Sandy

I'm posting this on the Cruise forum because I know that someone here will know the answer. My passport will expire six months after my dates of travel. Someone told me that I should renew it before I go -- that there's some sort of rule that your passport has to be good for the whole year. I don't know. Sounds loony to me! Should I worry?

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi Sandy,<BR><BR>Depends on where you are going.<BR><BR>Paul

Theresa

Some countries require your passport to be valid for several months after your trip.<BR><BR>One of the reasons is if you are involved in a serious car accident in a foreign country that requires a couple of months of hospitalization. If your passport expires while you are being hospitalized - this presents a problem getting you home. Then the embassies have to get involved, etc. . . <BR><BR>If I was travelling to a place like eastern or western caribbean, I would think you would be safe as long as you also brought along a birth certificate . . .. <BR><BR>But if I were you - just apply for a new passport. You will probably end up buying another one anyway, renewal prices are less then purchasing a brand new one, etc. . <BR><BR>I would just to be safe .

Gail

If there's not a passport office near you, you can download a renewal application and print it out. You then mail your old passport, two new passport pictures, and the application. I had my new passport in less than two weeks.

Jack Sigano

The rule about a passport being good for more than 6 months when traveling is aimed more at land tours. For a cruise ship you can usually get by with just proper I.D. such as a birth certificate. You will not be required to show proper I.D. other than your ships card while in ports. However I echo the other folks advice that there is nothing better and easier to travel with than a valid passport.

Canam

A passport is not a choie or preference when visiting most destinations. The Caribbean is probably the exception but probably not for long.