Passport near expiration--Oosterdam Alaska Cruise

[cruzermon]

I was reading on another thread that Princess, IIRC, requires passports to be valid 6 months beyond the trip date for Alaska cruises. We're cruising May 21-28 to Alaska, with the obligatory stop in Vancouver, and my passport expires in July. Anyone know if this is the case on the Oosterdam? I haven't received the document package yet, but prefer not to be surprised. So, any HAL requirements that the passport has to remain valid X days beyond the trip? I can't see this being a Canadian requirement, but I know some countries require it.

The reason I don't renew sooner, is that I'd probably spend the extra $40 or so for expedited handling just to insure I have it back in time. I just don't like spending money needlessly, when I can spend it on the cruise instead, and will gladly spend it needlessly(as well as wisely).


Thanks.

[Ziggy7]

That is U.S. Customs regulations since 911. Just take your birth certificate :)

[bluehorizonlover123]

Please let me know quick. I am sailing in 5 days to the Caribbean and my passport expires mid May. I wasn't going to renew it until after we get back around April 3. Are you saying my passport will be no good for this cruise.

[Ziggy7]

If you dont need a passport to get back into the U.S., you wont need a passport. Just take your birth certificate :)

[ron46936]

Why not go ahead and apply for renewal now without expedited service? It will almost certainly be back in plenty of time since it is a renewal. If by the off chance it doesn't get back in time you can still use your birth certificate.

[elmorejj]

Ziggy, why would this be a customs regulation? I can see it being an Immigration reg. but Customs??.........jean :cool:

[sail7seas]

I think you are correct, Jean. Customs and Immigration are both now a part of Homeland Security but Immigration deals with people while customs deals with things.

Most countries require a passport be valid for at least 3 months past your expected date to exit their country. I think I have heard as much as six months for many countries.

I imagine that is a protection for the traveler in the event an unexpected emergency arises and they are unable to leave the host country (and re-enter their homeland) on the date planned.

Cruiselines must abide by the laws of the countries the ship will be visiting. If, for example, Argentina requires a passport valid for 6 months past the date of visit, HAL must see to it that no one is on their ship without a valid (in the eyes of Argentina) passport.

[jhannah]

This is the word from the HAL website:

Passports
The following documents are required for U.S. and Canadian citizens:

Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii or New England cruises:

1) A valid passport ~or~
2) A U.S. or Canadian government-issued picture identification; plus an original or certified copy of a United States birth certificate, Canadian birth certificate, U.S. Naturalization Certificate, or Canadian Naturalization Certificate.

All other cruises: A passport valid for six months beyond the duration of the cruise and necessary visas. Expired passports are not acceptable.

Please note: Although passports are not required for some cruises, we highly recommend that you carry one while traveling. The unforseen possibility of a medical disembarkation or early cruise termination may require that you have a valid passport to enable you to continue travel.

[noblepa]

From the US Customs & Border Protection website: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documentary_req.xmlDocumentary Requirements for Entry To The United States
http://206.241.31.147/ImageCache/cgov/templates/images/spacerclear_2egif/v1/image_2ddata/1/spacerclear.gifTravel from within the Western Hemisphere (North, Central or South America)
U.S. citizens:


Are exempt from passport requirements. However, it is highly recommended that a U.S. Citizen be prepared to present documentation such as valid or expired U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or Naturalization certificate to avoid delays.
Exception—travel from Cuba, valid U.S. passport is required
This seems to conflict with what the cruise lines are telling people.

[K&RCurt]

noblepa:

The regulations you quote are for ENRTY back into the USA.

Many countries in the Western Hemisphere require a valid passport from the country of citizenship in order to ENTER THEIR country. Some, additionally, require a visa be obtained ahead of time.

The cruise line is obligated to assure that all on board are legally able to enter the country of each port of call. If not, the ship will not clear immigration for that port and no one wil be able to go ashore.

Entry back into the USA is not the cruise line's only concern and there is no conflict in what they require and US Immigration regulations.

[cruzermon]

Thanks, Jhannah. I'd checked out the US and Canadian sites for passport requirements, but forgot to check out HAL's site.

I'm sure I have my birth certificate somewhere in the event I ever need it. Fortunately, passport renewal is every 10 years, so I won't have to worry about this again until 2015.

[cruisecrasy]

We 'Canuks' have to renew passports costing approx. $60 US $ every 5 yrs - now do u all feel better..heh heh!! Oh well, anything to cruise right??

[Ziggy7]

Ziggy, why would this be a customs regulation? I can see it being an Immigration reg. but Customs??.........jean :cool:Yes, thats what I meant, here in Ca. its called U.S. Customs and Immigration offices you I was being lazy and just typing the first half :) Thanks for correcting my goof! :)

[notyats]

Passports are really only good for nine and a half if they were truthful. That is especially true for europeon travel. I had to drive to Houston two days before we left three years ago because my passport expired two months after we got home. This was HAL rules.