Renew Passport or Wait

[surran12]

Our cruise leaves January 27th from San Juan, and I thought my passport was good until July but that was my Wife's. My Passport expires April 6th. I was looking for some advice on whether I should expedite my renewal now or wait until after the cruise. I appreciate any advice or thoughts people have. Thank you!

 

[AgentMama]

I would call DCL, as long as they say you're okay, I would wait. If they say you need to renew, I would expedite.

 

[steves100]

I wouldnt chance it

 

[Karin1984]

I would read this thread, it might answer your question as well.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/passport-questions.3725825/

 

[jdb in AZ]

Are passports being renewed during the govt shutdown?

 

[mousefan73]

Are passports being renewed during the govt shutdown?

From what I have heard, no... I would not mess around sending my passport in for renewal unless I had to.

 

[lanejudy]

I think as long as your passport is valid for your specific dates of travel, you do not need to have any "extra" time before expiration. So you should be good for the cruise. Some countries require at least 6 months validity but I don't think that pertains to any of the DCL ports, at least not on that itinerary. Assuming you are a US resident, I don't think a passport is even required for that cruise since it's closed loop. I would wait and renew after the cruise.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Dug720]

Are passports being renewed during the govt shutdown?

From what I have heard, no... I would not mess around sending my passport in for renewal unless I had to.

Now THERE is a reason to get one - when the government is not shut down - if you have any thoughts of traveling outside the country. Imagine that you had the opportunity (or requirement if for work) to travel outside the country but couldn't go because you couldn't get a passport. If it had never come up, that's one thing - but if you'd done a closed-loop cruise from the US and not bothered...I'd be pretty mad at myself if that happened to me.

 

[rcchello]

Does your cruise require a passport? I know that if it is a one way cruise between San Juan and another port you need your passport, but if it is roundtrip starting and ending in San Juan you can use a birth certificate and Government issued photo ID https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/

Passport processing will continue during the shutdown https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...-services-during-lapse-of-appropriations.html

 

[surran12]

Ours is a closed loop cruise and it is not required. And I was told passports are still being issued just not in person at every location. However I will be waiting until after the cruise to go ahead and renew just to be safe. But I appreciate the advice of everyone who offered it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Some countries require at least 6 months validity but I don't think that pertains to any of the DCL ports, at least not on that itinerary.

Agreed. I don’t think that any ports a closed loop ever visits has that requirement for a cruise visitor.


If they were flying to Italy, yes, renew. But not a PR cruise that doesn’t even require passports.

 

[ChicosWife]

You should renew it. We were told that we may have issues travelling or getting on the boat if your passport is within 6 months of expiration.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You should renew it. We were told that we may have issues travelling or getting on the boat if your passport is within 6 months of expiration.

That's not true for the DCL Caribbean cruises. I believe the only port in Caribbean that requires 6 months is Belize (at least it used to be).

For the "typical" Caribbean round trip cruise, there's actually no passport requirement at all (legally). And if you do use a passport, it only has to be valid on the day you re-enter the US at the end of the cruise.

 

[ChicosWife]

That's not true for the DCL Caribbean cruises. I believe the only port in Caribbean that requires 6 months is Belize (at least it used to be).

For the "typical" Caribbean round trip cruise, there's actually no passport requirement at all (legally). And if you do use a passport, it only has to be valid on the day you re-enter the US at the end of the cruise.

Yes, TSA may still have an issue, should you need it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes, TSA may still have an issue, should you need it.

Yes, as noted, flying without a passport from a foreign port to US is going to be the issue, if you have to do that. But taking a roundtrip cruise out of the US in the Caribbean doesn't require a passport.

 

[ChicosWife]

Having a passport, while cruising, is like piece of mind for me. I know that it will suffice for all proof of identity/travel needs.

 

[Tasmen]

Are passports being renewed during the govt shutdown?

From what I read, the state department is NOT affected by the shutdown. I just sent ours in for renewal (by mail) as ours expire in January and we cruise in February. I also just checked the status of our renewals and it says be mailed by 1/5.

What *is* effected by the shutdown are government offices. If you need to go into an office to renew/get a new passport, THAT may not be possible. But renewal by mail? Totally possible.

 

[surran12]

Well in the end I went ahead and gambled and renewed it last Friday. I felt more comfortable just getting it done. I paid to expedite and I will received the tracking number for my new passport yesterday evening and I will receive it today by 3:00. I appreciate all the advice I received.

 

[ChicosWife]

Well in the end I went ahead and gambled and renewed it last Friday. I felt more comfortable just getting it done. I paid to expedite and I will received the tracking number for my new passport yesterday evening and I will receive it today by 3:00. I appreciate all the advice I received.

It's better to be safe, than sorry.

 

[JWG]

Good plan.