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Does a minor need a passport for a cruise to the Bahamas?

by Joe
(Ohio)

Question: My daughter will be 13 at the time of travel. We will be leaving Florida and going on a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas. We will then be returning to Florida.


See also: Passports for Cruises

Answer: There are a few things that you need to consider when taking a cruise.

1. Exiting and Re-entering the U.S.

According to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Land and Sea Final Rule, U.S. citizens on “closed-loop” cruises are not subject to the same documentary requirements. A closed-loop cruise is one that begins and ends at the same port in the U.S.

If your family will be on a closed-loop cruise then you can exit and re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 only needs to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

If the cruise is not closed-loop then a passport will be necessary.

2. Entering and Departing Foreign Countries

While U.S. citizens who go on a closed-loop cruise do not need a passport to exit or re-enter the United States, you may still be required to present a passport when you dock at a foreign port, depending on the islands or countries that your cruise ship is visiting.

The Bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship and identity in order to enter The Bahamas. If the cruise ship will dock at any other country, you need to check the foreign entry requirements.

3. Cruise Line Requirements

Due to the progressive implementation and occasional modification of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, there is sometimes confusion concerning what the requirements are. Some cruise lines require all passengers to possess a valid passport. You should check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops you’ll be making on your cruise.

Return to Passports for Cruises.

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UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:

Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.

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