Just a reminder. Make sure you check with the cruise line for the document requirements for your specific cruise. Not all close loop cruises are the same and some ports may require a passport.
@@PamBredenkamp You are wrong, according to a comment I read, further down. I just read a comment from someone who was on the Scarlet Lady without a passport in September.
I have been on 11 cruises and have never used a passport. I have never had an issues with using just my license and birth certificate - no delays or any other problems. I just now got a passport because of all the covid craziness - I did not want to take a chance in a foreign country. I will say I recently cruised on the carnival Sunshine out of Charleston and the strange thing is we didn't even have to go through customs when when returned to port after our cruise. Got off ship and we went right to the parking lot. How strange - I've had to go through customs on my last 10 cruises so not sure why it changed.
Your production of this video is absolutely on-point. I like the style of your delivery and the amount of valuable content for the time invested to watch. Nice job, Tony.
We just returned on the Carnival Spirit from Princess Cays, Grand Turk and Amber Cove and our ship card was all we needed! We had our passports but never had to show them
It is ridiculous here in the USA that your current passport is invalid once you apply for,the renewal. We should be able to keep it and use it until official expiration date or the new one arrives like a drivers license.
Yet another good reason to use a passport: Just got off the Valor this weekend, and oh my, that bc/id line was LONG. Like all the way back to the escalators. I felt sorry for those folks! No line at all for a passport, and you don't even have to show it to them with the facial recognition (yes, the do have it in NOLA). A couple of people in my roll call got off the ship at about 9:30 and didn't make it through that line until after 11.
Long Beach Carnival DID take longer in line for Embarkation Day. Also, NO we didn't have a sticker stating that we didn't have a passport. We just had to follow the correct signs when the line split. But I can see the sticker being helpful
Also, I did not need my marriage license to prove the name difference between birth certificate and State ID in Ling Beach. But I called and was told that in Seatle, I will need it when going to Alaska.... ever on the sand cruiseline. It's the port that requires it. So I'm just going to get a passport because I have time.
Great info for all. I'm as old as dirt..on my 5th passport..I will NEVER travel without it. The passport is cheap if you think about it, however the peace of mind is priceless!
This was the first time my DH and I embarked and disembarked in New Orleans. We have nothing but praise for the whole set up. It was a very smooth process, and the workers were smiling and polite. We have been to a few other ports and let's just say you feel like herded cattle. It's nice to know what is entailed in cruising without a passport. As usual Tony, you explained it very well. Bottom line, if you do not have a passport then get one. It makes it easier and safer to do. Thanks for sharing!!
Another possible travel document is an enhanced license. My wife and I left passports at home. Forunately we have enhanced license and that worked without birth certificate. We went on the Breakaway canadian trip last fall with no problems.
Here in Massachusetts we have the option to have a enhanced driver's license. Supposedly to be able to travel within the US ,Canada, Mexico and most of the Caribbean without a passport or birth certificate. I never trusted it. I always have my Passport for travel , the only exception is flying completely domestic. Very informative video. Thanks
Good information Tony. I always have my passport but it's good to know that if I find myself in a similar situation as you I have an option on a closed loop cruise.
We've been on over 20 closed loop caa-ruzes and on all of them the cruise lines were pushing the use of passports. They seemed to discourage traveling without it so we took the path of least resistance and always use passports.
Not all states use a raised seal. Another TH-camr ran into an issue a few months ago trying to board I think it was the Margaritaville ship. His BC was official, but didn't have a raised seal and they initially denied him boarding. WA for example, has a color changing stamp. Mine from CA also isn't a raised seal, but it's still an official copy.
Another issue when traveling with a passport: If you were born in Puerto Rico and have an official government issued birth certificate dated before July 2010, they WILL NOT accept it. You will need to apply for an updated official birth certificate. My sister found out the hard way when she went to renew her drivers license two days before it expired. They refused to accept her BC as ID. Due to so much fraudulent use of Puerto Rican BC they had to change to a more secure document. The problem is you need a valid government photo ID to apply for a new BC, and you need a valid BC to renew your drivers license.
We always travel with a passport. Just in case because you never know. I've had a passport all my life...military family growing up and after marriage as well.
I always bring my Passport Tony. On my Mexico cruise I brought it. It made it so easy to return to the US with my Global Entry at Long Beach. I just pulled my mask down and used the Biometrics to reenter
I got a passport back in the 1990s and used it a couple of times and then didn't do much traveling after that. Over the years and moving, I had no idea where it was. I went on my first cruise to Bermuda on NCL last year and used my birth certificate & state ID. I did decide to apply for a new passport after that. I thought I might have trouble because I didn't have my old one but it was easy. I had an extra form to fill out. I didn't ask for rush processing and got it 5-6 weeks later. I'm going on my second cruise in April and it will definitely be easier dealing with one piece of ID rather than 2.
I do not own a passport just an enhanced driver's license. We do close loop. No issues, although last time I was sent to secondary, the CBP Officer chuckled and sent me on my way as I was fine.
Thank you so much for the information. My first cruise is next month and didn't want to spend the money on a passport if I happened to find out I didn't like cruising. this video is super helpful! (to explain: I am usually a camper....out in the woods, isolated, etc. I have high anxiety and bipolar) so, if I do happen to enjoy cruising, I will get my passport......we shall see.....and btw, all your videos have been amazing and so helpful! thanks.
Years ago I always traveled on closed loop cruises with a bc and thought nothing of it. It wasn’t til watching travel videos like yours that I learned about scenarios that could easily come up that would require a passport. Grateful for your content!
Yes totally agree!!! I have clients traveling on cruises all the time and I let them know upfront if something happens you can not fly back. What you went through with NCL i never heard of other lines doing that. Its Definitely not what others are doing. And virgin does close loop cruises and still require a passport to cruise.
