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You will be required to present a government-issued birth certificate and a laminated government-issued photo ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations for U.S. travelers. But before you book a trip, knowing which travel documents are required and whether you need a passport is essential. If you’re looking for cruises that don’t require a passport, take a round trip sail to Bermuda from New York City, Baltimore, Charleston or one of two Florida ports of call. As Britain’s oldest colony, Bermuda offers wonderful historic attractions and plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun. Pink-sand beaches, beautiful blue waters and colorful coral reefs deliver the perfect recipe for sunning, swimming, sailing and snorkeling.
Construction on Second Chinese-Built Cruise Ship Well Underway
If you don't have a passport and your ship stops at one of these islands, you'll have to stay on board. If you want to cruise without a passport, choose itineraries where you know you can get off the ship and enjoy your day in port. 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. Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter the U.K. Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter European Union countries.
Travel document requirements for sailings from Southampton, England
Each terminal and pier is also wheelchair accessible, so passengers with mobility needs will not encounter any issues navigating the port. Those needing assistance reaching the Skagway downtown area can take a round-trip shuttle service from the port’s drop-off and pick-up zone. The shuttle operates year-round and only costs five dollars for an all-day pass.
Domestic Cruises that Leave and Return to U.S. Ports
For instance, you won't need a passport to fly to and cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas in the U.S. If neither of these two choices fits your short timeline, we recommend using a trusted professional passport expeditor to get your new passport in as few as 24 to 48 hours. A professional expeditor can easily navigate the passport application process on your behalf and make sure that you get your new passport in time for your trip. Traditional expedited service can take up to 3 weeks—not including mailing times. To skip potential postal service delays, you could make an appointment with a local passport application acceptance center; however, this option may not get you a passport in 3 weeks.
Cruises
Passport books should be valid for at least 3 months or 6 months after the end of the cruise, depending on the destination countries’ requirements. Disney Cruise Lines also suggests travelers carry a second government-issued photo ID while in port. U.S. citizens under 16 are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings. Instead of a passport, children can use an original or certified copy of a U.S. state-issued birth certificate. However, when minors are traveling with only one adult, Holland America requires all passengers to have a valid passport book. The cruises must be “closed-loop,” meaning they begin and end at the same U.S. port.
Cobranded Cards
It is critical to understand the proper documentation needed for a cruise, as no refunds are provided for guests who fail to bring proper documentation. Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's Travel Documentation page for specifics. It’s your responsibility to ensure you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries your cruise visits.
Do you need a passport if you fly to an international cruise departure port?
Visiting Skagway offers cruise passengers a wide range of outdoor adventure and exploration opportunities. Beyond Skagway’s small-town charm and famed ties to the Gold Rush Era, the surrounding area offers breathtaking views of the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Many popular attractions are just a short walk from the town’s cruise port. The town’s historic streets are also pedestrian-friendly, so you can simply stroll the town on foot.
4 Caribbean Islands That Don’t Require a U.S. Passport - AFAR Media
4 Caribbean Islands That Don’t Require a U.S. Passport.
Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Additionally, if an unforeseen situation arises where guests have to take a flight to or from the U.S. during their cruise, not possessing a valid passport book could result in substantial delays and challenges. Keep in mind that cruise passport requirements can change based on shore excursions, too. For example, any time you cross a land or sea border into a foreign country, you’ll need a passport, whether it's riding Alaska's White Pass and Yukon Railway or taking day trips to smaller Caribbean islands.
Mexico
Closed-loop cruises are the primary exceptions to the rule that those arriving in the U.S. by sea need passports. If you leave on a cruise ship from a U.S. port, visit a handful of islands, then return to the same U.S. port on the same ship, you don't need a passport to re-enter the country. Be aware that requirements on closed-loop cruises can still change in certain countries, so be sure to check the entry requirements of the specific cruise ports on your itinerary. Some Caribbean nations still require passports or passport cards, like Martinique and Guadeloupe.
The WHTI aims to bolster border security while making entry into the U.S. more efficient for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers. It’s always advisable to check the specific requirements of your cruise line and the countries you’ll be visiting. While some cruises don’t require you to travel with a U.S. passport book, we always recommend you bring one on your trip, even on a closed-loop cruise. If you need to fly back to the United States during your cruise, you’ll only be able to board a plane with a passport book. If you are cruising to the Caribbean, you will need to enter with either your U.S. passport book, passport card, Trusted Traveler card (Nexus, SENTRI, or FAST), or an enhanced driver’s license. If you’re doing any international air travel to get to your cruise, then you are required to bring a valid U.S. passport book in order to board the plane.
You may be surprised to learn that U.S. citizens don't need a passport to sail on "closed-loop" cruises with lines like Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and others. You should check the passport requirements for any port you are visiting, as sometimes there can be a port that requires a passport to visit even if you do not need a passport to return to the United States. While traveling abroad with a group can create lasting memories, organizing such trips can be challenging—especially when everyone needs passports.
Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. When you arrive back in Seattle or San Francisco, take time to explore those cities for even more vacation fun. Sail to Bermuda on a closed-loop cruise from the East Coast and a passport isn’t mandatory. 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.
A valid passport acts as your ticket to a hassle-free and enjoyable cruising experience. When a valid U.S. passport book is required, the validity of the passport book is recommended with either 3 months or 6 months (most common) of validity remaining beyond the last day of the cruise. Princess Cruises provides a global experience, covering over 100 countries across all seven continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It offers a wide range of travel itineraries, from a week to over 3 months, visiting more than 380 ports and including over 100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in their destinations. The company boasts a fleet of 28 ships, including the world’s five largest cruise vessels. Royal Caribbean Cruises journeys to over 300 destinations in more than 60 countries across 6 continents.
Isolated incidents have left passengers stranded for longer than anticipated. 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.
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