Need Passport?

I am on going on another cruise after a 6 year break. We are leaving from Charleston and going to Nassau and Freeport and then back to Charleston. Does my DH need a passport card or will a BC and DL do for this trip?

A DL and a STATE birth certificate will work (not the hospital certificate) provided he is a US citizen. If you have an emergency and need to fly back to the USA, you will have a problem without a passport.

No passport needed, just D.L. & B.C.. Enjoy... C.G.

Thank you!

This question comes up often. As noted no passport is required.

However, if you need to fly home due to a family or medical emergency you would require a passport.

Just keep that in mind.

Keith

The reason I asked was because the State Departments website indicates that you do need a passport book or card from the caribbean region from a cruise.

He would only be getting a passport card and we wouldn't be able to fly with it anyway.

The reason I asked was because the State Departments website indicates that you do need a passport book or card from the caribbean region from a cruise.

 

He would only be getting a passport card and we wouldn't be able to fly with it anyway.

the passport card works the same way as a DL & Birth certificate save your money.

a passport is needed if your cruise is one way- going from one port to another and not returning to your home port

The reason I asked was because the State Departments website indicates that you do need a passport book or card from the caribbean region from a cruise.

 

He would only be getting a passport card and we wouldn't be able to fly with it anyway.

Unfortunately, the State Department web site is incorrect as it fails to account for the closed loop cruise exception to the passport requirement, issued by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS, not State, is the department responsible for writing these rules. Here's a link to the DHS page explaining the rule:

http://getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html , and the explanation of the rule itself, from that page.

"Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

Please note that the Bahamas does not require cruise passengers to have a passport.

JMO -- if an emergency comes up -- family at home or even you on the cruise -- to fly home you need a passport.

Get one.

the passport card works the same way as a DL & Birth certificate save your money.

 

 

a passport is needed if your cruise is one way- going from one port to another and not returning to your home port

According to the State Dept's website a passport card is good for sea port of entry in Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean, which means that it is good even if the cruise is one way. A passport card cannot be used for international flights.

JMO -- if an emergency comes up -- family at home or even you on the cruise -- to fly home you need a passport.

 

Get one.

Don't be so bossy;), a traveler is well within their rights to choose their documentation for a closed loop cruise whether you agree with the choice or not.

JMO -- if an emergency comes up -- family at home or even you on the cruise -- to fly home you need a passport.

 

Get one.

I'm well aware of the fact that we would need a passport to fly home.

A DL and a STATE birth certificate will work (not the hospital certificate) provided he is a US citizen. If you have an emergency and need to fly back to the USA, you will have a problem without a passport.

But not an insurmountable problem. It may be more of a hassle and there might be a delay but the US government has alternative means for travelers to prove their citizenship should they not have a passport when they need to fly back to the US from a foreign country. A passport is certainly preferable in the event of an emergency, but even without one, no one will be stranded in a foreign land forever.

But not an insurmountable problem. It may be more of a hassle and there might be a delay but the US government has alternative means for travelers to prove their citizenship should they not have a passport when they need to fly back to the US from a foreign country. A passport is certainly preferable in the event of an emergency, but even without one, no one will be stranded in a foreign land forever.

Good to know.