Passport question

[Waimea'sMom]

I'm currently sailing on the 11/3 Hawaii cruise which has a stopover in Ensenada, Mexico. I was planning on taking my passport for my ID (even though it isn't required for sea sailings until January but just for convenience sake). I am, however, also going to go on a Caribbean sailing in early or mid March. Do you think if I apply for my passport renewal when I return from Hawaii (the mid/end November time) I will get my new passport in time for the Caribbean sailing? I've heard horror stories of people having to wait up to 4 or 5 months to get a passport right now.

 

Or does anyone know if a passport expiring in July 08 would still be valid for a March sailing date? I know some places require you to have at least 6 months still available on a passport for entry -- is the Caribbean one of these?

 

So what would you do? 1) Would you turn in your passport application prior to the Nov. sailing since it is not REQUIRED for this trip and just bring a birth certifcate with you, 2) would you risk turning it in after I come home in the hopes that I get it in time for the March sailing, or 3) would you just keep the one you have even though it expires in July? Sorry but expedited service is not an option. I really don't want to pay $127 instead of $67 just because the govt. is running really slowly on passport renewals.

 

P.S. If you just did your own passport renewal, how long did it take?

 

Thanks for any info. BTW this is posted in both the Caribbean and Princess boards.:)

[cherylandtk]

Mailed my renewal July 27, got the new passport Saturday--15 days total, not expedited.

 

So...yes, you can probably renew after November and have it in time for your March cruise. A passport probably will still not be needed for your March cruise, but I suspect you are one that would rather be safe than sorry.

 

You did not mention which ship you will be on in March, but if it is RT from the US and all stops are truly Caribbean (or Mexico/Bahamas) then you can use your BC and Driver's License as documentation should there be a delay in your renewal. Those will apparently be sufficient indefinitely for that sort of cruise.

[Boethius]

DH applied for passport mid-May - rec'd it last week! :)

[frofro]

My son's expedited passport , which shouldve come in 2-3 weeks, took exactly 7 weeks. My sister took her kids today andwas told 12-17 weeks for non-expedited.

[Pia1913]

If you're on a caribbean cruise, they don't have the same "must be valid for 6 months" clause that you encounter in european/asian/african countries.

[asctony]

Here is a link to the same subject.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=608249