Passports. When are they not required?

[Flatbush Flyer]

There is NO need to pay for a passport for a US citizen going on a CRUISE to the Caribbean. None!

 

 

NONE? You know that's not true. Perhaps it is for Carnival and various other mass market lines (which could change sooner than you think). But, pretty much every premium/luxury line does require passports for all passengers on all itineraries.

[BruceMuzz]

Maybe they spend all that money because the law requires it. The law does not require passports in all circumstances.

 

Very true.

Common sense AND the law dictate that cruise ships carry lifeboats.

Only common sense dictates that passports are an extremely good option when traveling outside your home country.

Unfortunately, common sense is not very common in cruise travel today.

[sparks1093]

Very true.

Common sense AND the law dictate that cruise ships carry lifeboats.

Only common sense dictates that passports are an extremely good option when traveling outside your home country.

Unfortunately, common sense is not very common in cruise travel today.

 

What is an extremely good option for you may not be such a good option for someone else based on their individual travel needs. I know many people in my community that routinely leave their home country with either a passport card or enhanced drivers license because they will never travel any other way than visiting Canada which is 8 miles away. Every traveler has different needs when it comes to documentation and what works best for one doesn't necessarily work best for someone else.

[reedl]

I understand that a passport in this situation is an expense you may not need but I suspect most of these souls take out auto insurance, never planning to get in an accident, home owners or renters even though they are not likely to have a fire or be burglarized and health insurance in spite of the fact that they will not visit the hospital this year.

 

But those insurances are required that you purchase them. You have to have Auto insurance to finance a car. You need homeowners insurance if you have a home loan. You have to have Health insurance because of Obamacare.

 

OTOH a passport is a nice thing to have, but if you have four people, it will cost in excess of $600. If you are booking a inexpensive four night cruise, that is a large sum of money to spend for something that is 'nice to have' that 'might happen' but most likely will never been needed.

 

And you can still get back to the states in the very small chance that you need to. It might take some doing, but it can be done.

Edited October 25, 2016 by reedl