June

We just booked on the March 31 sailing.<BR>My husband and I both have passports that don't expire for two more years but our daughter's passport expires one month after our return. Where is the BEST and most DEFINITE place to check if her passport will be okay.<BR>Thanks for your help.

Theresa

Is a passport required for Republic of Kiribati? If a passport is not required - I would just make sure that you have a birth certificate. If it is required - I would have it renewed right away and pay for expediated service. You should get it within a week that way.<BR><BR>Some countries do not allow you to travel to their country if your passport is about to expire for several reasons. One would be if your daughter becomes sick and needs to be hospitalized in their country. If the hospitalization extends your stay there and your passport expires - there are so many problems getting you back home, etc. . . <BR><BR>Here is some info for you on contacting Kiribati:<BR><BR>ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and visa are required. Visa requirements include one application form, two photos and a fee. There is no Embassy of Kiribati in the United States. For information on entry requirements, please contact the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kiribati, Suite 503, 850 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, telephone (808) 529-7703; fax (808)521-8304. For visa or other information, travelers may consult the Consular Section of the nearest British embassy or consulate. The British Embassy in the United States is located at 3100 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008. The telephone number is (202) 588-7800. <BR><BR>This was on the state department's page. I accessed it through a website off of a local TA's site:<BR><BR>http://executivetravel.com/resourcelib/statedepartment.html<BR><BR>Next, click on K and you can find info about Kiribati.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Tracey

WHen you say Kiribati are you referring to christmas island? If so you may want to read the postings on this site labeled Crown Princess/Hawaii-Tahiti, warnings, questions, advice. It gives some interesting information about visits (or lack of visits) to Christmas Island. Keep us posted on how your trip to this location goes!

Theresa

Ohh .. I didn't realize that Kirbati was Christmas island.<BR><BR>Princess seems to be skipping this port lately.

Paul Therault

Kiribati is an island republic of which Fanning Island (NCL port) and Christmas Island (Princess port) is two of their 33 atolls.<BR><BR>Paul

John

Foreign flag carriers like the cruise lines need to stop at some foreign port on itineraries beginning and ending in US waters due to the Jones Act (which explains Vancouver departures to Alaska or Victoria stops on Seattle departures.) The Kiribati atolls mentioned are the closest foreign ports to Hawaii. By the way, it's pronounced "kireebass."

Paul Therault

Yes, cruising to Fanning Island is a big waste of time. And often you do not port due to the high seas. NCL still does not have it together for many of their ports. They are having big problems. They are planning to build their own port ferries but they are no where near ready.<BR><BR>If Congress gets rid of the old Jones Act you will see may cruise lines sailing the Hawaii itinerary year round.<BR><BR>Paul

Blue Eyes

Paul, <BR><BR>I have to comment....I really like what you have to say. I've read posting after posting, and your reply's are really top notch. <BR><BR>I do have a question for you...with regards to the statement 'NCL still does not have it together for many of their ports'....can you please explain what you mean. <BR><BR>I am booked on a NCL cruise for Hawaii this October (for my honeymoon), and it will be my first time in Hawaii. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Also, are the waves at this time of year and location really that bad?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Laura

If you're cruising with Norwegian, only a passport is required, not a visa also. Most passports must be between 3-6 months valid pass the return date.

Paul Therault

Hi Blue Eyes,<BR><BR>Thanks for the kind words. Seas can be rough and seas can be calm. Best to order the "patch" from your physician. He can call it into your pharmacy. Remember you must follow the instructions. Now that takes care of the seas questions. <BR><BR>No matter how the itinerary changes and ports are missed you will still have a cruise. Now, what can be a better homeymoon than cruising? Days at sea you can hole up in your cabin all day and order room service. Look out the window once in a while and enjoy the change of scenery. Much better than vegging out at a resort. There is also plenty to do on a ship. Be sure to enter the Newlywed game show.<BR><BR>My opinion entirely.<BR><BR>Best wishes and have a wonderful life together.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul Therault

