Do You Need a Passport for Caribbean Cruises?

Table Of Content

• Can you take a cruise out of the country without a passport?
• Destinations US citizens can visit without a passport on major cruise lines
• Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens & Permanent Residents
• Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens
• THE RIGHT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
• Can I apply for a passport if I decide I want one after booking my cruise?

Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean islands, provided you’re on closed-loop cruises, meaning your journey starts and ends at the same U.S. port. Despite the allure of no-passport-required adventures, we’d be remiss not to highlight the security and peace of mind a passport provides. Imagine needing to fly home unexpectedly from a foreign port because of an emergency, or getting the chance for an impromptu jaunt to a fascinating nearby country. While your cruise must start and end in the U.S., some Alaskan cruises make pit stops in dreamy British Columbian spots like Victoria, renowned for its lush Butchart Gardens. However, it’s essential to carry specific documents, like your birth certificate and government ID, for these little side adventures.

Can you take a cruise out of the country without a passport?

Like most tropical cruise destinations, the top draws are the beaches and the ocean; however, cruise ports in Mexico also give you access to ancient Mayan ruins, delicious cuisine and an abundance of land activities. No, an expired passport is not considered a valid form of identification. You must have a current and valid passport to board a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you miss your ship or encounter an emergency that requires you to disembark in a foreign port, you will need a passport to re-enter the United States. All passengers, regardless of age, must have a valid form of identification. This means that even infants and children need to have appropriate identification documents, such as a birth certificate.

Destinations US citizens can visit without a passport on major cruise lines

You can cruise to quite a few destinations without a passport, as long as you have proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID. A variety of documents are accepted as proof of citizenship, including a state-certified U.S. birth certificate. Customs and Border Protection, and their recent publication also explains the requirements for taking a cruise without a passport. Note that enhanced driver’s licenses are issued in very few states at this time, so it’s important not to assume that yours qualifies as identification and proof of citizenship.

Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens & Permanent Residents

If there is a passport requirement, each person needs to have one, including infants and toddlers. Sail to Bermuda on a closed-loop cruise from the East Coast and a passport isn’t mandatory. I was just under the impression I should try to get that arrival time ASAP after check in opened up and that people were usually able to do that. I did finally see a small link that said "missing some info? finish check-in later" and I clicked that for all guests - But then I got a page that said "we're not quite ready for you. check back closer to your cruise." However, a lack of a passport doesn't mean you can't leave the mainland US.

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Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens

Accepted forms of identification vary based on nationality, departure port and disembarkation port. I forget the details of what I put in, but I was able to enter partial data, get my boarding time and then over the next few days gathered the rest of the information that I needed and put it in as I got it. Maybe they have since closed this loophole, because that was February. Take a look at the cruise companies that offer closed-loop sailings and where you can go without a passport.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a seven-day Hawaii inter-island cruise that boards in Honolulu and visits Maui, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, and Kauai before returning to Honolulu. The Hawaiian islands are about 3,700 miles from the West Coast, so cruises from the mainland to Hawaii and back involve four or five days at sea in each direction. Closed-loop cruises depart from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego. There are also cruises that originate in Honolulu and tour the other islands. You might be wondering if you should get the passport card vs book. The passport card is an option the United States government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Seward, Alaska

Ports like Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta are brimming with activities. Picture yourself riding camels in the desert, sipping wine in Ensenada’s burgeoning vineyards, or simply soaking up the sun on a picture-perfect beach. The region’s rich culture and vibrant nightlife add to the allure, making it a top pick for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.

However, having a passport is the best way to ensure a hassle-free travel experience. It also allows you to explore more destinations on your cruise, as some countries may require a passport for entry, even if you are just stopping for a few hours. Quick three- to five-day hops to the Bahamas bring you to white-sand beaches and cruise lines’ private islands at an affordable price, with no passport required. If you are on a longer cruise that visits other Caribbean islands, you’ll want to check with your cruise line about any passport requirements. Closed-loop Hawaii cruises that don't require passports come in two varieties.

Certainly many guests will cruise without a passport and likely not run into any issues. The concern without having a passport is if an emergency occurs, only an official passport will allow you to easily and quickly fly from a foreign port to another port and/or back home. Regardless of what the minimum requirements are for travel, we highly recommend everyone get a passport. Passports do have an additional cost to them (especially for children), but we feel the advantages of having a passport far outweigh the cost and work required to get one. If you live in the U.S., you will also need the original copy of your Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green Card") and any other documentation the countries on your itinerary require due to your alien status.

Embarking on a no-passport cruise is like finding a golden ticket inside your chocolate bar — it’s all about serendipity and convenience. These cruises eliminate the hassle of passport renewal and are perfect for last-minute travel plans, when time is tight, and governmental red tape is a no-go. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

No matter where in the world you choose to wander, cruises can take you deep into top-rated cruise ports and off-the-beaten-path gems, so you can experience each one like a local. I know I had an issue on my app for something (not related to check in) and my SIL could do the operation but I could not. It could also be that the app needs the travel info.....I can do a bypass by just selecting "naturalization papers" and then moving on to arrival time. I was definitely planning on entering everybody's info before we leave - I was just under the impression I should try to get that arrival time ASAP after check in opened up and that people were usually able to do that.

Not having a passport means you will need to travel to a U.S. embassy or consulate in a foreign country to apply for a temporary visa to re-enter the country. Not all embassies/consulates are located near the cruise ports and moreover, the time it takes for the entire process to occur is not quick. The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to.

Many cruises design itineraries encompassing islands like Grand Cayman, where you can mingle with stingrays, or St. Maarten, with its split Dutch and French personality. While some stops may require passports, many don’t, expanding your horizon beyond the typical. Passport cards are an affordable and unquestionable alternative to carrying an ID and birth certificate.

You won’t run into any passport requirements on tried-and-true routes from U.S. ports such as those that visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John—which are all part of the United States. Closed-loop cruises from New York City, Boston, Baltimore, and Port Canaveral from lines such as MSC Cruises, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean head to the famous pink-sand beaches and golf courses of Bermuda. In October, Disney does sailings from New York that add the bonus of Halloween activities with special spooky movies and “ghoulish treats” for passengers of all ages. Other lines sailing to Bermuda on closed-loop itineraries include the foodie-focused upscale brand Oceania Cruises, also from New York. That is cheaper than a passport book, can get you on the ship but are valid for entering the USA by land and sea only.

Florida’s ports of Miami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale), and Port Canaveral (about an hour east of Orlando) offer the majority of closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas. In a nutshell, a passport card is a plastic card that can fit into a wallet and are accepted for land and sea border crossings between  the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Passport cards cannot be used on cruises from international homeports.