Passport expiring with less than 6 mths left

[Garden_Girl]

Just re-reading the RCI protocols and it states you need 6 months remaining on a UK (non-European) passport for Spain and yet the official European site and UK gov site states only 3 months remaining is required!  Anyone had experience of this?  I have at least 3 but not 6 and unlikely to get a renewal so close to my cruise in 6 weeks!!

[TRadle]

We expedited a renewal and got it in 2 weeks.  You have time if you do it now.  Also, I do believe in the USA it is 6 months. So, this would apply to coming home.  

[Garden_Girl]

I’m not in the USA, I am in the UK and departing from Southampton so I’m just wondering why Royal would say 6 months for Europe when both the European website and UK website say 3 months and wondering if anyone has been in this situation and the Southampton terminal has accepted their passport when checking in. I know if I show my passport in port the Spanish and Portuguese authorities will be fine. 

[Biker19]

9 hours ago, Garden_Girl said:

Just re-reading the RCI protocols and it states you need 6 months remaining on a UK (non-European) passport for Spain and yet the official European site and UK gov site states only 3 months remaining is required!

That’s a blanket statement for all departures- as long as the passport will get you home, it will get you on the cruise. 

[UKWLDCruise]

you also need to check if you renewed your passport early as they don't count anymore the extra time you used to get.  People have been prevented from travelling because of this, so it is ten years from the date of issue not the end date you need to worry about.

[Garden_Girl]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

That’s a blanket statement for all departures- as long as the passport will get you home, it will get you on the cruise. 

Thanks. There’s no flights. Just Southampton in and out and I am from the UK.  I presume the Southampton cruise terminal’s job is to ensure you can legitimately get off at all ports?

[Biker19]

6 minutes ago, Garden_Girl said:

I presume the Southampton cruise terminal’s job is to ensure you can legitimately get off at all ports?

Yes, but unlikely any of those will have a 6 month passport validity requirement. 

Edited August 23, 2022 by Biker19

[Garden_Girl]

Yes you’re right, they are all under the Schengen Agreement. Thanks for your quick reply. I had visions of queuing at some faraway passport office for hours just because Royal have one blanket statement and won’t let me on the ship ☺️

[gavvy]

Make sure the passport did not have a valid date of more than 10 years- any months after the 10th year anniversary of the passport no longer count 

[Ret MP]

I can't explain or justify why a cruise line or country has certain rules, this subject being one of them.  However, one thing I have learned in life, if you meet the most restrictive of all the entities, you "shouldn't" go wrong.  I'd make sure I had at least 6 months left on my Passport.

[Garden_Girl]

I contacted RCI this morning and they say they simply apply the maximum required for any and every countryto the advice given and that my 3 month window is fine for Europe. Thanks everyone for your replies.