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In some cases, children aboard international cruises are required to have a valid passport book. If your child needs a U.S. passport, follow our complete guide on how to get a passport for a minor in just 3 steps. If your passport book does not meet this requirement, you may be denied boarding or entry into certain countries, even if your cruise ship is your primary means of travel.
Cruising further from the U.S.
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. They provide a plethora of onboard activities, top-notch dining options, captivating entertainment, and luxurious accommodations that are tailored to both adults and families. 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. Certainly many guests will cruise without a passport and likely not run into any issues.
Changes in Itinerary
Sailings depart Florida from Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral; you can also find itineraries from New Orleans, Galveston and Mobile, Alabama. If you're pregnant, most cruise lines require you to disclose that and provide a note from your doctor verifying your due date and that you're fit to travel. No cruise line will allow you to sail if you are more than 24 weeks along before the conclusion of the voyage.
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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. The answer to do you need a passport to cruise to Alaska depends on where you’re departing from and returning to. Even if you visit a Canadian port, you may be able to sail to Alaska with just a U.S. birth certificate and photo identification. It’s important to understand the information provided above is limited to either land or sea border crossings. This means that if you’re heading to the Bahamas by air, you’re going to need to bring your passport to reenter the U.S.
Other closed-loop cruises
Visas can be acquired directly from the embassy or consulate of the countries to be visited. The requirements for visas and other documents can differ based on the destination and may change without any advance notice. Guests should double-check the visa requirements with the consulate 14 to 30 days before the cruise starts. The cruise line you’re traveling with may also have its own documentation requirements, which can include a passport book or passport card regardless of the itinerary. A passport card is acceptable for closed-loop cruise travel, but if you plan to fly back to the U.S. from a foreign port, a passport book is required.
Can I use an enhanced driver’s license instead of a passport?
Some places in America’s largest state are not even accessible by road, so a cruise ship is the ideal way to see many wonderful sights without having to pack or unpack. For this reason, you’ll see plenty of cruises taking off from Florida, stopping off in the Bahamas, then looping back and docking in the United States. However, with this variety comes a different set of documentation requirements. A passport doesn’t merely grant access; it serves as a universally recognized piece of ID, providing personal details like your photograph, date of birth, and nationality.
For non-U.S. citizens
Before we go further, let's clarify that when we talk about cruising without a passport, we're referring to pricey passport books that some travelers do not wish to purchase. Passport cards can also be used for identification when cruising in all the places we are about to discuss; these cards are a low-cost alternative to traveling with your driver's license and birth certificate. Boarding a cruise ship isn't like boarding a city bus or hopping on the subway. Because cruises involve international travel, you won't be allowed to sail if you don't have all the proper cruise documents and identification.
Do children need passports for cruises?
These requirements may change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check with Royal Caribbean or your travel agency for the most up-to-date information. For more in-depth information regarding required travel documents for getting on board Royal Caribbean International, see the Getting Onboard with The Right Travel Documents page. For U.S. citizens, there are specific passport and travel document policies tied to both the cruise line and destination that must be adhered to for a smooth vacation. Our guide aims to explain these requirements, preparing you for potential emergencies and ensuring you’re well-equipped for cruise travel. The passport card is an option the United States government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. 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.
Their cruises range from short trips to 128-day voyages, covering all continents. They’re known for their quality service, excellent food, elegant decor, and diverse entertainment. Their ships feature modern amenities like high-tech shows and extensive art collections. Holland America Line is lauded for catering to multi-generational groups making it an ideal cruise line for families. Princess Cruises provides a global experience, covering over 100 countries across all seven continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Cruise passenger reveals maddening passport detail after ship blocked from NZ - Yahoo News Australia
Cruise passenger reveals maddening passport detail after ship blocked from NZ.
Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It can take eight to 11 weeks (expedited wait times are five to seven weeks) for a routine passport to be issued, so you always want to plan ahead. If you had an emergency and were forced to disembark due to illness or other reason in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, the Bahamas, Bermuda or Canada you would need a passport to return home by plane. On the rare occasion of a ship evacuation or a diversion to another country to disembark, a passport would also be essential for getting home. 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 you're planning a cruise and have questions about where you can travel without a passport, here's everything you need to know before you go.
Many require a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate if you don't have a passport. U.S. and Canadian citizens under 16 (or under 19 if traveling with a school, religious group or other youth groups) only need to present a birth certificate or another proof of citizenship. That said, some may require a passport if you want to disembark at ports in any Caribbean destination. And if you're starting and ending your cruise at different ports within the U.S. — or flying in to or out of a Caribbean country — you will need a passport. Cruises are a popular way to travel and there are many options to choose from. Whether it's a tropical beach vacation, a river trip in Europe or a glacier cruise in Alaska, there's something enjoyable about kicking back on a ship, exploring a handful of ports and taking it easy for a few days.
Whether you seek warm beaches, cool drinks, water sports or cultural education, you can find a Caribbean cruise to fit the bill. At TPG, we always recommend cruising with a passport, but there are many reasons why you might want to set sail without one. With the pandemic and how overbooked flights and hotels can be these days, I like the peace of mind that comes with knowing I'm covered if something goes wrong. Only after port officials check and verify each of these at the terminal will you be permitted to board your ship. The check-in process can be intimidating if you haven't gone through it before.
Not having a passport means you will need to travel to a U.S. embassy or consulate in a foreign country to apply for a temporary visa to re-enter the country. Not all embassies/consulates are located near the cruise ports and moreover, the time it takes for the entire process to occur is not quick. Cruise lines recommend that every passenger have a passport when traveling, even on closed-loop cruises when one isn't strictly necessary. It's the best way to prove your identification and citizenship and is an essential item if you unexpectedly get stranded abroad.
That is because you have already registered with the ship, and they will present this information to any customs agents on your behalf. Another option for a cruise passenger is to keep their passport card on them while storing their passport book in their cabin safe. In either scenario, you must still bring your passport when boarding the ship.
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