cruising with passport about to expire

[ourfamilylovescruising]

I cant seem to get a right answer ,we leave 06/01/19 come back on 06/08/19 our passport expires on the 8th we are doing a rt out of Seattle our kids passports expire in November 2019

the reason we are waiting to renew is our son turns 16 at the end of June so wanted to wait to get them done  at same time so theirs will be good for 10 years too.

 

I know we really don't need our passports for this trip but would still like to use them

us says passports our good until their expire so not sure how to take that ncl says they have to have 6 months on them?

 

thanks 

[d9704011]

The passports are good until they expire.  Issue is, where are you going and what are the entry requirements (passport validity) for the country (ies) you are visiting?

[trish1c]

Passports are not good until they expire. The common carriers including airlines & cruiselines do not have to accept them if they are less than 6 months to do.  It's their vessel, their rules.  Bring back up ID with you (raised seal BC & a REAL ID compliant drivers' license) Better safe then sorry.  

Edited May 11, 2019 by trish1c

[ourfamilylovescruising]

I am bringing our BC too thanks

[esm54687]

1 hour ago, trish1c said:

Passports are not good until they expire. The common carriers including airlines & cruiselines do not have to accept them if they are less than 6 months to do.  It's their vessel, their rules.  Bring back up ID with you (raised seal BC & a REAL ID compliant drivers' license) Better safe then sorry.  

REAL ID driver's license is not required for domestic air travel until Oct 2020 and is not required for cruising.... a state issued ID is sufficient. 

[Buford T Justiice]

We traveled on the Gem in February, 2019 with a passport that expired a few days after we got back and had no problems.

 

Also brought along the birth certificate, but never presented it.

[bonvoyagie]

The ship is only looking out for you with the 6 mo requirement they don't want to risk you having to leave the ship for something like a medical emergency - you could end up in a foreign hospital for awhile your passport is your only proof of citizenship. And is more important to getting back into the US than it is to enter a foreign country. 

 

This cruise is different in that Canada is not a third world country and the only reason you would actually need a passport is if you decided to do an excursion that enters Canada - usually the ones that leave from Skagway into the Yukon. Or get off the ship in Victoria.

 

You could have your passport rush renewed in a couple of weeks - for a cost. You need to pay for the overnight shipping of the documents each way and a expediting fee. Might be worth it in your case.  

 

NCL is quite clear on what you need;

 

For Cruises Leaving From a U.S. Port to the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal

You’re required to carry:

A Valid Passport

OR

Proof of Citizenship (see below) AND Government-issued photo ID

(Baptismal paper, hospital certificates of birth, and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable.)

• State certified U.S. birth certificate
• Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
• Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
• U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad

OR

WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)-compliant documents (click here to for more information.)

*A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID.

Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:

• If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship.
• You unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air.

If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, trish1c said:

Passports are not good until they expire. The common carriers including airlines & cruiselines do not have to accept them if they are less than 6 months to do.  It's their vessel, their rules.  Bring back up ID with you (raised seal BC & a REAL ID compliant drivers' license) Better safe then sorry.  

There is no such restriction. The “5 month rule” has to do with entry requirements to specific countries. On the Seattle RT, you only enter canada. 

[esm54687]

1 hour ago, bonvoyagie said:

The ship is only looking out for you with the 6 mo requirement they don't want to risk you having to leave the ship for something like a medical emergency - you could end up in a foreign hospital for awhile your passport is your only proof of citizenship. And is more important to getting back into the US than it is to enter a foreign country. 

 

This cruise is different in that Canada is not a third world country and the only reason you would actually need a passport is if you decided to do an excursion that enters Canada - usually the ones that leave from Skagway into the Yukon. Or get off the ship in Victoria.

 

You could have your passport rush renewed in a couple of weeks - for a cost. You need to pay for the overnight shipping of the documents each way and a expediting fee. Might be worth it in your case.  

 

NCL is quite clear on what you need;

 

For Cruises Leaving From a U.S. Port to the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal

You’re required to carry:

A Valid Passport

OR

Proof of Citizenship (see below) AND Government-issued photo ID

(Baptismal paper, hospital certificates of birth, and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable.)

• State certified U.S. birth certificate
• Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
• Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
• U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad

OR

WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)-compliant documents (click here to for more information.)

*A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID.

Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:

• If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship.
• You unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air.

If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours.

as mentioned in the post before mine..... The "6 month rule" is not the cruise line or airline being nice and "looking out for you"..... it is the requirement of the country you would be entering and not all are "3rd world countries", 

[Nola26]

My comments are more for "next time".

 

Ideally you would send your passport in separately from your kids, waiting has brought some avoidable stress. Your passport will be expired when you return to the US. There are rush services and you're within the window if you want to use one. You can also check to see where the nearest Passport office is near you, you may able to get what you need within a few weeks.

 

When you renew also get a Passport card, only about $30 more, but it is useful for Canada, Mexico and US air transportation. For Caribbean cruises it is the ID I take off the ship. If I have my passport it remains locked in the safe.

[MaryZ]

It will be fine as long as you have your other ID.  Just bring the back up

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by MaryZ

[esm54687]

2 hours ago, Nola26 said:

get a Passport card, only about $30 more, but it is useful for Canada, Mexico and US air transportation

Not correct information.... 

 

TSA accepts the Passport Card for domestic flights.  The Passport Card can be used for entering the United States at land border crossing and sea ports-pf-entry from Cana, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. 

 

It cannot be used for ANY international travel

[Birdie And Sue]

5 hours ago, ourfamilylovescruising said:

I am bringing our BC too thanks

 

 

They have to be original CERTIFIED birth certificates.  They have to have the raised seal.  A hospital certificate of live birth is not good.

