DunwoodyDad Posted November 11, 2021 Report Share Posted November 11, 2021 Ok, I am usually more on top of these things but we are on the Dec 27th (2021) sailing of Freedom and I just realized 5 of our 6 passports in our family expire in February 22. At this point, given the passport backlog and logistics involved (2 of my kids are out of town in college and they have to renew in person), I don’t think renewals are possible. i called Royal about this and was told the 6 month thing was just a recommendation and that I should be fine. However, I’m starting to wonder if the passports will be considered valid given the things I’ve seen here about getting varied answers from the phone reps. I realize since it’s only going to the Bahamas that technically I could carry everyone’s birth certificates but that seems extreme. Has anyone dealt with this before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted November 11, 2021 Report Share Posted November 11, 2021 46 minutes ago, DunwoodyDad said: Ok, I am usually more on top of these things but we are on the Dec 27th (2021) sailing of Freedom and I just realized 5 of our 6 passports in our family expire in February 22. At this point, given the passport backlog and logistics involved (2 of my kids are out of town in college and they have to renew in person), I don’t think renewals are possible. i called Royal about this and was told the 6 month thing was just a recommendation and that I should be fine. However, I’m starting to wonder if the passports will be considered valid given the things I’ve seen here about getting varied answers from the phone reps. I realize since it’s only going to the Bahamas that technically I could carry everyone’s birth certificates but that seems extreme. Has anyone dealt with this before? I would bring the passports and birth certificates. It shouldn't be a big deal on the itinerary you are on. Get them renewed as soon as you get back. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Momof4crazytocruise, Sharla and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 11, 2021 Report Share Posted November 11, 2021 Only a handful of countries have a rule that makes a passport expiring in less than 6 months a problem. So if you aren't visiting one of them, it won't be a problem. 4ensic and CruisingOz 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leesam82 Posted November 12, 2021 Report Share Posted November 12, 2021 On 11/11/2021 at 7:08 AM, DunwoodyDad said: Ok, I am usually more on top of these things but we are on the Dec 27th (2021) sailing of Freedom and I just realized 5 of our 6 passports in our family expire in February 22. At this point, given the passport backlog and logistics involved (2 of my kids are out of town in college and they have to renew in person), I don’t think renewals are possible. i called Royal about this and was told the 6 month thing was just a recommendation and that I should be fine. However, I’m starting to wonder if the passports will be considered valid given the things I’ve seen here about getting varied answers from the phone reps. I realize since it’s only going to the Bahamas that technically I could carry everyone’s birth certificates but that seems extreme. Has anyone dealt with this before? I would bring your driver's licence and a birth certificate as a back up. Because you are only traveling to the Bahamas which is part of the western hemisphere travel initiative which allows US citizens to travel to certain countries without a passport. that is from the US Customs & Boarder Patrol https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative/faqs ChrisK2793 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacqui Posted November 12, 2021 Report Share Posted November 12, 2021 We were on Symphony 3 weeks ago and my husband's passport expires in March. He didn't even get any questions about it. I did have him take his birth certificate just in case, but he didn't end up needing it. We went to St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Might still be worthwhile to take the birth certificates just in case. Better safe than sorry. 4ensic and Athena 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser05 Posted November 12, 2021 Report Share Posted November 12, 2021 Can you travel to St Marteen on a cruise with a Birth Certificate and A drivers License? I know you can travel to St Thomas or Nassau with those two ids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted November 13, 2021 Report Share Posted November 13, 2021 14 hours ago, Cruiser05 said: Can you travel to St Marteen on a cruise with a Birth Certificate and A drivers License? I know you can travel to St Thomas or Nassau with those two ids. Yes. No passports are required on any cruise that leaves from the US and returns to the US (referred to as a closed loop cruise). Birth certificate and drivers license will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunwoodyDad Posted November 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2021 Awesome input everyone. I’m definitely thinking now I will take the birth certificates as a backup but good to know some have used passports with an expiration date in the 6 month window. 4ensic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted November 13, 2021 Report Share Posted November 13, 2021 Remember that it must be a certified birth certificate. A copy will not suffice Ampurp85, AHollyS, FireFishII and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantix2000 Posted November 13, 2021 Report Share Posted November 13, 2021 18 hours ago, Cruiser05 said: Can you travel to St Marteen on a cruise with a Birth Certificate and A drivers License? I know you can travel to St Thomas or Nassau with those two ids. You can. However, if something happens and you are stuck on St Martin (or anywhere else) and need to fly home, then birth certificate and driver's license is not enough to board an international flight. It's probably rarer than a one in a million chance, but that's why passports are the recommended document. