That vacation you have been dreaming of is finally on the horizon! But this one is different, maybe even special. This isn’t a few hours’ drive from home, or even just a few states away. No, this one is taking you to international destinations. But what does that mean? Sure it means you’ll get to experience new cultures, learn about new customs, and, especially, try new, more flavorful food (ceviche seaside in Cozumel is a new level compared to your favorite local authentic Mexican restaurant). Whether this is your first time traveling outside of the United States, or maybe it’s just been a little while since the last time you ventured across the border, it’s probably a great idea to brush up on the changes involved in international travel now.
Let’s start with the basics first: Do I need a passport to travel? The short answer is yes, all international travel requires a valid US passport for every member of your travel party, including children. This makes perfect sense in most cases, like air travel for example. But cruising adds a little hiccup to the discussion. If you are cruising on a closed loop (meaning that your sailing begins and ends at the same US port) then you are only required to provide a birth certificate and valid driver’s license for each member of your traveling party. A key point on this is the closed loop aspect. If your sailing ends at a different port from its origin, then you will need a passport. With that in mind, we at Magnolia and Palm Travel always recommend having a passport in the event of an emergency (such as an illness that requires you to leave the ship for treatment) to help prevent complications on your return.
Now that we have answered if you need a passport, the next step is to address how you get your passport. The first step is to complete the application, which can be done online, or the old-fashioned way, by hand.
- To fill out the application online, visit U.S. State Department and use the Passport Application Wizard to walk through the process. Passport applications cannot currently be submitted online. Once you’ve completed the application you can print it out and take it to the passport acceptance facility. DO NOT sign the application. Applications must be signed in the presence of a Passport Office employee.
- If you prefer to fill out the application by hand, download the passport application form (DS-11) and instructions from the U.S. State Department website, or you can go to your local passport acceptance facility to pick up a copy. Same rule applies here: DO NOT sign the application until instructed to do so in the presence of a Passport Office employee.
After completing the application, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with the nearest passport acceptance facility. You can check with your local municipality for available appointments or check with the USPS for availability as well. When arriving for your appointment be sure to bring the following documents with you:
- Completed passport application.
- An original proof of citizenship document.
- An acceptable photo ID document.
- A photocopy of the front and back of the citizenship document and photo ID document.
- Passport photo.
- Payment (calculate your passport fees).
Typically, once all documents are provided and the application has been accepted you can expect a turnaround time of about 10 – 12 weeks. If you are closer to your travel dates you can expedite the process when submitting your payment, this shortens the window for approval to 4 – 6 weeks.
Now that the process has been explained I hope you make it happen. Regardless of how many trips you may plan, or whether it’s a cruise or a flight to another country, it never hurts to have a passport as another formal method of identity verification. And maybe just having one will encourage you to travel abroad, if for no other reason than to collect those entry stamps! Cheers to your next vacation, and I hope we get to travel the MaP together!
