Come to find out once we got to the end someone in the group behind us slipped on the trail and went over the side of the trail and fell about 30 feet. Those are likely to be point-to-point cruises that happen to include Bermuda. Im hoping someone has traveled to these ports without a passport and can comment with their outcome. For "closed-loop" cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: A boarding pass A government photo I.D. You'll be fine flying and visiting everything with the passports you currently have! Needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. Closed-loop cruises start and finish at the same United States port. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Drivers License, or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST). One exception to the passport or passport card rule applies to "closed-loop" cruises -- itineraries that begin and end at the same U.S. port. However, if you embark in one U.S. port and disembark in another, it's not the same as a closed-loop sailing. 866-562-7625. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Official websites use .gov February 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. Again, the passport card opens up the one-way possibilities assuming you arent flying and your cruise only includes Canada and the U.S. Dont Miss: Royal Caribbean New Years Cruise. The only way youll board a ship without a passport is if your cruise does not require one. While LPRs are not required to have passports, other destinations may contain different rules. Members; 13.4k August 6, 2006; Kamloops BC Canada #8 Share; Posted October 10, 2016. On a closed-loop cruise, adults do not necessarily need a passport but you will need proof of identity in the form of a valid government-issued photo ID card AND proof of citizenship . A closed-loop cruise is one that starts and finishes at the same U.S. port and only sails to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or the Bahamas.1 For U.S. citizens, passports are not required for all cruises. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Although Canada prefers U.S. citizens who arrive by sea or land to have a passport book, it is not required if they have proper identification and proof of citizenship. Other cruises, though, require that kids under 16 have an original birth certificate with them, and kids over 16 must have a passport. Mainstream cruise lines operate a number of cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coast that dont require passports. Its the passengers responsibility to check with the appropriate government agencies and their cruise line to determine what documentation is required. Any cruises where you need to fly to or from a foreign country, including Canada, will necessitate a passport. There's no better time to apply for a passport than now. Royal Caribbean Rookie Mistakes To Avoid! Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, lying 643 miles off the coast of North Carolina. You never can plan an illness or an injury and never know when you may need the appropriate documentation. The rules also apply to Caribbean islands that are U.S. territories. 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. This is my reason. What Is a Closed Loop Cruise? Before my, Warm sunny days, savory food at every turn, and family memories. Passports are universally accepted because they combine identification and citizenship, whereas a driving-license-& -birth-certificate combo might get refused. Therefore, you tend to see more cruise ships sailing with a foreign flag. Below, weve compiled a list of seven places to visit without a passport, from scenic Alaska to the beachy Caribbean. Another option is a passport card, which is a photo ID issued by the government that proves your citizenship and permits border crossings by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. These itineraries, like Alaska cruises, may be possible without a passport book, as long as your plans dont include flying into or out of Canada and your cruise line allows you to cruise with either a passport card or other acceptable form of identification and proof of citizenship. 3. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. If you need a passport, and you don t have one to show, you will not be allowed to board. Scarlson91 As weve shown, you have plenty of options of where to cruise without a passport and many travelers do so without incident. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Cruises that depart from and then return to the same U.S. port and visit only Canada, Mexico, and/or the islands of the Caribbean are called closed-loop cruises. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. You can always call them to provide specifics. Yes. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. If they did not have the appropriate paperwork with them it would have been more of a pain than if they did. From camping to cruising, she's been writing about travel for 30-plus years. Find the right card for you. Pasted as rich text. Do we need a passport or will a certified birth certificate and photo id work. The best part may be the ability to hop from island to island, sampling the flavors of each as you go. For example, a Panama Canal cruise that begins in Miami and ends in San Diego will require a passport. It was alot of fun! Certain destinations, such as China and Russia, may require visas for arrival into the country by air or independent exploration ashore. You can visit Alaska on a round-trip Seattle cruise without a passport. 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. First time cruiser and Im stressing about required travel documentation. Call 1-800-576-2378 Passport Requirements The U.S. government requires all guests to be in possession of proof of citizenship when sailing on any cruise. For cruise passengers driving to their port, their vehicle will be available when they disembark. These and other cruise lines also offer one-way cruises in both directions between Canada and New England. There is no 6 month issue in the Caribbean. By These closed-loop cruises that start and end stylish the U.S. don't demand a my to sail. For me, the peace of mind of a passport far outweighs bringing a birth certificate and ID along with you. Is it on Majesty of the Seas? Thanks for your response, but I already knew all this. Convenience. Thanks for the help! For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Government-issued identification and proof . Our southern neighbor boasts two coastlines of cruise fun. The cruise ship takes care of the immigration process for passengers arriving in a foreign port. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport. This is one of the reasons why these itineraries are so popular. 