Rede411 Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 I think I know the answer to this question already but here goes. Going on a cruise in 78 days ..all our passports are up to date but one passport expires 7/21/2018 less than 6 months from the cruise date which is 3/1/18. Some websites tell you to have an updated passport with At least 6 months inbetween sail date from expiration but I think it's a suggestion more than a rule... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 My understanding of it is that it's a rule, but I think it's more strongly enforced with overseas trips than something like this where we'll be embarking and disembarking from the US. I'm hoping it doesn't bite my spouse, she still has to get her passport for our cruise in March. Kept trying over the last two months and kept hitting roadblocks on the required documents. Rede411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS8VN Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 It depends on where you are going, it isn't the cruise line that requires it but the countries you are entering. This is largely a situation in Europe. The Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico only require an unexpired passport. Technically you don't even need a passport if you are doing a closed loop cruise originating from the US (though it is highly recommended). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rede411 Posted December 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 only going to Cozumel from Ft. Lauderdale.....Thanks! I'm a seasoned cruiser but the more I cruise, the more questions keep coming up! ##stillARookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 I'm in the same situation with my kids. We cruise in March and their passports expire in July. My understanding is the same as what @NS8VN said but I am still renewing their passports before March just to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 None of the Caribbean islands adhere to the three month or six month rules that some countries adhere to and you also have the option on Caribbean closed-loop cruising of using a birth certificate. We also ran into this same issue in January as my son's passport expired in February, about six weeks after our cruise. Knowing that we'd be travelling to Europe in June and knowing that the passports for children are only good for five years, we opted to wait until after our January cruise to renew his passport, which wasn't a problem. I did notice that a supervisor had to come over to the check-in agent's computer to clear something, which I assume was a flag or warning about the passport's expiration date. However, nothing was said and we had no troubles either checking in or when going through Customs at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmersonNZ Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 You'll be fine. It is more of an issue if you plan on staying an extended period of time not in and out of a country in a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toodle68 Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 My rule of thumb for government documents, especially passports, immigration etc.. if you have a question as to whether something might be ok, then just fix it and remove any possibility of problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 If it's just Cozumel, you're in good shape! Just make sure it gets renewed ASAP upon return. Another fun passport rule I learned this year... if you renew your passport and your name changes (ex: you get married) less than a year after the renewal, you don't have to pay for the name change! Just send it back in with the name change form, photo, and the box checked stating that you had it renewed within the last year, and you're set! EmersonNZ and Bob_KY 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 5 hours ago, KLAconQueso said: Just make sure it gets renewed ASAP upon return. Great advice as the State Department is processing a record number of renewals as it was 2007 when the passport rules were extended to include North American travel/border crossings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 I just renewed my passport and it took about three weeks. I talked with our TA and he said there is a quick turn around at this time DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose City Cruiser Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Renewed my Canadian Passport back in November. Only took 4 business days for them to be delivered to my house. Did the 10-year option this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NordCruiser Posted May 9, 2018 Report Share Posted May 9, 2018 Does anyone know if this applies to Non US/Non Canadian passports? My passport is valid for less than six months but I can still enter US according to US immigration rules, but Bahamas requires six month validity for me. Can I just board the ship, and not visit Nassau, or does Royal Caribbean have a problem with this? Their website says that they recommend it's valid for six months (but do not explicitly require it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 9, 2018 Report Share Posted May 9, 2018 You're fine....and you are fine to go to Nassau. It's just a recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 9, 2018 Report Share Posted May 9, 2018 Call Royal and ask them. Non US/Non Canadian could have caveats. Best to talk to the company that will decide if you can board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 Whatever you decide - It's super easy to renew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted May 10, 2018 Report Share Posted May 10, 2018 On 12/12/2017 at 11:58 PM, DocLC said: We also ran into this same issue in January as my son's passport expired in February, about six weeks after our cruise. Knowing that we'd be travelling to Europe in June and knowing that the passports for children are only good for five years, we opted to wait until after our January cruise to renew his passport, which wasn't a problem. Whenever you renew prior to the expiration date, the new time (ten years for adults, five for children) is added to the original expiration date. Renewing in advance doesn't shorten the useful life of the passport. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 On 5/10/2018 at 8:12 AM, HeWhoWaits said: Whenever you renew prior to the expiration date, the new time (ten years for adults, five for children) is added to the original expiration date. Renewing in advance doesn't shorten the useful life of the passport. Good to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose City Cruiser Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 On 5/10/2018 at 11:12 AM, HeWhoWaits said: Whenever you renew prior to the expiration date, the new time (ten years for adults, five for children) is added to the original expiration date. Renewing in advance doesn't shorten the useful life of the passport. This was not the case for my Canadian Passport. It was to expire 12/2017. I went to renew in 10/2017. The expiration date is 10/2027. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 11, 2018 Report Share Posted May 11, 2018 1 hour ago, jurrjurr said: This was not the case for my Canadian Passport. It was to expire 12/2017. I went to renew in 10/2017. The expiration date is 10/2027. Same. Mine was set to expire in September. Renewed in July for 10 years and expiration date is 10 years from the "date of issue" (which is July, not September). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted May 14, 2018 Report Share Posted May 14, 2018 On 5/11/2018 at 5:14 PM, jurrjurr said: This was not the case for my Canadian Passport. It was to expire 12/2017. I went to renew in 10/2017. The expiration date is 10/2027. On 5/11/2018 at 6:47 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said: Same. Mine was set to expire in September. Renewed in July for 10 years and expiration date is 10 years from the "date of issue" (which is July, not September). 1 That has not been the case with my US passport either. I have renewed it twice and each time the new passport issue date was based on the time of application and not upon the prior expiration of the old passport. It is possible the US Dept of State may have changed the process since I renewed two years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pHumhrey Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 This is not such a big deal speaking of Caribbean cruise, according to what I heard. But it's better to applicate for renewal in advance. It can be done online, with some paid services like this one for the first-time ds11 application, but you'll need to visit your local office later all the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jannet_brown Posted February 14, 2021 Report Share Posted February 14, 2021 Nowadays it's not a big problem, because we have all necessary sources online. You have no need to fill in the forms only at the office, but you can find service in internet https://pdfliner.com/ds_11_form and fill it. However, you'll have to visit the office later, but first you'll save your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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