I get asked a lot... "We want to book a last minute cruise but we don't have passports. Is there anything we can do??" I'm here to help!
If you are going on a cruise that departs out of your home country and returns to the same location at the end, a passport is not actually a requirement! This is called a "closed loop" cruise and requires that you present your birth certificate and valid driver's license for boarding. For children, only a birth certificate is required.
So why do cruise lines recommend traveling with a passport if it's not required??? The fact is, you are entering another country. Worst case scenario while you are cruising is that something happens - maybe you miss your ship or someone in your party gets a major injury that needs to be dealt with at a hospital instead of at the ship's doctor's office. In these cases, you are not going to be returning back to the closed loop because you aren't completing your cruise. Do you know where that leaves you?? In another country with no passport - meaning no way to get out of said country :/
Moral of the story - it's always better to be over prepared. Do I think the likelihood of these scenarios happening to you is high? No. Do I still think it's a good idea to have & bring your passport with you just in case?? Absolutely.
Well then... HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR A PASSPORT?? You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true: (1) you are applying for your first U.S. passport (2) you are under 16 (3) your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under 16 (4) your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged (5) your previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago
If you need to RENEW your passport, complete DS-82, submit your recent passport, provide an updated photo, and write a check for the amount required. Mail in your completed application and wait for your new one to arrive in the mail!
DID YOU KNOW?? If you have legally changed your name within a year of marriage, you can get your passport name changed for free! Remember, this must happen within a year. Once it has been more than one year, you will be charged a fee. Consider this your wedding gift from the government and take advantage of it. ;)
Travel tip of the day... make copies of your passport and important documents. Don't forget to email a copy to yourself too. If your passport were ever to get lost or stolen, it would come in handy to have a copy for a police report.
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