Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

DH and I just booked a cruise to the Bahamas for April on the Norwegian Sky. I spoke with two different people from Norwegian, and both said that DH does not need a passport (I have one). They said as long as he has an original birth certificate and a government issued ID, he will be fine. Everyone else I've spoken with seems surprised by this. Anyone know for sure if a passport is necessary for going to the Bahamas? If it matters, we're leaving from and returning to Miami.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

We went to the Bahamas a few years ago for a wedding, though, not on a cruise and we did need passports.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

You don't need passports but the problem is that if you are in an island and god forbid need to be flown home, you need a passport.

I would get one just to be safe.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

I haven't been on a caribbean cruise for a few years but I'm pretty sure you need a passport.

DH had never been on a cruise before and went without his passport. He got a lot of crap from the cruise (and me) when we tried to board in Miami. They eventually let him on because he had a military id. We were on a royal caribbean though. Maybe their rules are different?

You have 2 months before your trip. I would just have DH get one. It's one of those documents you should just have anyway.

Message edited 2/20/2011 2:07:19 AM.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

CRUISE TRAVEL
Carnival Cruise Lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport. However, as of June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that both originates and terminates at the same U.S. port are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required.

U.S. citizens calling on ports in Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize will also be exempt from the passport requirement.

Canadian and Bermudian citizens are required to have a passport for air, land and sea travel, including all Carnival cruises.

If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports, or begins and ends in a foreign port (such as our Alaska cruises and Hawaii cruises) a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises.

Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that both originate and terminate at the same U.S. port, we, again, strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Having a passport will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.

ALL guests need proper proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued.

For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov.

U.S. Alien Residents need a valid Alien Resident Card, Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a valid, unexpired U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa, if applicable.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Get the passport.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

GET THE PASSPORT!

It's just easier, and honestly, I think every one who travels should have one.

Link

This is the information directly from the State Department's website about travel to/from the Bahamas.

link

ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS:

Travel by Air: All U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport in order to enter or re-enter the United States when travelling be air. U.S. citizens do not need visas for short trips to The Bahamas for tourist/business purposes. It is important to note that although the Bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship and identity in order to enter The Bahamas, the U.S. government requires that Americans have a valid passport in order to fly home. Most airlines will not permit a U.S. citizen to fly to The Bahamas without a valid U.S. passport and risk getting stranded.

Travel by Sea: Americans may enter the Unites States from The Bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. Travelers arriving via private watercraft are charged docking fees.

We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport or passport card well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit the Department of State website or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports.

U.S. citizens planning on an extended stay should be prepared to present proof or evidence of financial solvency upon entry to The Bahamas.



I would go with the information from the State Department over the cruise website.

Message edited 2/20/2011 10:56:30 AM.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

in 2008 I went on a NCL cruise out of new york and they required a passport. it went to the bahamas.
they were pretty adiment too, I had to renew mine.
I would call the cruise line to be 100 % sure but I wouldnt take a chance what if you are diverted due to a storm, not that there is much around there lol.
Have a great time!!

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Thank you everyone for your input!! DH is going to look into getting one now. I wasn't too comfortable with him NOT having one, just in case. So I think better safe than sorry, and he'll get one.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

You can get an enhanced license from the DMV that is good for Canada, Bahamas and a few other places. It's a few bucks more than a regular license and takes 2 weeks. Only if you are a NY resident though (not sure if you are)

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Here is what it says on NCL's website. I wouldn't chance it, I would get a passport though.


For closed-loop sailings (cruises that depart from and return to the same U.S. port), you need a valid passport OR proof of citizenship and a valid government-issued photo I.D. (driver's license with a photo) OR any other WHTI compliant document. Proof of Citizenship examples include: an original or state certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, certificate of U.S. naturalization, original certificate of U.S. citizenship, or a U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad.

For open-jaw sailings (cruises that depart from one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port), you are required to carry a valid passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. or Canadian Enhanced Drivers License, as well as have in your possession all relative visas that pertain to your travel itinerary. Permanent residents of the U.S. are required to carry their valid ARC cards for boarding AND passport from their country of citizenship, if available.

Note: If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship, or should you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air. To that end, NCL strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their voyage on any NCL vessel.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Get the passport. We went last year on a cruise and they did look at your ID's at the bahamas port before getting back on the ship . Also, make sure your passport is ammended correctly if you changed your name - mine was but some stupid person never ammended it in the computers and I am luck I carry an original marriage license with it. It was ammended but not reading on the computers correctly it was still in my maiden name.

Message edited 2/21/2011 7:04:40 PM.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Posted by princess99

Get the passport. We went last year on a cruise and they did look at your ID's at the bahamas port before getting back on the ship . Also, make sure your passport is ammended correctly if you changed your name - mine was but some stupid person never ammended it in the computers and I am luck I carry an original marriage license with it. It was ammended but not reading on the computers correctly it was still in my maiden name.

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

Posted by TooMuchDrama

Posted by princess99

Get the passport. We went last year on a cruise and they did look at your ID's at the bahamas port before getting back on the ship . Also, make sure your passport is ammended correctly if you changed your name - mine was but some stupid person never ammended it in the computers and I am luck I carry an original marriage license with it. It was ammended but not reading on the computers correctly it was still in my maiden name.

Ahh, I wasn't even thinking about the name change!!! My passport is still in my maiden name, so I'll have to take care of that!!!

DH is looking into the enhanced driver's license this week. We have no plans on traveling anywhere else any time soon, so if that works just as well as a passport for the Bahamas, he'll get that. But I definitely want him to have something.

Thanks again everyone!

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

I went on a Royal Carib cruise to the bahamas last year, you did not need a pasport

I did bring with me my birth cert, license and my marriage license to show the name change.

Me and my sister had no problems doing this

Re: Cruise to the Bahamas and don't need a Passport?

We were on a Carnival cruise in December and we were told prior to leaving we had to have passports.