not need a passport.  See 2nd website below and read first and fifth paragraphs.  Now, some cruise lines require their passengers to have passport and some do not...so you need to CALL your cruise line to see.  But , as far as the law goes, you do NOT need passports for a cruise that begins and ends in the  United States.

Answer 11

First of all congratulations.  

To be completely honest with you at this time you will need a passport for cruising next year.  I WORK FOR THE CRUISE LINES.  You need to start working on that, it can take many months to get a passport you might want to use an expedited passport website they speed things but they charge you more.

However last year we advised everyone you would need one for 07 but the laws were changed in December allowing you to use a birth certificat and picture Id to board in 07.  Same thing might happen for 08 but as of right now you will need a passport for Oct 08.  Better to be safe than sorry get it now you'll need it eventually.  If you fly out of the country now, you need a passport.

If you are leaving from NJ you are probably going on Royal caribbean on the Explorer of the Seas out of Bayonne NJ.

Answer 12

I dont think you need one till 1/1/08, just have a certified copy of your birth certificate and a picture i.d.    but get a passport, you will need it after this year to go anywhere

Answer 13

Yes as of 2008 all sea travel will require a passport

Answer 14

u will want to carry it along especially if you wish to go ashore at the various stops,

you have to remember that countries like bahamas for example are international destination and u will have to clear immigration to enter the country

Answer 15

you WILL need one as of 1/1/08

Answer 16

yes you will need a passport for cruises in that area starting January 2008