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This policy helps ensure that, in case of emergencies that necessitate flying back to the U.S. from a foreign port, passengers can do so without legal complications or delays. With closed-loop cruises, you have a hassle-free option to sail sans passport. These special voyages start and end at the same U.S. port, simplifying travel documents. Understanding the specifics — like when a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID suffice — is key to avoiding a vacation shipwreck. Keep in mind that cruise passport requirements can change based on shore excursions, too.
Alaska
Those long waits for passport applications or renewals, even if you finally secured an in-person appointment, aren't needed for some cruise vacations. Western Mexico, often referred to as the Mexican Riviera, includes the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Ensenada, among others. Cruises with several major lines depart San Diego, San Pedro port in LA and Long Beach for voyages lasting anywhere from three to 10 nights. A cruise to the Caribbean transports you to tropical islands bathed in turquoise waters.
You Should Always Check with Your Cruise Line
However, despite this, you don’t actually need a passport to go on every cruise. No, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck on New England small ship sailings or taking a river cruise down the Mississippi. You can take a wonderfully warm, tropical Caribbean cruise away from the States without the hassle of acquiring or renewing a passport. This way, you can take advantage of those amazing last-minute cruise deals. You'll also have shorter travel times than if you're vacationing abroad, and a no-passport-required cruise is great for first-time cruisers that don't want to go too far from home. No, you will need a passport to fly to the departure port of your closed-loop cruise.
The Caribbean
One-way sailings from Vancouver to Alaska or vice-versa also require a valid passport for entry into Canada. Even though you’re not required to take your passport ashore, opinions are mixed as to whether it’s a good idea to bring it anyway. Staff at the cruise terminal will check your travel documents before they assign you a key card (or RFID bracelet) and send you up the gangway to the ship. If you need a passport, and you don’ t have one to show, you will not be allowed to board. You likely won’t get your money back either, and if you traveled domestically to the cruise homeport, you’ll need to make your own arrangements to book a hotel or change your flights back home. However, it is preferable to have a passport with you (in the event you need medical care and have to stay in the country, for example).
Which cruise ports require a passport?
Cruising along the West Coast of the United States offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes and vibrant cities of California, Washington, and Oregon without needing a passport. From the historic and adventure-packed Eastern Caribbean to the vibrant and nature-rich Southern Caribbean, and the culturally diverse Western Caribbean, there’s a slice of paradise for every traveler. Engage in activities like ziplining, waterfall swimming, and quad bike riding, or relax on pristine beaches. Such cruises are a boon for those looking to take a break from the ordinary, offering a getaway that’s both accessible and extraordinary.
Here are the 10 most asked FAQs about cruises without a passport:
Cruising to Martinique? Don't Forget Your Passport - Porthole Cruise and Travel
Cruising to Martinique? Don't Forget Your Passport.
Posted: Tue, 04 Jan 2022 17:51:19 GMT [source]
If you are sailing out of one U.S. homeport and disembarking at the end of your voyage in a different one, you also need a passport for your cruise. For example, a Panama Canal cruise that leaves from Miami and ends in Los Angeles will require a passport. Carnival’s six-day Bermuda from Norfolk cruise spends two days at sea and three days in Bermuda. Bermuda Bliss, a seven-day Oceana cruise from New York City, visits Hamilton and St. George in Bermuda and includes two days at sea. Disney Cruise Line offers a three-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral aboard the spectacular Disney Wish with a day in Nassau and a day at Disney Castaway Cay before returning to Port Canaveral. A cruise is an easy way to visit many new places without having to unpack and pack again.
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Armed with this piece of advice, international travel aboard these no-passport cruises can be your ticket to a unique vacation. You no longer have to deal with bureaucracy and long waits for first-time applications or renewals. Exploring the world by sea is a thrilling experience, and the great news is, you don’t always need a passport for these adventures. From the rugged beauty of Alaska to the sun-kissed shores of the West Coast, the options are diverse and exciting.
Alaska-Canada
Closed-loop cruises travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda but start and end at the same U.S. homeport. However, there are some caveats you'll need to know about ID requirements. You might be surprised to know that certain U.S.-based cruises allow you to cruise without a passport. But just because some cruise passport requirements allow for “no passport cruises” doesn't mean you should sail without one. We break down closed-loop cruises, what happens in an emergency if you cruise without a passport, and what passport rules are for Alaska, the Bahamas and other popular cruise destinations.
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Isolated incidents have left passengers stranded for longer than anticipated. Mexico cruises most frequently depart from Los Angeles (San Pedro and Long Beach), San Francisco and San Diego. Starting and ending in Seattle or San Francisco, an Alaskan cruise takes you to charming waterfront cities and villages like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. In Alaska, also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, you can see spectacular, icy glaciers by boat or seaplane, watch for whales and try your hand at dog sledding. Here are more questions about cruising with a passport you might be wondering. Regardless of what you decide, you should always bring some form of official photo I.D.
Holland America Line’s seven-day Alaskan Explorer departs from Seattle and cruises the Puget Sound and Stephens Passage. With those two approved documents and traveling overland into Canada, it is possible to do a one-way cruise starting or ending in Vancouver as an American without a passport. Note that flying across the border would require a passport, however. 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.
For anyone who'd prefer a passport-not-required destination that can be explored during a short amount of time in port, cruising to Bermuda is a natural fit. It's a fairly small island, and since several itineraries offer overnights (some that span more than one night), you'll have time to learn your way around, have dinner in town and check out the nightlife. One option is to take a closed-loop cruise -- a round-trip sailing that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port. For that, you need only a birth certificate and a driver's license (or other acceptable, government-issued photo ID). First, you do not need a passport for any U.S.-based cruises that visit no other countries. The long-cruise options consist of 14- to 18-night round-trip sailings from San Diego, LA (Long Beach and San Pedro) and San Francisco.
Mexico, a vibrant land of rich culture and stunning natural beauty, is another splendid destination for a passport-free cruise. Depart from Californian cities like San Francisco, San Diego, or Long Beach and set course for the Baja Peninsula. Freeport offers a unique blend of local culture and natural beauty, with opportunities to kayak through the mangroves at Lucayan National Park or indulge in some serious shopping at Port Lucaya Marketplace. For an exclusive resort experience, head to Princess Cays at the southern end of Eleuthera.
One is on a cruise where you fly in and spend your entire vacation in and around the islands. The other is a long slog, closed-loop sailing from a California port or Seattle, with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and several days at sea getting to and from Hawai‘i. All of the above considered, you should always check with your cruise line regarding what documents you may need for an upcoming cruise. The cruise line will be able to inform you of its policies, as well as requirements that will apply to your specific itinerary. Most cruise lines, however, do greatly encourage travelers to bring a passport as their primary form of ID. You can also get a passport card, which is like a lower-cost, limited version of a passport book (which is what a traditional passport is).
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