Yikes! I am in the exact same situation... Waiting for a passport renewal that may or may not arrive! Did the expedited, in person service at my local USPS on Jan 25 for a cruise that departs Mar 4 (NCL). So delighted to learn about the closed loop thing. (Who knew?!) Calling NCL to make sure I can do my cruise just in case my renewal is not back. Whew... Once again, La Lido Loco saves the day! (Or at least a lot of angst.) Thanks!!
If you go to the closest US passport office, you can get your photo and passport done and go back and pick it up in 2 days! That's what we did when we forgot to make appointment in time to get my sisters and nephew's passports at our local post office in time to get them sent in the mail.
My Name is Earl fans would know the Past Sports answer when asked for their passports. Tony is right. Do yourself a favor and get your passport. Trouble always finds the unprepared.
I'm in a similar situation. I have a valid passport that expires in August of this year (2023) and had planned on renewing when I returned in early January from our Panama Canal trip. However, my global entry also was expiring this year in April and I was able to get a renewal appointment for end of January and needed my passport for that appointment. I'm cruising on Feb. 25 on a 7 day closed loop cruise on Princess out of Ft. Lauderdale. My passport, while still valid, won't be valid for the full 6 months beyond the last date of the cruise, so I'm taking my certified birth certificate just in case. I plan on renewing my passport as soon as I return. Hard to schedule the renewal of the passport when you travel a lot!
Grateful for this video! We are going on the Breakaway in March. This is our first time cruising. We didn’t have enough time to get our passports. Thought it would be okay for our first cruise, to see if we like it. We are only taking excursions with the cruise line, to ensure we don’t miss the ship. But I have been very anxious about it. This helped relieve some of that anxiety! Thank you! We will definitely be investing in passports in the near future.
We just got off the carnival breeze out of Galveston Thursday, and with our passports, we were ushered around several hundred people waiting in a birth certificate line. 😳 it seemed the vast majority of people had birth certificates. So much faster getting off the boat with a passport.
My wife and I were on the Breakaway week before you, got off the day you got on. Yes N.O. uses the face recognition system at the NCL/RCL terminal. Although the process at the N.O. CCL terminal is much easier.
You know...My father always said that I was born a woman because I was born in Japan and my Birth Certificate says US Citizen born...abroad...Yes Folks I will be here all week! Try the Veal! But True story! Our first two cruises we did with birth certificates. Actually when I travel in the US I only us my passport. It is just easier to me. Great show as always Tony!
Cruising without a passport is the only way I've done it - 3 times. I have a family of 4 so getting passports is a non-zero cost that thus far I've avoided expending.
Good information. Suggestion for a future video.... a review of the New Orleans Cruise Terminal. Very difficult from bag drop off up until the actual cruise check in. It appears that taxis and ride share drivers drop off at a different location and people have to walk a long distance in traffic and across rail lines - then it is quite confusing after you cross the tracks to figure out which line, etc. I felt bad for people with mobility issues navigating through that mess. For me... once in Norwegian's check in line - all was good.
We got stranded on a closed loop cruise out of Ft lauderdale 4 yrs ago. The ship broke down in St. Maarten so we got a flight out the next morning with our passports. Our friends did not have passports and it took 3 days and alot of red tape to get home!
@@clittle1807 if you need to be medically evacuated for any reason, that also requires a passport to be flown home or you'll be stuck in whatever country you happen to be at. Not a good place to be in. With that said, travel insurance is important for this reason too. 👍🏻
Hey Tony, glad you are getting a passport book and a passport card. I have both. I leave my passport in my safe and take my passport card out with me when i get off the ship in ports. I just feel more comfortable not carrying the book on my person 🚢😊
I work at a Carnival cruise terminal and we have passport and birth certificate lines for passengers at debark. We don't have stickers or even letters like you had at embark. That must be an NCL process. At check-in I always suggest passenger should get a passport in case or emergency. States with enhanced drivers licenses don't need a Birth certificate. That would be New York, Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota and Washington state.
Just wondering is it mandatory to have a valid passport prior to 6 months I had a booking for next week but I got to know that it is mandatory to have 6 month passport validity before the cruise ends I am a Indian citizen I have only 2 month valid passport
Just sailed out of Jacksonville on Carnival Elation, both passport and non passport cruisers used the same lines to re enter the port after the cruise, but passport holders were prioritized through customs ahead of the non passport cruisers.
Tony, you covered it well. In fact, you did better than your cruise line did as they didn't mention the ability to get an emergency passport thru the State Department. The benefits of traveling on a passport, even when not required, are huge. You don't see it until/unless something goes wrong. We don't travel nearly as much as you do, but we still play the game of "when can we renew the passport without messing up travel plans." Fortunately, we found that the time estimates on the web site are very generous. We renewed my daughter's passport in 2022. The web site said 11 weeks, but the new one arrived in 6!
If you really need to renew your passport quickly and are traveling very soon you should be able to get it done in a day. But, you have to travel to one of their offices, which may be a ways away. In my case I would have to travel from Orlando to Miami.
You have the passport line and document line such as Birth Certificate, State or Government Issued I D and the passport card which will get you thru easier than the said fourth documents. However you are absolutely correct when cursing always have a valid passport document readily available. 👍🏼
I've been on 14 cruises and sailed with BC and DL with most of them. My passport expired a few years ago, and I'll be getting a new one. Still will probably cruise with BC and DL, get through the re-entery faster haha.
I went on RCCL Navigator of the Seas LA to Ensenada and back to LA in April 2022 only needed a birth certificate. Went into Mexico with just my Drivers License. Was fine.
