Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Legal passports are passports issued to you by the U.S. Department of State after you've submitted a passport application, two passport photos and supporting documentation. Supporting documentation provides the State Department with proof of your identity and citizenship; a person who is not a U.S. citizen cannot obtain a valid U.S. passport. Passports are required documentation for international travel for U.S. citizens of all ages, including children and infants.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a country in the Antilles chain in the Caribbean. It is a densely populated country that attracts tourists for its tropical climate, beaches, water activities, whale watching, hiking and tropical gardens. Visitors need to adhere to St. Vincent's entry requirements. These include bringing the appropriate documentation and being aware of customs guidelines concerning restricted items and declaring controlled items.
All U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport before they will be granted entry into the Caribbean. Passports are required for international travel, and although some Caribbean islands are U.S. territories, many are not. Without a passport you will not be able to exit the U.S. or gain re-entry into the U.S..
Preparation is the first step to an enjoyable and hassle-free Royal Caribbean cruise. It is the sole responsibility of all Royal Caribbean passengers to secure and carry a valid passport, government-issued photo ID such as a state driver's license, visa (if required) and medical inoculation documentation. Royal Caribbean will not issue refunds to passengers who fail to meet these documentation requirements. Not all cruises demand the same documentation. Passengers need to review their specific cruise needs and personally carry out the steps needed to secure their documentation. Passports may take up to two months to complete the process.
When the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect, rules changed governing travel into and out of the United States. Places like Canada and Mexico were no longer accessible by car without a valid passport. In addition, rules were changed in regard to cruises and the acceptable documents needed to travel. However, there are still many exciting destinations available to U.S. citizens without a passport.
While the sandy beaches and crystal clear water of the Caribbean islands may only be a short distance from United States shorelines, all U.S. travelers must now carry a valid passport with them when visiting the popular tourist destination. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), federal legislation that went into effect in June 2009, all citizens leaving the country must bring a passport to present to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials on the return trip. So while Caribbean customs officials won't ask you to present your passport upon arrival, don't forget to pack your passport for the trip…
A Caribbean cruise calls for careful planning. One item to consider far ahead of time is the kind of travel documents that U.S. citizens need for cruising in the Caribbean. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, different requirements apply to different travel situations. The United States issues both a passport book and a passport card. Whether a passport book, passport card or other form of identification is needed for a Caribbean cruise depends on whether the cruise is a closed-loop cruise or an open-loop cruise, and whether the cruise departure or arrival port is in a foreign country.
