My parents are going on an Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle that leaves September 2nd. My dad just informed me that he has an expired passport. The trip is in 8.5 weeks.

Does anybody know how long its taking expedited passports to return right now? The website says 7-9 weeks. Are there any options for getting it done quickly. My parents live out in the boondocks so I'm just trying to help them out.

you are aware that Alaska is part of the US, right?

No luck on passports if you don't already have one. Its a **** show right now.

With that said, if it is roundtrip out of Seattle a passport is not needed (unless a specific cruise line requires it)

My wife got a passport in one day at one of the regional passport offices. You need to have travel booked within 2 weeks and then call them to find an appointment. I'd advise to just book a refundable ticket somewhere so you aren't up against the 2 week deadline for your actual trip.

Not true at all.

I'd you put it in expedited and don't have it back within 2 weeks of travel, contact your congressman and have them setup a congressional appointment.

Or you can hook refundable travel within 2 weeks, and do the same when they inform you there are no appointments available.

We've done this twice in 2 years and had passports in a day.

I did expedited back in March for a May wedding in Mexico. Expedited shipping to the passport office, expedited passport, and expedited return. They said up to 11 weeks but I think I got it back in about 6-7 weeks, so it is possible. But as mentioned, if you have travel booked within 2 weeks, you can get an in person appt and get it renewed the same day. Would recommend that rather than taking your chances with expediting the process.

JMac03 said:

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No luck on passports if you don't already have one. Its a **** show right now.

With that said, if it is roundtrip out of Seattle a passport is not needed (unless a specific cruise line requires it)

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I spoke to their cruise line today and they said it was needed (Princess Cruises). This is what I found on their website

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On select U.S. roundtrip (sometimes called "closed-loop") voyages, U.S. citizens ages 16 and above may also travel with an original or certified copy U.S. birth certificate (or U.S. Certificate of Naturalization if foreign born) presented together with a valid U.S. government-issued photo identification. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 and younger may travel with a birth certificate.

• Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
• Canada/New England roundtrip from New York
• Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale^, Galveston^ or New York (voyages that do not call to Martinque or Guadeloupe only)
• Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or Seattle
• Mexico roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco or San Diego

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I've pulled off getting my mom a passport in one day to get her on a flight to the UK about 5 years ago. It was a massive pain in the ass

let's back up a second...is it closed loop (i.e.leaving from and returning to seattle)?

if so, then a original copy of a birth certificate should suffice (as per the quote above). would he be able to get his hands on one?

might be cheaper/easier to go that route.

edit to add: this sounds like a 'cruise' not a 'cruisetour.' let me know if i'm mistaken. with cruises, an original birth certificate will suffice.

It is closed loop. Starts and ends in Seattle. I'm pretty sure my dad has his original BC.

What is the difference between a cruise and cruisetour? I was hung up on that

then he should be good with the bc.

a cruise tour is a land package added to the cruise.

link: http://www.alaska.org/advice/cruise-only-or-cruisetour

Generally, it's easier with a passport.

I'd still do the expedited application. Pretty sure you don't need to mail your birth certificate for renewal? If you do, I'd probably just hold off and use the birth certificate.

If you do the application and get within a couple weeks of the trip, they have options as listed above, mainly calling to get a same day appointment or contacting a representative.

JustPanda said:

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Not true at all.

I'd you put it in expedited and don't have it back within 2 weeks of travel, contact your congressman and have them setup a congressional appointment.

Or you can hook refundable travel within 2 weeks, and do the same when they inform you there are no appointments available.

We've done this twice in 2 years and had passports in a day.

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And recently our local congressman's office told my clients they can no longer assist. I'm seeing this much more the past 2-3 weeks with other travel agents as well. It is not completely impossible, but it is not going to be easy. I've had people cancel trips recently because they have exhausted all options.

wangus12 said:

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JMac03 said:

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No luck on passports if you don't already have one. Its a **** show right now.

With that said, if it is roundtrip out of Seattle a passport is not needed (unless a specific cruise line requires it)

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I spoke to their cruise line today and they said it was needed (Princess Cruises). This is what I found on their website

Quote:

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On select U.S. roundtrip (sometimes called "closed-loop") voyages, U.S. citizens ages 16 and above may also travel with an original or certified copy U.S. birth certificate (or U.S. Certificate of Naturalization if foreign born) presented together with a valid U.S. government-issued photo identification. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 and younger may travel with a birth certificate.

• Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
• Canada/New England roundtrip from New York
• Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale^, Galveston^ or New York (voyages that do not call to Martinque or Guadeloupe only)
• Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or Seattle
• Mexico roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco or San Diego

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I've pulled off getting my mom a passport in one day to get her on a flight to the UK about 5 years ago. It was a massive pain in the ass

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I don't think you need it on Princess roundtrip out of Seattle if it is a cruise only without staying on land in Alaska (that would be a one-way).

Princess freaking told me yesterday my client didn't need a passport for cruising out of VANCOUVER. I politely told them they absolutely did.

