TopConsumerReviews.com is a world-leading consumer product review site. We provide detailed reviews and ratings for thousands of products and services.

 

Go To Reviews >

Do You Need A Passport For A Cruise?

Taking a cruise can be a fun and exciting adventure. However, before leaving, there are a few things passengers should know about the requirements for leaving and re-entering the United States if their cruise involves international waters.

One of the required documents may include a passport under the right conditions.

A passport is a document which is issued by a national government as a means of identification for the person who holds it. It certifies the identity and nationality of the person listed on the document, which is important when traveling internationally.

In the United States, passports are issued through one of the State Department's 14 passport issuing centers. They also can be issued through clerks at federal and state courts, designated post offices and U.S. consular authorities in foreign countries for citizens who are living abroad.

Passports expire every 10 years for citizens over the age of 18 and every five years for those under 18. Upon expiration, passports must be replaced if the holder wishes to continue having one. Because people change in appearance with age, passports cannot simply be renewed, but must be completely replaced, including with an updated photo of the passport holder.

Passengers who are taking a "closed loop" cruise will not be required to carry a passport in order to leave the United States or re-enter it. Closed-loop cruises are those which begin and end at the same United States port. A certified birth certificate and valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, are all that is necessary.

Closed-loop cruises are the only kinds of cruises which do not require the traveler to possess a passport for re-entry into the United States.

If a traveler intends to take a cruise that departs from Florida but returns to a destination in California as its return port, it is not considered a closed-loop cruise and passengers will be required to provide a passport for re-entry.

Other situations which may require a passport include visitation to islands within the Caribbean. There are 26 islands in the Caribbean, and they are among the most-visited destinations in the world. Each year, over 20 million travelers visit these islands. While the U.S. does not require a passport for re-entry by cruise guests who visit the Caribbean, in order to leave the cruise ship and step foot onto any island within the Caribbean, visitors will need a passport. This is a requirement of the government which controls the Caribbean islands, not the United States. So if your cruise ship will be visiting the Caribbean, be sure to pack your passport or be prepared to stay aboard the ship the entire time.

Another cruise situation which may require a passport is if the traveler is a legal permanent resident of the United States - meaning they hold a green card - but not a citizen. While the United States does not require legal residents to possess a passport for re-entry into the states following a cruise, foreign countries which may be visited as part of the cruise do require a passport.

Even if yours is a situation which likely will not require the possession of a passport, cruise goers may want to apply for and carry one with them anyway during the trip. In the event of an emergency, passengers may find themselves needing to fly back home or to another location, which would require a passport. Not having one could complicate the situation.

Go To Reviews >

Top Consumer Reviews Articles

TopConsumerReviews.com provides unique articles that you won't find anywhere else on the internet. These articles are designed to help you make the most informed decisions possible.


Passports In The News

UA Passports offers special Saturday hours for application, photo services

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD News 13) - Need a passport This is your chance with special Saturday hours offered by UA Passports. Stop by the event on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 935 North Tyndall ...

Published:  Sat, 16 Feb 2019 09:16:00 GMT



No deal Brexit: passports with less than six months won't be accepted

In the event of a "˜no deal' Brexit situation on 29 March, UK passports with less than six months left on arrival to the Schengen area may run into difficulty when travelling to and between countries. ...

Published:  Fri, 15 Feb 2019 23:13:00 GMT



Correction: Cyprus-Golden Passports story

NICOSIA, Cyprus - In a story Feb. 13 about Cyprus' toughening eligibility rules for its lucrative scheme to grant passports to wealthy investors, The Associated Press erroneously reported Harris Georg...

Published:  Wed, 13 Feb 2019 23:27:00 GMT



Cuban doctor and wife jailed for forged passports

A Cuban doctor and his wife were yesterday sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to forging their passports. Dr. Alexis Vasquez, 38, and Juliet Sanchez, 35, both admitted to charges w...

Published:  Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:19:00 GMT



Guns, passports among $7K worth of items stolen from Cape Coral home

CAPE CORAL, Fla - A handful of guns are now on the streets after a burglar broke into a Cape Coral home. The burglar was able to sneak into the home through an unlocked window in the back. It happened ...

Published:  Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:36:00 GMT



Robot Citizenship: Why Our Artificial Assistants May One Day Need Passports

The year is 2030. You've just received an email: The dream job in Japan is yours. You start making phone calls, looking up the rent on Tokyo apartments, and getting ready to make the career move of a ...

Published:  Sun, 10 Feb 2019 08:53:00 GMT



NRIs who don't register marriage within 30 days could lose passports

Dubai: A new bill aimed at preventing the abuse of women will require Indians in the UAE to register marriages within 30 days if it becomes law. India's Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj intr...

Published:  Tue, 12 Feb 2019 16:00:00 GMT



Passports And Packed Bags: Why Girls Trips Are Good For Your Health

Don't believe the memes that say girls go to Miami together and come back with broken friendships. According to a new study, booking flights with your besties may actually be good for your health.

Published:  Sun, 10 Feb 2019 07:13:00 GMT



Hotel employee sentenced for theft of passports, laptop from guest rooms

A Springfield woman and former Hilton employee will spend 40 days in the Lane County Jail for thefts from hotel rooms. Christine Dolores Gordon, 43, plead guilty Jan. 3 to two charges of first-degree ...

Published:  Sun, 03 Feb 2019 09:31:00 GMT



Correction: Cyprus-Golden Passports story | The State

In a story Feb. 13 about Cyprus' toughening eligibility rules for its lucrative scheme to grant passports to wealthy investors, The Associated Press erroneously reported Harris Georgiades' title. He i...

Published:  Wed, 13 Feb 2019 23:25:00 GMT




- View Full Site -