The peace of mind of having the passport is worth far more than the effort to getting it. Plenty of cruisers make these sailings without a passport and without any trouble using just their driving license and birth certificate. Other cruises, though, require that kids under 16 have an original birth certificate with them, and kids over 16 must have a passport. Cruise ships usually sail under a foreign flag. A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. Not all cruises have the same passport requirements. Clear editor. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. We flew and sailed this past March and my wife's expired 5 months from the date we sailed. Make colorcopiesof your passport photo page, foreign visas, and itinerary. In Ensenada, the Cinderella of the Pacific, you can ride horses along mountain trails, tour the wine country, shop for souvenirs and taste the local tequila. It makes a port of It has already been taken care of, including stops at foreign locations. By They can end one voyage and begin boarding the next a few hours later. If you are a US citizen and are doing a closed loop cruise , then you do NOT need a passport at this time. 2. Yeah, I walked out with my Real ID in Jan. 2020 (I went to a REAL ID Center), but not all PA DMV can print them. We will be traveling with Royal Caribbean in May. WHTI is the joint Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to implement a key 9/11 Commission recommendation and the statutory mandates of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). A lock ( and birth certificate is sufficient, however it says to check with each specific port. An example would be one that starts in Florida and ends in the Bahamas. You must remain on the ship if you dont have your passport. Below, weve compiled a list of seven places to visit without a passport, from scenic Alaska to the beachy Caribbean. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Some countries may require mandatory quarantine on arrival if a case of COVID-19 is identified aboard your cruise ship. It is what it is. But, the policy is the policy. For U.S. citizens, passports are not required for all cruises. Check with the destination countrys embassy or consulate about local laws regarding your prescribed medicines. A local's beach guide to Puerto Rico:Which beaches to visit, what to know in San Juan, Culebra and more. You will enjoy it. U.S. citizens who do choose to travel internationally should make contingency plans, as they may have to remain in a foreign country longer than originally planned. The only way youll board a ship without a passport is if your cruise does not require one. Royal Caribbean emphasizes that Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. WebHeres an example of a closed-loop cruise itinerary that starts and ends in a United States Cruise Port: A 4-night cruise departs from the Port of Miami in Florida. It also states that "some cruise lines" may have a 6 month requirement. The supervisors know what will and won't be accepted by CBP. When embarking on adventures by sea that dont require a passport, make sure you have the proper cruise documentation. A closed-loop cruise is a sort of loop-hole in the passport requirement for a cruise. Travel delays or quarantines due to COVID-19 may result in unanticipated expenses for travelers. Have a contingency plan for returning homeif you must remain in a foreign country longer than expected. 5. Here are some examples: Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad. I have zero memory these days for details like this. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. There is also a fine line in answering this question that goes beyond the word "need" and essentially talks about if you "should" get a passport. I always carry our passports, as well as our trip and health insurance information with me when I leave the ship and go on foreign soil. Whether RCI will let you board with whatever documants depends on the itinerary. They may require different documentation for entry. If you are cruising with kids under age 16 on a closed-loop cruise, you'll need to bring a certified copy of their original birth certificate for identification. They do not need a photo ID. If you are flying internationally you still need a passport. It is the only reliable travel document for international travel. Carry awritten copy of all your prescriptionswith you in case a country requires it, or you need to replace your medications. Original certificate of U.S. naturalization, U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad. What if I get hurt on excursion? Look no further: Youve decided you want a vacation, but theres a problem youre a U.S. citizen and you dont have 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. Are Passports Required for These Cruises? The saying "you don't know what you don't know" refers to the notion you cannot take advantage of something without, When you are looking to pick the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise for your family, often you will find a few good choices, You might be wondering how many formal nights there are going to be on your Royal Caribbean cruise. But, if you are using other than a BC and DL, you must use a Passport and it must meet RCCL's minimum requirements, by policy (note, I didn't say what you can get away with). Children 15 and under only need to have their U.S. birth certificate. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. If you cannot be discharged before the cruise ship is scheduled to depart, the cruise ship may leave without you. Remain vigilantand exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad. Bring enough cash to cover your stay. This is my reason. From Caribbean destinations to closed-loop travel, here are the spots Americans can go without a passport. Apparently, RCCL does. My son's passport will expire 5 months after our cruise booked later in the year. Passport cards cannot be used on cruises from international homeports. Canadian and U.S. children under 16 must only present birth certificates (notarized, original, or certified copy), Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, Certificates of Naturalization, or proof of citizenship. Youll be glad you did. It is our preference to carry them anytime we are outside of USA, just in case. When you come ashore, followlocal laws and customs. 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. For closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: A boarding pass. A government photo I.D. if 16 years of age or older. Anl emergency could force you to end the cruise in a foreign port of call, and a passport will make getting home much easier. We were even able to check in on the app using her passport. 6 If you are a U.S. citizen and cruising out of the United States , then you do not need a passport. Scarlson91 TheWestern Hemisphere Travel Initiative(WHTI) requires you to travel with a valid passport (including infants). EDITED IN: It doesn't say "Required" because they aren't, if you want to use a Birth Certificate and DL on a "closed Loop" cruise, you can. And I'm talking about RCCL's policy, not any other company unless it is RCCL, or country. