Passport Renewal question

[Dug720]

I just got notification that my DR cruise on fathom will now include a stop at Santiago de Cuba. Yay!!

Just like a regular fathom cruise to Cuba, they cover the visa fee (well, on a regular one it's rolled into the cruise costs - but on this one they're covering it since it's a late schedule change).

Looking at my passport, I'll be within 5 months of expiration in April and should really go ahead and get it renewed. But...

When I get back from my Magic cruise, it is EXACTLY 6 weeks until I'm on my next one.

I know they say regular processing is 4-6 weeks, but what are people's experiences with that timeframe - more on the earlier end or the later end? Should I just pay the $60 fee to expedite it?

eta: I'm still right at the 6-week mark if I did renewal as soon as I got back from Cuba this time before my February trip. So that's the same dilemma.

 

[shoes99]

I renewed mine when I got back from my Nov 15th cruise, renewed it by mail to Philadelphia
and got it back in 15 days. You might be lucky if you do it as soon as you get back. I might
go to a regional processing office if you have one near you.
Michele

 

[moosecrouse]

When I did mine over the summer I got it back in less then a month. That's being said if I was in your situation I would pay the fee to speed up the process. Would be more stressed about losing out on the next cruise then the money it would cost to speed up the process

 

[bumbershoot]

Is cuba requiring 6 months on the passport, and is it that same requirement for cruising?

Return times for passports really depends on what actual physical location your area uses and how long that one is taking.

 

[Dug720]

I will double check with fathom on this cruise - I'm good to go for the Christmas one. I know their recommendation is 6 months, but I'm not positive on the requirement.

 

[mhorgan65]

You can also go to a Passport facility run by the state department, if you want to expedite a passport. Same price as the mail in expedite and you can get one as long as you need to travel in 2-3 weeks. Appointments are required but it is really easy to get an appointment and proof of travel is required. I got mine at the San Diego facility and it was pretty easy other than it costing $60 more due to the expedite fee and they do take Credit Cards. Passport was ready just over 48 hours after my appointment, but I could not pick it up right away due to school. Other than that, I would recommend that, but I have heard that some people who get the non expedite processing getting them ahead of schedule.

 

[Deaconfan]

Just renewed ours this month and got new passports in just under three weeks without expedited service.

 

[Kaleea]

Directly from The US Travel webpage...

Must be valid at time of entry and must have 2 pages blank.

This webpage lists the info you were looking for... for instance, if you look at Italy, it states the passport must be valid for 6 months after your departure date.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba.html

 

[iivye]

I know the govt travel page doesn't mention a 3 month requirement but my uncle went to Cuba in Nov 2015 and he was not allowed to leave because his passport expired in less than 3 months. He had to get an emergency passport from the consulate to leave. Just renewed my daughter's passport on 12/10/16 and received the new one in the mail on 12/27/16 so it was a pretty quick turnaround.