I did this same thing on a recent cruise while my passport was being renewed. When I got to customs the officer said- but you have a passport. I told him I had just done an online renewal and my passport was canceled-it apparently wasn’t canceled until they mailed out my new one.
Every cruise we have gone to so far, has not required a passport. We live in Texas, and we cruise out of Galveston. Most of those cruises do NOT require a passport. :) That being said, you definitely get to get through a lot of lines much faster than those just using a Birth Certificate. We have done it both ways and prefer having the passport. Galveston uses facial recognition, which makes it all fast too.
Thank you for this! My brother is one who would only hear "no passport needed" and hear no more! That part about being stranded without one is what I need to persuade him otherwise! Thank you!!
For any permanent residents of the USA, we do it and we use our Green Cards with no passport, it has to be a closed loop cruise. So far our 2 cruises have not given any issues but you cannot do pre checking on the app, you have to do it in person. Before anyone says "why not get a passport?", I come from the crappy country of Venezuela and there is no embassy to renew my passport in the USA so that is why we do it this way. Edit: Unlike the birth certificate for Americans, you can in fact fly back to the USA with just your green card (Is on the CBP website)
Would highly recommend passports for cruising. We have been on numerous cruises that did not require passports. However they cruise lines recommend them. Last summer cruised out of San Francisco with a return to San Francisco and a passport was required so glad we had them. Others were turned awAy at the port. At this point little to no refund as you were warned and told passports recommended.
When we returned to Baltimore on Carnival Legend. The line to disembark with a Birth certificate was a mile long. But with the passport we walked right through.
I tried to explain to my Granddaughter she couldn't cruise without a passport (since I'm so worldly with 5 past cruises) and she just boarded Carnival today from Miami for Cozumel...so I needed your message earlier so I wouldn't be wrong AGAIN with the grandkids!! Oh well...better to be loved than always right!
Tony, Matt had to use his birth certificate on the breakaway as well! He had to send his passport to China for approval for an upcoming work trip, and we did not get it back in time. It made me a little nervous, but everything went smoothly. although we did not get one of those documents stickers! 🤔
We leave out of Galveston in a few days. It wasn't until I did the on-line check-in 16 days out that I discovered that my adult son's passport expires this year! Honduras is one of those "6 months" countries. His passport cleared that hurdle by 2 days! He definitely got a talkin' to! 😬🤬
I have actually never used a passport to cruise. I have only cruised with Carnival, however (I have only been on 4 cruises), and they do not make you jump through as many hoops as NCL. I have never had to sign an additional form and neither have I had to wear a document sticker lol!!! The disembarkation process is the same as you described with the 2 lines when entering back with customs though. I do plan on getting my passport this year before my next cruise though, just so that I do not have to worry about it.
@@achilles3540yes! Lol... I have been all over the Carribean! I have been on 5 cruises now without a passport, the most recent was to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao... the key is the cruise has to start at a US port and end at the same port. It's called a closed loop cruise.
I understand the cost and hassle involved in obtaining a passport can be daunting. But if you take more than one cruise do yourself a favor and get a passport. If you find cruising is for you go the extra step and get global entry. The time savings can / are substantial
I always bring it but on my last 2 cruises I never needed it. I used it for embarkation but my state-issued ID would have been acceptable. The ports we stopped at did not ask for a passport when we returned to the ship. And, like in your case, 2 of the 3 ports didn't even ask for a picture ID at all. All we needed was the ship card. At the port in Miami it was facial recognition upon disembarkation. Again, no passport needed. Of course, there's always the chance they will ask to see it but it was never required and I could have theoretically left it home.
Please research the the French islands of Martinique, St Barts, and Guadeloupe because it’s my understanding than even in a closed loop cruise you will need a passport to get off the ship on these islands.
@@tnrodgers , It looks like it was changed in 2019 for the need of a passport but then again it could have been changed back. I always cruise with a passport.
I think you also need to be an American to not require a password on these closed loop cruises right? Neither myself nor my wife are Americans so we always have our passport and green cards with us.
We just Renewed Our Pass Ports , That expired in 7 months ...We always take Our P.P. Just to be Safe every where We go , Just to be Safe ..Great Tip Tony ...
I've been told that if you are in the renewal process, make sure you have a copy of your "old" passport in your phone that way if you get stuck in another country they can access the information and it makes it easier to get an emergency one. True or not, no idea BUT it's always something to have during that time just in case. JMHO.
Thanks for the info our passports are expiring in 2024. Now I know when I get back from my May trip this year I need to re-apply for my passport. Also being from Rhode Island kudos for using a picture of our statehouse
Closed loop cruises with no passport from the U.S if you are an American Citizen. Would never work for me as I need to fly from Canada into the U.S to get to any cruise port. Also what happens if you miss the ship and are stuck in a foreign country….you are in a big mess. Could never do it 😊
From what I can see it is only USA citizens have a blind spot. A passport to the World would open up so many horizons. In UK less than £100. How much in USA? 😍
As of today, it will take from 8-11 weeks to receive your renewed passport from time of submission by mail. The department of State has closed their on-line application process in this last week. On-line was a trial….not sure if it will return. I had to print form and mail mine as of 10 Feb 23.
In this particular case, since you renewed online, you still had a passport. It sounds like it would not yet have expired by the time you took your cruise. While your passport is technically cancelled when you start the online renewal process, it would have still worked as proof of citizenship and as an ID for embarkation. I was in this same situation, where I renewed online on January 5th, took my cruise on March 26th using my "cancelled" passport, and received my new passport around April 5th. In fact, some cruise ports will let you use your passport up to 10 years after it has expired, provided that it doesn't have the two holes punched in the back cover. In any case, whenever you cruise with a questionable passport, always bring your birth certificate and drivers license, just in case.
