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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. Royal Caribbean emphasizes that Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. If you lose your passport while on a cruise, the first thing you need to do is notify the nearest U.S. consulate in order to get a replacement passport issued. Also, contact the guest relations department on your cruise ship so they can provide guidance on how to handle the rest of your cruise before you get your replacement passport.
Cruise Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport
Additionally, visas or travel permits may be required to enter some countries. 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. You’ll also want to double check when your passport expires, as many countries require a passport to be valid for six months after the date of your planned departure.
Do kids need a passport for cruises?
Many require a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate if you don't have a passport. On closed-loop cruises, a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID are all that's required. Mexico's Caribbean and Pacific coasts are both accessible to cruisers who do not hold passports. If you want to visit Mexico's eastern shores, you can find three- to 15-night cruises to Costa Maya, Cozumel and Progreso.
What Do You Need to Remember About International Cruise Trips?
During different seasons, cruises will often sail one-way routes from one port to another in order to reposition their ships. You’ll also need a passport for cruises that begin and end in different ports, even if they’re both in the United States. Even if you are on a closed-loop cruise, though, you will still need to bring identification documentation in lieu of a passport. Let’s take a look at whether you need a passport for a Bahamas cruise, what other types of documentation you can use and how it differs when you’re flying versus cruising. Non-American travelers planning to board cruises with stops within the United States will want to familiarize themselves with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
If you’re looking for a different kind of cruise, explore parts of New England and Canada with New York City as an exciting starting and ending point. Spend a day soaking up history in Boston, Massachusetts, and tour the Charles River aboard an amphibious duck vehicle. Experience lighthouses, lobster bakes and craggy sea cliffs in Portland, Maine, and enjoy a trip to Saint John, a beautiful city on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. A stop in the charming fishing village of Halifax, Nova Scotia offers beautiful gardens, more delicious seafood and double-decker bus tours.
What about the passport card?
If you need to renew your passport, be sure to allow enough time for the renewal process before your trip. Cruise line policies vary, but generally, children (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by an approved adult (21 years or older) within the same travel group. To verify age requirements and rules for minors, check the age policies of the cruise line you are traveling with.
Accepted Identification for Chinese Citizens
Currently, routine passport processing is about 6 to 8 weeks, expedited processing takes about 2 to 3 weeks and rushed expedited processing is possible within 14 days. The cruise line operates in over 100 countries across all 7 continents, with voyages ranging from 2 to 15 nights. It is acclaimed for its meticulous attention to detail, playful character interactions, and creative dining experiences. Disney Cruise Line, a branch of The Walt Disney Company, has been providing unique oceanic journeys since 1996. It boasts a fleet of 6 luxury liners, each offering state-of-the-art amenities, exceptional service, and exclusive Disney activities.
Visas for Cruise Travel to the U.K. and Europe - Cruise Critic
Visas for Cruise Travel to the U.K. and Europe.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Passport for a Caribbean cruise recapped
The information provided here is meant to offer some guidelines for travel, but please note that these details may not be complete. To be sure you have the latest information, check with your agent or the proper authorities (such as your local immigration office) before your cruise to make sure you have the proper documentation. Cruise refunds may not be issued if you’re denied boarding due to lack of proper documents.
I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise
Finally, if you're traveling with a group or family, make sure that everyone has their own passport. It's also a good idea to make a copy of each person's passport and keep it with you, in case anyone's passport is lost or stolen. Once you have your passport in hand, there are a few important tips to keep in mind as you travel.
Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise? - NerdWallet
Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise?.
Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
An enhanced driver's license is another alternative that you can use for land and sea port crossings, but not for international flights. To make things even more confusing, you can get off the ship in port in Vancouver, British Columbia during an Alaska cruise without a passport, but to cross over into the Canadian province by rail, you'll need one. But if you wish to book a rail journey excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which takes you from Alaska into Canada, choose the shorter White Pass Summit tour; you'll need a passport for the longer trips.
Don't forget that islands such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are U.S. territories, so visits never require passports for U.S. citizens. As luck would have it, you’ve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. If you take closed loop cruises (meaning your trip begins and ends at a U.S. port), you can sail to a variety of dreamy destinations as a U.S. citizen without a passport. We always recommend carrying a passport book or a passport card while vacationing on a cruise. That being said, there are certain types of cruises where you’ll be able to board with other types of documentation if you do not have either a passport book or passport card. Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, or other organization with adult supervision.
As long as you book a closed loop cruise, you can travel to certain destinations without a passport. Because international cruises in Europe and Asia require air travel, these vacations also demand a passport. When embarking on adventures by sea that don’t require a passport, make sure you have the proper cruise documentation. So while you don't need a passport of passport card to cruise to Alaska from Seatlle or other U.S. ports, you will need this idenfitication as the cruise must stop in Canada on its way. Without these required documents, you will not be able to board your cruise or get back into the United States. To further complicate matters, there are some countries that require a passport for entry, regardless of whether you're arriving by air, land, or sea.
That being said, we always recommend bringing a valid passport book on your cruise. If you don’t make it back to your cruise ship on time after visiting a port, or if a family emergency requires you to fly back home from one of your cruise destinations, a passport card won’t allow you to travel on a plane. In case there are any unforeseen inconveniences, a passport book will always work as a valid travel document via air, land, and sea. Regardless of your chosen cruise line, the key to a smooth and hassle-free voyage lies in understanding and compliance with the travel document requirements and U.S. passport policies of your chosen cruise line. It’s evident that all cruise lines strongly advise guests to carry a valid passport during their voyage, as passports are the most dependable form of identification.
However, American Cruise Lines’ Southeast Alaska cruise boards in Juneau and returns to the same port after visiting Glacier Bay and several Alaskan towns. In order to sail, a guest must meet the requirements of ONE of the check boxes below. The Caribbean includes over a dozen different countries and territories, so don’t think that you’re limited. Check our travelers page to learn more about specific issues you might face abroad. These include special considerations for older travelers, those with disabilities, women, and LGBTQI+ travelers. For example, if you were an American who booked a cruise where you would depart from and return to Fort Lauderdale, USA, but that same cruise also had a scheduled port-of-call stop in the Bahamas, you would need a passport.
