11/09/2026
When does your passport expire? Go look. I'll wait.
Not the date you got it. The other one.
Here's what trips people up. Royal Caribbean recommends your passport be good for at least 6 months after your cruise ends, and some countries won't let you in without that. So if you're sailing next July and your passport runs out in December, that's already a problem.
Now is actually a great time to renew. The State Department says October through December is their slow season. Right now routine processing is running 4 to 6 weeks, plus up to 2 weeks for mail each way. Late winter into summer is when everybody applies.
If you renew, only use travel.state.gov. There are plenty of look-alike sites that charge you extra for nothing.
Not sure if yours is good for your trip? Send me your dates and I'll check it for you.
The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans. The Bureau of Consular Affairs issues U.S. passports, informs and assists Americans abroad, and strengthens America's security and safety by adjudicating and rigorously screening visa applications....