Good stuff, Tony. Just to add: if you are traveling with minors using their birth certificates, there is no state issued ID for any minors age 14 or younger. So, it's literally just the birth certificate for them.
I watched a couple get hassled in Ensenada Mexico trying to go through customs to get back on the ship. They were screaming and yelling (which is always helpful) saying they were told they didn't need their passports. Customs didn't care. Like others are saying, no need to risk it. Also, just a reminder that kids passports do not last as long. We found this out the hard way, we just didn't realize how much time had passed.
I got a passport for My first cruise in December 2019and did not need it till a cruise in June 2022 when I came down with pneumonia and was sent to a hospital in Cozumel luckily I had My passport and travel insurance
Hey Tony, perhaps do a vid walking folks through the 'Passport renewal process'. I'm guessing that you might not have filmed it but perhaps you could do a 're-creation' if you didn't. I harken back to your great Covid online test vids. I can't tell you how much watching you do the EMed testing process eased our minds before we did it ourselves for the very first time. (And go watch both of your vids... nervous Tony dropping the test in #1; confident and experienced Tony in #2! See how that can help folks?) Well, Passport renewal is coming up in a year for us. Getting 'Tony re-educated' on the process would be fantastic.
Great video! My cruise mates passport expired, and it has not come back yet. She'll have to use her birth certificate next week, and I've never been through that process.
I have a CLOBAL ENTRY card that I use going into Mexico so that I don't have to carry my passport, I got it after a trip to Roma where I got Pick Pocketed. I havent tried it in other countries yet, but we are going to Australia in april and I'll try it there.( Don't worry I'll have my Passport too} .
I don't have a pass port and I always use my birth certificate as I only do closed loop cruises. However I've never had to do the things you did as carnival and princess doesn't require any of that.
Tony, we lost our passports after our Alaska cruise. Bob from Jenny's office told us we could use our birth certificate. We have another trip soon that will require our passport. We made a video about the process. We posted it just before we left for the Vlogger's Extravaganza. Let's just say we do NOT recommend losing your passport! It was quite an expensive learning experience.
If you are traveling without a passport you are counting on absolutely nothing going wrong that requires another means of travel back to the U.S.A. I can think of many things that would require that, a medical emergency, ship running aground (which happened recently), missing the ship for any reason. Don't be a pier runner if you don't have a passport! I simply wouldn't cruise without one. My passport expires later this year. We have nothing booked right now. I already submitted a renewal application so I will have one by the time we cruise again.
I don't even go on shore excursions without my passport on me. People argue with me and say to leave it in the safe in your cabin. My response always is that I don't want to be stranded in another country without a passport!
@@user-yj3ob9kd3l Do you really want to depend on that, especially when that problem can be avoided by simply taking your passport with you? I always want my passport and my means to pay for air fare back home on me.
@John Hempel to be clear--I didn't say that I depend on that, nor did I suggest that others should depend on it. I simply pointed out a fact. A problem ashore without a passport does not necessarily mean being stranded, as you suggest. Missing the ship, yes, but not by leaving your passport in the safe. In fact, it may be safer in the safe than taking it ashore in some countries where it can be stolen.
My 10 yr old son's passport expires while we will be on our next cruise (closed loop). At this point, it's too late to get a new passport so I'm getting him a state ID, bringing the passport and his official birth certificate. Jamaica is the only port I'm not sure will allow him off the ship. We shall see!
We have a passport and a passport card. The card can be used in place of the passport for cruises to Mexico, Caribbean and Canada. We did this once when we needed visas for another trip and we had a cruise booked. Passport to visa service and card for the cruise. Also my card does not expire the same time as my passport.
22 cruises, no passport. No problems. That being said, I'm getting mine this year.
Just a reminder. Make sure you check with the cruise line for the document requirements for your specific cruise. Not all close loop cruises are the same and some ports may require a passport.
Virgin requires a passport - PERIOD!
@@PamBredenkamp You are wrong, according to a comment I read, further down. I just read a comment from someone who was on the Scarlet Lady without a passport in September.
👍🏾👍🏾..exactly correct Tony...it has changed for some ports now.
I have been on 11 cruises and have never used a passport. I have never had an issues with using just my license and birth certificate - no delays or any other problems. I just now got a passport because of all the covid craziness - I did not want to take a chance in a foreign country. I will say I recently cruised on the carnival Sunshine out of Charleston and the strange thing is we didn't even have to go through customs when when returned to port after our cruise. Got off ship and we went right to the parking lot. How strange - I've had to go through customs on my last 10 cruises so not sure why it changed.
Your production of this video is absolutely on-point. I like the style of your delivery and the amount of valuable content for the time invested to watch. Nice job, Tony.
I did a 5 night cruise on the Scarlet Lady without a passport back in September, and it was totally painless.. No line or delays..
We just returned on the Carnival Spirit from Princess Cays, Grand Turk and Amber Cove and our ship card was all we needed! We had our passports but never had to show them
It is ridiculous here in the USA that your current passport is invalid once you apply for,the renewal. We should be able to keep it and use it until official expiration date or the new one arrives like a drivers license.
I have a enhanced drivers license and use on closed loop it’s basically us passport card . It’s perfect when your waiting on your passport renewal.
Yet another good reason to use a passport: Just got off the Valor this weekend, and oh my, that bc/id line was LONG. Like all the way back to the escalators. I felt sorry for those folks! No line at all for a passport, and you don't even have to show it to them with the facial recognition (yes, the do have it in NOLA). A couple of people in my roll call got off the ship at about 9:30 and didn't make it through that line until after 11.
