Passport requirements/6 months.

[SISer]

I am looking at a Celebrity Cruise that starts and finishes in Rome, the cruise visits ports in Italy, Greece and Turkey.

 

When I intend to travel my passport will be valid for four months, I ahve asked two travel agents in my area, one tells me it's okay, the other tells me Celebrity will deny boarding.

 

What experience have users on this forum had?

 

I am not in a situation to renew the passport at present, and i may have to postpone the trip.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[kitty9]

It's not Celebrity who has those rules, but it's the countries you're visiting. Every country I've been to, including the ones your visiting say your passport must be at least 6 months valid.

 

Look at this:

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13342877/

 

Also know that the airline you're flying on could deny you boarding because your passport is valid for only 4 more months.

[TravelerThom]

It's not Celebrity who has those rules, but it's the countries you're visiting. Every country I've been to, including the ones your visiting say your passport must be at least 6 months valid.

 

Look at this: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13342877/

 

Also know that the airline you're flying on could deny you boarding because your passport is valid for only 4 more months.

Actually airlines are generally stricter than countries. The country can waive their own rules, but the airline has responsibility for you until the country allows admission and may have to fly you back home PLUS pay a fine for bringing you.

 

The MSNBC link raised an interesting thought in my mind. The US allows Dual citizenship, but requires [as do most dual citizenship countries] that you enter and exit the US on your US passport. Since it is unlikely that both passports would be expiring at the same time how would THAT work? The US will accept a US passport with any remaining time for admission to the US. You would have to leave the US on your soon-to-expire [but still valid for the duration of the trip] passport, but may have lots of time remaining on a passport valid in your destination country [bTW I am NOT a dual national].

[Essiesmom]

Many years ago (okay, 20) I traveled on a professional group tour to Asia. the tour organization required us to mail them our passports (we came from all over the US) and they handled getting the visas. The group assembled at the check-in counter in SF airport. One member of the tour had been booked on another tour which was cancelled, so she switched to this tour. But she did not request the tour company return her passport...She assumed they would know that they had it, she had rebooked, and take care of the visas. Our tour escort would have passports and other paperwork with him at the airport. Well guess what: in SF, the tour escort did not have her passport. She had to stay in SF and get a temporary passport, good for six months, and she joined us a couple days later in Hong Kong. Nine or ten days later, we get to Bali...and they have the six month rule, and won't let her in- the passport now has less than six months left.... Considerable discussion took place, and some cash changed hands, and she was admitted. Lots of lessons learned. Renew your passport. It is cheaper than getting a new one, and faster (although times are very short now). EM

[usha]

Renew your passport; get it expedited, if need be, but don't try to go on that cruise with your present passport. You'll be left at the pier (or possibly the airport).

[mafig]

Just as an fyi...we just renewed our passports and it took 11 days door to door for regular (not expedited) service:)

[Napi's Mom]

Just as an fyi...we just renewed our passports and it took 11 days door to door for regular (not expedited) service:)

Ours took less than 2 wks also in Oct last yr. Said it would be 6. Might have to do with just what sort of background check they need to do???Wondering as the OP said they COULD NOT do it in the next 4 mo. We did our initial work online which you can do anywhere in the world I would think...but we did do Am EX for the mailing in of passports as that we felt was safer.