I know this has been asked before but search not working..

[MamaTene]

Can someone PLEASE clarify new passsport policy? I am confused!

[Taxguy77]

Basicly, if you want to go out of the country, get a passport and keep it up to date (renew every 9.5 years).

Even if you just want to go to Canada for a few hours, you'll need it to return to the states.

[CapeCodCruiser]

For closed looped cruises sailing from the U.S. to the Caribbean, if you are a citizen, you will need either a valid Passport OR an original or state issued copy of your birth certificate AND a government issued photo ID like a drivers license.

 

Should anything happen to you while ashore, (accident, miss the ship, arrested, etc.) you will need a passport to leave the country where you are stuck and fly home or onward to meet up with your ship.

 

Here is a thread that discusses this - there is also a sticky at the top of this forum.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1091256&highlight=passport

[cruisemom42]

For closed looped cruises sailing from the U.S. to the Caribbean, if you are a citizen, you will need either a valid Passport OR an original or state issued copy of your birth certificate AND a government issued photo ID like a drivers license.

 

Should anything happen to you while ashore, (accident, miss the ship, arrested, etc.) you will need a passport to leave the country where you are stuck and fly home or onward to meet up with your ship.

 

Here is a thread that discusses this - there is also a sticky at the top of this forum.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1091256&highlight=passport

 

 

As further definition, a "closed loop" cruise means that the cruise leaves from and returns to the same US port. (Not two different US ports).