Travel Documents

[DrSch]

Friend just advised me that her passport expires in June, for a cruise we are going on in April.

 

Cruise goes to Mexico, Belize and Roatan.

Does anyone have personal experience on taking a closed loop cruise to these countries on Princess using just a Birth Certificate and License?

 

 

[wallyj]

17 minutes ago, DrSch said:

Friend just advised me that her passport expires in June, for a cruise we are going on in April.

 

Cruise goes to Mexico, Belize and Roatan.

Does anyone have personal experience on taking a closed loop cruise to these countries on Princess using just a Birth Certificate and License?

 

 

Friend should still take passport, in addition to birth Cert, in case of needing to fly home from Mexico, Belize or Roatan. Travel summary would state boarding/ entry requirements .

[Charles4515]

45 minutes ago, DrSch said:

Friend just advised me that her passport expires in June, for a cruise we are going on in April.

 

Cruise goes to Mexico, Belize and Roatan.

Does anyone have personal experience on taking a closed loop cruise to these countries on Princess using just a Birth Certificate and License?

 

 

 

For that itinerary her passport is fine. It only has to be unexpired.

[riffatsea]

Agree!

Nothing wrong with using the passport since it will not be expired

[nini]

A general guideline is to have it not expire until at least 6 months after your trip. If there is an emergency and a flight is needed to fly home, then a person will be glad that they renewed it.

 

There are offices in the country where you can go and have it done the same day.

 

[Charles4515]

17 minutes ago, nini said:

A general guideline is to have it not expire until at least 6 months after your trip. If there is an emergency and a flight is needed to fly home, then a person will be glad that they renewed it.

 

There are offices in the country where you can go and have it done the same day.

 

You don't need six months to fly home to the United Sates. You only need a valid unexpired passport. 

[nini]

Just now, Charles4515 said:

You don't need six months to fly home to the United Sates. You only need a valid unexpired passport. 

 

I would not want to test it. If one is going to keep traveling, why not just renew it? The Princess website says to have one that does not expire for 6 months.

[Charles4515]

17 minutes ago, nini said:

 

I would not want to test it. If one is going to keep traveling, why not just renew it? The Princess website says to have one that does not expire for 6 months.

There is no testing involved.  The US only requires a valid passport. You can easily check that. As for why not just renew it passport renewals are currently backed up. 

[cr8tiv1]

This is just as "clear" as some of Princess' statements.  Just adding the link for you to decide.

 

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/passports-for-closed-loop-cruise.html

 

"According to law in Belize and Honduras, all Americans must have a passport to enter either country. The State Department's Consular Information Sheets for Belize and Honduras also specify that a passport is required. But Belize and Honduras are currently waiving the requirement for cruise passengers unless those passengers start or end their voyage there.

While a passport is neither required to visit these two destinations nor to enter the U.S., it is highly recommended by both the U.S. Department of State and Carnival Cruise lines.

 

And I remember a thread asking about a birth certificate.  OP did not originally say that he had a birth certificate and an ID...but did not mention that the birth certificate was NOT a US one.  

[roadster08]

Note that a hospital issued birth certificate may be a problem. A birth certificate issued by the state's Department of Vital Records is best. 

[cr8tiv1]

A certified birth certificate from the state department may also take several months to order and receive.  Currently, it is taking 8 - 10 weeks for Hawaii...and that's a little state.

[capriccio]

In the case of a question like this (which some have answered accurately) it is best just to go to the State Department's website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/faqs.html

 

FAQ #17:  How long is a passport valid and is it true that it needs to have at least 6 months of validity remaining?

 

If you were age 16 or older when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 10 years.

If you were under 16 when your passport was issued, your passport is valid for 5 years.

The Issue Date of your passport can be found on the data page of your passport book or on the front of your passport card.

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. 

Check our Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.