Passport Applications For Cruises: Know The Facts About International Cruise Travel
Going on cruises has always been fun. It is a traveling party that never seems to stop. Regardless of whether the boat is in some exotic port or traveling the high seas to the next destination, there is always something going on. However, knowing about expedited U.S. passports for cruises is always recommended for anyone getting ready to travel in this manner.
The best indicator of the necessity of passports for a cruise is whether or not the cruise is international. In short, passports are needed for international travel and are not needed for domestic travel. Passports are never mandatory for domestic travel, but passport laws can vary for different types of international travel.
First rule of thumb for any travel should be to make sure that they know what the current travel and passport laws are. Since June 2009, many laws have changed as they pertain to both passports and travel. The government is making a distinct effort to make sure that our borders are well protected and not knowing these laws may mean you end up wasting money on a vacation that cannot be fully enjoyed.
Obviously, anyone traveling to a foreign country, meaning a one way trip, would need to have a passport. However, there is still some flexibility in play for round trip cruises, depending on the destination. In most cases, the rules of the trip will be posted on the same pages that the cruise is listed on. If it is not, it would be best to check with the travel agent directly.
Additionally, people who are traveling to a different country to start their cruise are going to need a passport. For instance, someone taking a cruise to Italy would not be leaving out of Miami. Because they may have to travel to Spain or Greece from the outset to get on their ship, a passport would be required to get into the other country and of course, to return home.
Currently, many cruise lines offer what are called “closed loop voyages.” Usually, a closed loop voyage refers to a cruise that starts and ends in the same port. However, in terms of the legal implications, a closed loop voyage can refer to any cruise that starts and ends in the same country. Closed loop voyages have a unique set of passport laws.
Passports are generally not required for closed loop cruises. In place of passports for cruises deemed closed loop, adult passengers are only required to bring a valid driver’s license and birth certificate. Closed loop voyage passport and document exemption laws only pertain to travel from a U.S port to ports in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, and select Caribbean Islands. Anyone unsure of the passport requirements for closed loop cruises to certain Caribbean Islands should consult with the cruise company, their travel agency or the State Department website. Anyone that has a passport would be wise to bring it along just in case.
Pasports for cruises can sometimes be a tricky thing, but it is always best to err on the side of safety. Even if the traveler is only going on a trip to the Caribbean or other US Territory, it is a safe bet for travelers to bring their expedited USA passports as a secondary form of identification. Use the Boy Scout motto of being prepared to avoid any problems that may occur.
