Passport Clarification Needed..

[Destiny7]

No, you don't need a passport as long as you are cruising from a U.S. port. I'm cruising in April too and checked with my Carnival Cruise rep. plus visited the State Depts web site to verify.

[josiemartinez]

No you do not have to have passports. The only problem would be if you had to fly back from any of the ports(other than Florida). If you missed the ship, were ill or injured and had to be detained, etc.. The new passport regulations are very confusing. You do not need them for cruises until June 2008 unless your departure port is not in the US, i.e. San Juan.

 

 

Er...Mary Ann, I hope you do not mean San Juan, Puerto Rico.... Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the US and you do not need a passport. People born there are American citizens.

 

josie

[smeyer418]

No, you don't need a passport as long as you are cruising from a U.S. port. I'm cruising in April too and checked with my Carnival Cruise rep. plus visited the State Depts web site to verify.

you don't need a passport if its a roundtrip to the same final US port. If its a one way to another US port you do...or a foreign port you are going to fly back from.

[Carguylee]

So if you had the PASSPORT CARD and you had to fly back to the US because of a medical emergency you would likley run into problems? So it would probably be safest to go with the PASSPORT just incase?

[cherylandtk]

Lee,

Correct, the passport card will not get you on a plane, you would most likely have to wait a couple of days while a full passport is processed before you could do that.

[bthorn1108]

you don't need a passport if its a roundtrip to the same final US port. If its a one way to another US port you do...or a foreign port you are going to fly back from.

 

This information has been updated by the Customs and Border Protection Dept. I have copied/pasted a copy of a FAQ that address "closed loop cruises".

 

Closed Loop Voyages- Frequently Asked Questions

 

(12/22/2008) A “closed loop” voyage or itinerary occurs when a vessel departs from a U.S. port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon completion of the voyage. Initially, the definition of “closed loop” came from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) rule making process. Per the WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule, travelers on “closed loop” voyages are not subject to the same documentary requirements for entry to the United States as other travelers.

Q: Is this definition the same as what is being used for the modified processing of cruise passengers?

A: No. The definition was further refined to be in compliance with our statute and regulations.

Q: What is the definition of closed loop in the context of modified processing of cruise passengers?

A: Closed-loop cruises are defined as U.S. based cruises with itineraries that both originate and terminate in the United States, returning from contiguous territories or adjacent islands.

Q: What does contiguous territories or adjacent islands mean?

A: Contiguous Territories are any country sharing a common boundary with the United States. Canada and Mexico are contiguous to the United States.

Adjacent Islands as follows: Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Marie-Galantine, Martinique, Miquelon, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Christopher, Saint Eustatius, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and other British, French and Netherlands territory or possessions bordering on the Caribbean Sea.

Q: How was it determined that these locations are “Adjacent Islands”?

A: Adjacent Islands are defined by statutes and regulation. (Immigration and Nationality Act § 101(b)(5) and 8 Code of Federal Regulations §286.1).

Q: Why was the “contiguous territories or adjacent islands” added to the definition of “closed loop” for modified processing of cruise passengers?

A: The modified processing of cruise passengers includes utilizing the I-94W issued as a multiple use document for the readmission of VWP visitors after departure to contiguous territory or adjacent islands. See 8 C.F.R. § 217.3(b).

Q: Which definition is applicable to the Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) process for closed loop cruises?

A: It has been determined that the requirement for verification of an ESTA authorization is not required for cruise itineraries meeting the definition of closed loop, as utilized for the modified processing of cruise passengers.

 

Since this information is not very clear, and I have a cruise scheduled going to Belize and Roatan, I decided to go directly to the source and ask my question. Below is my question and their reply.

 

Customer 03/26/2009 09:45 AM

There has been much confusion lately about which documentation is required for a cruise, which leaves and returns to the Port of Miami. One particular itinerary I had in mind was one which visits the Island of Roatan and Belize City. They are not included on the list of "Adjacent Islands", so I am unsure if a passport is required for a cruise with includes these port stops. Please advise.

 

 

Response (Andrea) 04/01/2009 07:19 AM

Assuming you are a US Citizen.

 

The Island of Roatan and Belize City are not in the Western Hemisphere and therefore you will not be on a closed loop cruise. You will be required to have a valid US passport for sea travel.

 

I assume since Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia are not on the list of "Adjacent Islands", this would apply to cruises that include those port stops also. I hope this helps clarify the issue.

