Passports Expiration Dates?

[TiggerzFan]

My neighbor is going on the May 7th, 2005 Western cruise, their first Disney Cruise. She and DH have passports valid through September 2005. Her Travel Agent informed her that they'll need to get their passports renewed prior to the cruise because they'll expire within 6 months of their travel dates??
Has anyone heard of this? Aren't passports valid up through their expiration date?

 

[ivanova]

the TA is correct - many foreign countries (thus cruiselines) require passports be more than 6 months from their exp date - so if they are using their passports as ID, they need to be 6 months from their exp date (so in their case, renewed) or they probably won't be able to accept them as valid ID.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

My son's passport expires in June '06 and we sail in May '06. I was told that we could still use his passport as ID (and this is with a pic of him as an infant). So which one is it?

 

[LissafromSJ]

Having just gotten our passports, I asked many questions and was told the same thing as the previous poster about renewing them well before their expiration date. The woman where I got the passports told me that many countries can refuse to accept a passport that has less 6 months left on it. I would always be on the safe side and renew it before going. Melissa

 

[HooKooDooKu]

My son's passport expires in June '06 and we sail in May '06. I was told that we could still use his passport as ID (and this is with a pic of him as an infant). So which one is it?

I believe the Passport can be used as legal photo ID until it's expiration date.

What appears to be the issue is that if you need a passport to enter a foreign country, that country can/will refuse to accept your passport for entry into their country if it is set to expire within the next 6 months.

Think of it as a country doesn't want to risk you still being in their borders when your passport expires (could happen if you fell ill while in their country).

So in the case of a Disney Cruise, since they don't sail to any countries that require a Passport (let's exclude the repo cruises since there seems to be some debate about that), I would think that you can bring your passport as photo id without renewing it. But you might need to bring your Birth Certificate as well so that you fall in DCL's guide lines of Birth Certificate and PhotoID.

The only flaw in this logic is if the U.S. doesn't consider the passport to be valid photo id 6 months before the expiration date. But if that was the case, then why the @#!! do they set the expiration date 10 years out. Might as well just be 9.5 years out.

 

[ivanova]

....let's exclude the repo cruises since there seems to be some debate about that

FYI - I have actually called the embassies/consulates for Mexico & Curacao, both told me that I do not need a passport, visa or tourist card if I am visiting their country by cruise ship (I'll be on the August repo cruise).

 

[DrCavin]

The only flaw in this logic is if the U.S. doesn't consider the passport to be valid photo id 6 months before the expiration date. But if that was the case, then why the @#!! do they set the expiration date 10 years out. Might as well just be 9.5 years out.

I was thinking the samething... why even have a expiration date X if it is really X - 6 months??

 

[videogal1]

I was thinking the samething... why even have a expiration date X if it is really X - 6 months??

Because they can.

 

[DrCavin]

Because they can.

True Dat!!! As much as I do think that in a few years you will be required to have a passport to leave/enter the US, I can't imagine what a PITA (Pain In The ****) it is going to be.. You know nothing that ever starts out as a good idea, ever turns out to be a good thing for us....

 

[banderson]

We cruised in February and my Canadian passport was to expire 10 days after our return to port. The six-month rule is true in many countries, but I had no problem on the Western route with DCL. I would be surprised if any US or Canadian citizen had a problem resulting from the 6-month rule for a cruise out of the USA/Canada.

I wouldn't consider going to Europe or Asia with a near-expiration passport though 'cause you'll be guaranteed a very short stay!