Do I really need a new passport to take my UK cruise?

Simon Calder answers your questions on domestic cruises, the traffic light system for international destinations and the ‘90 in 180’ rule

Viking says ID must be valid for six months (Getty )

Q I am booked on a UK-only cruise operated by Viking in June. It is sailing from Portsmouth to Portsmouth and not going anywhere abroad. I was told I must bring a passport. I have one, which expires in August. But after I supplied the details I have just been told: “Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return date in order for you to travel. According to our records, your passport does not meet that requirement.” Do I really have to get a new passport in order not to go abroad?

Name supplied

A In common with many cruise lines, Viking says it requires passports even for domestic cruises. I asked why. A Viking spokesperson told me: “Across the travel industry passports are recognised worldwide as the most reliable form of identification as they are issued by central governments in a standard format. When it comes to our UK cruises we simply need to ensure that we have correctly identified all of the guests who are embarking.”