Do you need a passport to board a cruise ship ?

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matt1180

You don't need a passport when TRAVELING BY SEA. You only need a passport when traveling by air. Passports won't be required until Jan. of 08 at the earliest.

This is the link to the Department of Homeland Security page which clearly states passport requirements:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

susieq

not necessarily but they do require at least a birth certificate

christianforChrist

No, but they require a birth certificate, and driver's license. I just went last year. Passport is preferred though.

ohiostatekid91

I think I might be going on the same cruise as you. They say that you need proof of citizenship to board the ship in Miami. The best way of showing proof of citizenship is by having your passport. So technically, you don't NEED a passport to board the ship, but you will need some form of proff of citizenship.

Get back to me if you're going on a Royal Caribbean cruise which leaves tomorrow at 5 PM.

roundater

New Requirements for U.S. Citizens

* Media Notes
* Flyers & Fact Sheet
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Federal Regulations

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
* As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

* U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
* The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
* DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administrationâ€™s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Media Notes

* 11/22/2006 Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007
* 10/17/2006 Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Flyers & Fact Sheet

* Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (pdfPDF)
* Fact Sheet - WHTI's Successful Implementation (01/30/07) (pdfPDF)
* Flyer on Passport Requirement for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007 (pdfPDF)
* Hoja de Informacion (pdfPDF)
* WHTI Information Sheet - French (pdfPDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

* Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)

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)

Other Relevant Links

* Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Michelle G

Yes

sunny.sparks65

As of January 2007, American visitors to the Bahamas are required to have a passport.

You can cruise on the ship all you want...but to disembark and visit the islands, you need a Passport.

We were planning a cruise last year...

stella39

If you are a USA citizen and board a ship in a United States port and return to a United States port, you do not need a passport. However, this rule may change next year and you will need a passport. Bring photo ID and your birth certificate.

have a great trip
s

Krista Aya

This happened to me 5 years ago. I did not need a passport, I used my birth certificate; however, I was strongly encouraged to have a passport the next time I wanted to do this again.

Also, with all these new laws about flying with your passport, I would say to get your passport. If you still have time, get a passport. If not, then just use your birth certificate, everything should be fine(you might get asked a few questions, but you'll be fine.)

dante y

yes

inkedrn

This is from www.travel.state.gov :

January 23, 2007 â€“ Passports, Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 â€“ It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement.

In my words: No, you don't need one yet if you are cruising. The date has been pushed back to next year. We went on a cruise in May of '06, and going on another one in 27 days. Birth certificates & a picture I.D. will get you there until the new law comes into effect.

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