Passport Required in cruises are designed for people who enjoy venturing off the beaten road and experiencing new places. Others are more concerned with leisure and less with visiting the attractions. Whichever type of traveler you are, it is likely that if you’ve chosen to cruise, you’ll need a passport to do so in 2023.
There will be new requirements in place by then as part of an initiative to boost security and streamline procedures for citizens traveling abroad. The good news is that there won’t be any major changes from current requirements so your sailing vacation shouldn’t be impacted.
What you need to know about the new passport rules
Like many other countries, the United States is introducing new requirements for travel documents to boost security and ease the burden on citizens traveling abroad. Starting in 2020, most citizens will need a passport to enter and leave the country. The good news is that there won’t be any major changes from current requirements so your sailing vacation shouldn’t be impacted. Dual-nationality passports will be required starting in 2020. This means that even if you’re a U.S. citizen who also has a valid passport from another country, you’ll need to get a new passport with the U.S. passport.
To apply for a new passport, you’ll need to visit a passport agency and submit an application, your passport photo and passport fee. All passports will continue to be issued by the U.S. Department of State and travel with a security feature that makes them difficult to counterfeit. New biometric passport requirements will start in 2021. This means that your passport will include new security features, including a digital photo, your signature, and your signature’s unique biometric signature. The photo will show a passport photo that’s also in your digital passport. Your signature will be digitally captured and stored as an image. Fulleur Schein (FS) or German passports will be required starting in 2022.
People with a German passport who wish to travel to the U.S. will need to apply for a U.S. visa before entering. If you have a German passport, you’ll need to apply for a new U.S. passport by 2022. Other passports, such as Dutch, French and other non-traditional passports, will have new requirements starting in 2023. These include collecting and storing biometric data, including a digital photo, signature and signature’s unique biometric signature. The new requirements will take effect in 2023.
New biometric passport requirements will start in 2021
As part of strengthening security and streamlining procedures for citizens traveling abroad, the U.S. Department of State will begin collecting biometric data from certain passports. This means that your passport will include new security features, including a digital photo, your signature, and your signature’s unique biometric signature.
The photo will show a passport photo that’s also in your digital passport. Your signature will be digitally captured and stored as an image. These new security measures are due to be implemented in 2021. They’ll be the same requirements for any passport, regardless of the country you’re applying for. This includes a digital photo, and a digital image of your signature. Biometric data will also be collected and stored in your passport.
Fulleur Schein (FS) or German passports will be required starting in 2022
If you have a German passport, you’ll need to apply for a new U.S. passport by 2022. This is a requirement for anyone with a German passport. Otherwise, you may use your German passport to enter the U.S. without a visa. You’ll need a valid U.S. visa to enter with a German passport after 2022. People with a German passport who wish to travel to the U.S. will need to apply for a U.S. visa before entering. If you have a German passport, you’ll need to apply for a new U.S. passport by 2022.
Other passports, such as Dutch and French, will have new requirements starting in 2023
These are not required for all citizens entering the country. Instead, these new requirements will apply only to certain non-traditional passports. This includes many passports previously issued by the Netherlands and France. These passports will need to include new security features, including a digital photo, signature and signature’s unique biometric signature.
The photo will show a passport photo that’s also in your digital passport. Your signature will be digitally captured and stored as an image. These new requirements will take effect in 2023. They’ll be the same requirements for any passport, regardless of the country you’re applying for. This includes a digital photo, and a digital image of your signature. Biometric data will also be collected and stored in your passport.
When is a passport required for cruises?
The new passport requirements don’t apply to all U.S. citizens when they travel. Citizens with a U.S. passport will still be allowed to use their passport for travel to Canada, Mexico and all other countries. The new passport rules are only for all other countries. This means that you’ll need a passport to enter countries where the U.S. doesn’t have diplomatic ties.
This includes all other countries in Europe and more than half of all countries in the rest of the world. The new passport rules are the same for all countries. This means that you will need a passport to enter the U.S., regardless if you travel to Europe or other parts of the world.
How to get a passport before your cruise vacation – Steps to take
There are two ways to apply for a new passport before your cruise vacation. You can apply in person at a U.S. Department of State passport agency, or you can apply online. In order to apply in person, you’ll need the following:
- Your valid passport – A photo of yourself that meets passport requirements
- A payment for your new passport fee
- Proof of citizenship – Proof of U.S. residency – Documentation showing your relationship to a U.S. citizen If you’re traveling to the U.S. before applying for a new passport, you’ll need to get a passport in your home country.
- You can apply for a new passport when you return to the U.S. If you don’t plan to travel to the U.S. before traveling on your cruise, you can apply for a new passport online. This will allow you to apply for a passport immediately and receive your passport in time for your cruise vacation.
