Do I have to submit an OCONUS packet if I take a cruise to the Bahamas?

SPC(P) AnnMarie Gonzales — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 09:27:08 -0400

Do I have to submit an OCONUS packet if I take a cruise to the Bahamas? I have SGT's in my unit who say yes, others say no because I wont actually be going through customs.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jun 17 at 2015 9:51 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 09:51:21 -0400

I'm not so sure you won't be going thru customs - I have been on cruises where you do have to go thru Customs - but I don't think it's necessary to submit an OCONUS packet - but I can't be sure - sorry, probably not much help other than you may have to go thru customs.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 9:56 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 09:56:23 -0400

Big thing if the ship is registered to a US port you don't have to go the whole route of an OCONUS leave packet. You don't spend the night anywhere but the boat so it doesn't require a Visa or country clearance. Your Bn or Bde should have a template for cruises and OCONUS leave packets.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:10 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 10:10:35 -0400

You probably should, as you are leaving the country. Your 2, or whoever does it in unit will give you everything, and give you the threat breakdown of the Bahamas, and update your ISOPREP.
Cause if we wanted to play the crazy game you couldn't take a cruise a Cuba (at least up until recently), or Iran, Somalia, etc.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2015 1:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:35:45 -0400

Call the cruise line. Don't eat too much. I was thinking about a passport, I don't know what an OCONUS packet is.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2015 3:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:54:57 -0400

Is this your first cruise? Which cruise lines?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 4:16 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:16:40 -0400

I just came back from a cruise with Carnival from the Bahama's and you do go through customs coming back (out of Miami). I would fill the papers out just in case

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2015 4:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:48:19 -0400

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAUYSFo1ndI

Styx - Come Sail Away (lyrics)

I do not own anything from this video. This is for entertainment purposes. Lyrics: I'm sailing away Set an open course for the Virgin Sea 'Cause I've got to ...

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 17 at 2015 7:21 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:21:09 -0400

I would suggest a visit to both your S-1 & S-2 shops. Especially if you are working with classified material, you'll want to preemptively declare that you're going out of country. However, it's not a big deal.

Enjoy your cruise!

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jun 17 at 2015 10:17 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:17:16 -0400

Bahamas is in North America, but clearly outside the United States. So I would expect it to have the same rules as Mexico for example. What's your unit policy on Mexico and Canada?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 2:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:54:57 -0400

An OCONUS packet is a unit requirement, so only your unit can answer that one for you.