Passports are not required for this trip. Even an expired passport is OK. The cruise line or airline will only need a picture and a true date of birth for citizenship. No picture ID is necessary for children.<BR><BR>Paul

Blue Eyes

Paul, <BR><BR>Thanks again for the information! I really do appreciate it. <BR><BR>As for cruising, I do agree, that nothing beats it. I've been on several cruises, and if the itinerary's changed, or there's a line up for something, or the cabin appears too small...it's just dealt with. Nothing compares to visiting a different destination everyday, and sampling gourmet meals, meeting fascinating people from all over the world, and just enjoying the time away. <BR><BR>I am one of the people who make the best of a situation, and hey, at least I'm on vacation...no point in complaining about it, as it was my choice to cruise and sometimes we have to deal with these slight inconveniences while aboard the ship.<BR><BR>For the honeymoon, I'm actually spending a week in Honalulu, then doing the cruise the second week, so I am very much looking forward to it, and whether or not there is wave motion, or whether or not I disembark at Kiribati, is no big deal...at least we're away, enjoying time together, meeting wonderful people, in a nice warm climate. <BR><BR>(Paul, are you an agent in Canada by any chance?) <BR><BR>

Laura

Hate to insist here but a passport is definetly required for passengers cruising the seven day Hawaii on the Norwegian Star and it's only because of the stop on Fanning Island.

Peter

Darn it Laura - you beat me to the punch. I love it when Paul opens mouth and inserts foot. I don't get it why these readers believe he some kind of infalable travel god. YES PAUL, A PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR THE NORWEGIAN STAR. I was booked on her for the June 9 sailing but cancelled due to her tendering and food problems. I don't need to pay $600-$700 for airfare to just sail around the Pacific Ocean.<BR><BR>Paul - keep making those ridiculous statements of fact, because I'm watching! (smile)

Paul Therault

Sorry I made a mistake. I am not <BR>God you know. I was being presumptuous since most all ships that sail within U.S. territories have passengers registered as U.S. citizens on the ship with ship documents. Ports such as those within Columbia, Venezuela and Costa Rica for example. <BR><BR>I'll eat dirt on this one .... and continue to stay away from NCL.<BR><BR>Paul

John M.

Paul,<BR><BR>Wrong again. I work for the U.S. Immigration Service and do passport inspections every Friday on the Star in Kahului. Passports are NOT required to visit Fanning Island - but they ARE required to re-enter the United States of America. Where so you get all this crazy mis-information?<BR>By the way, the Fanning Island tenders that you said are not nearly ready have been operating since early March. I hear that they can get over 2500 passengers ashore in less than 90 minutes. Not bad.

Bob

Paul when have you not been presumptious?

Laura

I just returned from the May 5 Hawaii/Fanning Island NCL Star sailing. <BR><BR>Fanning Island was incredible. In fact, it was the best port we stopped at. Amazingly beautiful, people living in grass shacks, wonderfully sweet and happy children, I could go on and on. <BR><BR>It absolutely was NOT a waste of time. I wish I could go back and see more of it.<BR><BR>Please remember to bring gifts of toys and things to the children. <BR><BR>Please also check out cruisecritic.com to see more reports on the Star and on Fanning Island. You can do a search there.<BR><BR>Our friends had to rush to get a passport as an agent at NCL insisted they needed one to re-enter the U.S. And that is the official truth. <BR><BR>However, while we were at the original check-in, several people came to board and they had NO passports. They were allowed to board if they had their original birth certificates.

Patty

I was on the Star's April 28th sailing, booked last minute, and was told by NCL that a passport was definitely required AND that it had to have 6 months validity. One person in our party had a passport which was due to expire in June and to be on the safe side, she had her renewal expedited at the passport office in LA. But I have heard from others who've sailed recently that their passport (with less than 6 months validity) was OK. Perhaps John M. can clarify regarding the 6 months validity issue.