You’ve booked the cruise. Congratulations. Here are a few things to think about. First, your passport can’t have less than six months on it before it needs to be renewed. (If that’s the case, renew it now.) Next, consider how you’re getting to the ship and whether you need a transfer from the airport. Also, please print your luggage tags-so it will be very clear which ship you’re sailing on, the dates you’re going, and the stateroom you’re occupying. And, last but not least, think about what are you going to wear!
Documents you’ll need in order to sail:
(1) Boarding Pass, or embarkation forms
(2) Valid passport (no photocopies)
(3) Visa, if applicable
(4) Health papers, if applicable – for more information, see the Health/Inoculations section
Why is having the required documentation important?
Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship, or from disembarking or entering a country, and may be subject to fines.
Also, it is important that the name on the reservation be exactly as it is stated on the passport or other official citizenship document. If a name has changed since the document was issued (ie.marriage/divorce), it is required that the document be updated with the new name, or provide official supporting document(s) of the name change. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.
Our Recommendation
Princess Cruises strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport with at least six (6) months validity during their cruise (and if traveling to Ecuador, it is required). This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship’s departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them. For additional passport information, visit the U.S Department of State website or the passport service of your choice, such as CIBT website – Passport and Visa Service. For more information on Special Groups (requirements for U.S. and Canadian children, groups of children, U.S. Military…), please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
If, as a result of your lack of proper documentation, a fine or other cost is incurred by Princess Cruises, you agree to indemnify Princess Cruises for such expenses. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify all travel, inoculation and health requirements and obtain and have available, when necessary, the appropriate valid travel documents, such as passports and visas; inoculation documents, such as Yellow Fever certificates; and other health requirements.
