Passport Requirement For
Inclusive Caribbean Cruise
Following the attacks of 9/11, the U.S. changed its passport requirements for some aspects of travel.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), as it is called, requires a valid U.S. passport book for re-entry into the U.S. by air from the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda.
How does the New Passport Policy Apply to Caribbean Cruises?
The good news is that certain Caribbean cruise passengers are not required to have a U.S. passport book or passport card to cruise. However, below are key things to know.
U.S. Citizens on Closed Loop Caribbean Cruises
A closed loop cruise is one that leaves from and returns to the same US port. For example: a Caribbean cruise from Miami to the Western Caribbean returns to Miami.
For U.S. citizens on such cruises, the passport requirement does not apply. However, you must prove your citizenship. A birth certificate (original, notarized or certified copy) and a laminated state-issued ID such as a driver's license will do.
For U.S. citizens under 16, a birth certificate will do. It must be an original, notarized or certified copy. For U.S. citizens born abroad, you must have a "Consular Report of Birth Abroad" or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Note: Baptismal Certificates, hospital certificates of birth, or Social Security Cards are unacceptable.
Alien Registration Card Holders (Green Card Holders)
Green Card holders may also ignore the passport requirement and present a valid Alien Registration Card for re-entry to the U.S. from a closed loop Caribbean cruise. Before you sail ensure that your Green Card has not expired.
Passport Requirement for Open Loop Caribbean Cruises
An open loop cruise leaves from one U.S. cruise port and returns to another. Travelers on any such cruise must have a U.S. passport, passport card, or Green Card to re-enter the US.
Passport Requirement for Foreign Port Cruises
Anyone traveling on a Caribbean cruise that ends at a foreign port, must have a U.S. passport, Green Card or US Visa to re-enter the U.S.
Passport Requirement Recommendation
While passengers on a closed loop inclusive Caribbean cruise are not required to have a U.S. Passport to re-enter the US, Homeland Security and the Caribbean Cruise Lines highly recommend that you travel with one.
Compelling Reasons for Traveling with a Passport
1. Some countries' travel policies require that you have a passport for entry;
2. If you miss your cruise ship, you will need your passport to catch it at the next port of call or to re-enter the U.S.; and,
3. If you have a medical emergency, you will need your passport to fly home to the U.S.
On a recent cruise to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, we witnessed a family with a medical emergency being escorted off the ship in Georgetown, Grand Cayman, with luggage and all. This was while everyone was in line to return to the ship. I remember hoping then that they all had their passports.
Applying for a U.S. Passport Book or Passport Card
1. Citizens 16 years and older, must apply for an adult passport. The application form is DS-11.
2. Citizens under 16 years must apply for a minor passport, which has a shorter duration than the adult's.
U.S. Passport Application Requirements
Here are some things to note when applying for a passport to cruise:
A. Citizens 16 years and older must do the following -
1. Fill Out Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport;
2. Submit Completed Form DS-11 In Person;
3. Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship;
4. Present Identification;
5. Submit a Photocopy of the Identification Document(s) Presented (Step 4);
6. Pay the Applicable Fee; and,
7. Provide One Passport Photo.
B. To obtain a passport for Minors under 16 years, do the following -
1. Complete Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport;
2. Submit Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport In Person;
3. Submit Child's Evidence of U.S. Citizenship;
4. Submit Evidence of Relationship Between Child and Parent(s)/Guardian(s);
5. Present Identification of Parent(s)/Guardian(s);
6. Submit a Photocopy of Each Parent/Guardian ID Document To Be Presented (Step 5);
7. Provide Parental Consent (if one is missing);
8. Pay the Applicable Fee; and,
9. Submit One Passport Photo.
For additional information, click here.
What is the Cost to get a Passport to Cruise?
A. The fees involved for getting a new passport to cruise are listed below:
Adult Passport Book & Card $140 + $25 (Use Form DS-11)
Adult Passport Book $110 + $25
Adult Passport Card
(If you do NOT currently hold a valid Passport Book or Card) $30 + $25
B. If you already have a passport, but need to renew it before you cruise, expect to pay the following fees:
Adult Passport Book $110
Passport Card
(If you currently hold a valid Passport Book or Card) $30
C. Fees to Obtain or Renew Passports for Minors are as follows:
Minor Passport Book $80 + $25
Minor Passport Card $15 + $25.
In addition to the fees listed above, if you have very little time in which to get a passport to cruise, you may pay an expedited fee of $60 to have your passport processed faster and about $13 to have it shipped overnight.
For additional information on passport fees and see other related fees click here.
Is there enough time to Get a Passport to Cruise?
1. As of April 5, 2011, it takes 4 - 6 weeks to process a passport.
2. As of April 5, 2011, it takes 2 - 4 weeks to process a passport with expedited service.
For additional information on passport processing or to obtain information on other processing questions, click here.
Where to Apply for a U.S. Passport to Cruise?
There are several convenient locations around the country where one can apply for a passport to cruise or for international travel in general. The State Department allows certain local offices - in addition to a number of Passport Agencies - to facilitate passport applications.
These local offices include: post offices, clerks of court, public libraries and other state, county, township, and municipal government offices who accept passport applications on behalf of the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.
You may follow this link to search for a facility near you.
In addition to a large number of local offices, you may visit one of several US passport agencies to apply for a passport or passport card to cruise. Below is the list of agencies:
Note - The Expedited Fee is required for each application submitted in person at a Passport Agency or Center.
191 Office Park Drive
Hot Springs, AR 71913
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
10 Causeway Street
Suite 247
Boston, MA 02222-1094
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Genesee Gateway Building
111 Genesee Street
Suite 101
Buffalo, NY 14203
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M,T,Th,F; 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Kluczynski Federal Building
230 S. Dearborn Street,
18th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-1564
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Cherry Creek III
3151 South Vaughn Way, Suite 600
Aurora, CO 80014
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., M,T,W,F, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Thursday (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
50 Washington Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Parking Entrance located at 27 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Earle Cabell Federal Building
1100 Commerce St, Suite 1120
Dallas, TX 75242
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
211 West Fort Street, 2nd floor
Detroit, MI 48226-3269
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
303 N. Oregon St
El Paso, TX 79901
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 7:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Prince Kuhio Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd.
Suite 1-330
Honolulu, HI 96850
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Mickey Leland Federal Building
1919 Smith Street
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002-8049
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Federal Building
11000 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90024-3615
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Omni Center
1501 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 210
Miami, FL 33132
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
212 3rd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55401
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, M, T,Th, F; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
207 International Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
One Canal Place
(corner of Canal and North Peters Streets)
365 Canal Street, Suite 1300
New Orleans, LA 70130-6508
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Great New York Federal Building
376 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
U.S. Custom House
200 Chestnut Street
Room 103
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2970
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
401 West A St.
10th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
95 Hawthorne Street
5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Henry Jackson Federal Building
915 Second Avenue
Suite 992
Seattle, WA 98174-1091
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
50 South Main Street
Suite 101
St. Albans, VT 05478
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
1111 19th Street, N.W.
First Floor, Sidewalk Level
Washington, D.C. 20036
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
7373 East Rosewood Street
Tucson, AZ 85710
This Agency issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri - 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wed. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
1111 19th Street, N.W. Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (excluding Federal holidays)
Appointments: Contact Your Official Travel Office for Appointment Information.
Wherever in the United States you are located, you should be able to find a local office or passport agency where you can submit an application and comply with the passport requirement.
Remember, if you plan to take your family to the Caribbean, it is highly recommended that you each get a passport to cruise, so apply early.
Let nothing stop your all inclusive family Caribbean cruise!
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