Required documents needed to cruise into Bahamas

[celle]

Originally Posted by mutt

OMG, so many different answers - I'm more confused now than I was before.

I do know for a fact that U.S. residents can get on a cruise ship without a passport as long as they have a certified birth certificate and a valid state I.D. like a drivers license.

Now assuming that I need to update my expired Philippines passport ASAP, does anyone know how to do that?? I am hearing stories that I have to go to Washington to do that, is that correct??

HELP - thanks.

Are you absolutely sure of that? All that I have read says that US Citizens can cruise without a passport on cruises where the WHTI applies. I am not certain that the same concession applies to US permanent residents.

If you need to get a passport, you need to do it soon.

Now, my advice to you is stop wasting your time here, getting advice from us.
Pick up the phone and phone the Bahamas embassy. Get the facts from the horse's mouth.

Good luck.

If you have time, do come back and update us on the facts.

[njhorseman]

Originally Posted by mutt

OMG, so many different answers - I'm more confused now than I was before.

I do know for a fact that U.S. residents can get on a cruise ship without a passport as long as they have a certified birth certificate and a valid state I.D. like a drivers license.

Now assuming that I need to update my expired Philippines passport ASAP, does anyone know how to do that?? I am hearing stories that I have to go to Washington to do that, is that correct??

HELP - thanks.

You're wrong...it's US citizens that can take a closed loop cruise with a birth certificate and drivers license.

As you have already advised...you need to contact the Bahamas embassy to find out if you need a valid Philippines passport for your cruise...and if you do...get in touch with the Philippines consulate nearest your home ASAP. They are the ones who can help you out with this issue...not anyone here.

[scottbee]

The Bahamas like Canada, and like most of Caribbean require (for US citizens)

1. Proof of citizenship (such as a state issued birth certificate)
2. Govt issued photo ID (such as state issued drivers license)
3. Correct documentation to go home

The US require #3 to be a passport for a US citizen to re-enter the USA in almost every case (slightly less requirement for land/sea entry, a passport card, WHTI document), except a closed loop cruise, hence you can enter the Bahamas without it.

Please don't blame the Bahamas when the US changed the rules to re-enter the US.

[celle]

Originally Posted by scottbee

The Bahamas like Canada, and like most of Caribbean require (for US citizens)

1. Proof of citizenship (such as a state issued birth certificate)
2. Govt issued photo ID (such as state issued drivers license)
3. Correct documentation to go home

The US require #3 to be a passport for a US citizen to re-enter the USA in almost every case (slightly less requirement for land/sea entry, a passport card, WHTI document), except a closed loop cruise, hence you can enter the Bahamas without it.

Please don't blame the Bahamas when the US changed the rules to re-enter the US.

The OP is not a US citizen. He is a US Permanent Resident.

He needs to get a Philippines passport. And he needs to get it yesterday!

[mutt]

Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate it.

[sail7seas]

Don't leave us guessing, please.

What have you learned you will need?
I am very interested to learn that.
Thank you.