Long Beach Carnival DID take longer in line for Embarkation Day. Also, NO we didn't have a sticker stating that we didn't have a passport. We just had to follow the correct signs when the line split. But I can see the sticker being helpful
Also, I did not need my marriage license to prove the name difference between birth certificate and State ID in Ling Beach. But I called and was told that in Seatle, I will need it when going to Alaska.... ever on the sand cruiseline. It's the port that requires it. So I'm just going to get a passport because I have time.
My wife & I cruised are Platinum cruisers. We cruised without a passport for 20 years. Just got our passport last year
Great info for all. I'm as old as dirt..on my 5th passport..I will NEVER travel without it. The passport is cheap if you think about it, however the peace of mind is priceless!
This was the first time my DH and I embarked and disembarked in New Orleans. We have nothing but praise for the whole set up. It was a very smooth process, and the workers were smiling and polite. We have been to a few other ports and let's just say you feel like herded cattle. It's nice to know what is entailed in cruising without a passport. As usual Tony, you explained it very well. Bottom line, if you do not have a passport then get one. It makes it easier and safer to do. Thanks for sharing!!
Another possible travel document is an enhanced license. My wife and I left passports at home. Forunately we have enhanced license and that worked without birth certificate. We went on the Breakaway canadian trip last fall with no problems.
Here in Massachusetts we have the option to have a enhanced driver's license. Supposedly to be able to travel within the US ,Canada, Mexico and most of the Caribbean without a passport or birth certificate.
I never trusted it. I always have my Passport for travel , the only exception is flying completely domestic.
Very informative video. Thanks
Good information Tony. I always have my passport but it's good to know that if I find myself in a similar situation as you I have an option on a closed loop cruise.
We've been on over 20 closed loop caa-ruzes and on all of them the cruise lines were pushing the use of passports. They seemed to discourage traveling without it so we took the path of least resistance and always use passports.
Obviously
Not all states use a raised seal. Another TH-camr ran into an issue a few months ago trying to board I think it was the Margaritaville ship. His BC was official, but didn't have a raised seal and they initially denied him boarding. WA for example, has a color changing stamp. Mine from CA also isn't a raised seal, but it's still an official copy.
Good point!
@@LaLidoLoca Just another reason to get a passport. No worries.
Another issue when traveling with a passport:
If you were born in Puerto Rico and have an official government issued birth certificate dated before July 2010, they WILL NOT accept it. You will need to apply for an updated official birth certificate.
My sister found out the hard way when she went to renew her drivers license two days before it expired. They refused to accept her BC as ID. Due to so much fraudulent use of Puerto Rican BC they had to change to a more secure document. The problem is you need a valid government photo ID to apply for a new BC, and you need a valid BC to renew your drivers license.
We always travel with a passport. Just in case because you never know. I've had a passport all my life...military family growing up and after marriage as well.
I always bring my Passport Tony. On my Mexico cruise I brought it. It made it so easy to return to the US with my Global Entry at Long Beach. I just pulled my mask down and used the Biometrics to reenter
I got a passport back in the 1990s and used it a couple of times and then didn't do much traveling after that. Over the years and moving, I had no idea where it was. I went on my first cruise to Bermuda on NCL last year and used my birth certificate & state ID. I did decide to apply for a new passport after that. I thought I might have trouble because I didn't have my old one but it was easy. I had an extra form to fill out. I didn't ask for rush processing and got it 5-6 weeks later. I'm going on my second cruise in April and it will definitely be easier dealing with one piece of ID rather than 2.
I do not own a passport just an enhanced driver's license. We do close loop. No issues, although last time I was sent to secondary, the CBP Officer chuckled and sent me on my way as I was fine.
Thank you so much for the information. My first cruise is next month and didn't want to spend the money on a passport if I happened to find out I didn't like cruising. this video is super helpful! (to explain: I am usually a camper....out in the woods, isolated, etc. I have high anxiety and bipolar) so, if I do happen to enjoy cruising, I will get my passport......we shall see.....and btw, all your videos have been amazing and so helpful! thanks.
Years ago I always traveled on closed loop cruises with a bc and thought nothing of it. It wasn’t til watching travel videos like yours that I learned about scenarios that could easily come up that would require a passport. Grateful for your content!
Yes totally agree!!! I have clients traveling on cruises all the time and I let them know upfront if something happens you can not fly back. What you went through with NCL i never heard of other lines doing that. Its Definitely not what others are doing. And virgin does close loop cruises and still require a passport to cruise.
They did do the facial recognition in New Orleans as we got off the Breakaway for us with passports. It was super easy.
Yikes! I am in the exact same situation... Waiting for a passport renewal that may or may not arrive! Did the expedited, in person service at my local USPS on Jan 25 for a cruise that departs Mar 4 (NCL). So delighted to learn about the closed loop thing. (Who knew?!) Calling NCL to make sure I can do my cruise just in case my renewal is not back. Whew... Once again, La Lido Loco saves the day! (Or at least a lot of angst.) Thanks!!
If you go to the closest US passport office, you can get your photo and passport done and go back and pick it up in 2 days! That's what we did when we forgot to make appointment in time to get my sisters and nephew's passports at our local post office in time to get them sent in the mail.
My Name is Earl fans would know the Past Sports answer when asked for their passports. Tony is right. Do yourself a favor and get your passport. Trouble always finds the unprepared.
I'm in a similar situation. I have a valid passport that expires in August of this year (2023) and had planned on renewing when I returned in early January from our Panama Canal trip. However, my global entry also was expiring this year in April and I was able to get a renewal appointment for end of January and needed my passport for that appointment. I'm cruising on Feb. 25 on a 7 day closed loop cruise on Princess out of Ft. Lauderdale. My passport, while still valid, won't be valid for the full 6 months beyond the last date of the cruise, so I'm taking my certified birth certificate just in case. I plan on renewing my passport as soon as I return. Hard to schedule the renewal of the passport when you travel a lot!