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents. For U.S. citizens, you can enjoy traveling without a passport requirement. It is for travelers who are not going to leave the country by airplane, and plan to only leave the United States via land or sea. Royal Caribbean Rookie Mistakes To Avoid! Be aware you can not fly internationally without a passport so if something happened mid-cruise and you needed to fly home, you couldn't. For U.S. Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents. International sailings (cruises that begin outside the United States), U.S. citizens require a valid Passport and the corresponding visa required for entry and exit from the country. "In those instances, the cruise lines would require passengers to have a valid passport to board even if it is not a U.S. requirement,"the agency's website reads. Are you looking to cruise without a passport? Because international cruises in Europe and Asia require air travel, these vacations also demand a passport. My license has the gold star on it. (Columbia is the one I know does require 6 months even for cruise passengers, don't book a cruise going to Columbia without meeting that requirement). https://www.carnival.com/cruise-from.aspx, pastel-colored British colonial architecture, Things to Do in Los Angeles: Before or After Your Cruise. As Britains oldest colony, Bermuda offers wonderful historic attractions and plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun. The majority of these New England and Canada cruises are weeklong, fall sailings, but a handful depart at other times of year or are a touch longer, at eight to 10 nights. Passports for Canadian Citizens travelling to the US only need to be valid for the length of their stay. Here's what to do, How long is a US passport good for? No problem at all as none all the countries only required a valid passport. Cap off a day of adventure in Bermuda with a sunset rum-tasting cruise. Birth certificate + government-issued photo ID*. 242. For U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), you must have your photo ID plus your Permanent Resident Card (I-551/Green Card). One option is to take a closed-loop cruise a round-trip sailing that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port. It was requred to be mailed to my street address as that was part of verifying residence for Real ID in those states. Join. Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's Travel Documentation page for specifics. If you are a U.S. citizen and cruising out of the United States (meaning your cruise begins and ends in the United States), then you do not need a passport. What is written on the invoice that is personslized to every guest with the details of their booking and a link to yje guest contract certainly takes precedence over a blanket statement in a FAQ's section. For that, you need only a birth certificate and a drivers license . They are not going to list every country and itinerary because there are multiple possibilities so they publish a general statement of what is acceptable. Cruises that dont begin and end in the same port are not considered closed-loop cruises. This is longer than any other ID in the USA and it proves both identity AND citizenship. On my browser it has a "find" feature. However, ifyou board a cruise ship in San Diego, California, sail through the Panama Canal (stopping at a foreign port during the cruise), and end the cruise in Miami, Florida, you have not taken a closed loop cruise. I walked out with mine on the Monday after my last a cruise, lol. If you are cruising to Bermuda, then you dont necessarily need a U.S. passport book, but can use any of the following documents instead: U.S. passport card, Trusted Traveler card , or an enhanced drivers license. What forms of ID are required for minors traveling on Royal Caribbean? A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notorized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship a If you are a U.S. citizen traveling or from Hawaii, another U.S. territory , then you may also not need a passport. Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. Want to take a short cruise to an exotic island without the hassle? You can post now and register later. This will be our first cruise, Your cruise carrier website should list all the required documentation. These depart from the ports of Bayonne, Baltimore, Boston, Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City, and occasionally Norfolk. You are assuming that what is written in their FAQ's is policy. 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. Web"U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) will be able to enter or depart the country with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. The U.S. Virgin Islands, another Caribbean destination, allows domestic travelers to enter without a passport. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, WebPassports 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. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. For U.S. citizens, these are the top cruise destinations you can visit without one. I have had two Real ID licenses from two different states.I moved. And what is your take on the issue presented here, lost ID. I've used my passport before for employment to satisfy both requirements in one document rather than the usual social security card and drivers license. While LPRs are not required to have passports, other destinations may contain different rules. What types ofmedical servicesyour ship can provide, such as basic or urgent care, hospitalization, dialysis, etc. Still need a passport to enter the US. I suspect that the language changed with the introduction of the new cruise contract that was just released. If you use a "Passport" it must meet the minimum requirements. Although there are some situations where passports are not strictly necessary, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you read further down it mentions some cruises only require a birth certificate and photo ID. If you take a closed-loop cruise to Bermuda, you can leave your passport at home and travel instead with a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate. But, the title of this thread includes and is limited to "Close Loop" cruises. U.S. citizens who choose to travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 as they attempt to return to the United States. I am guessing that your CA CBP officers would want their citizens returning home to Canada with a valid passport, but it doesn't effect your closed loop cruise. Mainstream cruise lines operate a number of cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coast that dont require passports. The important thing here not having a photo ID is so rare that the supervisors have some leeway to try to make what the unfortunate passenger has, work. Check before leaving. For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov. Simply put, having a passport makes traveling significantly easier and simpler. I would politely let you know that your passport was about to expire, but for the purposes of your closed loop cruise, it still works. Recommended