Am I interpreting this correctly re: travelling when passports expire within 6 months?

peacefrogdog

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We are travelling on a cruise departing from Port Canaveral this December 27th, that stops in the Bahamas (CocoCay and Nassau).

My kids passports expire Apr 25, 2022. I know that the US says that as a general rule that passports should expire 6 months or later from the date of entry. However they list countries from whom they extend passport validity for an additional six months beyond expiry, that includes Canada:

https://fam.state.gov/searchapps/viewer?format=html&query=d&links=D&url=/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040309.html

Am I interpreting correctly that, based on this, we should be ok with our current passports in order to enter both the US and the Bahamas?
 
For the US sure, the Bahamas? I think it's the 6 month rule, based on the Government of Canada site in regards to travel to the Bahamas. But I am not sure you need to show it there when you cruise, unless of course something happens.
 
I’ve been on a number of cruises. I believe the cruise company will not allow you to board unless your passports meet the requirements of all the countries the ship visits. The fine print of your cruise contract will state that it is solely the passenger’s responsibility to find out what is required for each country and comply with all the regulations. Please ensure the passports are correct.
 
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Just checked the wording of RCL’s cruise ticket.
Section 9. Passenger’s obligation to comply with agreement, applicable laws, and rules of carrier; quarantine; indemnification:
Para. b. “Passengers are solely responsible to maintain in their possession all passports, visas and other travel documents required for embarkation, travel and disembarkation at all ports of call. Passengers assume full responsibility to determine through their travel agent or the appropriate government authority the necessary documents. Passenger agrees to provide to Carrier (at Carrier’s reasonable request) any travel documents. Carrier shall return such travel documents to Passenger by no later than the end of the Cruise.”
 
Yes, technically, that's still the Bahamas because the cruise line leases the property from the government.
Yes. The Bahamas government used to require every passenger to complete a hard copy immigration form before the ship was allowed to disembark passengers. The last time I was there, the form was digital.
 














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