Passport Rules

As Cruise Specialists we have received more questions about "Do I need a Passport?" Well, maybe the final answer is now here. After many date changes Uncle Sam has finally put it in writing that we need passports for all travel beginning June 1, 2009. This is subject to change as you all know. Right now we recommend that you get a passport for all travel including cruises. If, for some reason, you have to leave the ship in the Caribbean and fly home you will need a passport to return to the US. For this reason we highly recommend that you get a passport. For passport information and applications visit http://www.travel.state.gov/.

One more tip, if you have a valid passport: Before you cruise check the expiration date. If it is within 6 months of expiring when you return home you will not be able to board the ship. Please check the expiration date and, if needed, renew your passport before you sail. We know of a gentleman who was cruising to Europe last year from Miami and his passport was good for another 5 and ½ months. He was denied boarding and his travel partner cruised alone. He did not book his cruise through us.