Just Married? Does Your Last Name Not Match Your Passport!?

First of all, Congrats! We are so happy for you and wish you a life time of happiness!

Are you thinking of planning a Honeymoon Cruise? Or are you ready to travel but havent changed your passport yet? Let us help you!

We got married in November of 2020 while all government buildings and processes were shut down so changing my last name on my passport was a small priority. I wasn’t ready to send off all my legal information with no idea when I would see it again… and here we are in early 2023 with my maiden name still on my passport and 5 cruises under our belts.

You may ask how I can get on board with two different last names. Thankfully my husband did his research and took care of me before our first cruise and it has been smooth sailing ever since!

If you have changed your last name on your license and make your reservations under that name, that is okay! What do you need to do? Just bring your passport, driver’s license (it isn’t listed but it may come in handy depending on who is checking you in), lastly be sure to bring the original copy of your marriage license! Our marriage license is now always included with our travel documents.

Don’t get me wrong, they may question you. They may need assistance but you will be able to get on board with the help of that marriage license! Each time you cruise it may look different even if you go with the same cruise line. Having travel anxiety and not knowing what my experience will be each time, you would think I would have changed my passport already… but my last two experiences have been painless, just very different from each other.

In July, 2022 we went on a cruise and the cruise attendant used my passport as a birth certificate and my real ID to check me in to link both of my names. It took a little longer but I was able to get on the cruise with no big concerns.

In February, 2023 we went on a cruise and it was a little more difficult to get on since the woman helping us check in had not seen this process happen before. Once she checked with someone else I was sent on my way and ready to relax on vacation!

Don’t let the passport wait time stress you out! Just bring your marriage license and enjoy your next cruise vacation! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask, at this point we have gone to 4 different ports with our marriage license and a passport!