Passport Applications For Cruises Are Now Mandatory
Going on vacation is something that everyone looks forward to doing. Going on a cruise raises that level of excitement even more, as it is often the first and only time that people are going on a boat this large and actually leaving the country. However, anyone doing this should know the new travel laws that require expedited U.S. passports for cruises.
The traveler that is only traveling within the United States borders will still not need a passport. International travel, regardless of where it goes, will generally require that every passenger has a passport in order to be able to get off of the boat in the varying countries. It is always best to do some research and see exactly what travel laws are pertinent to the trip that is being considered.
First rule of thumb for any travel should be to make sure that they know what the current travel and passport laws are. Since June 2009, many laws have changed as they pertain to both passports and travel. The government is making a distinct effort to make sure that our borders are well protected and not knowing these laws may mean you end up wasting money on a vacation that cannot be fully enjoyed.
Obviously, anyone that is physically crossing the border into another country on a one way trip would need a passport, but they are also required in various other scenarios as they pertain to cruises. Even destinations that never required passports before are asking for them, but there are still some exceptions that can be noted.
Additionally, if someone is starting their cruise off in another country, they must have a passport. This is actually something that is not new and has always been required. For example, someone traveling on a Riviera cruise may have to travel to Italy or France to board their ship. Since they would be traveling via air to another country and physically crossing their border, they must have a passport.
Currently, there are trips that are called “closed loop” cruises. They are nothing new to the industry and probably what you or your friends have traveled on before. This is a trip where the traveler boards in a port like Miami, travels to different areas and then returns to that very same port. Trips like this can present an exception to all other passport laws.
Passports are generally not required for closed loop cruises. In place of passports for cruises deemed closed loop, adult passengers are only required to bring a valid driver’s license and birth certificate. Closed loop voyage passport and document exemption laws only pertain to travel from a U.S port to ports in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, and select Caribbean Islands. Anyone unsure of the passport requirements for closed loop cruises to certain Caribbean Islands should consult with the cruise company, their travel agency or the State Department website. Anyone that has a passport would be wise to bring it along just in case.
It is always smart to read up on where the trip is going to see if United States passports for cruises are required for that specific trip. Now as we said, even if expedited pasports are not required, it may be a smart move to at least have a passport card when traveling anywhere outside the United States. It is better to be safe than sorry and having extra documentation is never a bad thing for a traveler.
