Will I need a passport to go on a Caribbean cruise?

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GPapenburg

It depends on your point of embarkation and your citizenship.

If you are departing from a U.S. port and you are a U.S. citizen you may use an identification document (driver's license) and a proof of citizenship (birth or naturalization certificate) until May 31, 2009.

After that date you will need a passport only if the cruise ship departs from and arrives at different ports.

If you have the same departure and arrival port the passport holding requirement keeps being waived for cruise ship travel after June 1, 2009.

However it is still recommended to hold a passport since a repatriation flight would not be possible in case of severely sickness or an accident and who would want to spent several months in a Caribbean hospital.

Source(s):
http://travelininc.com/PASSPORTS.html
http://getyouhome.gov/

RENEE915

I just recently cruised to the Caribbean and what happened is this-
When you checkin with the cruise line, they check your passport and then give it back. They suggest that you keep it locked up in your safe in the room. Then you are free to get off and on in each port. Then when you get off the boat in the home port, you have to go through customs there. You just present your declaration and then they look at the passport and off you go. I was upset that they did not stamp it so they did stamp it. Other then this you really do not want to take it off the ship. What if you lose it? What I did before leaving is make a color copy of the documet and then carry this with me. This way you have the copy and your is sage.

One thing someone else told me is that if you get off in the Bahamas you need to give your passport there when you get off the ship. I have not expirienced this so I am not able to give much info in this but in the long run, yes you need a passport.

Mopar Muscle Gal

not if you embark and disembark in the USA

luludoodie

Of course. You will need ID to prove who you are as you wil be entering another country.

Some cruise lines provide a "blanket" cover to save immigration queues at every stop. You hand over your passport to the ship and they hold it for the voyage. The shore authorities take the "cruise card" you are given as proof you are OK.

Sometimes you keep it yourself but are told to take it ashore as you may be faced with spot checks!

The moral is if you have it with you - you won't need it!
If you haven't got it you could be in big trouble!

Barkley Hound

On June 1, 2009 all cruise passengers will be required to possess a passport unless on a closed loop cruise (see below). Prior to that date if you are only traveling to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda you only need documentation as indicated in the closed loop rules below. Travel to all other countries requires a passport.

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport when you dock at a foreign port, depending on the islands or countries that your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruiseline to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops youâ€™ll be making on your cruise.

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sandand_surf

I cruised this past November on Norwegian. You needed the passport to get on the ship before leaving and to clear customs at the end of the trip.

At the ports (Cozumel, Roatan, Belize) they announced you needed a photo ID to get off and on the ship, so I left my passport locked up in the cabin safe.

Bottom line - you will most likely need it just to get on the ship.

keagkid101

Actually, I went to Royal Caribbean's website, and this applies to all Caribbean cruises, that you do not need a Passport as long as the boat is leaving from a US port. All you need is a photo-id. But, a passport is always handy to have if you want to get off at the ports of call. I am bringing my passport with me for my cruise that departs on Saturday, so I am able to leave the boat, and enter the foreign country.

James Heard

New Law - YES you do.

NurseNancy

Yes

David L

look up www.vacationstogo.com their great website lists all cruises and info that you will ever want to know

Time travler

If you are traveling after June, 2009, then yes. Most cruise companies request that you have one anyways for security reasons. If somehow you run into trouble in a foreign port, you wouldn't want to be without one, that's for sure.

Chris

Of course so you know where did you go =)

emmett's girl :)

yep :)
currently you need a passport to travel anywhere outside the united states~using your birth certificate as a "passport" doesn't work anymore.

breathetodayy

yes

Bill in Kansas

Yes -- end of answer

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