Passport

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peachypowell

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jan 26, 2015

• Mar 2, 2015

• #1

our passport expired several weeks AFTER we return from our cruise. Someone told me that we could not use them on the cruise because they have to be good for at least six months after our trip. That makes no sense to me and I don't think we have time to get new passports back now. Is this true??

 

PrincessShmoo

DIS veteran

Joined

Feb 12, 2009

• Mar 2, 2015

• #2

peachypowell said:

our passport expired several weeks AFTER we return from our cruise. Someone told me that we could not use them on the cruise because they have to be good for at least six months after our trip. That makes no sense to me and I don't think we have time to get new passports back now. Is this true??

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The "good for 6 months from entry" thing is only in Europe. On most Caribbean islands that are visited by cruise ships a passport is good until it expires. To use a passport to re-enter the US, it must be valid, not expired.

 

Four Swampers

Picture is Disney Wonder at Cabo San Lucas

Joined

Feb 7, 2012

• Mar 2, 2015

• #3

PrincessShmoo said:

The "good for 6 months from entry" thing is only in Europe. On most Caribbean islands that are visited by cruise ships a passport is good until it expires. To use a passport to re-enter the US, it must be valid, not expired.

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Exactly. When you come in by cruise ship, you will have no problem. When you fly into a foreign country, that country often wants you to have passports valid for six months.

You will be fine in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

 

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peachypowell

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jan 26, 2015

• Mar 2, 2015

• #4

Thanks! Typing on my phone and just realized I should have said it will expire. It is valid now. My stress level just spiked!! Glad to know we are ok.

 

SillyInventor

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 31, 2013

• Mar 3, 2015

• #5

Reason for this is that the foreign country wants to be sure you are able to return to your home country. If you are forced to stay in the foreign country longer than expected, like medical or logistical reasons they do not want to risk your pasport expired in the meantime. That might prevent you from rentering your home country. Some countries have bilateral agreements to accept a pasport until six months after expiration to prevent this situation.

 

lizzyb

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 8, 2007

• Mar 3, 2015

• #6

I've heard of the 6mth rule and we are travelling from Canada. Not sure if it's right or wrong but we are renewing our passport just in case.

 

krisinparis

Mouseketeer

Joined

Mar 1, 2014

• Mar 3, 2015

• #7

I just had this come up as well. We are going to Costa Rica in 2 weeks and our passports expire in about 7 weeks. I went to the State Department site and it says that for Costa Rica passports only need to be good for duration of your stay. You could probably look up each country that you will visit on the cruise and see what their rules are if it gives you peace of mind;however, once on board we have never had our passports looked at!

 

disneyfaninaz

It takes faith, trust & pixie dust!

Joined

Apr 19, 2007

• Mar 3, 2015

• #8

Canada does not require 6 month expiration from visit, it only needs to be valid at time of visit. Norway and Copenhagen only require 3 months.

 

Last edited: Mar 3, 2015

Flossbolna

Sea days are just so relaxing!

Joined

Sep 8, 2006

• Mar 3, 2015

• #9

disneyfaninaz said:

Norway and Copenhagen require only require 3 months.

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Well, both Norway and Denmark are Schengen countries (despite Norway not being an EU member state), so the general Schengen rules apply and they state:

If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:

• valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
• which was issued within the previous 10 years

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Source: http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

So, it is 3 months after your planned departure date. Since you can stay for up to 3 months, the longest allowed period of staying in the country and the three months of validity are being added up to those 6 months that have been previously referenced.

I guess, if you don't want to argue with a border official (or the airline check in person, as far as I know the airlines are being charged for people that they transport without valid travel documents) that you are definitely leaving in two weeks and not staying any longer, it is better to have a passport that is valid for 6 months at the day of entry.

 

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JTBE

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 6, 2014

• Mar 5, 2015

• #10

Our family all have passports but our friends who are going on the DIS cruise with us do not have passports. They thought their birth certificates would suffice for the Caribbean such as Grand Caymans. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

lanejudy

Moderator

Moderator

Joined

Oct 27, 2011

• Mar 5, 2015

• #11

JTBE said:

Our family all have passports but our friends who are going on the DIS cruise with us do not have passports. They thought their birth certificates would suffice for the Caribbean such as Grand Caymans. Does anyone know if this is true?

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That is true. The current DCL itineraries in the Caribbean do not require a Passport for U.S. residents. Passports are recommended, but they will be allowed to use official birth certificates (with seal, hologram or whatever their state uses to designate official) plus those age 16+ will need a government-issued photo ID.

Enjoy your cruise!