Rare tofubeast Posted June 26, 2013 #1 Share Posted June 26, 2013 US citizens going on Solstice next year --- roundtrip ---Seattle, Alaska, Victoria BC, and Seattle Will I need to renew my passport? (I know it will be good for me to just go ahead and renew, but I just wanted to see what the requirements are for this trip). I have read some mixed comments online, so just thought you all could give me the most current scoop. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted June 26, 2013 #2 Share Posted June 26, 2013 You could do this trip without a passport but why not just renew it and be done with it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted June 26, 2013 #3 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Victoria, BC is in Canada. Pretty sure they won't let you on the ship without a valid passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phxazzcruisers Posted June 26, 2013 #4 Share Posted June 26, 2013 You will need a valid passport that will be good at least 6 months past cruise date. Do not take any chances, renew now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKFlowerMound Posted June 26, 2013 #5 Share Posted June 26, 2013 The Solstice does what is called a "closed loop cruise." This is the link to the US Customs and Border Patrol website regarding closed loop cruises: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise Thus, contrary to what is said by the two posters immediately above, a passport is not required for this cruise for a US citizen. Moreover, there is no requirement at all for your US passport to be valid for at least six months to enter Canada. Canada, does not require a US citizen to have a passport to enter Canada but does have some detailed requirements for alternative documents that it will accept. Here's a link to its website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html That said, I agree with Keith and the other posters that a passport is the best document to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted June 26, 2013 #6 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I see posts saying you need a passport. You do not because this is a closed loop cruise. If you are a United States citizen and on a cruise that begins and ends in the USA as this one is you do not need a passport to visit Canada. Now, I would still renew it because if you got sick and had to fly home from canada you would need a passport. But technically you do not to do this cruise. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare tofubeast Posted June 26, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Thank you for clarifying. I just wanted to make sure. Appreciate the feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted June 26, 2013 #8 Share Posted June 26, 2013 The 6 month rule for a valid passport is a rule setup by Celebrity regardless of the country being visited. For a UK cruise a few years ago our passports were good for 5 mths past the sail date but Celebrity insisted we have it for 6 mths even though the UK has no such rule for Canadian residents. As far as not needing a passport, I guess that requirement isn't absolutely needed however I'm not sure I would rely on Celebrity accepting anything else as proof of citizenship and photo ID. A drivers license does not prove citizenship. Always a great idea to have a passport and getting more important to have a Nexis card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caripoo Posted June 26, 2013 #9 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I would renew your passport. Sounds like you will eventually need it. THEY DID check our passports when we got off the ship in Vancouver.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richiebaseball Posted June 26, 2013 #10 Share Posted June 26, 2013 The 6 month rule for a valid passport is a rule setup by Celebrity regardless of the country being visited. For a UK cruise a few years ago our passports were good for 5 mths past the sail date but Celebrity insisted we have it for 6 mths even though the UK has no such rule for Canadian residents. As far as not needing a passport, I guess that requirement isn't absolutely needed however I'm not sure I would rely on Celebrity accepting anything else as proof of citizenship and photo ID. A drivers license does not prove citizenship. Always a great idea to have a passport and getting more important to have a Nexis card. A driver's license does not provide proof of US citizenship however a certified birth certificate does. The driver's license is simply the ID. Having a valid passport is a great idea and the best proof of citizenship however as others have stated it is not required in this particular case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen@Steve Posted June 26, 2013 #11 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I would not take a chance as rules can change on a dime if the threat level changes for any reason. I'd do it just to be safe. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanAllyn Posted June 26, 2013 #12 Share Posted June 26, 2013 If you go to Skagway and want to cross into Canada by road, you DO need a passport. There are some wonderful excursions that take you to Emerald Lake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL1180 Posted June 26, 2013 #13 Share Posted June 26, 2013 IIRC, this itinerary has a stop in Skagway, and I know many of the excursions (i.e. anything that takes the White Pass Railway) REQUIRE a passport be shown to them and carried with you during the excursion. Something to keep in mind when booking your Skagway excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted June 26, 2013 #14 Share Posted June 26, 2013 That's an important distinction. The cruise doesn't require a passport, but the excursion does. Other excursions don't enter Canada, so be aware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampacruiser Posted June 26, 2013 #15 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I just got off the Solstice on Friday. When we stopped in Victoria B.C. we did not need passport, just a room key and picture ID. We did do a train excursion in Skagway and we were told to bring our passports since the train went into Canada, however they were never needed. Guess its better safe then sorry and have them just in case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CathyCruises Posted June 26, 2013 #16 Share Posted June 26, 2013 We rented a car and drove into the Yukon, did have to show our passports at the border. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted June 26, 2013 #17 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I think we have given the original poster enough information so they can make a decision. In short, they can take this cruise without a passport. However, should there be an emergency which would necessitate leaving the ship and flying home from Canada that would not be possible until a new passport is acquired. And should they take an excursion that goes into Canada which are far and few they could not do it. As I said, if it was me I would get the passport for this trip and knowing there could be other trips but the original poster will now have to figure out what they want to do. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOANN226 Posted June 26, 2013 #18 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Victoria, BC is in Canada. Pretty sure they won't let you on the ship without a valid passport. Just returned from the Solstice we have a passport so we took it, they copy it at the check in, when we got off in BC we took our passports and when we were going through the guarded area I took out my passport and they said it's ok we know who you are. So I think that you need them, but I am not really sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phxazzcruisers Posted June 26, 2013 #19 Share Posted June 26, 2013 When traveling anywhere outside of the United States it is always a VERY GOOD idea to take your passport with you. Yes, many above have said it is not a "requirement", I agree, but one never knows what may happen and if you would wind up needing it as the examples above show. It is anways better to be safe than sorry, especially in this day and age Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiamondSuiteCruiser Posted June 26, 2013 #20 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I see posts saying you need a passport. You do not because this is a closed loop cruise. If you are a United States citizen and on a cruise that begins and ends in the USA as this one is you do not need a passport to visit Canada. Now, I would still renew it because if you got sick and had to fly home from canada you would need a passport. But technically you do not to do this cruise. Keith We did this itinerary last May on the Infinity, and they never asked us for our passport, but we did take them with us. I would renew it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAV Posted June 27, 2013 #21 Share Posted June 27, 2013 For what it's worth...... We sailed round trip from San Francisco to Alaska (closed loop) in May, and passports were not required to sail. However, those with only birth certificates had to report to Immigration officials upon return to San Francisco while those who had passports did not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare tofubeast Posted June 27, 2013 Author #22 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Thanks everyone. Yes, I will go ahead and renew our passports. Excellent points raised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deelastcre Posted June 27, 2013 #23 Share Posted June 27, 2013 If you plan to do excursions to White Pass or other Canadian Excursions, they will ask you for a Passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted June 27, 2013 #24 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Thanks everyone. Yes, I will go ahead and renew our passports. Excellent points raised! Wise decision. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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