Travel Tips

Going on vacation is something that everyone looks forward to doing. Going on a cruise raises that level of excitement even more, as it is often the first and only time that people are going on a boat this large and actually leaving the country. However, anyone doing this should know the new travel laws that require expedited passport applications for cruises.

The most common reason that a traveler would need a passport for a cruise is if they were heading to an international destination. Passports are never needed for domestic travel, but when borders are being crossed, everything changes. That being said, cruises sometimes have their own passport laws and it is better to be informed than to find out about something when it is too late.

First, it is important to stay up to date on passport law. As of June 1st, 2009, passports are required for all border countries. This is applicable to air, land and sea travel. However, there are different laws that relate specifically to cruise ships.

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, if someone is starting their cruise off in another country, they must have a passport. This is actually something that is not new and has always been required. For example, someone traveling on a Riviera cruise may have to travel to Italy or France to board their ship. Since they would be traveling via air to another country and physically crossing their border, they must have a passport.

Currently, there are trips that are called “closed loop” cruises. They are nothing new to the industry and probably what you or your friends have traveled on before. This is a trip where the traveler boards in a port like Miami, travels to different areas and then returns to that very same port. Trips like this can present an exception to all other passport laws.

Passports do not always have to be obtained for a closed loop cruise. If the trip is going to the Virgin Islands, Bermuda or several other specific destinations, the passport may not be necessary. However, it may be a safe bet to carry one just in case. If this type of trip is being planned, just ask the travel agent or check the Internet for travel laws as they pertain to these specific destinations.

It is always smart to read up on where the trip is going to see if American passports for cruises are required for that specific trip. Now as we said, even if expedited passports are not required, it may be a smart move to at least have a passport card when traveling anywhere outside the United States. It is better to be safe than sorry and having extra documentation is never a bad thing for a traveler.

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