All closed-loop cruises embark accept any of the following WHTI-permitted forms of US identification: a passport card, Enhanced Drivers License, Trusted Traveler Program ID (FAST, SENRI, and Nexus), or an I-872 American An example would be one that starts in Florida and ends in the Bahamas. Many cruises that have this itinerary may not require a passport. A local's beach guide to Puerto Rico:Which beaches to visit, what to know in San Juan, Culebra and more. Did you go to KoP? For U.S. citizens, you can enjoy traveling without a passport requirement. It is discussed somewhere in the government's websites and it just states that some countries require 3 or 6 months. For U.S. citizens, these are the top cruise destinations you can visit without one. What their procedures are in case ofemergency. A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. 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. If youre looking for a different kind of cruise, explore parts of New England and Canada with New York City as an exciting starting and ending point. The cruise ship will have procedures in place for handling a crime onboard. Passports are universally accepted because they combine identification and citizenship, whereas a driving-license-& -birth-certificate combo might get refused. You can post now and register later. How family members cancontact you in an emergency, such as cell or satellite phone coverage and/or an e-mail address for emergencies. Thanks for the help! Western Caribbean locales in Mexico like Yucatn and Cozumel deliver exciting attractions, from ancient Mayan ruins to flamingo lagoons, and activities like swimming with dolphins, dune buggy rides, sailing, snorkeling, diving and zip lining. Other cruises, though, require that kids under 16 have an original birth certificate with them, and kids over 16 must have a passport. Bring enough cash to cover your stay. New applicants can expect to spend $130 for a passport book, plus a $35 acceptance fee. If you are traveling to the Bahamas on a closed-loop cruise, which is a cruise that starts and ends at the same U.S. port, you may travel with a state-issued ID and an original U.S. birth certificate. Its best to check the specific entry requirements for each foreign port youll be visiting before leaving your passport at home. Go on a Cruise. It's not. "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. 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. Okay, the horse is dead enough, again. God forbid something should happen to you in the Bahamas and you cant get back on board of the ship you will need your passport to get off the island. Look no further: Youve decided you want a vacation, but theres a problem youre a U.S. citizen and you dont have a passport. Are you looking to cruise without a passport? The opportunities for adventure on a Caribbean cruise are endless. 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. Still need a passport to enter the US. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. 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. It is what it is. To qualify as a round-trip cruise departing from the U.S., the cruise ship needs to meet a specific criterion. For those on the Visa Waiver Program, you can use the I-94W (your immigration stamp received when first entering the United States) when you re-enter at disembarkment. In Freeport, you can shop till you drop at the Port Lucaya Marketplace or kayak through the mangroves at Lucayan National Park. One option is to take a closed-loop cruise -- a round-trip sailing that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port. If you are cruising to the Bahamas from the U.S., the following documents are acceptable: passport book, passport card, Trusted Traveler card , or an enhanced drivers license. 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. For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required for closed loop cruises. First time cruiser and Im stressing about required travel documentation. For a cruise ship to qualify for a closed-loop status, it must start and end in the United States. Typically, closed-loop cruises may leave from Miami, Florida, and travel to Bermuda before returning to the same port in Miami. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? The passport book is more durable for multiple trips. For cruise passengers driving to their port, their vehicle will be available when they disembark. "Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was launched in 2009 by the United States government. Check before leaving. Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's Travel Documentation page for specifics. The only time youll need to show your birth certificate is during the boarding check-in process and when you leave the ship as you arrive back home. What about an Canadian? 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. Passengers should also note that for some ports, you may require a passport to gain entrance. 1. To qualify, the ship must return to the exact same port they left from. On Grand Turk, enjoy swimming with stingrays, riding horses along the coast, or touring the island by ATV. Your link has been automatically embedded. Your cruise 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 license, picture ID, denoting photo, name, and date of birth. If youre looking for cruises that dont require a passport, take a round trip sail to Bermuda from New York City, Baltimore, Charleston or one of two Florida ports of call. Read Also: Royal Caribbean Cruises To Hawaii. Ensure cabin safety and make sure thedoor and balcony are properly lockedat all times. If the Canadian passport was accepted for entry to the US at the border by our US CBP (and that Canadian was standing in front of me at a US terminal to get on a closed loop cruise), as long as that passport was valid for at least a day after the cruise, they would be embarked. You unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air. 5 things people that cruise a lot would tell first time cruisers if they could, 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. