Scared

 Ok, our first cruise is on the Fascination in dec. and we have never been out of the country, we are choosing to not get passports, (for 5 people= $500)

So here's the deal- Nassau and Freeport- no excursions

 Are we assured of getting a taxi in the evening back to the ports?

 How soon should we be on the boat before it leaves?

I have so many questions and I just dont know what to expect, And I def dont wont us to be left behind and let my worrying hamper our trip.

Please any input 

thanks in advance.

Number 1 you need a passport to go on a cruise.number 2 if you don't book a excursion thru carnival thats ok BUT you are on your own as far as getting back to the ship.If it says you leave port at 5:00p.m. you leave at 5:00p.m. Don't get back at 5:01 you will be seeing the ship leave from the docks.

But get those passports

bret10:

Number 1 you need a passport to go on a cruise.number

That is incorrect information. While it is STRONGLY recommended that you have a passport to cruise, it is NOT required. As long as you are leaving and returning fromthe same U.S. port ( a closed loop) you do not need a passport. You need a birth certificate and a legal form of ID ( drivers license, military ID etc).

You do not need a passport if you are a US citizen leaving and returning to the same US port on a cruise.  Go to Carnival.com and click on passport requirements. It is all explained right there for you.

Read and post cruise reviews

the pas spo rt issue has been going on for a while... but if you are going on a closed loop cruise you do not need to have a p assp ort.... if you are a US citizen. 

here is the link to the gov. site that explains

http://getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Bernie:

You do not need a passport if you are a US citizen leaving and returning to the same US port on a cruise.  Go to Carnival.com and click on passport requirements. It is all explained right there for you.

...but if something were to happen say you miss the ship, medical emergency, or something where you needed to fly back to the states, you DO need a passport.   Go to the U.S. State Department website for passport rules and regs.   I say better safe than sorry.

Joni:

YOU MUST GET A PASSPORT,

As of June, 2009

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

I posted whole artical but it was nabbed and won't show up for a few days lol

 

Once again.. NOT true... READ the entire article!!!

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

Joni:

YOU MUST GET A PASSPORT, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still not true!