Do I need to renew my passports?

[summersigh]

I know the point has been made, more than once if I recall, but it doesn't hurt to say it again since some don't quite understand. Closed-loop cruises, those that leave from and return to the same U.S. port, do not require a passport (with the exception of trip a to Cuba). If you can take these cruises without a passport, they why would you need 6 months left on one if you do happen to cruise with it?

COSTA RICA is also "must have passport" port of call. If you do not have a passport you cannot even board at the port of origin. We did a HAL cruise including Costa Rica in December and received at least 4 notices from HAL to that effect.

[candigirl41]

They expire Sept 18 and we sail March 25

 

I just sailed on March 25th of this year and my passport was to expire September 17th of this year. I did take my B.C. and marriage license just in case the cruise line had a problem. I gave them my passport and all was good. I since renewed it because I am sailing again 3 more times in the next year and a half. I am sure you will be fine.

 

Candi

[GradUT]

I had said that the Carnival rep told me that our passports had to be valid 9 months before the expiration date so we renewed ours. Our passports expire Jan 2018 and we are sailing on Carnival Aug 2017. I also heard the same thing re: passports from the NCL Casinos at Sea rep and we are sailing with that line Nov 2017. Thus I wanted to play it safe and renew just for my piece of mind.

 

Unfortunately you received incorrect information from two different cruise ship employees. As the spouse of a retired Foreign Service Officer, I recommend people always go to the State Department's website for any questions on passports and visa requirements of foreign countries.