Need a passport for Caribbean cruise?

Question

I am wanting to take a cruise leaving from Miami Florida. It goes to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and then goes to Grand Cayman, then back to Miami. Will I need a passport to go on this cruise?

Answer 1

Right now a passport is not needed for US citizens departing a US port and returning to a US port. But things may change in the near future.

Passports are required for some cruise lines. Best to check your cruise company.

here is a site to check for updates

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

If you have time, best to apply for passport now before the rush, it's good for 10 years.

Good Luck)

Answer 2

"Lindsay" is misinformed.  You MUST have a passport to Fly out of the U.S.  Passports are NOT needed for sea travel to the Caribbean region yet..the date has not yet been set, but will be after next summer.  See site below and read top half of page carefully for current info.  Now, some cruise lies want their guests to have passports...so it is a good idea to call them and ask their policy.

Answer 3

You don't need a passport to take a cruise.  State issued photo ID and your birth certificate wiil grant you passage on a cruise  ship, for now.  The reason, I believe, according to cruise ship companys that you should have  a passport is in case you need to fly back to States for any reason, i.e. medical emergency or ,missed boat and must fly to next port/USA.

According to Carnival Cruise Line :

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.

Answer 4

You'll pretty much need a Passport for anything outside the united states.