Passport / Documentation Help!

[Slugworth]

Thanks in advance for any help on this -- my wife is a little stressed out and I'm hoping the good people here can help me out!

 

We went on our first cruise about 2 years ago and apparently I lost enough money at the Casino that they started sending me their casino royal promotions :cool:

 

Anyways, we just got a promotion offering a complimentary cabin on one of several cruises, and after checking our schedule I think we're going to try and book one going out of Puerto Rico. Or at least that was the plan. Turns out our passport expired in September and we only have about 3 weeks until the sailing date.

 

We called and spoke with the RC rep, and she said that once we were in PR we would not need a passport, so long as we had a government issued birth certificate and a valid license. She further explained that once we were onboard we would not need a passport to visit any of the ports, since we would be getting back on the ship we came on.

 

The issue is that she said her 'system' was displaying in giant red letters that customers needed a passport to fly from the US into PR. This doesn't jive with what I've read online (my wife and I are both US citizens), so I'm now thinking that we can fly from the US to Puerto Rico and board the cruise ship and visit all the ports on the itinerary without paying all the fees and stressing about the expedited passport deadline, but I want to make sure before I start booking airfare and what not.

 

Do any of you know from experience what the right answer is? When the lady told me we could board without a passport I thought we were home free, but I don't know why her documentation would be showing we needed one to fly into PR. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks!

[Mrsinsyder]

You don't need a passport to fly to PR because it's a US territory; it's a domestic flight.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Mrsinsyder

[SET TO SAIL]

If you Google that question, the answer seems to be no, you don't need one. I don't remember needing one when we left from PR. I guess to be sure, you could check with the airline.

[Slugworth]

You don't need a passport to fly to PR because it's a US territory; it's a domestic flight.

 

That's what I thought and it surprised me when the RC lady said I would. I know if the flight had a layover in another country then I would need a passport... maybe that's why they have that disclaimer.

 

Can anyone confirm that you wouldn't need a passport to get on the cruise ship with foreign port of calls? Sounds like the official birth certificate and license will suffice.

[Mrsinsyder]

US Citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port) and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate (raised seal and signature) and a laminated government issued picture ID (typically, driver's license), Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.

 

However; ALL major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney) STRONGLY recommend that all guests travel with a passport that is valid for at least six (6) months beyond the end of the cruise for the following reasons :

 

Guests may need to fly out of the United States to meet a ship at it's next available port if they missed an embarkation.

Guests that would need to fly home before the cruise ends due to medical, family, personal or business emergencies.

Involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct or other reasons

Guests who miss the scheduled ship's departure at a port of call.

You may be required to present a passport to enter the foreign ports that your cruise is visiting.

[CaptnG]

I went on a cruise out of Puerto Rico in 09' we flew out of MIA and never needed a passport... that being said I renewed and my husband and kids got their first passports this September and it took 7 days

 

 

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[Slugworth]

I went on a cruise out of Puerto Rico in 09' we flew out of MIA and never needed a passport... that being said I renewed and my husband and kids got their first passports this September and it took 7 days

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Sounds like we'll be okay, though I'm still wondering why she told us what she did....

 

I guess we'll go ahead with our plans to book. We'll apply for a passport, but won't stress about it since it doesn't sound like it will be needed.

 

Thanks again for the quick help!

[mollyeilis]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Sounds like we'll be okay, though I'm still wondering why she told us what she did....

 

I guess we'll go ahead with our plans to book. We'll apply for a passport, but won't stress about it since it doesn't sound like it will be needed.

 

Thanks again for the quick help!

 

 

If you're sending away for a passport now, make sure you have an extra certified birth certificate for the cruise!

 

As for why she had that info...today I read a post about someone telling the poster that she thought PR was in Mexico. She'd even told people that she had been to PR, Mexico. And this was someone that worked for...I want to say...the airline? Yikes.

[easyboy]

US Citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port) and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate (raised seal and signature) and a laminated government issued picture ID (typically, driver's license), Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.

 

However; ALL major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney) STRONGLY recommend that all guests travel with a passport that is valid for at least six (6) months beyond the end of the cruise for the following reasons :

 

Guests may need to fly out of the United States to meet a ship at it's next available port if they missed an embarkation.

Guests that would need to fly home before the cruise ends due to medical, family, personal or business emergencies.

Involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct or other reasons

Guests who miss the scheduled ship's departure at a port of call.

You may be required to present a passport to enter the foreign ports that your cruise is visiting.

Exactly. Passport not required, but important in case of the unexpected.

[Clarea]

... Can anyone confirm that you wouldn't need a passport to get on the cruise ship with foreign port of calls? Sounds like the official birth certificate and license will suffice.

As long as you are a natural born US citizen, and the cruise starts and ends at the same US port (San Juan is a US port), then a certified birth certificate combined with a government issued photo ID is sufficient.

[LeesSummitCruiser1]

If you're sending away for a passport now, make sure you have an extra certified birth certificate for the cruise!

 

As for why she had that info...today I read a post about someone telling the poster that she thought PR was in Mexico. She'd even told people that she had been to PR, Mexico. And this was someone that worked for...I want to say...the airline? Yikes.

 

Your old passports are good for renewal if they are less than 10 years expired. You don't need to send a birth certificate with the renewal application.

Edited November 30, 2016 by LeesSummitCruiser1

[leinhto]

All are correct you do not need a passport to fly from US to PR and doing a closed loop cruise between 2 US sea ports...however...

 

If anything should happen where you miss the cruise, get ill or some other unfortuante incident that leaves you stranded in a foreign country. You will need a passport.

 

The safe bet is to get one. You can get one expedited for extra cost. Turn around can be in 1-2 weeks.

 

I just did so for our kids as we also just purchased a last minute cruise for Dec.

 

I always take a passport when travelling out of the country, you never know.

Edited November 30, 2016 by leinhto