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. Citizens of the United States dont require passports on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. It's your responsibility (not your cruise line's) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go. Journeys . Again, the passport card opens up the one-way possibilities assuming you arent flying and your cruise only includes Canada and the U.S. Ive read several posts on different sites stating the call centers for cruise lines are not very educated and give wrong information, so in all honesty I would trust someone who has actually traveled to these ports vs. calling and talking to a rep. You won't need your passport at these ports. You will enjoy it. Sailings depart Florida from Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral; you can also find itineraries from New Orleans, Galveston and Mobile, Alabama. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. Cruise lines with Canada and New England closed-loop sailings include Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Princess, Holland America and small-ship operator American Cruise Lines. There is also a rule called the Six Month Passport Validity Rule. LockA locked padlock These voyages sail round trip from U.S. ports to destinations in North America such as the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Central America, Alaska and Hawaii. They can go to contiguous territories or islands close to the continental United States, including Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Luckily, you have options. If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship. If you are a US citizen and are doing a closed loop cruise , then you do NOT need a passport at this time. Your previous content has been restored. These depart from the ports of Bayonne, Baltimore, Boston, Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City, and occasionally Norfolk. Thats their policy, not a legal requirement. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Your cruise must end before the 90-day period for admission has passed. 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A passport is required for all international flights and for any cruise that embarks or disembarks in a foreign country. Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, sports team, or other organization with adult supervision. For U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), you must have your photo ID plus your Permanent Resident Card (I-551/Green Card). We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Its your responsibility (not your cruise lines) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go. Long known for delightful strands of beach and access to every imaginable form of water fun under the sub-tropical sun, the Bahamas are the destination of choice for easy and quick cruise vacations. And NONE of Caribbean islands require you to have a passport to visit as a cruise ship passenger. Even if you're on a closed-loop sailing, certain islands in the Caribbean Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados and others -- require a passport for entry. 2. Security. We checked with a few lines for you. Youll be glad you did. Bottom line. Recommended Reading: Cheapest Way To Cruise Alaska. Maybe youve never had the time, money or desire to travel abroad previously, or perhaps your old passport has expired. This is longer than any other ID in the USA and it proves both identity AND citizenship. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Additionally, there must be a destination to a foreign location to qualify as a closed-loop cruise. Princess, Holland America and Celebrity all strongly recommend passport books, but allow one of the WHTI forms of identification. Worth Reading: What Is a Transatlantic Cruise? Cruise ships usually sail under a foreign flag. U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport; Passport Card; Enhanced Drivers License; U.S. and Canadian citizen children under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious group, or other youth group) need only present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. Don't worry, you still have plenty of options! The passport is good for 10 years. You May Like: Dolphin Cruises Orange Beach Al. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours. Needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ships departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Dont dismiss registering for a passport even as you consider where you can cruise without one. For those unfamiliar with the term, we discuss what a closed-loop cruise is. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required for closed loop cruises. No matter which documents you bring, its a smart idea to take copies of them (either paper ones or photos on your phone) when you leave the ship, in case something happens while youre ashore. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Ultimately they are the ones that will decide if you board and no stranger on an internet forum is going to assist you or be responsible if there is some nuance or special circumstance in your case. 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 betweenthe U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. It provides simpler logistics for a cruise line by using the same port. However, anything from engine trouble on your cruise ship to bad weather to an accident in port might necessitate a flight home from a foreign country, putting you in an awkward position if you dont have a passport. 4. You need a birth Certificate with a raised seal and a valid govt ID or license. We are required to take them off in Cuba but that is the only one for us so far. Technically, if you have one of those forms of ID, but not a passport book, you can take a one-way Alaska cruise, as long as you dont have to fly to or from Canada. What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)? Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Display as a link instead, I hope the takeaway from all this is that its never too early to get your childs first passport. A closed-loop cruise is one that starts and finishes at the same U.S. port and only sails to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or the Bahamas.1. Better to be safe than sorry get a passport if you do not have one. Many first timer cruisers want to know if you need a passport to take a cruise, and the answer depends on a few factors. Thanks for the help! An enhanced driver's license is another alternative that you can use for land and sea port crossings, but not for international flights. The process requires explaining your urgent situation, completing an application, and showing your travel documents, photo identification and proof of citizenship. Social Security Cards and Voter Registration cannot be used as a form of citizenship. Apart from a few isolated cruises stopping in Bermuda as they come or go from other destinations, there are no one-way Bermuda cruises to confuse the situation. It also includes: Passports can be used as your form of identification but the fact that they arent mandatory is why closed-loop cruises are popular. Combine those details along with your drivers license number or ID number that can be very dangerous for identity theft. For a cruise ship to qualify for a closed-loop status, it must start and end in the United States. Something that I guarantee you nobody in his group planned on! 