JMac03 said:

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JustPanda said:

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Not true at all.

I'd you put it in expedited and don't have it back within 2 weeks of travel, contact your congressman and have them setup a congressional appointment.

Or you can hook refundable travel within 2 weeks, and do the same when they inform you there are no appointments available.

We've done this twice in 2 years and had passports in a day.

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And recently our local congressman's office told my clients they can no longer assist. I'm seeing this much more the past 2-3 weeks with other travel agents as well. It is not completely impossible, but it is not going to be easy. I've had people cancel trips recently because they have exhausted all options.

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My wife had some friends have to cancel a trip because they waited for 4 months for her passport. And her congressman couldn't force her into any passport office.

There's got to be more to that story. I remember it and it's the only time I've ever heard of that happening. She must've had something that made that impossible.

gggmann said:

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My wife got a passport in one day at one of the regional passport offices. You need to have travel booked within 2 weeks and then call them to find an appointment. I'd advise to just book a refundable ticket somewhere so you aren't up against the 2 week deadline for your actual trip.

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Our trip is July 23. I called the regional office yesterday and they said call back Monday, July 10 to get an appointment to the Dallas office. I asked if we would be guaranteed a passport if we made the appointment and the guy told me "it's doable", but wouldn't guarantee it.

rlb28 said:

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gggmann said:

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My wife got a passport in one day at one of the regional passport offices. You need to have travel booked within 2 weeks and then call them to find an appointment. I'd advise to just book a refundable ticket somewhere so you aren't up against the 2 week deadline for your actual trip.

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Our trip is July 23. I called the regional office yesterday and they said call back Monday, July 10 to get an appointment to the Dallas office. I asked if we would be guaranteed a passport if we made the appointment and the guy told me "it's doable", but wouldn't guarantee it.

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If you can get an appointment, you'll get your passport the same day (or maybe next day if you have a late appointment). Our appointment was at 10am, and the passport was ready for pickup at 3pm. Fill out the application before you go, and make sure you bring the proof of citizenship, ID, and proof of travel within 14 days. Also, if they don't have open appointments in Dallas, then you can ask about other offices. I had a friend who ended up driving from Phoenix to El Paso to get theirs done.

AggieOO said:

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you are aware that Alaska is part of the US, right?

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This. Leaving from Seattle. Returning to Seattle. No passport needed.

The only way leaving Seattle and returning to Seattle works is if it is a US flagged vessel. Most cruise ships are not US Flagged. Otherwise, the Jones Act will not allow it. A lot of cruise ships stop in Victoria, Canada to include a foreign stop which then satisfies the Jones Act, even if they are then going on to Seattle. Might be why they need a passport.

CapeAggie89 said:

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The only way leaving Seattle and returning to Seattle works is if it is a US flagged vessel. Most cruise ships are not US Flagged. Otherwise, the Jones Act will not allow it. A lot of cruise ships stop in Victoria, Canada to include a foreign stop which then satisfies the Jones Act, even if they are then going on to Seattle. Might be why they need a passport.

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You don't need a passport to stop in Victoria unless the cruise line requires. Round-trip cruises out of the US generally do not need passports unless they are visiting certain southern Caribbean islands or a few select other places.

Yeah…US flagged vessel or not is irrelevant. Closed loop out of US means no passport required.

But, as I said earlier, it's usually easier with a passport. We recently did a cruise and if you have a passport it's all facial ID stuff and no lines. If you have a birth certificate you have to go to separate lines for them to be checked.

JMac03 said:

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JustPanda said:

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Not true at all.

I'd you put it in expedited and don't have it back within 2 weeks of travel, contact your congressman and have them setup a congressional appointment.

Or you can hook refundable travel within 2 weeks, and do the same when they inform you there are no appointments available.

We've done this twice in 2 years and had passports in a day.

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And recently our local congressman's office told my clients they can no longer assist. I'm seeing this much more the past 2-3 weeks with other travel agents as well. It is not completely impossible, but it is not going to be easy. I've had people cancel trips recently because they have exhausted all options.

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My wife had to cancel an Alaskan cruise with my son and her mom because my son's passport didn't come back in time. Was supposed to fly out tomorrow....expedited since April and still don't have it.

Out of Seattle roundtrip? What cruise line?

No theirs was out of Vancouver

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/08/1186372900/canceled-trips-and-no-refunds-passport-delays-are-derailing-travelers

So buddy decided he wants to go to Mexico for his bachelor party after all and it's looking like we're leaving in 10 weeks.

They SAY 7-9 weeks but from what I'm reading on this thread I'm better off renewing at an agency office once I get to within 14 days of travel.

There's a 99% chance there won't be any availability for the whole country when trying to make the appointment. They make it seem like one's guaranteed, but they aren't. Probs best bet is booking refundable within 14 days and trying each day to get a reservation and just moving and rebooking the trip out as needed to keep trying.

Sucks the congressional loophole is closed. That was the jam.