Grateful for this video! We are going on the Breakaway in March. This is our first time cruising. We didn’t have enough time to get our passports. Thought it would be okay for our first cruise, to see if we like it. We are only taking excursions with the cruise line, to ensure we don’t miss the ship. But I have been very anxious about it.
This helped relieve some of that anxiety! Thank you! We will definitely be investing in passports in the near future.
There are exceptions to this rule also, you can travel on a greencard and State ID if you don't have a valid passport from a your own country.
We just got off the carnival breeze out of Galveston Thursday, and with our passports, we were ushered around several hundred people waiting in a birth certificate line. 😳 it seemed the vast majority of people had birth certificates. So much faster getting off the boat with a passport.
My wife and I were on the Breakaway week before you, got off the day you got on. Yes N.O. uses the face recognition system at the NCL/RCL terminal. Although the process at the N.O. CCL terminal is much easier.
Great tips! I hadn’t thought of the possibility of needing to fly home from one of the ports of call.
Yes, they did facial recognition for passports in NOLA. It was my first experience with it. #vloggerextravaganza
Thank you. This video answers questions I had about cruising without a passport. Still waiting for it to be renewed; 6 to 9 weeks seems very long.
Correction, now they say 8 to 11 weeks. I guess I should have splurged for the rush processing.
You know...My father always said that I was born a woman because I was born in Japan and my Birth Certificate says US Citizen born...abroad...Yes Folks I will be here all week! Try the Veal! But True story!
Our first two cruises we did with birth certificates. Actually when I travel in the US I only us my passport. It is just easier to me. Great show as always Tony!
Cruising without a passport is the only way I've done it - 3 times. I have a family of 4 so getting passports is a non-zero cost that thus far I've avoided expending.
We were on the Breakaway the week after you. Yes, NOLA had facial recognition for those of us with passports
Good information. Suggestion for a future video.... a review of the New Orleans Cruise Terminal. Very difficult from bag drop off up until the actual cruise check in. It appears that taxis and ride share drivers drop off at a different location and people have to walk a long distance in traffic and across rail lines - then it is quite confusing after you cross the tracks to figure out which line, etc. I felt bad for people with mobility issues navigating through that mess. For me... once in Norwegian's check in line - all was good.
Hi Tony. All good information to know. I always travel with my passport. You just never know what could happen. As always, thank you for all you do!
We got stranded on a closed loop cruise out of Ft lauderdale 4 yrs ago. The ship broke down in St. Maarten so we got a flight out the next morning with our passports. Our friends did not have passports and it took 3 days and alot of red tape to get home!
Never leave the country with it. Period
Never thought of this scenario ... thank you for sharing.
@@clittle1807 if you need to be medically evacuated for any reason, that also requires a passport to be flown home or you'll be stuck in whatever country you happen to be at. Not a good place to be in. With that said, travel insurance is important for this reason too. 👍🏻
@@wendys6438 even with travel insurance, you still need a passport to evacuate.
Hey Tony, glad you are getting a passport book and a passport card. I have both. I leave my passport in my safe and take my passport card out with me when i get off the ship in ports. I just feel more comfortable not carrying the book on my person
🚢😊
I work at a Carnival cruise terminal and we have passport and birth certificate lines for passengers at debark. We don't have stickers or even letters like you had at embark. That must be an NCL process. At check-in I always suggest passenger should get a passport in case or emergency. States with enhanced drivers licenses don't need a Birth certificate. That would be New York, Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota and Washington state.
Great info. Thanks! I was wondering about the enhanced DL.
@@LaLidoLoca lol enchanted DL??
@@nancymurphy3127 enhanced
Just wondering is it mandatory to have a valid passport prior to 6 months I had a booking for next week but I got to know that it is mandatory to have 6 month passport validity before the cruise ends I am a Indian citizen I have only 2 month valid passport
Just sailed out of Jacksonville on Carnival Elation, both passport and non passport cruisers used the same lines to re enter the port after the cruise, but passport holders were prioritized through customs ahead of the non passport cruisers.
Tony, you covered it well. In fact, you did better than your cruise line did as they didn't mention the ability to get an emergency passport thru the State Department. The benefits of traveling on a passport, even when not required, are huge. You don't see it until/unless something goes wrong. We don't travel nearly as much as you do, but we still play the game of "when can we renew the passport without messing up travel plans." Fortunately, we found that the time estimates on the web site are very generous. We renewed my daughter's passport in 2022. The web site said 11 weeks, but the new one arrived in 6!
If you really need to renew your passport quickly and are traveling very soon you should be able to get it done in a day. But, you have to travel to one of their offices, which may be a ways away. In my case I would have to travel from Orlando to Miami.
You have the passport line and document line such as Birth Certificate, State or Government Issued I D and the passport card which will get you thru easier than the said fourth documents. However you are absolutely correct when cursing always have a valid passport document readily available. 👍🏼
I've been on 14 cruises and sailed with BC and DL with most of them. My passport expired a few years ago, and I'll be getting a new one. Still will probably cruise with BC and DL, get through the re-entery faster haha.
I went on RCCL Navigator of the Seas LA to Ensenada and back to LA in April 2022 only needed a birth certificate. Went into Mexico with just my Drivers License. Was fine.
There was no form for me.
I did this same thing on a recent cruise while my passport was being renewed. When I got to customs the officer said- but you have a passport. I told him I had just done an online renewal and my passport was canceled-it apparently wasn’t canceled until they mailed out my new one.