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. The big "what if". Regardless of what the minimum requirements are for travel, we highly recommend everyone get a passport. Check here before booking an award fare. 5. The passport card is an option the United States government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. Different rules will apply if you are an LPR. Whatever the reason, you still have choices. I've been to them all. They dont need to go to another location. Most Caribbean nations are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and they aren't going to have an issue with a cruise ship passenger with a US passport that is valid for the entirety of your visit in that country. Western Mexico, often referred to as the Mexican Riviera, includes the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Ensenada, among others. ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. . Theyprovide travelers with a low-cost, convenient alternative for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive. The most common reason to hold a valid passport is simple: you are safer with your passport than without it. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Typically, closed-loop cruises may leave from Miami, Florida, and travel to Bermuda before returning to the same port in Miami. Eastern vs. Western Caribbean cruises: Which itinerary will I like more? Ten days ago, my first cruise came to an end as I disembarked Mariner of the Seas in Port Canaveral. Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology for Border Crossing, CBP Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border, An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. So I understand this is considered a closed loop cruise. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You wont need a passport for these closed-loop sailings, but you do need to be prepared for multiple days at sea as you cross the Pacific from California to Hawaii. Also required is the original copy of your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) formally the IMM 1000 or with respect to any country on the itinerary any other travel documentation required because of alien status. twangster Posted February 16, 2019 twangster Members 18.9k Caribbean, Alaskan, and Mexican cruises are extremely popular. Or if you forgot to renew yours when it expired? If you're concerned about the cost of the passport, see if the places you're travelling to accept the passport card instead of the book. If you don't have a passport, these documents may also be sufficient to show customs officials in some Caribbean islands. 3) The tour provider should be authorized and have a permit . A cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port is considered a closed loop. This will be challenging if you dont have your passport. Passport-free cruises to Bermuda include ample five to 10-night sailings from the East Coast ports of Baltimore, Bayonne, Boston and Manhattan. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. Few years ago we were in Belize doing an excursion in Belize, tubing through the caves (Darknight I believe it was) and we also went through the forrest in the mountains. . Although there are some situations where passports are not strictly necessary, it is better to be safe than sorry. However, the simple and safest answer is "YES". Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. The birth certificate must be the original or a certified copy with the raised seal. The general wisdomfor US Citizens is an original raised seal birth certificate and government issued ID is adequate. I'm not saying that it WILL happen, but identity theft is real. Get support by Phone or Email. It is the only reliable travel document for international travel. You cannot paste images directly. Do I want to be limited to places that will accept the birth certificate/ID combination? Whether you seek out warm beaches, cool drinks, water sports or cultural education, theres a Caribbean cruise to fit the bill. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. No. As a result, the process is much more straightforward. Dont Miss: Princess Cruise And Flight Packages. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. The official definition of a closed-loop voyage is one that originates and ends . if 16 years of age or older If you choose not to bring your passport and take advantage of the benefits of a closed-loop cruise, there are some things that you need to be aware of. Cruises early or late in the season may be only four or five nights and trips departing from Los Angeles are usually 14 nights. You know it's best to cruise with a passport, but there are dozens of reasons why you might consider taking a cruise without one. Staff at the cruise terminal will check your travel documents before they assign you a key card and send you up the gangway to the ship. An original copy of your government-issued birth certificate or naturalization certificate and a government-issued photo ID, Fly out of the United States to meet a ship at the next available port should they miss the scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port. You might be wondering if you should get the passport card vs book. If you arent a Lawful Permanent Resident or a U.S. citizen, you must provide appropriate documentation to prove your citizenship, including a passport. Its easy to cruise without a passport in the Caribbean. If you are aboard a Caribbean closed-loop cruise, (a cruise that departs and ends at the same U.S. port), you can travel with a state-issued ID (for example: your driver's license) and an original . This was implemented to clarify what documents guests require for traveling on a cruise ship. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Passports are not required for closed loop cruises because you are leaving and entering from the same U.S. port, without really spending any time abroad. Hop a cruise ship for a direct route to the islands famous beaches and golf courses. Double-check your cruise lines ID requirements, because theres no room for error. State-issued enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier.