immagration paperwork, visa, passport needed

[winkiedee]

I have written before but no one anwsered, do we need any immigration, visa or passport to alaska, leaving out of washington. please advise

thanks
denise

[gxchan]

Winkiedee,
Yes, if you are a US citizen, you need a US Passport for cruises to Alaska. I was surprised, too. The regular wait for a passport is 4-6 weeks but because it is summer, the wait can be longer. You can get the process expedited. I went to the post office and the total for an expedited application was $185.20 (the regular application fee of $62, $65 for the expedite, $13.65 postage both ways and $30 for a processing fee, plus a money order fee). Don't forget to bring two passport pictures. The post office I went to was supposed to be able to take the pictures but their camera was broken. If you don't have a passport, you can't board the ship. Good luck.

I'm taking the Alaska cruise out of Seattle on June 30. What cruise are you going on?

[winkiedee]

I am going on Sept 3/4, i got a passport but was told we need immigration papers and trying to find out for sure on that. thanks for the information....denise

[gxchan]

Denise,

You are welcome. FYI - I checked with NCL and was advised that all I need is a passport. You can contact them if you think you may need more documentation.

[Karen Knowlton]

Winkiedee, please check with your travel agent, or, if you did not book with one, check with the cruise line, to clarify just what documentation you need when you show up at the pier. Your first post here does not tell us if you are a U.S. citizen; most US citizens do not need special documentation above and beyond passports or certified birth certificates and driver's licenses (plus perhaps marriage certificate for married ladies) for an Alaska cruise. If you are an immigrant to the U.S. you will probably need additional paperwork.

Passports will become necessary next year for travel back into the U.S. for both American citizens and those from other countries. For this year, however, they are simply a better form of citizenship verification & ID than the birth certificate/license combo.