Passport Question

[smac]

We are sailing on the Mariner of the Seas in November. My parents, both in their 80's, have expired passports. Is it necessary for them to renew their passports? Their travelling days are limited. Will their birth certificates and photo id's be sufficient?

 

Thanks in advance to all those helpful Cruise Critic Members!!

[golferkinda]

You do not have to have a passport until January 1st, 2007. But where are you saining to? If you are going over seas, you will need them.

[Barbee524]

Birth certificates an photo ID's are ok until Decemeber 31, 2006. So your parents should have no problem with this cruise since the Mariner only goes to Caribbean ports.

[cruise cruise cruise]

Assuming you are cruising caribbean, Bermuda or Alaska, no they do not need to renew their passports. Yes, their BC and photo ID will do. Make sure the BC is certified, not a copy.

I believe if you are traveling Mediteranian, (that would be spain, greece, etc-- right??) they do need passports.

[smac]

Thanks. That's what I thought. Now, my parents won't have to concern themselves with renewing their passports. We didn't want any surprises at the pier!

[Sue L]

I did read on the boards somewhere that they will accepted expired passports until the new regulations go into effect.

[Treven]

Remember though, they must be back in the US of A by 12.31.06 without a passport.

[FR926]

New Requirements for Travelers

 

From the goverment web site for passports:

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

[negc]

New Requirements for Travelers

 

From the goverment web site for passports:

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

 

You have only quoted a portion of what appears on that site. :mad:

January 1, 2007 is currently the effective date as it applies to cruise and air passengers. It was originally intended to be January 1, 2006, but the government extended the deadline. Those entering or reentering the US by land have until the 2008 date before passports (or other "secure, accepted documents") are required.

There have been efforts to further extend the 2007 deadline but, as of now, that is the date when the requirement goes into effect.

[signman]

If they are just going to the Caribbean and will return before 12/31/06 then they really can get by with just the expired passports, at least on RCCL. But it wouldn't hurt to carry the Birth Certificates with you. The passport is your photo ID, even if expired.