Mexican Cruise
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31
Mexican Cruise
I'm a new US citizen who has just applied for her US Passport. Unfortunately hadn't realized how long it takes to issue these - I was told to expect it in four-to-six weeks if I'm lucky.
So, we're booked on a Mexican Cruise in March. We're not flying anywhere - driving to LA, picking up the boat there and doing a round trip of the Mexican Riviera and landing back in LA.
IF I don't have my US passport, and have to use my UK one, is there likely to be a problem re-entering LA from a cruise-ship? Do I even need to show a passport at this point? I know I need one for the cruise, just in case I have to be taken off-ship (in medical emergency etc).
Does anyone have any experience of this? Or any advice? Please?
So, we're booked on a Mexican Cruise in March. We're not flying anywhere - driving to LA, picking up the boat there and doing a round trip of the Mexican Riviera and landing back in LA.
IF I don't have my US passport, and have to use my UK one, is there likely to be a problem re-entering LA from a cruise-ship? Do I even need to show a passport at this point? I know I need one for the cruise, just in case I have to be taken off-ship (in medical emergency etc).
Does anyone have any experience of this? Or any advice? Please?
#2
Re: Mexican Cruise
I'm a new US citizen who has just applied for her US Passport. Unfortunately hadn't realized how long it takes to issue these - I was told to expect it in four-to-six weeks if I'm lucky.
So, we're booked on a Mexican Cruise in March. We're not flying anywhere - driving to LA, picking up the boat there and doing a round trip of the Mexican Riviera and landing back in LA.
IF I don't have my US passport, and have to use my UK one, is there likely to be a problem re-entering LA from a cruise-ship? Do I even need to show a passport at this point? I know I need one for the cruise, just in case I have to be taken off-ship (in medical emergency etc).
Does anyone have any experience of this? Or any advice? Please?
So, we're booked on a Mexican Cruise in March. We're not flying anywhere - driving to LA, picking up the boat there and doing a round trip of the Mexican Riviera and landing back in LA.
IF I don't have my US passport, and have to use my UK one, is there likely to be a problem re-entering LA from a cruise-ship? Do I even need to show a passport at this point? I know I need one for the cruise, just in case I have to be taken off-ship (in medical emergency etc).
Does anyone have any experience of this? Or any advice? Please?
Checking in for the cruise was also similar to airline check in - they checked our passports and looked at our L1/2 visas to make sure we would be able to re-enter the US.
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Mexican Cruise
Ian
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,248
Re: Mexican Cruise
If you carry your UK passport and US naturalization certificate they'll have to let you in, although you may be given a fine.
#5
Re: Mexican Cruise
My observation suggests they speed up new citizen applications too.
#6
Re: Mexican Cruise
I recently renewed mine and got the standard 4 to 6 weeks wait time. Had it within 3 weeks of ordering it via mail.
#7
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: Mexican Cruise
There are some exceptions to the passport requirement for "Closed Loop" cruises. See if this information is useful to you:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/in...d_loop_faq.xml
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...go/sea_travel/
It says people can travel with US birth certificates, but it's not clear on natz certificates. The cruise line will be able to tell you.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/in...d_loop_faq.xml
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...go/sea_travel/
It says people can travel with US birth certificates, but it's not clear on natz certificates. The cruise line will be able to tell you.
#8
Re: Mexican Cruise
I applied for my first US passport 3rd December and had it back in under 2 weeks
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31
Re: Mexican Cruise
Thanks for all the help and information. I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope that the passport turns up in time! I'll let you know how it goes.....
#10
Re: Mexican Cruise
There was a thread recently by someone in a similar situation but he had to travel to Canada on business. When going through US Immigration he was sent to secondary and told not to try to enter the US again without a US PP or he would be fined.
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: Mexican Cruise
As has been said if there's no land stops on this cruise, you're deemed to have never left the US though.
#15
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: Mexican Cruise
This person will likely get the passport on time. The cruise company knows the answer to this question.