Do you have to have a passsport to go on a cruise?

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pda_tech_guy

only of the cruise is going overseas. If its a cruise within US waters, then no

travel guy

Here's the answer directly from the US Department of State. I've copied it for you in its entirety. This is the information you need.
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New Requirements for Travelers

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

On January 8, 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.

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.
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.

denathecruiseplanner

If you travel this year...no passports are needed for airlines nor cruises. If you travel next year 2007, you will need a passport for the airlines, not the cruise ships. You will need a passport in 2008 for airlines and cruise ships

Potcake

It definitely depends on which ports the ship will be calling on. Even in that case you could probably still go you just might not be able to get off the ship. Chances are if the ports are anywhere in the Caribbean or South America you wouldn't need one. They are very keen to attract American tourists so they like to make it as easy as possible for them to travel those countries. If it is Europe you would definitely need the passport.

Ginham

CRUISE TRAVEL
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. Governmentâ€™s implementation of new identification cards (PASScards) that will provide a less expensive alternative form of documentation.

AIR TRAVEL
Effective January 8, 2007, passports will be required for air travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Bermuda.

Mark J

No, it is not required, but you should have one after Jan 8, 2007. If you have an emergency, and have to fly back to the US from a foreign port, you will need a passport to do this.

yes

search4travelwebsites

You will need a passport to board a cruise ship.

Joy M

I think it depends on where you're going. I went on a cruise to Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico and did not need a passport. I would assume that one would also not need a passport if going on a cruise in Alaska. But if the cruise is in Europe, you more than likely would need a passport. You can contact a local travel agent to help you find a cruise to go on and what you'll need for the cruise.

adrianeheadley

Depends on where you go. My cruise went to Mexico and as long as you were a US Citizen you didn't have to have anything but your drivers liscense. Call the cruise line's 800 number. They can tell you everything you need. You need to find out soon thought because it can take weeks to get a passport.

kgreives

When are you going? The passport " law" comes in the end of Dec 2006 All the cruise line web sites will have the information on the site and will give specific dates they are going to begin enforcing the passport law. Good Luck and Congrats KG

NDK

yes because you go beyond the 3 miles limit of the countries shore line.

Lex

It depends on where you go. When I went to Alaska, we stopped in Victoria, British Columbia and all I needed was a birth certificate and some ID. If you do go to a different country, you only need a passport if you get off the ship.

baddrose268

A passport is a lot easier to carry as it has more information than just an ID and a birth certificate. However I recommend a passport as the laws are changing and soon all USA citizens by December 31st 2006 will need a passport to board and leave a ship.

OK yeah well whatever

If you'll be travelling in 2007, you will need a passport. My husband and I are going on our first cruise in February, 2007, and we were told we needed them. You can get them at the post office usually and they are $97, plus your passport photos. At our post office, the passport photos are an additional $15, but we got ours taken at Walgreens, and they were $7.99 plus tax.

Bon voyage!

soccerknocker199

if you are not from the united states and are leaving from the united states yes. if you are leaving from the united states and are from the us you dont need one till december 25 2006 i believe is when they are starting to make you have one after that you need one by the begining of next year. if u are leaving from somewere besides ur country you need one

joe

yes

djthis

depends on where. if its a cruise to the bahamas...no. anywhere else...yes you do.

Tyrus

Not if you stow away;)

needhelp

Yes

redrockcastle

Yes you do. You can't do anything without that passport.

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