Is a passport needed when traveling on a cruise to Mexico?

Question

My boyfriend will be going on a cruise from L.A. to Mexico... will he need a passport?

Answer 1

Nope. The only time you need your passport is when you are driving by car because you'll need all your documents, such as your driver's license. I went to Mexico once, and it was ASTONISHING! Everything was beautiful there, even the buildings. I hope you have a safe trip and hope you have fun! You'll have loads of it. ;)

Answer 2

He will not need his passport as long as your cruise returns back to a US port.  However, should something happen while you are on the cruise and you need to fly back into the US from a foreign country such as Mexico you will need that passport to re enter the US.  I recomend passports to all my clients regardless of how they are traveling.  Better to be safe than sorry.  

The Travel Guy @ BC Travel Company

Answer 3

This is from the Carnival website ...

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/New_Pas...

CRUISE TRAVEL

The U.S. Government will soon require all of our guests (including U.S. citizens) to be in possession of a valid passport when traveling on any Carnival cruise. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain further details. This requirement may become effective as early as Summer 2008.

Carnival strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation; and allow guests that must debark the ship before their cruise ends to fly back to the U.S. without significant delays and complications. Additionally, it will greatly help to expedite their debark process.

Also from Carnival ...

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templ...

U.S. citizens must present proof of citizenship in the form of a passport (valid or expired for less than 10 years), original birth certificate, state-issued certified copy of a birth certificate from the Department of Health and Vital Statistics, or original Naturalization papers.

Carnival strongly recommends its guests travel with a passport since it will greatly expedite clearance by the Department of Homeland Security.

CRUISE TRAVEL

The U.S. Government will require all of our guests (including U.S. citizens) to be in possession of a valid passport when traveling on any Carnival cruise. Foreign nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain further details.

This requirement will become effective no later than June 1, 2009. Please be aware that this effective date may be moved to an earlier date pending the U.S. Government’s implementation of new identification cards (PASScards) that will provide a less expensive alternative form of documentation.

From the Royal Caribbean website ...

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyoub...

U.S. Citizen Passport Requirement

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) once fully implemented will require all travelers entering or reentering the United States to be in the possession of a valid passport.

Anticipated Implementation

January 23, 2007 - Valid passport required for air travel to / from Canada, Mexico the Caribbean and Bermuda.

June 8, 2007 - The departments of State and Homeland Security relaxed the valid passport rule for air travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda provided travelers can show (a) a government-issued photo identification and (b) an official proof of application for a U.S. passport from the U.S. Department of State which can be secured from http:/travel.state.gov. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child's proof of application.

Note: Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated.

October 1, 2007 - The departments of State and Homeland Security reestablish the valid passport requirement for air travel to / from Canada, Mexico the Caribbean and Bermuda.

U.S. lawful permanent residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551) issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to the United States.

January 1, 2008 - A valid passport will be required for all sea and air travel. And subject to U.S. Government amendment, U.S. and Canadian citizens 15 or younger with their parents consent may cross the U.S./Canadian border by land or sea with a certified copy o their birth certificate.

Until that time



Sea Travel Only

For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended.

In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or certified copy), plus laminated picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required. Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth (except for new borns) are not acceptable.

For U.S. Naturalized citizens, in the absence of a passport, Naturalization papers (either original or notarized copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.

A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.

Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID.

From the Princess website ...

http://www.princess.com/faq/passport.htm...

NEW Passport Requirements

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), once implemented, will require all travelers entering or re-entering the United States to be in possession of a valid passport, even when traveling from certain countries in the Western Hemisphere for which passports previously were not required. The unforeseen possibility of a medical disembarkation or early cruise termination may require that you have a valid passport to enable you to continue travel.

Implementation of the WHTI is presently expected to be on the following schedule:

• January 23, 2007 - Valid passport required for travel by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

• January 1, 2008 - Valid passport required for all air and sea travel.

• January 1, 2008 - Valid passport required for all U.S. air, sea and land border crossings.

Please check back on our web site for future updates.

Answer 4

No, not this year.  In 2008 you may need one, but even that may be extended. Right now 2008 is the deadline.

Answer 5

This is only what i've heard but I have a friend that lives down in TX and he says that to even for him to go into mexico now you have to have a passport. (which he said used to not be this way) I have another friend whose parents are going on a cruise to Cuba and everywhere and they also have to have passports.

So my bet is, yes.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

As far as I know, the only time a passport isn't needed is when traveling by car. Next year, you'll need one to enter that way also.

Answer 8

yes beacuse i was on a cruise a month ago and we went to mexico

Answer 9

Nope only if your flying into mexico you guys are good with drivers license's and certifeid birth certificates have fun!

Answer 10

No, you do not need one.  I am also going on a cruise next month to Mexico and I called the cruise line and they advised that you should take it if you have it.  If not, it is not a requirement.  Also, they said a passport is recommended in case the cruise passenger gets sick, then the cruise can fly them home in that case.

Answer 11

Not as of right now.  In fact the DHS has issued a proposed rule change that you will not need a passport if you are an American Citizen, and you travel on a cruise ship, and return to the same port.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_118...