passport valid 6mth beyond return why??

supermum4

hi just wanted to let off a bit of steam, why does a passport have to be valid for 6 months from return of travel on a cruise to Belgium, just realised that daughter will only have 4 months left on hers after we return so i will have to pay for a 1 day service and go collect it from a passport office otherwise she can't go with me:mad: bloody crazy if you ask me so in theory your passport is only valid for 9 yrs and 6 months to any destination if you cruise:eek: rant over

HappyMJ

supermum4 wrote: »

hi just wanted to let off a bit of steam, why does a passport have to be valid for 6 months from return of travel on a cruise to Belgium, just realised that daughter will only have 4 months left on hers after we return so i will have to pay for a 1 day service and go collect it from a passport office otherwise she can't go with me:mad: bloody crazy if you ask me so in theory your passport is only valid for 9 yrs and 6 months to any destination if you cruise:eek: rant over

You only need an EU passport valid for your length of stay. It does not need an additional 6 months.

Non-EU passport holders need 3 months validity beyond length of stay.

supermum4

HappyMJ wrote: »

You only need an EU passport valid for your length of stay. It does not need an additional 6 months.

Non-EU passport holders need 3 months validity beyond length of stay.

Hi thanks but P&O state you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport from date of return otherwise you will be refused boarding I just rang them to see if she would be ok to go as we leave next week and only going to Belgium and said we would stay on ship as this is a taster cruise for us, but they said no she would be refused at port as needs to be 6 months left on it :mad:

PasturesNew

It's in case you get arrested/imprisoned, or end up in hospital, or there's a huge strike of transport lasting ages.

You'd not have this problem if you'd booked to go to Butlins you know :P

supermum4

PasturesNew wrote: »

It's in case you get arrested/imprisoned, or end up in hospital, or there's a huge strike of transport lasting ages.

You'd not have this problem if you'd booked to go to Butlins you know :P

:rotfl: thanks you made me smile, £128 for the 1 day service ouch but needs must ;( will have to do some serious money saving to make that up :EasterBun

HappyMJ

supermum4 wrote: »

Hi thanks but P&O state you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport from date of return otherwise you will be refused boarding I just rang them to see if she would be ok to go as we leave next week and only going to Belgium and said we would stay on ship as this is a taster cruise for us, but they said no she would be refused at port as needs to be 6 months left on it :mad:

That'll be P&O rules then as Belgium passport control doesn't require that.

pantaiema

HappyMJ wrote: »

You only need an EU passport valid for your length of stay. It does not need an additional 6 months.

Non-EU passport holders need 3 months validity beyond length of stay.

That is what I have thought as well

shaun_from_Africa

It's a bit like the ID requirements for flying between the UK and Ireland.
For UK and Irish citizens,A photo driving licence is legally acceptable for this but Ryanair insist on all passengers having a passport.
Travel companies are free to insist on more stringent requirements than the law requires which is what P&O and Ryanair are doing.

PolishBigSpender

P&O won't even check it for EU citizens.

Frogletina

supermum4 wrote: »

...your passport is only valid for 9 yrs and 6 months to any destination if you cruise:eek: rant over

The good news though is that the excess months are added to the next passport - you don't lose them. My passport was valid until June of this year, but I was going away in February. My renewal is now valid until June '26

frogletina

Voyager2002

supermum4 wrote: »

Hi thanks but P&O state you must have at least 6 months validity on your passport from date of return otherwise you will be refused boarding I just rang them to see if she would be ok to go as we leave next week and only going to Belgium and said we would stay on ship as this is a taster cruise for us, but they said no she would be refused at port as needs to be 6 months left on it :mad:

Where do they state this?

I have just looked at their website, and it only says you must show a valid passport (or identity card). If you telephoned, you probably spoke to someone who doesn't know what the rules are.