Passports

[latadj98]

Just to verify that US citizens DO NOT have to have a passport if traveling to Mexico or the Caribbean before December 31, 2006. I looked on the Dept of State website which concurs, however ,I still have people telling me that you DO need one. Just don't want to be blind sided at the last minute.

[frugalcruiser]

Hello Latadj98,

You do not need a passport to LEAVE/RETURN to the United States when traveling to/from those areas as yet. Mind you, common-sense and prudence dictates that you carry a passport with you every time you

leave the shores of these United States. You ever ponder what you

would do if you had an emergency of any kind at any of the ports of

calls and you end up being there for an unplanned period of time? Keep

in mind that a lot of countries visited by US-based cruise ships are just plain and simple 3rd world countries or worse and I for one, would never

entertain the thought of visiting these countries without the protection

afforded by a passport issued in the United States. It only costs around

$70 for this official document that lasts you 10 years!

[latadj98]

Frugal, thank you for your response and advice. It makes sense to have a passport for the reasons/concerns you mentioned. Thanks !!