OldSalt73

I'm thinking you meant "memorize the license and ID numbers" vs. the expiration dates...although, that would be helpful, too.

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out the front door…” JRR Tolkien

Wow! The devil IS in the details! That had escaped me. Reason to get PP for all the kids, too.

I translated perfectly. The expiration date is 10 years. It is valid for most purposes for that long, including returning to the US. https://hk.usconsulate.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/less-than-six-months-validity-left/ The six month requirement is NOT a US DOS limitation, rather it imposed by host countries. Therefore airlines and cruise lines almost universally require the six month from end of voyage. Applying your logic, a four month world cruise would penalize 10 months from the passport. Point being, there will likely always be the six month penalty regardless of statutory validity. Just something to live with.

You do realize that applying logic to bureaucratic dictates is a manifest waste of energy? The 10 year valid date, or 10.75, or 12, will not change other countries’ six month “cushion”. The cushion is imposed so that you don’t expire while there and then have trouble being repatriated.

Free entertainment… sit in the airport near security on Real ID D-Day and observe the meltdowns. Bring popcorn.

Agree… the worst that did was “promote” someone. Let’s call it a courtesy.

Neighbors... that's a good one. Some of mine haven't been more than 100 miles from home during their life.... General response to a description of a cruise is "Whhhut?"

I respectfully invite your attention to the tech orders, Captain. https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/factsheets/tsa-precheckr-application-program

Passports, TSA PreCheck and other mysteries of the universe.... 1. From the TSA Website... you can get a KTN without a passport, however the required documentation may be trying. Might as well get the passport... 2. Passports and ships, even planned US domestic-only trips... from long personal experience with ships (and airplanes), they don't always go where (or when) as planned) for countless reasons. Having a valid passport can significantly ease your "revised" travel plans. There will not always be a convenient Embassy or Attache Office if you wind up in some little port in some moderately unfriendly country. Come to think of it, the same applies for airplanes when the itinerary is outside of the continental US or going to a "passport not required" destination. 3. Please apply judgmental filter: IMHO, all adults should possess a valid passport. If you are entertaining any cruise ship travel, it should be a mandatory personal item regardless of planned itinerary. 4. More judgy opinion: If you're balking at the couple of hours of prep work and the $160 fee ($16/yr... or about four adult cups of coffee at Starbucks) perhaps you should re-think cruising. 5. While you're at it... one of the best investments you can make is to get the Global Entry. Price is $100 (vs $85 for the PreCheck) AND, PreCheck is included. You will endure some schedule shenanigans to get the interview, but our planned six month wait was rapidly whittled down to five weeks as appointment openings came up. It's really easy if you're returning from international travel, just go to the GE kiosk/office, do the interview (fog the mirror) and your card appears in the mail. 6. When ordering your passport, get the additional page version... it lasts longer. Some places require a minimum of two unused visa pages or... you don't get to come in. 7. The answer for the mysteries of the universe is "42".