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship. 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, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. If you are flying internationally you still need a passport. WebUnder such conditions, guests will need to present (a) a valid passport (b) a Royal Caribbean Cruises tour ticket and (c) one photocopy of passport page showing guest picture and personal information to the Russian Immigration officer as they depart the ship. Children under 16 can also travel to the Bahamas on a cruise with an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. When it comes to domestic cruises, nothing beats a trip to Hawaii. IRTPA, in part, required the DHS and DOS to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other acceptable document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. The good news was they were able to fly out the next day, but lost their Business Class seats that they had originally booked. Hell no! Children 15 and under only need to have their U.S. birth certificate. WebU.S. We discuss what is a closed-loop cruise and why they are so popular. 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. Remain vigilantand exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad. 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. More on that coming up! Popular closed loop itineraries include not only the Caribbean but also the Mexican Riviera and Alaska. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! 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. These depart from the ports of Bayonne, Baltimore, Boston, Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City, and occasionally Norfolk. We were on the same cruise and my passport was 5 months and 28 days from expiry. BTW, if you look hard enough, you'll find which countries require 6-month expiration. 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. Pasted as rich text. Spend a day soaking up history in Boston, Massachusetts, and tour the Charles River aboard an amphibious duck vehicle. U.S. citizens can take advantage of closed-loop cruises where passports are not required. Not every passenger goes to the website to check for information. For these cruises, you do not need a passport for re-entry into the United States. For closed loop cruises, generally speaking it states a valid I.D. These and other cruise lines also offer one-way cruises in both directions between Canada and New England. Of course, if you are traveling internationally, U.S. citizens will need a passport. Make colorcopiesof your passport photo page, foreign visas, and itinerary. Do you think they are going to list every/all unacceptable forms of ID? On this exciting trip, you can deep sea fish for marlin, explore forest caves and waterfalls, soak up the sun on a black-sand beach and attend a traditional luau. This was before the pandemic, so they were able to go to the regional passport office and get a same day replacement passport. Clear editor. Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz. All I need is the book. But it doesn't say that a passport with less than 6 months remaining will also be accepted does it? Recommended Reading: Cheapest Way To Cruise Alaska. A Birth Certificate and DL are acceptable. 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. There are many perks for passengers and cruise lines that offer closed-loop cruises. It almost comes to a "what if" scenario at times but lets just say that "what if" is what the wife and I specialize in at our jobs so we always try to prepare for the worst case scenario. When the airlines say they require 6 months remaining on the passport for international flights - they mean it. 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. 91. r/royalcaribbean. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Corporate legalese v boots on the ground, real life, local best practices. Again, keep in mind, we are talking about close loop cruises, I can tell you that Cuba is one of them too. What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)? A cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port is considered a closed loop. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling or from Hawaii, another U.S. territory , then you may also not need a passport. For example, if your cruise begins and ends at the same port in Miami, then you are on a closed loop cruise. What is a closed loop cruise can simply be phrased as any cruise ship debarking from and returning to the same point. 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. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Interesting. But some like to see all that is published on cruise line websites in black and white. No. 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. This is often the case for Mediterranean cruises that visit, but dont embark or debark in, Egypt. For U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), you must have your photo ID plus your Permanent Resident Card (I-551/Green Card). Passports are not required to visit the Northern Mariana Islands, aU.S. commonwealthmade up of 14 islands, includingSaipan,Tinian andRota. In addition to making family travel much easier, the old and expired passports accumulated over the decades make for great memories. We DO NOT require passports for The Bahamas if flying from Canada. Apparently, RCCL does. The Bahamas. Passport Not Required. 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 . I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport. I'm not right 100% of the time and I've proved it. 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. Think logically. On my browser it has a "find" feature. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection indicates that citizens can enter the U.S. using a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate. Because international cruises in Europe and Asia require air travel, these vacations also demand a passport.
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