This is why you need a PassPort

[Dannyboy]

Did you know, you can be delayed a flight back to USA without a PassPort or PassPort card.


If you find yourself missing the ship at a port of call and want to meet up at following port or needing medical treatment at one of your approved medical network hospitals, this could be serious.


Get Help in an Emergency

• Emergency contacts and assistance for U.S. Citizens.

Get Help

Emergencies

• Lost or Stolen Passports Abroad
• Medical Evacuations and Services
• What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis
• U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad
• Forced Marriage
• International Financial Scams

• Victims of Crime Overseas
• Arrest or Detention of a U.S. Citizen Abroad
• Crimes Against Minors Abroad

• Emergency Financial Assistance for U.S. Citizens Abroad
• International Maritime Piracy
• Terrorism
• Natural Disasters

In an Emergency, Call Overseas Citizen Services

• From the U.S. & Canada1-888-407-4747
• From Overseas+1-202-501-4444

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative


Before you travel, learn the entry requirements of the foreign country you are traveling to.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Passport Requirements
Returning to the U.S. From
Type of Travel
Document Required
Any International Location

Air
Commercial airplane, private airplane, etc.U.S. Passport Book
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the
Caribbean Region

Land
Car, bus, train, by foot, etc.
U.S. Passport Book or Card
Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the
Caribbean Region

Sea
Commercial cruise line, private boat, etc.U.S. Passport Book or Card
A U.S. Territory

Air, Land or SeaValid Photo ID
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will allow certain groups of travelers to re-enter the United States without a U.S. passport, like members of the military and certain supervised groups of children. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) travel requirements for these groups and the general public can be found at www.GetYouHome.gov.

ABOUT WHTI
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States.
The goal of WHTI is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.
Federal Regulations

• Final Rule - Air Phase (PDF)
• Final Rule - Passport Card (PDF)
• Exceptions and Special Circumstances

Other Relevant Links

• Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Applying for a U.S. Passport

[seadog2]

Also interesting to note that you should not wait until your passport expiration date to renew your passport. You should not let your expiration date go inside of 6 months. You could legally be refused travel. I renewed mine with one year left before the expiration date.

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by seadog2

Also interesting to note that you should not wait until your passport expiration date to renew your passport. You should not let your expiration date go inside of 6 months. You could legally be refused travel. I renewed mine with one year left before the expiration date.

YES, you are absolutely correct about the six months before expiration, You can be denied boarding on a flight or obtaining a Visa including entry to a port of call, if you were to attempt to catch a flight to meet up with your ship.
Israel has new requirements when visiting, including Visa restrictions.