Going on a cruise to the Bahamas leaving tomorrow morning, have passport question!!?
OK, the correct answer is. NO you will not need a passport to board the ship (Gov’t issued photo ID,i..e, driver license and birth certificate); nor will you need a passport to get off the ship in the Bahamas. You cruise ship issued “cruise card” will serve as your ID in all of your ports for disembarking and embarking. In essence, the cruise line will verify your identification before you get on ship and make that information available to officials in all ports, including when you get back to the US. Now, there is one exception which will be a problem for you if it occurs. You do not need a passport for any cruises leaving from a US port. But if you get sick, have an accident that requires you to fly back to the US you will need a passport. Since you don’t have one I have no idea what US officials would do.
