Passport Question??

[rt1092]

My MIL's passport expires in January 2016. We are cruising next week and we have a cruise booked in Dec.

We plan to get her passport renewed when we get back after Oct 2. Someone told me that a passport has to have 6 months before expiring to be accepted by Royal. Is this true? .

[LilBlackDress]

This is from RCs Website FAQ

 

 

Passport

 

A valid passport is required for travel.

For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six(6) months of the sailing termination date.

U.S. citizens carrying an Official (maroon cover) passport must also be in possession of a valid Diplomatic or personal (blue or green cover) passport to allow ship embarkation.

 

Read more at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=329&faqSubjectName=Cruise+Documents&faqId=2815#rCoARgiMoDGj9l2M.99

 

 

Where are you sailing From and To... is it a closed loop cruise?

Edited September 13, 2015 by LilBlackDress

[robtulipe]

That's only an recommendation from RCI.

What cruise is it?

If Caribbean from US port you don't even need a passport.

See http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/travelDocumentation.do?cS=NAVBAR

[Turtles06]

The reason for the 6-month recommendation is that some countries will not allow you to enter unless you have 6 months remaining on your passport. So, as other have asked, where are you cruising to?

[dacsmom]

It is not an RCI regulation but this is from the US Passport office:

 

Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Consider the following scenario: A country requires that you have at least six months of validity on your passport. You currently have seven months of validity on your passport. However, your trip is two months from now. At that point, you will only have five months of validity remaining on your passport which is not enough to satisfy that country's entry requirements. In this situation, you would need to renew your passport before you can make your trip.

 

If your cruise stops in a country that requires a passport valid for longer than six months from now then you will not be able to board the ship.

[brillohead]

The six-month recommendation is really for countries that require a visa/passport to enter the country. If you get a six-month tourist stamp in your passport, they don't want the passport to expire while you're in their country.

 

For a US resident visiting the Caribbean, it's not a problem at all. Go ahead and go on the cruise now, then send off to get the renewal as soon as you return so you're sure to have the new book back before your December cruise.

 

Happy sails!

[SnappyNappi]

We are on a closed loop cruise from Bayonne, NJ in December of this year. Our kids passports expire the end of May next year - just under the 6 month mark. We are planning to take the passports a well as their birth certificates (and drivers licenses for the older kids) so we don't have any problem. If you are on a closed loop cruise, one that starts and ends in the same U.S. Port, the passport is recommended but not required.... Just don't miss the ship in a foreign port.

[ckb523]

Hi RT... Had this same issue back in May (sailing out of San Juan). No issue with Royal regarding the expiration date. This only becomes an issue on the more exotic locals.

See ya the 20th! :D

[rt1092]

Thanks all. The first cruise is the eastern Caribbean the second is the Bahamas.

When we get back On Oct 2 we will send in the renewal.

[DonnaK]

Thanks all. The first cruise is the eastern Caribbean the second is the Bahamas.

When we get back On Oct 2 we will send in the renewal.

 

None of those countries have a 6 month (or 3 month) remaining on your passport policy. (You don't even need a passport for these cruises, if you are a US citizen). No worries.

[Desert Cruizers]

The importance of having a passport, close loop or not is for an emergency whereby for some unforeseen emergency one needs to fly home. Either you missed the ship or had a medical emergency. We take our passports with us at all times when cruising, makes it so much easier.