Edited April 3, 2009 by bthorn1108

[TPKeller]

Response (Andrea) 04/01/2009 07:19 AM

Assuming you are a US Citizen.

 

The Island of Roatan and Belize City are not in the Western Hemisphere and therefore you will not be on a closed loop cruise. You will be required to have a valid US passport for sea travel.

You can always count on the government for a good laugh. In one sentence they have redefined both "Western Hemisphere" and "closed loop".

 

Unbelievable. No wonder this country is in such a mess, they just ignore the law as they see fit.

 

Theron

[tnsail]

You can always count on the government for a good laugh. In one sentence they have redefined both "Western Hemisphere" and "closed loop".

 

Unbelievable. No wonder this country is in such a mess, they just ignore the law as they see fit.

 

Theron

 

I hear you... If Belize and Isle Roatan are not in the Western Hemisphere maybe some government official could tell me just were they are at.... Mars maybe.... Jeez, and to think we actually pay taxes and hire these clowns....:(

[HummerGirl]

The Online Passport Application Status Check is temporarily unavailable due to routine maintenance.

Has anyone else had this problem while trying to track their passport. It has been down for over a week now.

Thanks, HummerGirl

[smeyer418]

thanks Beverly. I am really frightened. I actually understand this now....

[cherylandtk]

Has anyone else had this problem while trying to track their passport. It has been down for over a week now.

Ginger, the status/tracking page has been non-operational for months, although the 'routine maintenance' statement is new. One can hope that they are getting it up and running now that the busy season for passports is upon us. Current reported receipt times are about 4-5 weeks for passports.

[HummerGirl]

Ginger, the status/tracking page has been non-operational for months, although the 'routine maintenance' statement is new. One can hope that they are getting it up and running now that the busy season for passports is upon us. Current reported receipt times are about 4-5 weeks for passports.

 

:rolleyes:Thank you for your response. I am in no hurry as we are not leaving until January 2010 but I am just an antsy person.

[sammamishcruiser]

This may have already been answered in the 24 pages of posts:eek: but here is my question. We will be going to the Panama Canal in September, and I would like to have my passport stamped in all the ports we are going to. But I have been advised NOT to bring your passport off the ship, just a copy of it, sooo how do I go about this? do they stamp them on the ship? I also know that in Mexico, the port area is fenced and gated, can it be stamped in this area and then brought back to the ship?

 

My DH and I have never been to Mexico before, so I'm not in the know!!

Thanks in advance for the answers to this sort of newbys questions.

 

Happy Cruising

Melody:D

[luv2cruise59]

My DH received his passport today. Yeah! Only one to go (mine)! When I called the 800 number on Thursday I was only on hold about 15-20 minutes. The recording kept telling me that I could check the status of my application on line, but of course, the website is not working. The entire time I was on hold I was listening to what sounded like a 10 year old's piano recital. When I was finally connected to a person the only information I was given was that my passport application was "in process." I was also given the option to "expedite" my application (for a fee). I would not have been happy had I done this when I know now that my passport will probably be here by Monday (based upon the arrival of my DH's today). Just another example of our tax dollars at work. (I applied on March 16 and did receive it today - Monday, April 13, 2009.)

[jnicktem]

Okay, I am pretty sure I already have the answer, but being as paranoid as I am, I just have to ask and hopefully that'll relieve some of my tension...

 

I am looking at booking a cruise (Carnival) that leaves and returns to Miami, and hits Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Cozumel in Jan of 2010. Is a passport needed or is a birth certificate and Drivers license all I need?

 

Thanks for any help I get...

[cherylandtk]

jnicktem.

 

I don't know if it will relieve your concern, but yes, you may travel with just your certified birth certificate and government ID. That presumes you are a US citizen, of course. ;)

[jnicktem]

Oh thank you sooo much! Really, even though I already read a few posts and even went to all of the official web sites that talk about this, I just needed someone else to let me know that it is okay to not have a passport.

 

Thanks again!

[Terpnut]

Oh thank you sooo much! Really, even though I already read a few posts and even went to all of the official web sites that talk about this, I just needed someone else to let me know that it is okay to not have a passport.

 

Thanks again!

Just because you are not required to have a passport to cruise doesn't mean it is okay or a good idea to do so. Remember that, in the event of an emergency, you will NOT be able to fly home from an international destination without a valid passport. IMO, this is reason enough to get and carry your passport on a cruise.

