Passport

[Disney721]

Do we need or should we all get Passports before we go on a 5 day cruise to the Bahamas?
Thanks!

 

[erionm]

Under normal conditions, you don't need a passport for a Bahamas cruise if you are a US citizen. If you had to fly home for any reason, you would need then need a passport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do we need or should we all get Passports before we go on a 5 day cruise to the Bahamas?
Thanks!

Well, assuming that you are all US citizens, the previous poster is correct. The minimum requirement for a closed loop cruise(beginning and ending in the same US port) for US citizens is a birth certificate plus (for those 16 and older) a government issued photo ID.

Chances of you needing to fly home from a foreign port are slim, but if necessary, you do need a passport (book).

 

[bumbershoot]

My family has passports for when we leave the country. Makes us happy. (Also means that if we suddenly won a trip somewhere international leaving tomorrow, we could go)

 

[Mr. Green]

I would suggest getting them, you never know. Beside, they are good for years and well worth the investment using them now or maybe later.

 

[Quellman]

Passports can also be used for domestic flights if you decide to not comply with the REAL ID act of 2005.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Passport on a closed loop cruise in the Caribbean is not required but it would be if you were to need to fly back to the US from a foreign country. Maybe if you decide not to get them, keep contact info for the US Consulate in Bahamas in case of emergency.

 

[Amanda129]

I'd strongly encourage you to have passports, just in case. Like others have said, if you need to fly home for any reason, you'll need them to re-enter the U.S., and you never know when the travel regulations will change. (Which reminds me that I need to send mine in for renewal...)

 

[DisneyMom111]

We are doing a Bahamas cruise too and decided it was better to have them just for the peace of mind. Better have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

We are doing a Bahamas cruise too and decided it was better to have them just for the peace of mind. Better have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them.

Same here! I hesitated strictly due to the initial cost, but as others have pointed out, we're good to go for quite a while now. I'm also one of those people that probably would have stressed about not having them while on the cruise, so it was definitely worth the peace of mind for me.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would never leave the country without a passport. The cost may seem high but they are good for 10 years. Our daughter has had one since she was one year old. And I got our grand kids passports during their first year. We have traveled all over the world not just on cruises. But I encourage every one to get one and keep it active. You just never know when a great opportunity presents itself and you are ready to go!

 

[erionm]

The cost may seem high but they are good for 10 years.

5 years for children under the age of 16.

 

[over50visits]

Some frequent/world travelers here recommend a passport so they're ready to go; others recommend one for peace of mind. Both are good advice.

But, I guess MANY thousands of US citizens cruise the Bahamas/Caribbean daily without a passport. It is true that if you need to unexpectedly fly back to the US for whatever reason you will need a passport.

So, two options: Spend the money, get one now, consider it peace of mind insurance. Or, take your birth certificate and government ID, and you will almost certainly be fine. If you do have some emergency come up, the US embassy can issue "emergency passports." For example, the US Embassy in The Bahamas states they will issue one in 30 minutes during normal business hours, or 24 hours a day emergency passports for genuine emergencies.

Both options work. Getting one now when you don't need it is kind of like paying for insurance; on the small chance you need one you avoid the higher expense and minor hassle of going to the embassy to get one.