Australian South Pacific Cruise Passport validity question

[appleosprey]

Hello,

 

My partner has an Italian Passport which expires 12 Oct 2014, we wanted to book a cruise on Rhapsody from Sydney on the 8th April returning 18th April. During this time my partners Italian Passport will have less than 6 months validity. (more than 6 months when we board, less than 6 months when we disembark)

 

We are travelling in South East Asia and we are having trouble with Italian Embassy. We have been to 2 and both will not issue a new passport unless he is inside the last 6 months of passport expiry. The only place to get this done is in Italy.

 

I tried to Call Royal Caribbean and explain but I got so many different answers. We spoke to the Australian immigration at the desk when you leave Australia and they said they will accept a passport any time before expiry.

 

I presume the 6 month rule is a safeguard in case you travel to a country where they will not accept a passport with less that 6 months validity and RCI have a policy to avoid people getting into trouble

 

Does anyone know if RCI will accept him at the port?

 

I called and got many different answers so i don't trust what RCI say

 

We were at the Brisbane Italian consulate and they wouldn't give hime a new passport even though they could see it expires in less than 9 months and we have a lot of travelling to do

 

Sorry if this message is all over the place

 

Thanks