Closed loop crulise - CB to Panama Canal - Passport now required

[happicruzer]

The following is quoted from a Princess email. Not a problem for us as we have our passports, but closed loop cruises used to be able to use two types of identification if one didn't have a passport.

 

 

UPDATED PASSPORT REQUIREMENT

 

Please be advised that documentation requirements for your voyages have been updated. A valid passport is now required for all guests on this voyage. Guests without a valid passport will be denied boarding.

 

Your passport must be valid for six months after the completion of travel. Please ensure the name on your passport matches your name as it appears on your booking. Additionally, make certain that your passport contains blank pages for entry and exit endorsements and any visas that may be required. If necessary, allow sufficient time to renew your passport and/or obtain additional pages.

[skynight]

I don't believe that this applies to all closed loop cruises, probably only to your cruise. It is likely that one of the countries you are visiting now requires a passport. In any case it is best to travel with a passport in case you have to fly home in an emergency.

The below was copied from the CBC web site today.

• U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.
  

[moki'smommy]

Interesting...we did this cruise on April 1 and passports were not required (had them, but not required). As above, it is likely a requirement for one of the port stops. There has been no change in US policy re closed loop cruises.

[riffatsea]

Maybe it's all the Panama Canal cruises? We got the same e mail today for our cruise from LA to FLL through the canal.

Where's CB???

[pms4104]

CB is the Caribbean Princess.

 

As for the requirement for your ocean to ocean transit ... not nee, as yours is not closed loop.

 

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[happicruzer]

Maybe it's all the Panama Canal cruises? We got the same e mail today for our cruise from LA to FLL through the canal.

Where's CB???

Your cruise doesn’t end at the departure port thus a passport is required.

 

We did this same cruise in January and no passport requirement departing and arriving at Ft Lauderdale.

 

Did think it could be a misunderstanding unless the government is beginning to tighten down on passport requirements once again.

[pms4104]

Meant to say "not new"

 

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[tillys mom]

We did a Panama Canal round trip Ft Lauderdale last year, and one of our companions had a passport card. Costa Rico now requires a passport, but she had no problem. No one ever asked to see anything.

[Homosassa]

We did a Panama Canal round trip Ft Lauderdale last year, and one of our companions had a passport card. Costa Rico now requires a passport, but she had no problem. No one ever asked to see anything.

 

Costa Rica has always required a passport for cruise ship passengers. So does Colombia.

[Homosassa]

By any chance are you traveling with children and both parents are not cruising:

 

PASSPORT REQUIREMENT WHEN MINORS TRAVEL WITH ONE ADULT ON VOYAGES GOVERNED BY THE U.S. WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (includes travel within BERMUDA, CANADA, CARIBBEAN, HAWAII, MEXICO, PANAMA CANAL, UNITED STATES) When minors are traveling with only one adult 21 years of age or older, Princess requires that all guests must be in possession of a valid passport. We have implemented this requirement because we want to ensure that your party remains together should an emergency arise that requires one or more in your party to be disembarked in a non-U.S. port. We cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with just a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate. Failure to present a valid passport for all guests traveling together will result in denial of boarding without refund of the cruise or cruisetour fare.

US

[geoherb]

Holland America required us to have passports last year when we took a closed-loop Panama Canal cruise. I guess Princess is catching up with the requirements of Costa Rica.

[Lucky TGO]

Thanks for the info.

Tony

[SuziCruises]

Starting in the Fall of 2018, all passengers on a Panama Canal cruise – either R/T or O/W, even U.S. citizens, will be required to have a valid passport. This is a major shift in policy by the government and may be a sign that the “closed loop” exemption may be coming to an end.

[myfuzzy]

We have been doing the repositioning from NY to Ft Lauderdale for the past 7 years, and my DH, does not have a passport, nor wants to get one..but he does have an enhanced license, and has never been questioned....

[goofy559]

We have been doing the repositioning from NY to Ft Lauderdale for the past 7 years, and my DH, does not have a passport, nor wants to get one..but he does have an enhanced license, and has never been questioned....

 

This is a new requirement so what was previously allowed will no longer work. We have a closed loop panama canal cruise booked for December. We just received the notice that we will require a passport with at least 6 months left on it. So, don't assume that what worked before will work going forward.

[myfuzzy]

This is a new requirement so what was previously allowed will no longer work. We have a closed loop panama canal cruise booked for December. We just received the notice that we will require a passport with at least 6 months left on it. So, don't assume that what worked before will work going forward.[/quote

 

Well until he gets that email ... he will just have to deal with it then

Or stay home *♀️

[likeadisguise]

We have been doing the repositioning from NY to Ft Lauderdale for the past 7 years, and my DH, does not have a passport, nor wants to get one..but he does have an enhanced license, and has never been questioned....

 

Unless your repositioning cruise goes through the Panama Canal, he should be fine.

[Essiesmom]

Unless your repositioning cruise goes through the Panama Canal, he should be fine.

 

I believe this to be incorrect. By definition, a repositioning cruise starts and ends in different ports, so a passport would always be required. Not a closed loop? Need a passport. EM

[likeadisguise]

No, you just need a WHTI compliant document - passport, passport card, enhanced driver's license. You can't use just a birth certificate and photo ID, but there are a few other options besides just a passport.

 

The Panama Canal cruises visit countries that require you to have a passport, thus the change.