[HummerGirl]

I had to apply for a replacement passport (it got shredded :( - don't ask) so I went on "national passport day" Saturday, March 28th 2009 to my County Clerk's office and I just called the 800# and was told that it was processed on Tuesday, April 14th and mailed out :D on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009. That is pretty fast (two weeks) for the waiting period that they are telling everyone.

[MSN-Travelers]

Okay, I am pretty sure I already have the answer, but being as paranoid as I am, I just have to ask and hopefully that'll relieve some of my tension...

 

I am looking at booking a cruise (Carnival) that leaves and returns to Miami, and hits Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Cozumel in Jan of 2010. Is a passport needed or is a birth certificate and Drivers license all I need?

 

Thanks for any help I get...

 

 

As indicated by others above, you will be OK for this trip. Letting you and others know why may be helpful for the future. Reference this web site for an explanation - http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/tools/except.html

 

The key to this exception is starting and ending your cruise on the same ship and at the same port. Passengers taking a Panama Canal full-transit will start/end the cruise on the same ship but they will start/end at different ports. A passport will be required for passengers on this type cruise.

 

I want to echo the point raised by Terpnut ... If you get sick or injured while on your cruise, you can't return back to the US by any means other than the ship you left on! You will not be allowed to return to the US via air for any reason. Be safe, get a passport.

 

Enjoy!

[jnicktem]

Again, thank ALL of you for ALL of your help! That is what I was thinking, but it beings peace of mind to me when other people confirm it.

 

And I understand what all of you are saying about how it is better to have one in case of emergency. The thing is, I already have a passport... somewhere. I recently moved and all of my stuff is inbetween two places... and my passport is lost somewhere in one of the many boxes.

 

The big reason I had to ask this is because I am taking my girlfriend on this cruise (and this is her FIRST cruise) and she has never even left the country before and therefore does not have a passport... and I am a little rusty on all the new passport rules.

 

Again, thanks everyone for their help!

[TPKeller]

I want to echo the point raised by Terpnut ... If you get sick or injured while on your cruise, you can't return back to the US by any means other than the ship you left on! You will not be allowed to return to the US via air for any reason. Be safe, get a passport.

Be sure to see the brand new tourist attraction on each and every Caribbean island now... newly assembled tent cities to house all the stranded American cruise passengers who must now live out the rest of their lives overseas, because they chose to take advantage of a completely legal means of identification to go on their cruise. Sucks that they missed their ship for whatever reason, but even more so that they are now permanent refugees...

 

Ya. :eek:

 

Theron

 

Ok, I have to add more to this. It is true and well hashed out in this and other threads that there does seem to be a discrepancy between earlier reports from the field, and the answers provided by the officials at top levels of the government. These new rules still don't go into effect until June 1st, about a month and a half from now. We are still waiting for first hand reports on how such emergency travel arrangements will be handled. I am confident that there will not really be tent cities, and that Americans who choose to travel using a BC/DL will not become refugees for missing a ship, nor will they be denied emergency medical treatment and evacuation if such a need arises.

[jnicktem]

UPDATE: I found my passport!

 

My problem is solved. :)

[tnsail]

I want to echo the point raised by Terpnut ... If you get sick or injured while on your cruise, you can't return back to the US by any means other than the ship you left on! You will not be allowed to return to the US via air for any reason. Be safe, get a passport.

 

Enjoy!

 

This is really NOT true.... The US Government is not going to leave you to wallow in some other country because you left the US by a perfectly legal means.... You will be required to visit or be visited by members of the US Consulate of that country where you will be issued a temporary Passport to allow you to re-enter the US by means other than a ship.... This may not be a quick painless process.... And all of this headache and time will be charged on your dime.... I would advise anyone to get a Passport but to pass this type of infomation along is just not right....:(

 

Joey

[Terpnut]

This is really NOT true.... The US Government is not going to leave you to wallow in some other country because you left the US by a perfectly legal means.... You will be required to visit or be visited by members of the US Consulate of that country where you will be issued a temporary Passport to allow you to re-enter the US by means other than a ship.... This may not be a quick painless process.... And all of this headache and time will be charged on your dime.... I would advise anyone to get a Passport but to pass this type of infomation along is just not right....:(

 

Joey

I agree that that point was an exaggeration. Obviously nobody will be stranded abroad in perpetuity or become a permanent refugee because they didn't have their passport on them. :)

 

My central point remains however that, without your passport, you can't even prove you are a U.S. citizen to begin with, so you begin the process of trying to get home or catch the ship one HUGE step behind someone who has their passport. The resulting risks, hassles and delays are non-trivial.

Edited April 21, 2009 by Terpnut