Reading: Cheapest Way To Cruise Alaska. I haven't seen the word "recommended" in the policy! It provides simpler logistics for a cruise line by using the same port. The Caribbean makes a popular destination for travelers considering a tropical cruise. For those who have a longing to escape to a tropical destination or attend an exciting Alaskan adventure yet dont have a valid passport, you may want to consider a closed-loop cruise. Consider storing your travel documents and othervaluables in a secure spot, such as a room or ships safe. You can find this information on the govt website.. just search for closed loop cruise requirements. For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required for closed loop cruises. What Is the Documentation Required for a Non-U.S. Citizen? Maybe youve never had the time, money or desire to travel abroad previously, or perhaps your old passport has expired. Additionally, vacation planning for guests booking round-trip flights is also made easier. That means spur-of-the-moment international trips without a passport can be impossible to pull off. In this case, you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance from your doctor. How many formal nights on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Your cruise Always bring your passportin case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port in an emergency, even if your cruise says you wont need it. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. In the Eastern Caribbean, find dream destinations like Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. For a cruise ship to qualify for a closed-loop status, it must start and end in the United States. But, I try. I absolutely love cruising with my favorite ports of call being in the Caribbean. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. No. As long as you book a closed loop cruise, you can travel to certain destinations without a passport. Many cruises that have this itinerary may not require a passport. You might be wondering if you should get the passport card vs book. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's When traveling on a closed-loop cruise in the Caribbean, you dont need a passport, but if you choose to travel without one, you will need BOTH a valid US drivers license and an original birth certificate. U.S. citizens can take advantage of closed-loop cruises where passports are not required. I don't know. Some countries do require 6 months so they are covering themselves. There is also a rule called the Six Month Passport Validity Rule. I will likely want to cruise again. Apart from that, you should keep it secure in your cabin safe. For me, the peace of mind of a passport far outweighs bringing a birth certificate and ID along with you. This includes payment for hotels, restaurants, taxis, souvenir shops, etc. For closed loop cruises, generally speaking it states a valid I.D. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason (e.g., for an emergency evacuation, you will need a passport book to fly back to the United States. At the time I was looking it definitely stated recommended as we knew that my wife's passport expired. The last 3 have nothing to do with this. A government photo I.D. 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 any of you came to me with a valid US passport that was still valid by the end of your closed loop cruise I would embark you. I dont have to worry about damaging the birth certificate which is only as durable as the paper its printed on. The Department has been working with states to enhance their drivers licenses and identification documents to comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), effective June 1, 2009. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. Childrens passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years. 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. 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. From Caribbean destinations to closed-loop travel, here are the spots Americans can go without a passport. For closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: Starting and ending in Seattle or San Francisco, an Alaskan cruise takes you to charming waterfront cities and villages like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Not all destinations require U.S. tourists to carry a passport. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection indicates that citizens can enter the U.S. using a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate. The card is ok to fly within the US as a Real ID. THAT I remember. 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. WebU.S. U.S. credit and debit cardsdo NOT workinCuba. When you get off and on the ship in ports of call, youll just need to have your ID and your cabin keycard. U.S. citizens who travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19. We DO NOT require passports for The Bahamas if flying from Canada. They can go to contiguous territories or islands close to the continental United States, including Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. garywatson, April 23 in Royal Caribbean International. Additionally,the State Departmentsaystravelers under 16 do not need a passport to enter Canada; they need only proof of U.S. citizenship. A stop in Victoria, British Columbia offers a whole new set of adventures. In some cases, where youre arriving in a country by sea , the cruise line will handle visa procurement for you. Most people are not very careful so they should send their renewal in a year. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. I would think what is written on the invoice would trump what it says on the website. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Drivers License, or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST). I traveled internationally on a cruise with Royal with a passport that had five months left because the year when I renewed I had a lot of travel and that was the best window. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. WebU.S. If youve heard about an international cruise where a passport isnt required, thats most likely a closed-loop If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Regardless of what the minimum requirements are for travel, we highly recommend everyone get a passport. An U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, aConsular Report of Birth Abroadissues byDepartment of State,(DOS) and/orCertificate of Naturalizationissued by U.S. Most closed loop cruises from the US do not visit any countries that require a passport, much less 6 month post travel validity, or is waived for cruise passengers. If youre trying to fly to an international cruise port without a passport, you wont get past airline check-in. Even for non us citizens it is not required. Proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Drivers License , a government-issued birth certificate, a passport card, or a passport. According to U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Citizens can enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo I.D., including: U.S. Passport Passport Card Birth Certificate Enhanced Drivers License