Do you need a passport for a cruise vacation? Here's a few important things you should know.
I'm a travel agent specializing in cruises, and over the years I've seen a lot of people get excited and packed, only to be denied of boarding the cruise ship for their vacation. The most common reason is not having a passport. Trust me, you don't want to have this happen to you, so read these simple tips to make sure you have a valid passport in time for your cruise.
#1: Always carry a passport to be on the safe side. Some cruises still allow a birth certificate and driver's license, but it's always better to have a passport. If for any reason (for example an emergency) you need to fly back into the United States, your birth certificate would become a worthless piece of paper and you'd need a passport to get home. You could easily be stranded outside the country unless you have a passport. So keep in mind that while some cruises still allow it, a birth certificate is not good enough. Be a real traveler - get a passport! And be familiar with cruise passport requirements.
#2: Order a cruise passport at least three months in advance of your cruise. It's still normal for passports to take six to eight weeks or more, so order at least three months in advance. If you can, order your passport even sooner. Always expect that there could be a glitch in the processing that could add several weeks to your normal processing time. If I personally needed a passport, I'd order it at least six months in advance. Why wait until the last minute?
#3: OK, so I just asked why wait until the last minute, and it just so happens that thousands of people have a very good answer for that. The answer is "last minute cruise deals". The surge in last minute cruise deals is driving an increase in the number of people who need to get a passport fast. Many last minute cruise deals have cruise departure dates usually ranging from 10 to 30 days out. If you don't already have a passport and want to take advantage of a last minute cruise deal, you'll have to use a passport expediting service, such as the one mentioned at the end of this article. It also works for passport renewals.
#4: Regardless of where you order your passport, be 110% careful when completing your paperwork. Remember, you're dealing with the government,and one small mistake could mean a rejection or major delay of your passport.
#5: When you're on your cruise, always carry your passport with you when visiting islands or other countries. Picture yourself on a nice Caribbean island having a little too much fun at a local beach bar. You lose track of time and your cruise ship leaves without you. You'll need a passport to get back home. This happens often, so consider this a bonus tip - never lose track of time when you're away from your cruise ship.
Cruises are a great vacation and can be very exciting, even in the planning stages. The better prepared you are, the more fun you'll have. Getting a passport, or getting a passport renewed is one of the top things to check off your list before a cruise.
I'm a travel agent specializing in cruises, and over the years I've seen a lot of people get excited and packed, only to be denied of boarding the cruise ship for their vacation. The most common reason is not having a passport. Trust me, you don't want to have this happen to you, so read these simple tips to make sure you have a valid passport in time for your cruise.
#1: Always carry a passport to be on the safe side. Some cruises still allow a birth certificate and driver's license, but it's always better to have a passport. If for any reason (for example an emergency) you need to fly back into the United States, your birth certificate would become a worthless piece of paper and you'd need a passport to get home. You could easily be stranded outside the country unless you have a passport. So keep in mind that while some cruises still allow it, a birth certificate is not good enough. Be a real traveler - get a passport! And be familiar with cruise passport requirements.
#2: Order a cruise passport at least three months in advance of your cruise. It's still normal for passports to take six to eight weeks or more, so order at least three months in advance. If you can, order your passport even sooner. Always expect that there could be a glitch in the processing that could add several weeks to your normal processing time. If I personally needed a passport, I'd order it at least six months in advance. Why wait until the last minute?
#3: OK, so I just asked why wait until the last minute, and it just so happens that thousands of people have a very good answer for that. The answer is "last minute cruise deals". The surge in last minute cruise deals is driving an increase in the number of people who need to get a passport fast. Many last minute cruise deals have cruise departure dates usually ranging from 10 to 30 days out. If you don't already have a passport and want to take advantage of a last minute cruise deal, you'll have to use a passport expediting service, such as the one mentioned at the end of this article. It also works for passport renewals.
#4: Regardless of where you order your passport, be 110% careful when completing your paperwork. Remember, you're dealing with the government,and one small mistake could mean a rejection or major delay of your passport.
#5: When you're on your cruise, always carry your passport with you when visiting islands or other countries. Picture yourself on a nice Caribbean island having a little too much fun at a local beach bar. You lose track of time and your cruise ship leaves without you. You'll need a passport to get back home. This happens often, so consider this a bonus tip - never lose track of time when you're away from your cruise ship.
Cruises are a great vacation and can be very exciting, even in the planning stages. The better prepared you are, the more fun you'll have. Getting a passport, or getting a passport renewed is one of the top things to check off your list before a cruise.
Aubrey Williams provides information and tips to new and
experienced cruisers. He's a professional cruise vacation counselor
providing assistance with all aspects of the cruise booking process for
individual and group cruises. Visit www.CruisePassports.com,
the experts in expedited passports. Get information on obtaining cruise
passports quickly, and review passport requirements for the various
cruise lines.
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