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leesam82 Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 On 11/13/2021 at 9:59 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: Remember that it must be a certified birth certificate. A copy will not suffice That is an a good point. The birth certificate must be the official birth certificate. Hospital or commemorative birth certificates do not count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kawwwty Posted November 17, 2021 Report Share Posted November 17, 2021 I just mailed RC about this exact same issue! I am cruising in June next year and my passport expires in October. I'm hoping that it wont be an issue with my Irish passport and the fact that I'm going on a Med Cruise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Quinn_ Posted November 17, 2021 Report Share Posted November 17, 2021 On 11/13/2021 at 1:06 PM, Atlantix2000 said: You can. However, if something happens and you are stuck on St Martin (or anywhere else) and need to fly home, then birth certificate and driver's license is not enough to board an international flight. It's probably rarer than a one in a million chance, but that's why passports are the recommended document. Amen to this, and the reason I would take a <6 month valid passport even if I were using driver's license and birth certificate. If you miss the ship or have an emergency and don't have a passport at all, you'll have to go the the US embassy and get an emergency passport. Very low risk, but very high impact. When we got off the ship in Nassau in October, there was activity around the forward gangplank--ambulance, lots of HAZMAT suits, so I assume somebody tested positive for Covid. Royal Caribbean promises to pay to get you home if this happens, but you would still need a passport to fly home (after your quarantine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser05 Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 On 11/13/2021 at 9:59 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: Remember that it must be a certified birth certificate. A copy will not suffice When you say certified it just has to say certified at the top and has a signature too and it is 8x11 size. It has the seal but not really raised. Is that good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted November 27, 2021 Report Share Posted November 27, 2021 On 11/13/2021 at 8:29 AM, AshleyDillo said: Yes. No passports are required on any cruise that leaves from the US and returns to the US (referred to as a closed loop cruise). Birth certificate and drivers license will work. Not exactly correct. Martinique (I believe) requires a passport for cruise passengers. (Cuba did as well, but that’s a moot point currently) Mrs. RoyalMoyal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep1 Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 On 11/11/2021 at 9:13 AM, Matt said: Only a handful of countries have a rule that makes a passport expiring in less than 6 months a problem. So if you aren't visiting one of them, it won't be a problem. Do you have a list of them? My curiosity is peaked now.... Our kids will be in tthat window (about 5 months) for spring trip... Thanks in advance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted November 29, 2021 Report Share Posted November 29, 2021 2 hours ago, deep1 said: Do you have a list of them? My curiosity is peaked now.... Our kids will be in tthat window (about 5 months) for spring trip... Thanks in advance... You can check individual country requirements at the Department of State website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html). I'm not sure where a list of requirements for different countries would be found as they change and would be hard to keep up with. The US has what is referred to the six month club where the countries have signed an agreement with the US to allow folks with American passports even though they are within 6 months of expiration. Technically to play it safe we should be assuming that our passports expire 6 months before the actual expiration date and make sure we get them renewed before the 9.5 years is up. If the cruise you are taking allows birth certificates and ID in lieu of passports, likely all countries the ship would port in are on that six month rule list and as long as the passport is valid until the cruise is over, there wouldn't be much to worry about unless you encounter an emergency situation and are stuck in that country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep1 Posted December 1, 2021 Report Share Posted December 1, 2021 Fiance' and I arre good a ong way out. Her kids are getting near. The one is off at college so its tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted December 2, 2021 Report Share Posted December 2, 2021 On 11/28/2021 at 3:45 PM, deep1 said: Do you have a list of them? My curiosity is peaked now.... Our kids will be in tthat window (about 5 months) for spring trip... Thanks in advance... None of them require for a cruise visitor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 How did this end up going for you? We are running into the same situation for our cruise. We’re you able to board and get off at ports? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinJ Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 Glad I saw this. My wife and son have their passports expire Sep 23. The problem is we cruise in Jan, March, May and June. So really don't have a window that will allow them to get renewed. I heard that they are testing out an online renewal process. It might go live early next year. Worst case I'll make sure to bring birth certificates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 21 minutes ago, KevinJ said: Glad I saw this. My wife and son have their passports expire Sep 23. The problem is we cruise in Jan, March, May and June. So really don't have a window that will allow them to get renewed. I heard that they are testing out an online renewal process. It might go live early next year. Worst case I'll make sure to bring birth certificates. I have the exact same problem. Not sure what I'm gong to do. KevinJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFishII Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 I googled this question: How far in advance can you renew your passport. Here is the answer: You can renew your passport whenever you want if you have good reason to do so. You should include a letter explaining the motive for the request along with the renewal application if it is submitted more than 9 months prior to the expiration date. How long does it take? Routine is 6 to 9 weeks. Expedited takes 3 to 5 weeks (with an extra cost). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted November 15, 2022 Report Share Posted November 15, 2022 1 hour ago, KevinJ said: Glad I saw this. My wife and son have their passports expire Sep 23. The problem is we cruise in Jan, March, May and June. So really don't have a window that will allow them to get renewed. I heard that they are testing out an online renewal process. It might go live early next year. Worst case I'll make sure to bring birth certificates. I think you'll get them back expedited. They ask for your travel dates and work toward them. I would act today @KevinJ KevinJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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