Explore without a passport: What to know about closed-loop cruises

Table Of Content

• Travel document requirements for sailings from Istanbul, Turkey
• Accepted Identification for U.K. Citizens
• Travel document requirements for sailings from U.S. homeports (excluding Honoulu, Hawaii & Seward, Alaska)
• West Coast Closed-Loop Cruises
• Carnival Cruises
• Accepted Identification for Chinese Citizens
• Margaritaville at Sea

Note, however, that this does not necessarily mean that the countries on your itinerary, especially in the Caribbean, won’t still require you to have a passport to enter. If that’s the case, your cruise line might already require you to have a passport to board the ship—even if U.S. If you’re 16 or older, you will also need a valid government-issued driver’s license or picture ID that contains your photo, name and date of birth. Even though closed loop cruises can’t take you wherever you want to go, the destination choices may be more diverse than you’d expect. From the beaches of the Bahamas to the wilderness of Alaska, these are the greatest place you can visit on a closed loop cruise without a passport. Different documentation is acceptable for minors under 16, including an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Istanbul, Turkey

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. You can also cruise to the Mexican Riviera—destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán—without a passport.

Accepted Identification for U.K. Citizens

Do you need a passport to cruise to The Bahamas?... - The US Sun

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There are quite a few port options if you want to travel to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The main cruise port options with itineraries sailing there are from Port Canaveral, Manhattan, Port Everglades, Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans, Cape Liberty, Galveston, or Tampa. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a comprehensive list and details the criteria for taking a cruise without a passport, including what constitutes a government-issued photo ID. As we mentioned, adults must have two ID forms to board a cruise if they don't have a passport.

Travel document requirements for sailings from U.S. homeports (excluding Honoulu, Hawaii & Seward, Alaska)

No matter which documents you bring, it's 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 you're ashore. Always carry some type of photo identification, like a driver's license, when you head into port. Any cruises where you need to fly to or from a foreign country, including Canada, will necessitate a passport.

If your cruise itinerary changes due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, and you end up stranded in a foreign port, you’ll need a passport to leave the country and fly back home. Without a passport, you may face significant delays, additional costs, or even deportation. 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.

Carnival Cruises

The types of documentation that are required in order to go on a trip will typically vary from cruise line to cruise line. To leave and enter the United States while on a closed-loop cruise, all you need is evidence of nationality, such as your birth card. An enhanced driver's license is another alternative that you can use for land and sea port crossings, but not for international flights. 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. Therefore, even if a cruise doesn’t require a passport, it’s advisable to have one to avoid these potential issues.

Following that, you will spend a whole day gently sailing the 30-mile Endicott Arm Fjord. You will arrive at Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, after a day at sea during which you may make the most of the ship and her exquisite Resort Vista. Swimming in the tranquil waters of the pristine Bacalar Lake, where you will float over cenote-fed water which is an incredible shade of aquamarine, is just one of the many options that await you in this area. A closed-loop cruise is one that does not need you to have a passport for the majority of its passengers.

You’ll visit pretty Ketchikan, from where you could join a bear-spotting tour, try kayaking, join an expedition to fish for king crab, or just explore the colorful town. The spectacle of this vast river of ice meeting the sea is a highlight of the day. After a day at sea to enjoy the ship and its magnificent Resort Deck, you’ll arrive at Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico. A vast array of choices beckons here, like relaxed tubing at the freshwater Bacalar Lagoon, where you’ll drift over cenote-fed water that’s an astonishing shade of aquamarine. If you do choose to take advantage of this opportunity to travel without a passport, there are a couple of warnings to bear in mind.

Margaritaville at Sea

Established in 1965, Princess Cruises, a prominent name in the cruise industry, began its journey with a single ship heading to Mexico. Today, it boasts a fleet of 15 state-of-the-art ships, offering a variety of onboard amenities and top-notch service, serving millions of passengers annually. Aboard their ships, guests are treated to a diverse array of dining options, both complementary and specialty. Entertainment includes a variety of live music and comedy to Broadway-style shows. Carnival Cruise Lines currently offers 13 cruise destinations for guests to choose from. Each cruise is packed with a wide array of entertainment choices, from stage shows and live music to deck parties and casinos, ensuring fun-filled days and nights.

If you aren’t sure, please ask your cruise line about this in advance. A closed loop cruise refers only to U.S. immigration regulations and passport requirements for U.S. citizens. It does not reflect those of the destinations on the closed loop cruise. U.S. citizens younger than 16 may use an original, notarized or certified copy of their birth certificate to go on a closed loop cruise. Comprised of the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean Island, the greater Caribbean region is home to some of the greatest beach destination on the planet.

Or you can sail in a loop from the port of Ravenna in Venice, Italy, to see cities in Italy, Croatia, and Greece. An incredibly popular cruise line, Royal Caribbean departs from 14 ports across the US. The most popular closed-loop itineraries leave from Port Canaveral and Miami, where they sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

A passport book is not only the most reliable form of identification but if guests unexpectedly need to fly to or from the U.S. during their cruise, not having a passport book could cause big problems and delays. 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.

It also requires a government-issued driver's license or a photo ID with your name and date of birth. Always check your cruise line’s specific travel document requirements for more information on whether a passport card is an acceptable form of identification for your specific cruise. Carnival Cruise Line strongly advises having a valid passport book while traveling.

For specific travel requirements, it is always best to check with the cruise line. Those sailing on a closed-loop cruise can enter or leave the country with an alternative proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued driver’s license or birth certificate. 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.

A different cruise experience and a better traveling experience and one of the best ways to pass time. In most cases, children under the age of 16 who are traveling with a parent or guardian do not require a passport; nonetheless, you must bring at least a birth document with you as evidence of nationality. Take a trip to the Islands and the clear, coastal weather of the Caribbean aboard the luxurious Celebrity Edge, one of the most cutting-edge and magnificent vessels now sailing the seas.

In our minds, investing around a dollar per month for 10 years of security is a steal. One of the closed itineraries growing in popularity in Europe is a cruise to Iceland. Departing and ending at Rotterdam, in The Netherlands, you’ll get to explore this true wonder of the world. Cruises to Iceland also commonly include a port of call in Ireland as well. It’s not great for traveling with kids but if you’re adults, it’s a wonderful option.