I have had my passport for 17 years. If it wasn’t for my birthday trip to Costa Rica, I don’t know when I would have applied for one. At the time I purchased my plane ticket, a government-issued ID and a birth certificate were all that was required. If it had not been for the friend I was visiting, I would not have known that a passport was required by my departure date. It cost me $300+ for a last-minute passport because I was not able to drive to the nearest location and apply in person. Please don’t be me! Get a passport before you need it.
When will a passport be helpful?
Last Minute International Travel
Suppliers sometimes offer great savings on international travel. They are wanting to fill up the space on a scheduled tour/vacation package. Some of these include multiple destinations. These vacation tours provide you the opportunity to cross a few of your international destinations off your travel wish list. If you are going to fly that far, why not make it a multi-stop?!
Cruising
While passports are not required on closed-loop cruises (starts and ends at the same US port), it is recommended that you cruise with one. These are a few examples of when you will need a passport while cruising:
- Medical Emergency: Travelers can be in the best of health but sometimes require medical attention while docked in an international port. Unfortunately, accidents can also happen. If admitted to the local hospital, they may miss boarding the ship onto the next port or back to the United States. Once discharged and without a passport, they are stuck in that country until they acquire a passport. The US Embassy or Consulate should be contacted in order to apply for a passport while out of the country. They can assist with applying for a temporary passport (Limited Validity Passport).
- Countries Requiring Passports: There are a few Caribbean countries that require a passport to enter the country, even when cruising. Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti (excluding Royal Caribbean’s island Labadee), Martinique, St. Bart’s, and Trinidad and Tobago all require a passport to enter the country while cruising. If you are planning to visit these countries, be sure to allow time to acquire a passport.
- Mechanical Issues: In the event the ship experiences engine failure, guests may be required to return to the home port in the United States. United States will not permit you to enter the country without a passport. The US Embassy or Consulate will assist with a temporary passport (Limited Validity Passport).
- Open-Loop Cruise: One-way cruises require a passport. These cruises start and ends in at a different port. Boarding will be denied.
Domestic Travel:
If your government-issued ID is not RealID compliant, a passport is one of the accepted alternate IDs. REMINDER: Beginning October 1, 2020, to fly on domestic flights, passengers 18+ must have a RealID compliant government-issued ID. Compliant IDs have a star at the top.
I travel frequently using my passport. I ensure it stays valid, even if I have no upcoming international travel plans. Applying for a passport is one of the best decisions I have made. I have taken a few land vacations to Caribbean and European countries. My list of countries to visit is so long. I don’t know if I will be able to visit all of them. I will not stop trying to fit them into my schedule!
