Passport question

[ddlb]

Applied for a passport May 5 may not get it by cruise. Is this still correct?

Do You Need a Passport to Cruise to the Bahamas? ... If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

[KeepSailing]

Here is the link to MSC's site that describes travel documents needed:

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/travel-documents-visas

 

Personally, I would not travel without a passport, but appears it may be technically possible for closed loop.

 

But, if you encounter difficulty during trip (e.g., need to be let off in the Bahamas to fly home due to illness or injury), you may have great difficulty without a passport.

[NCPipeSmoker]

An original or certified copy of your birth certificate and government issued photo ID if 16+ is all that's required for closed loop.

Edited August 27, 2021 by NCPipeSmoker
typo

[Native Floridian 26]

I agree with the others.  I sailed closed loop cruises from Florida for 20+ years without a passport.  Just bring your original birth certificate and driver's license.

[Paphillyguy]

It really is unreal how long passports are taking.  My partner sent in a renewal at the end of May and he doesn't have it back yet.  We cruise in Early Dec so hopefully it will be here.  

[KeepSailing]

4 minutes ago, Paphillyguy said:

My partner sent in a renewal at the end of May and he doesn't have it back yet

Have you tried the passport status website yet?  Just curious what it says.

 

https://passportstatus.state.gov/

[ditmar2007]

1 hour ago, Paphillyguy said:

It really is unreal how long passports are taking.  My partner sent in a renewal at the end of May and he doesn't have it back yet.  We cruise in Early Dec so hopefully it will be here.  

Wow! Here we complain if it takes 14 days. 

[Paphillyguy]

1 hour ago, KeepSailing said:

Have you tried the passport status website yet?  Just curious what it says.

 

https://passportstatus.state.gov/

It says In Process and has for 11 weeks 

[KeepSailing]

7 minutes ago, Paphillyguy said:

It says In Process and has for 11 weeks

Ugh.  I saw on the website that the estimated "door to door" for passport in US is 18 weeks, and only slightly better if the "expedited" form/fee is used/paid.