Passport question

Not positive on this but I believe if you are part of a cruise you do not need a passport if you leave from the US.

You must have a passport to go on a cruise. The laws changed a couple years ago, and regardless of the country, a passport is needed. Some US territories will allow you to travel if you have your US birth certificate with you (puerto rico for ex) but even to go to Mexico now, you need a passport.

I think you will be fine... try to email a question to the cruise line... or call a travel agent and just ask them... but... this is what I found

The final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which became law on June 1, 2009, requires American citizens traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by land or by sea to present one of the following documents to re-enter the country:

A US passport book

A US passport card (Note: Unlike the US passport book, the US passport card is not valid for air travel)

A NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST card

An enhanced driver’s license (only available in certain states)

However, there are a few exceptions to the passport requirement for cruises in the Western Hemisphere:

US citizens on a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, can use a driver’s license or government-issued ID card and a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.

Children under the age of 16 traveling by land or sea

You must have a passport to go anywhere outside the US. I'm afraid you're gonna have to travel locally (do a mini moon) and once he's able to get his passport you can do the cruise out of the country. Good luck

This is what I've found from the DMV - they tried to get me to get a federally compliant license when i renewed but i told them to shove it because I have to get a new license in two months.

"By December 2014 we all need to get a Federally Compliant Driver’s License. This license/identification card will be sufficient identification to fly domestically, travel by train, enter federal facilities, and conduct other offical federal business after December 1, 2014.

All states are going to be on board with this regulation. After the above mentioned date, you will not be able to use your regular license for those purposes. The new compliant license will have a gold star on the upper right-hand corner."

You still need a passport to go on a cruise.

Off Royal caribbean's site

Sea Travel

For voyages that begin and end in the same U.S. Port, U.S. citizen guests may travel with both a Government issued birth certificate** and Government issued picture ID card, such as a drivers license.

**A 'birth certificate' is issued by a government agency (state, county, city, etc.). This document (with seal and signature) is legal proof of citizenship that can be used by U.S. citizens for certain international travel. A 'birth notice' is issued by a hospital or other type of medical facility but it is not an approved travel document. It is a courtesy document that merely indicates where a birth occurred. It has no legal status and cannot be used to prove citizenship for international travel purposes.

You do not need anything special to go to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. They are US Territories. You don't even need an enhanced license.

Call a travel agent and ask them... they will give you the fastest answer....

or as Natalie say, just do VI cruise.

You ladies rock. Thanks so much. I knew I could get some answers here. I want to push the button and book, but I'm going to call an agent, first. Thanks again!

Lol i work for a cruise vacation company you need a passport

There is a passport card (as opposed to a passport BOOK, which is the "normal" passport) that allows you to travel by land or sea within certain countries.. I just applied for my passport yesterday so I read all about it. Its cheaper AND quicker.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

Oh no. My heart is broken... ugh

Ok. I have a spinoff question. Is the passport card the same as the enhanced driver's license? I'm assuming that if he can't get a passport, he can't get a card, either, if it's issued by the same agency.

This is pure bondage. There is nothing I love more than travel!

I think it is different rules if you are going to US territories like the VI.... don't let your heart be broken until you call a Travel agency and just ask them. Why would Royal Caribbean have up on their site Passport not needed..... if you NEED a passport ? ! ?

I can understand his application being held up if he owes support but I don't understand is why it is still being held up if he is making the payments.

From my understanding, you're not supposed to leave the country if you owe child support, so I would research it from that angle first before you book tickets

Let me rephrase - It all depends on ports and where your ship goes to. I just went on a RCL cruise and i needed a passport for the bahamas.

Hayley - where on their website did you see that you don't need a passport?

I am pretty sure you have to have a passport to go on a Western Caribbean cruise. So I would not book it yet unless he gets a passport, but do confirm with cruiseline.

But maybe if you don't get off the ship, you don't need one?

You don't use your passport to get on and off the ship, you use your cruise card... it gets you back on the dock to get to the ship and they scan the card to get you on the ship.... if you do go to a non-us territory, they have you all report to the dinning hall with your ID/BC or Passport to show agents before the ship docks in the US ... everyone is told what time to get in line according to last name to help it go smoothly...

so, Maybe doing the Virgin Islands instead of Western Caribbean you will be ok because it is a US territory.... call an agent.... Western Caribbean MAY be ok too, but I'm not sure

@ Raptor Bride little ways down under US citizen....if you start in US and come back to US it says Birth certificate and ID is ok....

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/travelDocumentation.do

I work with a travel agency. A passport is REQUIRED for all cruises that go into international waters.

Call your local post office (they also issued passports) and ask them what to do.

Depending upon what city you live in...you can go directly to your consulate and get same-day passports issued. There is a hefty fee involved but do it or else you can't go on your trip!!

Anyone who is saying birth certificate/ID - this is absolutely incorrect. Please call your consulate asap. Trust me, I've been in the industry for a while...you cannot go without your passport!