I'm looking for advice.

 

My family is going on a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas this summer. Our only two ports are Coco Cay and Nassau on day 2 and 3 of the cruise.

 

According to US travel laws, we are not required to have a passport for this cruise because it is what they deem a closed-loop cruise. Meaning it leaves from a US port and returns back to the same port. So we can forego the cost of 4 passports (about $100 each) and just provide copies of our birth certificates and drivers licenses and we will be good to go.

 

My concern about this would be for emergencies, what happens if we have to fly back to the US from Nassau? Can we fly without a passport? Or if we miss the boat at one of the ports and would have to fly to the next port to meet the ship. Could we do that without a passport? Or if one of us gets a serious injury or illness while there, etc.

 

I get conflicting information on those two questions. I know US Customs rules say you cannot fly into the US from the bahamas without a passport. But some people have suggested that you can in those emergency situations with the help of the US Consolate in Nassau, but it would be a hassle. I have sent an email to the US State Department asking that question and hopefully they will give me the info I need to make the decision.

 

 

So lets say that you cannot fly back to the US without a passport. Is it worth it to buy 4 passports just to protect against emergencies? I don't know anyone personally who has had to cut a cruise off early and return home. I just don't know if I should play those odds because if something did come up, it would be a serious issue and the cost of the passports would likely seem very insignificant at the time.

I don't even have to read the whole thing 2C, better safe than sorry.

If there's even the remotest chance that you will use them within the lifetime of the passport, I would go ahead and make the purchase now.

I've been on that cruise. You'll love Coco Cay. Awesome awesome place.

 

As to your question...my whole family has passports so we can travel as we please without issue.

I don't even have to read the whole thing 2C, better safe than sorry.

I agree. With current security measures, you are going to be pretty much dead in the water if you need to fly into this country. Not only that, but your passport can keep you out of trouble in the port cities. Get the passports.

 

From the Royal Carribean website:

 

Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.

 

Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them. For additional passport information visit www.travel.state.gov

Like others have said go ahead and get it just in case. It will also allow you the opportunity for further travel options down the road in which you won't have to worry about getting the passports then.

Seems like an easy decision to me. So long as you can afford it, fork over the cash & eliminate the possibility of a disaster.

Seems like an easy decision to me. So long as you can afford it, fork over the cash & eliminate the possibility of a disaster.

Hmm, they are going on a cruise, I'm assuming they can afford it? Always good to have one. When getting it, you should also get the card that is optional. It can be used for Canada and probably useful for this trip as well. Some folks keep their passport locked in their rooms but carry a color copy of it on their person.

How long is a passport good for?

How long is a passport good for?

 

I know at least 5 years, I want to say 7 but not sure with out looking. I need to either find mine or get a new one, I feel as though it's some how holding me back from being spontaneous. I'm just pretending like my checking account isn't a factor.

How long is a passport good for?

 

 

10 years, unless you are a minor, then it's only 5 years.

10 years, unless you are a minor, then it's only 5 years.

 

Dang I really need to find mine. Got mine before I moved from my parents, left it in a "safe place" or so I thought. Said safe place got taken by someone that needed furniture later and now mine is MIA. It's still got at least another 4 or so years on it.

Passport is the way to go.

Easy choice. Get them. In the grand scheme of things $100 is nothing.

I know at least 5 years, I want to say 7 but not sure with out looking. I need to either find mine or get a new one, I feel as though it's some how holding me back from being spontaneous. I'm just pretending like my checking account isn't a factor.

 

 

That's funny. I was thinking the same thing. I have been all over the US but have only been to Canada, Aruba, and the Bahamas all before you needed a passport. I was thinking of getting one just in case someone called me tomorrow and said I have free tickets to Europe, want to go, I am ready. Or if I ever commit a bad crime and need to get out of the country.