Don’t use the routine passport service if your cruise is less than 10 weeks away, warns the State Department. At most times of the year, you can expect to receive your new passport via the routine service within six weeks, but this can’t be guaranteed, so don’t take the risk. This is particularly true during the busy summer months when the State Department receives more passport applications, resulting in a longer processing time.
In contrast, the expedited service typically sends out your new passport within three weeks, assuming you’ve paid for overnight delivery. At time of publication the expedited service added $60 on top of the passport application fee and the cost of a courier or a traceable delivery method. If you apply in person, ask to use the expedited service, or alternatively write “Expedite” clearly on the envelope and include the fee in your payment if you submit your application by mail.
If your last minute cruise leaves within two weeks, call 877-487-2778 to make an appointment at one of the 25 regional passport agencies located in the U.S. Because some require proof of your upcoming travel, be prepared to show your cruise tickets by taking paper copies of your tickets or a letter from your travel agent. Staffers can’t accept an electronic copy of your travel arrangements. Submitting your application at a passport agency means paying the $60 expedite fee, but your passport should be issued within five business days, and you may be able to pick it up so you can avoid waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
Even if you already hold a passport, it’s important to check the expiration date. Some countries demand that your passport have at least six months validity left; if it doesn’t, you may be denied entry. For this reason, the State Department recommends renewing your passport around nine months before it expires. In addition, many cruise companies make a valid passport a requirement of travel, so U.S. Customs and Border Protection strongly advises checking with your company or travel agent when you book your tickets.
