Passport question

[lysolqn]

I know there's a CC passport "sticky" but haven't had a chance to read through it yet.

 

Cruising to the Caribbean r/t Miami three months prior to expiration date on passports. Remember reading somewhere that passports aren't valid within six months of expiration date. True or not true? Cruise line website notes passports are required and suggests pax obtain new ones if sailing is completed withing six months of expiration date. It's the "suggestion" part of the equation that's confusing. Will cruise line and US Customs and Immigration accept passports with three months of life left to them? Thanks.

[TravelerThom]

I know there's a CC passport "sticky" but haven't had a chance to read through it yet.

 

Cruising to the Caribbean r/t Miami three months prior to expiration date on passports. Remember reading somewhere that passports aren't valid within six months of expiration date. True or not true? Cruise line website notes passports are required and suggests pax obtain new ones if sailing is completed withing six months of expiration date. It's the "suggestion" part of the equation that's confusing. Will cruise line and US Customs and Immigration accept passports with three months of life left to them? Thanks.

US Immigration should definitely accept your passport, even on its last day. The reason for the "suggestion" is that some countries will allow you to stay for up to six months and will not accept you if your passport would expire during that interval. I don't think most countries in the Caribbean even care if you have a passport as long as you bring $$$, so that just leaves the cruise line - so double check with them and if in doubt get it in writing.

[mmp13]

We had the same situation last year on our holland american cruise. We had no issues. WE were one month from expiration. As poster above noted. there are some countries that don't accept a passport close to expiration but they are not in the Carribean.

[FinelyCruising]

From the Department of State website which might be of some help:

 

ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL

The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

• CURRENTLY:
  U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
  
• LATER:
  On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

 

Cruise Passengers

 

U.S. and Canadian citizens arriving on cruises from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of identity and citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. View complete list of acceptable documents at CBP.gov.

Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport when you dock at a foreign port, depending on the islands or countries that your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruiseline to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops you’ll be making on your cruise.

[Napi's Mom]

We did renew early because Mexico is one of the countries that says 6 months needed and they are on many Carrib. itineraries!. Now as to whether it really would matter, but they were the pickiest custom/immigration depts we saw on our Panama Canal cruise.