[njhorseman]

2 minutes ago, Birdie And Sue said:

 

 

They have to be original CERTIFIED birth certificates.  They have to have the raised seal.  A hospital certificate of live birth is not good.

They have to be official birth certificates, but  a raised seal is not required very simply because not all jurisdictions issue birth certificates that have a raised seal. Some BCs are embossed, some are printed on paper with special security features for example.

[njhorseman]

4 hours ago, bonvoyagie said:

 

You could have your passport rush renewed in a couple of weeks - for a cost. You need to pay for the overnight shipping of the documents each way and a expediting fee. Might be worth it in your case.  

Why would it be worth it? Their passports are good through the expiration date and the only foreign country being visited on the cruise is Canada, which doesn't even require US citizens to have a passport. If they're worried they can take birth certificates and drivers licenses. There is no need to spend a lot of extra money to get an expedited passport renewal. They can renew after they get back at the normal price.

[njhorseman]

15 minutes ago, esm54687 said:

 

It cannot be used for ANY international travel

I assume you meant to say any international air travel. It certainly is good for non air travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

[njhorseman]

4 hours ago, esm54687 said:

REAL ID driver's license is not required for domestic air travel until Oct 2020 and is not required for cruising.... a state issued ID is sufficient. 

 

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

There is no such restriction. The “5 month rule” has to do with entry requirements to specific countries. On the Seattle RT, you only enter canada. 

Correct, and correct !

 

The post you're both responding to is full of misinformation.

[valleyvillage]

What is the six months validity passport rule?

It is not a requirement of the U.S. government. The six-month validity passport rule is a requirement of other countries accepting foreign travelers. The six- month passport validity rule is enforced because nations do not want to risk having travelers and tourists overstaying their passport validity. Six months is now the standard validity requirement for many countries. Most visitors to the United States are also now required to have six months validity of their passports.

6 Months Validity Passport Rule Exceptions

Some countries are more relaxed about the 6-month passport validity rule. Canada and Mexico are the two most commonly traveled countries that now often enforce the passport validity rule (only 3 months validity needed for Canada and Mexico). Again, please be sure to check with each countries entry and exit travel requirements before you go as the requirements are subject to change. As a general rule, you should have at least six months validity on your passport before you travel.

[esm54687]

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

I assume you meant to say any international air travel. It certainly is good for non air travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Yes, I accidently omitted "air"...... because in my post I did say the "Passport Card can be used for entering the United States at land border crossing and sea ports-pf-entry from Cana, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda". 

[esm54687]

49 minutes ago, valleyvillage said:

What is the six months validity passport rule?

It is not a requirement of the U.S. government. The six-month validity passport rule is a requirement of other countries accepting foreign travelers. The six- month passport validity rule is enforced because nations do not want to risk having travelers and tourists overstaying their passport validity. Six months is now the standard validity requirement for many countries. Most visitors to the United States are also now required to have six months validity of their passports.

6 Months Validity Passport Rule Exceptions

Some countries are more relaxed about the 6-month passport validity rule. Canada and Mexico are the two most commonly traveled countries that now often enforce the passport validity rule (only 3 months validity needed for Canada and Mexico). Again, please be sure to check with each countries entry and exit travel requirements before you go as the requirements are subject to change. As a general rule, you should have at least six months validity on your passport before you travel.

Actually, Canada's validity rule is only applied if you are transiting Canada en route to Europe, then your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area.

[newmexicoNita]

13 hours ago, trish1c said:

Passports are not good until they expire. The common carriers including airlines & cruiselines do not have to accept them if they are less than 6 months to do.  It's their vessel, their rules.  Bring back up ID with you (raised seal BC & a REAL ID compliant drivers' license) Better safe then sorry.  

good advise and you are correct Airlines and cruise lines do not always accept passports that are expiring in less than 6 months, especially one that expires the day a person returns. 

[njhorseman]

4 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

good advise and you are correct Airlines and cruise lines do not always accept passports that are expiring in less than 6 months, especially one that expires the day a person returns. 

This is completely irrelevant for a US citizen taking a closed loop cruise to Alaska on NCL  that makes a port call in Canada, which is what we're giving advice about in this thread. The OP doesn't even need a passport...a birth certificate and drivers license would suffice. Further, US passports are valid for readmission to the US through and including their expiration date. 

 Virtually everything in the post you're agreeing with is incorrect, including the REAL ID drivers license comment .

 

The post isn't good advice, it's packed with factual misinformation from top to bottom.

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by njhorseman

[ourfamilylovescruising]

thank you every one! we are bringing our BC with us just in case . I am not paying extra to have it done before we go because we really do not need it and I wanted to wait to do all 4 of ours at the same time.

[schmoopie17]

When we cruise, our passports stay locked in the safe in our cabin the entire time. Why do we need to worry about the "six month rule" when we don't ever take our passports off the ship to enter countries?

[njhorseman]

4 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

When we cruise, our passports stay locked in the safe in our cabin the entire time. Why do we need to worry about the "six month rule" when we don't ever take our passports off the ship to enter countries?

If you cruise extensively you'll visit any number of countries having a six month rule, but in most cases even in those countries you do not have to carry your passport off the ship. The cruise line provides every country it will be visiting with a manifest that contains all the documentation information needed and as a result most countries do not require passengers to physically present their passports. Even in some countries where a passport has to be physically presented, whether by the ship purser's office when they hold the passports or by the passengers in person, in most cases it still doesn't mean that the passport has to be carried off the ship.

 

So the six month rule and whether passports have to be carried when off the ship are two separate issues