Several months ago, Cruise Fever reported that a port in the Southern Caribbean (Martinique) would now require a valid passport for passengers to get off the cruise ship while visiting the island.
Carnival Cruise Line was the first cruise line to alert cruise passengers about this new requirement. Now, Royal Caribbean has issued a policy change saying that guests will need a passport book for boarding any cruise that visits Martinique starting in 2020.
Royal Caribbean published the following note concerning travel documents for Martinique:
“As of January 1st, 2020, all guests on sailings visiting Martinique will need a passport book (not a passport card) for boarding. The passport book must be valid for at least 6 months after the sailing ends.
Passport cards and birth certificates will not be accepted and may result in a denial of boarding for both adults and minors. This policy changes impacts sailings beginning from and returning to the U.S. including San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Guest should be sure to keep your travel documents and SetSail Pass handy. They’ll need them from the moment they arrive to the port, all the way to boarding the ship, so they won’t want to pack them in their luggage.”
While having a passport is not a requirement for closed-looped cruises from the United States, it’s always a good idea to have one anytime you leave the country.
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Royal Caribbean was smart when they discontinued stops at Martinique many years ago. They should have never started stopping there again. It’s an unfriendly island where most passengers choose to stay on the ship due to the poor reputation of the island and it’s people.
Hello, can you provide a link to your official source on this? As a person who is affected by this I have not been notified by RC. My family has their passports but others who are travelling with us do not. I have encouraged them to get it but I would like to be able to cite an official Royal Caribbean source on this. When they called RC in September they were told that they just would not be able to debark in that port of call.
Hi Jessica,
There are several travel agents who have said that there most countries require a passport now. Many countries now require passports for anyone who comes on a cruise ship even if you stay on board. It is a security measure for anyone in tgeir waters. Some countries eg, China also require an entry visa. Call your travel agent but make sure everyone in your party has a passport.