US cruise to Bahamas and Caribbean passport requirement

[roberttz]

Hi,

  I am US citizen.

 Booked on Meraviglia on Sep 25th.

 My passport expires Dec 2021.
 I know that passport has to be valid several months (3 or 6) AFTER return date for flights.
 However in the case of a cruise I am not sure.
 Anyone know for sure?
I did not bother to renew because due to COVID US Passport service has a backlog.

Thanks

[NRWPA]

This is from their website:

 

The following requirements are for sailings from a United States port:

 

United States Citizens:

 

A valid passport that expires at least 6 months after your cruise departure. For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information.

 

- OR -

An original birth certificate AND government ID. Visit the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) for a list of all approved documents.

Exceptions: United States citizens on cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can use a original government-issued picture ID (i.e. driver's license) AND an original government-issued birth certificate or original Naturalization Certificate.

 

 

[KeepSailing]

13 minutes ago, roberttz said:

My passport expires Dec 2021

Agreed with NRWPA, but since your passport is still valid, despite being less than 6 months expiration beyond cruise date, I would also bring it. 

 

Gosh forbid you had an emergency in middle of cruise and had to fly home from Bahamas or other Caribbean country you would need the passport (air travel needs a passport and is not subject to the "closed loop" cruise exception).

[roberttz]

33 minutes ago, NRWPA said:

This is from their website:

 

The following requirements are for sailings from a United States port:

 

United States Citizens:

 

A valid passport that expires at least 6 months after your cruise departure. For additional United States passport information visit the United States Department of State travel information.

 

- OR -

An original birth certificate AND government ID. Visit the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) for a list of all approved documents.

Exceptions: United States citizens on cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can use a original government-issued picture ID (i.e. driver's license) AND an original government-issued birth certificate or original Naturalization Certificate.

 

 

Thank you for posting that.
Makes me feel much better.
That means I need to carry my naturalization certificate and driver license.
I will carry the passport anyways...

Edited September 12, 2021 by roberttz

[NRWPA]

10 hours ago, roberttz said:

Thank you for posting that.
Makes me feel much better.
That means I need to carry my naturalization certificate and driver license.
I will carry the passport anyways...

Yes, I would take it all...but I'm a "just in case" kinda person. Happy sailing!