I have cruised all my life on closed loop cruises and I just applied for my 1st passport in florida.
Every cruise we have gone to so far, has not required a passport. We live in Texas, and we cruise out of Galveston. Most of those cruises do NOT require a passport. :) That being said, you definitely get to get through a lot of lines much faster than those just using a Birth Certificate. We have done it both ways and prefer having the passport. Galveston uses facial recognition, which makes it all fast too.
Thank you for this! My brother is one who would only hear "no passport needed" and hear no more! That part about being stranded without one is what I need to persuade him otherwise! Thank you!!
For any permanent residents of the USA, we do it and we use our Green Cards with no passport, it has to be a closed loop cruise. So far our 2 cruises have not given any issues but you cannot do pre checking on the app, you have to do it in person. Before anyone says "why not get a passport?", I come from the crappy country of Venezuela and there is no embassy to renew my passport in the USA so that is why we do it this way.
Edit: Unlike the birth certificate for Americans, you can in fact fly back to the USA with just your green card (Is on the CBP website)
Thanks for the information concerning passports. It is always good to be reminded of what we need. 👍❣️
Would highly recommend passports for cruising. We have been on numerous cruises that did not require passports. However they cruise lines recommend them. Last summer cruised out of San Francisco with a return to San Francisco and a passport was required so glad we had them. Others were turned awAy at the port. At this point little to no refund as you were warned and told passports recommended.
When we returned to Baltimore on Carnival Legend. The line to disembark with a Birth certificate was a mile long. But with the passport we walked right through.
I tried to explain to my Granddaughter she couldn't cruise without a passport (since I'm so worldly with 5 past cruises) and she just boarded Carnival today from Miami for Cozumel...so I needed your message earlier so I wouldn't be wrong AGAIN with the grandkids!! Oh well...better to be loved than always right!
Explain to her that it isn't that she couldn't, but why it is better that she shouldn't travel without a passport.
In July New Orleans used facial recognition for customs. It was super easy
Cruised NOLA in Nov/Dec '22. Yes, they have facial recognition at the NOLA terminal (at least for Carnival they did)
Tony, Matt had to use his birth certificate on the breakaway as well! He had to send his passport to China for approval for an upcoming work trip, and we did not get it back in time. It made me a little nervous, but everything went smoothly. although we did not get one of those documents stickers! 🤔
We leave out of Galveston in a few days. It wasn't until I did the on-line check-in 16 days out that I discovered that my adult son's passport expires this year! Honduras is one of those "6 months" countries. His passport cleared that hurdle by 2 days! He definitely got a talkin' to! 😬🤬
I have actually never used a passport to cruise. I have only cruised with Carnival, however (I have only been on 4 cruises), and they do not make you jump through as many hoops as NCL. I have never had to sign an additional form and neither have I had to wear a document sticker lol!!! The disembarkation process is the same as you described with the 2 lines when entering back with customs though. I do plan on getting my passport this year before my next cruise though, just so that I do not have to worry about it.
Where did you go ? Like did you visit other countries
@@achilles3540yes! Lol... I have been all over the Carribean! I have been on 5 cruises now without a passport, the most recent was to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao... the key is the cruise has to start at a US port and end at the same port. It's called a closed loop cruise.
@@tiffanyallen-cunningham5523 that’s dope!!!! I wonder do they have one to the DR
@@achilles3540 there definitely have ones to DR because I've been there too!
Great info.on cruise travel - with or without a passport!! Who knew??!! Thanks, Tony!!
I understand the cost and hassle involved in obtaining a passport can be daunting. But if you take more than one cruise do yourself a favor and get a passport. If you find cruising is for you go the extra step and get global entry. The time savings can / are substantial
I always bring it but on my last 2 cruises I never needed it. I used it for embarkation but my state-issued ID would have been acceptable. The ports we stopped at did not ask for a passport when we returned to the ship. And, like in your case, 2 of the 3 ports didn't even ask for a picture ID at all. All we needed was the ship card. At the port in Miami it was facial recognition upon disembarkation. Again, no passport needed. Of course, there's always the chance they will ask to see it but it was never required and I could have theoretically left it home.
The only exception is if you sail a Panama Canal itinerary you are required to have a passport. At least if you are sailing on NCL.
Please research the the French islands of Martinique, St Barts, and Guadeloupe because it’s my understanding than even in a closed loop cruise you will need a passport to get off the ship on these islands.
I’ve been to Martinique, I don’t remember needing a passport, but we always take our passport card and ship sea pass. Barbados also.
@@tnrodgers , It looks like it was changed in 2019 for the need of a passport but then again it could have been changed back. I always cruise with a passport.
I think you also need to be an American to not require a password on these closed loop cruises right? Neither myself nor my wife are Americans so we always have our passport and green cards with us.
You can also cruise with an ENHANCED drivers license.
Thank you for this video. We're going in this week to update our passports since they expired.
We just Renewed Our Pass Ports , That expired in 7 months ...We always take Our P.P.
Just to be Safe every where We go , Just to be Safe ..Great Tip Tony ...
Just got off new orleans yesterday and facial was easy. There was no one I saw in the birth cert line so I doubt it too long.
I've been told that if you are in the renewal process, make sure you have a copy of your "old" passport in your phone that way if you get stuck in another country they can access the information and it makes it easier to get an emergency one. True or not, no idea BUT it's always something to have during that time just in case. JMHO.
Have yet to get a passport. Just carrying my enhanced driver’s license gets me on board
Thanks for the info our passports are expiring in 2024. Now I know when I get back from my May trip this year I need to re-apply for my passport. Also being from Rhode Island kudos for using a picture of our statehouse
Thank you. Great info as I’m taking a first timer who or may not get around to getting a passport (card).
