How long did it take to get your passport?

[Fraggable]

I'm going on a cruise in April and found out that I pretty much need a passport to get on the ship. The government's website says it normally takes 6 weeks to get one, but I heard on the news that they're backed up because Canada and Mexico are just starting to require them and I don't know what the timetable is now. I can pay another $60 to get it in 2 weeks but I'd really rather not spend $160 total on getting the stupid thing.

So, if you've applied for a passport recently, how long did it take to get yours? I'm willing to bet that the 6 weeks is a conservative estimate and that it normally is much less.

Or, if you don't have any passport info, contribute any info that a first-time cruiser might find useful on a 5-day cruise to the Caribbean, leaving from New Orleans.

I almost didn't post this thread thinking I might not get many responses, but then I saw the 'can animals get married' thread and decided this was much less of a waste of bandwidth.

 

[Pepsi90919]

16 ms

 

[Jeeebus]

my passport took about 5 weeks last year.

wife has her renewal pending (name change), we're in about the fifth week now.

what ports are you going to? what ship?

best source of cruise info: www.cruisecritic.com

Check out the forums.

 

[Fraggable]

I don't know the exact ship yet, most likely the Carnival Ecstasy porting at Cozumel and Calico, or similar.

Umm, Pepsi, 16ms??

 

[Scarpozzi]

Took me like 3 weeks.

 

[WW]

6 weeks

 

[chrisms]

Mine took about 7 weeks. Arrived 1 day before my flight departed for a 3 month trip. That was a close one.

Go get it tomorrow, you never know how long they will take. I've heard stories. I really wish they wouldn't imply that it won't take any more than 6 weeks. We all know its the government and would understand their honesty in saying "about 6 weeks" instead of "6 weeks or less"

 

[WW]

you sure about needing a passport for the cruise? the government site says Jan 2008 (if going by sea to the Caribbean). It's a good idea to get them, but maybe not necessary yet.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

EDIT:

ah...ok...good for emergencies:

"Carnival strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation; and allow guests that must debark the ship before their cruise ends to fly back to the U.S. without significant delays and complications. Additionally, it will greatly help to expedite their debark process."

 

[Hacana]

Both my brother and I were able to get our passports done in one day.

 

[Kelemvor]

If you don't need it until April, you should be fine.

 

[Mill]

About 2.5 weeks and I paid for expedited service. However, mine was slightly delayed because it was supposed to be processed in New Orleans, and Hurricane Katrina hit a week later, so Pittsburgh had to do it.

 

[FoBoT]

you'll be ok , if you do it ASAP

 

[2Xtreme21]

I applied second week of December (06) and it says on the tracking page that I'm set to receive it by next monday or thereabouts.

 

[3NF]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
If you don't need it until April, you should be fine.

Mine took 3 to 4 weeks.