Royal Carribean denied boarding

It was mentioned earlier that the OP is from Toronto. If the friend was also Canadian, these are the rules straight from RCI's website:

"For US Sailings: Canadians will require their passport with a minimum of 6 months validity post the return of your sailing"

Which lines?

 

Why would cruise lines care?

 

Some COUNTRIES require that the passport be valid for 3 or 6 months after the expected departure from the country. This if for a visa to be issued, or for entry to the country when a visa is not required. But this also does not apply for cruise passengers in some countries.

 

Also, why would the cruise line require a passport being valid for an extra 6 months, when NO PASSPORT IS REQUIRED AT ALL FOR MANY CRUISES??????

 

CBD only requires that the passport be valid when you try to re-enter the US. NO EXTRA DAYS NEEDED.

The cruise line looks at the worst case scenario. If some countries require 6 months validity then that is the cruise lines base requirement. NO passport requirements are just for US citizens on closed loop cruises.

Also, why would the cruise line require a passport being valid for an extra 6 months, when NO PASSPORT IS REQUIRED AT ALL FOR MANY CRUISES??????

The number of cruises that are closed loop cruises that don't require a passport is a fraction of the total number of cruises available worldwide. And that only applies to US citizens. Non-US citizens on those same closed loop cruises most likely will need passports. To shout "NO PASSPORT IS REQUIRED AT ALL FOR MANY CRUISES" is just not accurate. Yes, some cruises don't require passports for US citizens only, perhaps, but not "many".