Closed loop cruises with no passport from the U.S if you are an American Citizen.
Would never work for me as I need to fly from Canada into the U.S to get to any cruise port.
Also what happens if you miss the ship and are stuck in a foreign country….you are in a big mess.
Could never do it 😊
I’ve cruised with my b certificate only and driver license many times.
I am a passport agent for USPS. Spot on. Great job.
From what I can see it is only USA citizens have a blind spot. A passport to the World would open up so many horizons. In UK less than £100. How much in USA? 😍
$140
209
As of today, it will take from 8-11 weeks to receive your renewed passport from time of submission by mail. The department of State has closed their on-line application process in this last week. On-line was a trial….not sure if it will return. I had to print form and mail mine as of 10 Feb 23.
In this particular case, since you renewed online, you still had a passport. It sounds like it would not yet have expired by the time you took your cruise. While your passport is technically cancelled when you start the online renewal process, it would have still worked as proof of citizenship and as an ID for embarkation. I was in this same situation, where I renewed online on January 5th, took my cruise on March 26th using my "cancelled" passport, and received my new passport around April 5th. In fact, some cruise ports will let you use your passport up to 10 years after it has expired, provided that it doesn't have the two holes punched in the back cover. In any case, whenever you cruise with a questionable passport, always bring your birth certificate and drivers license, just in case.
Good stuff, Tony. Just to add: if you are traveling with minors using their birth certificates, there is no state issued ID for any minors age 14 or younger. So, it's literally just the birth certificate for them.
Part of this isn't true of all states my daughter has had a state issued ID since she was 5 years old. But correct it is not needed to cruise
@@rachelcarper9297 Florida does not have ID for under age 15, to my knowledge.
I watched a couple get hassled in Ensenada Mexico trying to go through customs to get back on the ship. They were screaming and yelling (which is always helpful) saying they were told they didn't need their passports. Customs didn't care. Like others are saying, no need to risk it. Also, just a reminder that kids passports do not last as long. We found this out the hard way, we just didn't realize how much time had passed.
Yes Tony, those of us with a passport used the facial recognition, did not talk with an agent.
Great show today. Thank you for the reminder.
I got a passport for My first cruise in December 2019and did not need it till a cruise in June 2022 when I came down with pneumonia and was sent to a hospital in Cozumel luckily I had My passport and travel insurance
In NOLA they do use facial recognition, just look at the camera and keep walking. It's awesome.
I always use a passport and I also take my birth certificate, marriage license, and Driver License. I want to cover all bases.
Since this is my first cruise I will get my passport after only if I like cruising, first cruise to ensenada on navigator
Hey Tony, perhaps do a vid walking folks through the 'Passport renewal process'. I'm guessing that you might not have filmed it but perhaps you could do a 're-creation' if you didn't. I harken back to your great Covid online test vids. I can't tell you how much watching you do the EMed testing process eased our minds before we did it ourselves for the very first time. (And go watch both of your vids... nervous Tony dropping the test in #1; confident and experienced Tony in #2! See how that can help folks?) Well, Passport renewal is coming up in a year for us. Getting 'Tony re-educated' on the process would be fantastic.
Great informative show....! The pictures enhanced your points... Enjoyed it!
Great video! My cruise mates passport expired, and it has not come back yet. She'll have to use her birth certificate next week, and I've never been through that process.
I have a CLOBAL ENTRY card that I use going into Mexico so that I don't have to carry my passport, I got it after a trip to Roma where I got Pick Pocketed. I havent tried it in other countries yet, but we are going to Australia in april and I'll try it there.( Don't worry I'll have my Passport too} .
I don't have a pass port and I always use my birth certificate as I only do closed loop cruises. However I've never had to do the things you did as carnival and princess doesn't require any of that.
Tony, we lost our passports after our Alaska cruise. Bob from Jenny's office told us we could use our birth certificate. We have another trip soon that will require our passport. We made a video about the process. We posted it just before we left for the Vlogger's Extravaganza. Let's just say we do NOT recommend losing your passport! It was quite an expensive learning experience.
If you are traveling without a passport you are counting on absolutely nothing going wrong that requires another means of travel back to the U.S.A. I can think of many things that would require that, a medical emergency, ship running aground (which happened recently), missing the ship for any reason. Don't be a pier runner if you don't have a passport! I simply wouldn't cruise without one.
My passport expires later this year. We have nothing booked right now. I already submitted a renewal application so I will have one by the time we cruise again.
I don't even go on shore excursions without my passport on me. People argue with me and say to leave it in the safe in your cabin. My response always is that I don't want to be stranded in another country without a passport!
@@JWH-01 authorities can get your passport left on the ship.
@@user-yj3ob9kd3l Do you really want to depend on that, especially when that problem can be avoided by simply taking your passport with you?
I always want my passport and my means to pay for air fare back home on me.
@John Hempel to be clear--I didn't say that I depend on that, nor did I suggest that others should depend on it. I simply pointed out a fact. A problem ashore without a passport does not necessarily mean being stranded, as you suggest. Missing the ship, yes, but not by leaving your passport in the safe. In fact, it may be safer in the safe than taking it ashore in some countries where it can be stolen.
My 10 yr old son's passport expires while we will be on our next cruise (closed loop). At this point, it's too late to get a new passport so I'm getting him a state ID, bringing the passport and his official birth certificate. Jamaica is the only port I'm not sure will allow him off the ship. We shall see!
We have a passport and a passport card. The card can be used in place of the passport for cruises to Mexico, Caribbean and Canada. We did this once when we needed visas for another trip and we had a cruise booked. Passport to visa service and card for the cruise. Also my card does not expire the same time as my passport.
You just can’t fly home on it.