Yes, yes, yes you need a Passport! My answer to that question will not change. Especially in light of the recent cruise ship mishaps that have been publicized. Technically the Department of Homeland Security and the rules associated with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative state that if you are sailing on a “closed loop” cruise that you can travel without a Passport.
However, common sense would indicate otherwise. A “closed loop” cruise is one that leaves a US port, makes one or more stops at a foreign port, then returns to the same US port from which it departed. Currently, the WHTI allows US Citizens sailing aboard these voyages without a valid US Passport to provide a government issued photo ID, along with a State issued Birth Certificate.
Part of the adventure of travel is encountering the unexpected. Unfortunately, not all surprises are good ones! Consider the possibility of your cruise being interrupted by a mechanical failure, as was the case with the Carnival Dream just last week. While the ship was visiting the Island of St. Maarten the ship experienced a mechanical failure and was unable to continue it’s voyage back to Florida. While Carnival Cruise Lines was able to get all passengers back to Florida by late Sunday evening by air, those traveling with a valid US Passport were certainly at an advantage.
While incidents such as this are rare, they still occur. Just last month passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph were stranded for days after a ship board fire. The ship was originally to be towed to Mexico, but eventually towed back to the US instead. The vessel was not towed to the original departure port of Galveston, Texas but to Mobile, Alabama which technically would no longer make it a “close looped” cruise. I’m still convinced that the logistics involved in getting passengers without Passports back home from Mexico are what prompted the tow back to the States.
So, even though the US Government allows a very limited number of ways to travel Internationally without a Passport, these examples should be reason enough to get one.
For the most up to date Passport requirements please contact Slaydon’s Travel or visit the State Department Passport webpage.