"Sex Offender on a Cruise Ship", now that's a headline waiting to happen. Seriously though, how long the cruise is and where it goes would probably be important factors. And also what the specific laws are in the state that he resides, and if the cruise will land at anytime and where and for how long and what the laws are at that location. You can probably get a passport, but the authorities will want to know if you're leaving the country. In general, trying to be a compliant sex offender and going on a cruise ship sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

Love, you would need to contact the cruise line ahead of time to see if they will allow him to travel. However, if the cruise is traveling to another country (not another state or US territory) I recommend he doesn't leave the ship, as they may revoke his enterance.

A passport is proof of citizenship only. Not of character. It allows your re-entry back into the USA. So long as you do not depart the ship at any port you are still under the control of the cruise companies flag. Deporting anywhere and you are under the laws of the country you deport to. Staying on the ship you should be okay.

There have been laws proposed that required RSOL's to apply more often than normal for passport renewal but I'm not sure where they ended up.

If you plan to deport the ship in another country I would certainly enlist the help of a travel agent bearing in mind that they are not lawyers! You could very well end up being immediately expelled from that country at your expense.

My mother wants me to go on a cruise with her but I am very weary about the complexity if it and am avoiding it...

I knew someone who had a felony background and was hesitant on getting a passport for his cruise. He told me as long as you leave a u.s. port and return to a u.s. port the only thing you need is your birth certificate and ID. The cruise did make stops in other countries.

Many years ago, before my SO status I was on a cruise that stopped at the Bahamas, all we did was walk down a ramp off the boat and you're in the Bahamas. Not sure if that changed now.

At the moment, RSOs can get a passport without any limitations. Even if Rep. Chris Smith's passport provision he has pushed over the years ever passes, we could still get passports they would just be limited to one year.

I have travel issues covered here: http://www.oncefallen.com/travel.html

Speaking as someone who works in the travel industry I don't think you need a passport for a cruise as long as it's closed lop (departs and returns to the same US port). I don't know about cruising though and would be interested to hear, as I'd like to take my guy on one after probation but before he is off the registry...