So doing it this way can you get by with just a flight confirmation or do I need to book a refundable hotel as well?

Flight

JustPanda said:

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There's a 99% chance there won't be any availability for the whole country when trying to make the appointment. They make it seem like one's guaranteed, but they aren't. Probs best bet is booking refundable within 14 days and trying each day to get a reservation and just moving and rebooking the trip out as needed to keep trying.

Sucks the congressional loophole is closed. That was the jam.

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We called Monday monrning (July 10) and got an appointment for Thursday, July 20 in Dallas. Both Dallas and Houston had appointments for that day. We jet off to Puerto Vallarta July 23.

4. Proof of travel is required at most agencies. A copy of your e-ticket, travel itinerary or hotel reservation is acceptable. A travel itinerary on a mobile device is not.

CapeAggie89 said:

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The only way leaving Seattle and returning to Seattle works is if it is a US flagged vessel. Most cruise ships are not US Flagged. Otherwise, the Jones Act will not allow it. A lot of cruise ships stop in Victoria, Canada to include a foreign stop which then satisfies the Jones Act, even if they are then going on to Seattle. Might be why they need a passport.

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This was my experience with Norwegian.

We started and ended in seattle, made a stop in victoria, and passports were required, 2010.

We just got married, and my wife had her license changed but not passport yet, so she had stuff booked in two different names lol. Flights per license, cruise per passport.

62strat said:

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CapeAggie89 said:

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The only way leaving Seattle and returning to Seattle works is if it is a US flagged vessel. Most cruise ships are not US Flagged. Otherwise, the Jones Act will not allow it. A lot of cruise ships stop in Victoria, Canada to include a foreign stop which then satisfies the Jones Act, even if they are then going on to Seattle. Might be why they need a passport.

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This was my experience with Norwegian.

We started and ended in seattle, made a stop in victoria, and passports were required, 2010.

We just got married, and my wife had her license changed but not passport yet, so she had stuff booked in two different names lol. Flights per license, cruise per passport.

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Pretty sure the Closed Loop Rule was passed around that time.....I'm sure more cruise lines have adjusted their rules accordingly over the last 13 years. Either way, I'm about 99% sure being a US flagged vessel has nothing to do with it.

We went on a cruise out of Galveston, not a US flagged vessel, with stops in Mexico and Honduras, and my son was allowed on the cruise, off at the ports, and back into the US without a passport, just his birth certificate.

htxag09 said:

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62strat said:

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CapeAggie89 said:

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The only way leaving Seattle and returning to Seattle works is if it is a US flagged vessel. Most cruise ships are not US Flagged. Otherwise, the Jones Act will not allow it. A lot of cruise ships stop in Victoria, Canada to include a foreign stop which then satisfies the Jones Act, even if they are then going on to Seattle. Might be why they need a passport.

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This was my experience with Norwegian.

We started and ended in seattle, made a stop in victoria, and passports were required, 2010.

We just got married, and my wife had her license changed but not passport yet, so she had stuff booked in two different names lol. Flights per license, cruise per passport.

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Pretty sure the Closed Loop Rule was passed around that time.....I'm sure more cruise lines have adjusted their rules accordingly over the last 13 years. Either way, I'm about 99% sure being a US flagged vessel has nothing to do with it.

We went on a cruise out of Galveston, not a US flagged vessel, with stops in Mexico and Honduras, and my son was allowed on the cruise, off at the ports, and back into the US without a passport, just his birth certificate.

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I guess I could have used a much more recent trip as example;
We did disney cruise last summer, start/end in FL, but stop in BVI, passport was required for 6/7 year old boys if they got off at that stop (which they did).
Disney ships are bahama flagged.

for everyone's edification, the only us flagged ship (that the vast majority of us would be familiar with from a major cruise line) is ncl's pride of america (which does hawaii itineraries).

someone correct me if i'm wrong...

Not sure why I'm arguing, not really that important, so my last post on the subject. But I know Disney doesn't require passports for closed loop cruises. My nieces go on one every year, most out of Florida, and don't have passports.

It's also specifically outlined on their website

Disney Cruises - Passports, Visas & Citizenship Documentation

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The Bahamas, Caribbean, Pacific Coast, Bermuda or Canada Round Trip Cruises


Sailing from/to: Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, San Diego, San Juan, New Orleans and New York

US Citizens (Including Children)

• Original valid US Passport
• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

OR

• Original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
  [ol]
  
• Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
• Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable
[/ol]
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
• Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)

Children 15 years of age and younger are required to present one of the documents listed above, but do not need to present a Government-issued photo ID.

Social Security Cards and Global Entry are not acceptable proof of US citizenship for purposes of traveling outside of the US

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And there is no distinction between passengers who use birth certificates or passports. You don't have to show your passport when debarking at other country's ports, unless that country requires it and/or a VISA, which I don't think many Caribbean countries do, for sure not the bigger tourist spots that cruises stop at. All you have to show is your room key.