LemonLorraine Posted December 17, 2014 #1 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Hello - I just realized that my passport has expired. I'm a US Resident, I have a drivers license, will I still be able to Board the ship? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted December 17, 2014 #2 Share Posted December 17, 2014 What cruise? Confirm you are not a US citizen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ship2 Posted December 17, 2014 #3 Share Posted December 17, 2014 You can use one of the Passport services that are listed on the Internet. It is a bit expensive, but fast. When do you leave? And where are you going? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Mudshark Posted December 17, 2014 #4 Share Posted December 17, 2014 A drivers licence can be used as proof of identity, but proof of country of citizenship is also required, and unless it's an enhanced drivers licence, it does not prove citizenship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted December 17, 2014 #5 Share Posted December 17, 2014 (edited) Hello -I just realized that my passport has expired. I'm a US Resident, I have a drivers license, will I still be able to Board the ship? Thanks I would check with my Travel Agent and/or Holland America immediately. Get your information from the source to be safe. If you are on a Caribbean cruise, returning to the same US port as you departed from, you should be safe, but again, don't just go by my thoughts, check it out with the experts, as everyone's situation is different. Edited December 17, 2014 by DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted December 17, 2014 #6 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I see that you will be on the Zuiderdam -- closed loop cruise out of Ft Lauderdale -- for New Years. A driver's License will be fine. If you are flying -- it will take a little longer to check in with luggage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Mudshark Posted December 17, 2014 #7 Share Posted December 17, 2014 For a closed-loop cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, proof of citizenship is required. A drivers license usually is not proof of citizenship. Unless it's an "enhanced" drivers licence, it won't be enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of DaNile Posted December 17, 2014 #8 Share Posted December 17, 2014 From the HAL General Information page: "U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises: U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises: U.S. citizens on cruises in the Western Hemisphere that originate and terminate in the same U.S. port are required to have proof of citizenship such as a valid U.S. passport or a government issued birth certificate combined with a government issued photo I.D. Other approved proof of citizenship documents such as a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or certificate of naturalization along with a government-issued photo ID are also acceptable. A passport is still the preferred document. PLEASE NOTE –WHTI-compliant documents are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign countries, including some countries in the Western Hemisphere." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxmantoo Posted December 17, 2014 #9 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Hello -I just realized that my passport has expired. I'm a US Resident, I have a drivers license, will I still be able to Board the ship? Thanks Are you as U.S. Resident or a U.S. Citizen? It's a huge difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonLorraine Posted December 17, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I am a United States Citizen. :) Closed Loop to and from Ft. Lauderdale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted December 17, 2014 #11 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I am a United States Citizen. :) Closed Loop to and from Ft. Lauderdale. Then, as commonly discussed, all you need is an official birth certificate and a driver's license. But, if your cruise is more than a month away, send for a new passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonLorraine Posted December 17, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Then, as commonly discussed, all you need is an official birth certificate and a driver's license. But, if your cruise is more than a month away, send for a new passport. Thanks CruiserBruce and thanks to everyone else for your help! I just became very nervous that I wasn't going to be able to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suznjune Posted December 19, 2014 #13 Share Posted December 19, 2014 If your cruise stops in Costa Rica a passport is required. Just completed Zuiderdam Panama Canal and we were required by Costa Rica to have passport even if we did not get off ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted December 19, 2014 #14 Share Posted December 19, 2014 You do NOT need a passport for Costa Rica....we use our BC and DL...none of the Caribbean countries require a passport from U.S. cruise passengers. Period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suznjune Posted December 19, 2014 #15 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Well....We were sent several emails from HAL prior to the trip,informing us that we did need a passport because of the Costa Rica stop. Just sayin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
take us away Posted December 19, 2014 #16 Share Posted December 19, 2014 To be on the safe side, send an email to HAL and bring their response if they say you only need your birth certificate and driver's license or call and ask for an email answer. Then the onus is on HAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted December 19, 2014 #17 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Good advice and good luck and enjoy your Cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted December 19, 2014 #18 Share Posted December 19, 2014 If your cruise stops in Costa Rica a passport is required. Just completed Zuiderdam Panama Canal and we were required by Costa Rica to have passport even if we did not get off ship. While the OP is on the Zuidedam, I am pretty sure it is a 7 day, Western Caribbean which does not stop in Costa Rica. You are correct that HAL wants you to have a passport if the ship stops in Costa Rica, even if you do not get off. DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted December 19, 2014 #19 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I am a United States Citizen. :) Closed Loop to and from Ft. Lauderdale. Besides your drivers license you will also need an official birth certificate since you need proof of citizenship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borasue Posted December 19, 2014 #20 Share Posted December 19, 2014 I see you have a stop in Key West. We just came off the Eurodam's Western Caribbean trip with a stop there just last week. There was an immigration check at this port. All passengers, whether or not they were going ashore, had to go thru this check. Passengers were called by deck to report to verify documents, and they specifically said "Drivers License alone is not proof of citizenship." Immigration officials took a quick look at our passports and then our HAL room cards were punched. No one could go ashore until all passengers were cleared. The process took 45 minutes to an hour once we arrived. Hope you get it resolved in time! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted December 19, 2014 #21 Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Then, as commonly discussed, all you need is an official birth certificate and a driver's license. And that birth certificate must have been issued in a US state or Territory. There was a case cited pn CC not too long ago where a man was denied boarding because he was born in a German hospital (to US citizen parents serving in the military) and the BC was issued by Germany. Edited December 19, 2014 by jtl513 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted December 19, 2014 #22 Share Posted December 19, 2014 And that birth certificate must have been issued in a US state or Territory. There was a case cited pn CC not too long ago where a man was denied boarding because he was born in a German hospital (to US citizen parents serving in the military) and the BC was issued by Germany. Exactly why I suggested the OP talk directly to HAL or the TA. There are too many variables involved for this topic to be answered on a message board, IMO. DaveOKC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaygar Posted December 19, 2014 #23 Share Posted December 19, 2014 To save you a lot of time, hassle and sleepless nights I would strongly suggest getting your passport renewed through an expedited process. Depending on where you live, do an online search and see where your state's passport office is located because they can turn it around for you via appointment in 1 visit provided that you have all of the required information with you. If you are not in a commutable distance from your state office, then there are also expedited on-line services that can provide you with a 24-hour turnaround from the time that they receive all of your renewal documents. You will pay more for an expedited service than the normal renewal through the government, but having your passport with you is important if for some reason you are left in a port for any reason and need to book a flight to get out to come back to the U.S., you'll need the passport or passport card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonLorraine Posted December 19, 2014 Author #24 Share Posted December 19, 2014 Thanks, Everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystictraveler Posted December 22, 2014 #25 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Here is the note I received from HA for a Jan. 23 departure on the Zuiderdam: VISA NOTIFICATION: *****IMPORTANT INFORMATION***** Please be advised that a passport is required for all FLL-FLL voyages visiting Costa Rica whether they plan to go ashore or not. Each country has its own entry requirements, and guests assume personal responsibility for having the necessary documents when boarding. You may be denied boarding if you do not have the proper travel documents and in that case, you would not be entitled to a refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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