Would I (under the new passport laws in the US) need to get a passport to go on a cruise through the Bahamas?

Question

Would I (under the new passport laws in the US) need to get a passport to go on a cruise through the Bahamas?

Answer 1

yes, besides, you'll dock somewhere and you might need it to get off the boat....and to return.  it's good to have it anyway.

Answer 2

After January 2008 you'll need a passport before then you won't but its highly recommended.

Answer 3

You do not need a passport for a Bahamas cruise until at least Jan of 2008, and possibly as late as June of 2009.  Best advice is to get one.  If you have an emergency and have to fly back, you will need one for that.  

What are the new passport requirements?



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 January 1, 2008.

AIR TRAVEL

Effective January 23, 2007, passports will be required for air travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Bermuda. This is an important new requirement for our cruise guests traveling by air to embark or debark in Vancouver for our Alaska or Hawaii cruises. In addition, this new requirement will also impact our Canadian guests that travel by air to or from any of our U.S. embarkation ports.

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.

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

For more information or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov.  Passport Services (www.passportservices.com/carnival) can also assist with step-by-step instructions and application assistance.  

Alternatively, until otherwise required as noted above, 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.

U.S. Alien Residents need a valid Alien Resident Card. Canadian Citizens must present a valid passport, original birth certificate, or certified copy of a birth certificate. Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a valid, unexpired U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa, if applicable. Guest names on travel documents (passport, Alien Resident Card, birth certificate, etc.) must be identical to those on the cruise and airline tickets. Otherwise, proof of name change (e.g., a marriage license) OR a valid driver’s license (or other government-issued photo ID) must be presented.

On occasion, non-U.S. citizens and U.S. Alien Residents may be asked to surrender their passport and/or Alien Resident Card at time of embarkation. These documents will be returned upon completion of the Immigration inspection at the time of debarkation.

Non-U.S. citizens eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program must still have a valid, unexpired passport. U.S. State Department regulations require all guests traveling from visa-waiver countries be in possession of a machine-readable passport that includes a biometric identifier — e.g., embedded digital photograph. Otherwise, guests will be required to obtain a U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa. Guests without proper identification may be refused boarding or entry into the United States.

For sailings to/from Europe, U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. Alien Residents and all other non-U.S. citizens are advised to check with their travel agent or appropriate government authority to determine the necessary documents. Certain foreign nationals will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa and/or Croatian Visa.

For sailings to Canadian ports of call, certain foreign nationals must obtain a Canadian visa in addition to the U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa. Non-U.S. citizens must contact the appropriate consulates, U.S. Embassy and U.S. Immigration office to inquire about necessary travel documentation.

For sailings to Bermuda, U.S. Alien Residents must present their valid Alien Resident Card in addition to their passport or birth certificate from country of origin. These documents will be returned upon completion of the Immigration inspection.

To debark for more than 24 hours in Mexico, guests must have obtained a Mexican Tourist Card from either a travel agent or a Mexican consulate prior to their departure.

When traveling with a minor and both parents/legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent/legal guardian authorizing the minor to travel with you. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security. Please note that a notarized letter to this effect is required if debarking with children in Mexico.

In addition to the above requirements, all guests 16 years of age or older must provide an official photo IDs.

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

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

Yes.  It's the law now.

Answer 6

If you are leaving from the US and returning to the US before 2008, you do not need a passport for a cruise.  The laws do not take effect for cruises until 2008.  With that said though, if you miss the ship when it leaves port at one of its stops, you are responsible for getting yourself back home, which would be by air, then you would need a passport.  So, if you do not get a passport, make sure you do not miss the ship (which I believe should be common sense anyway).