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For American travelers who have booked a domestic cruise, this will likely mean the cruise ship will depart from and return to a U.S. port. This also means you and any children you travel with would not need to present a passport to board the ship. Taking your children on their first cruise can be an incredible opportunity to share a memorable adventure together. All US citizens can enter or leave the country with only proof of their citizenship.
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As luck would have it, you’ve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. 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. On the other hand, if you are boarding a domestic cruise in a country where you do not hold citizenship, you will need to bring your passport. If you’re doing any international air travel to get to your cruise, then you are required to bring a valid U.S. passport book in order to board the plane. 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.
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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. Even though passports aren’t currently required for U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends traveling with a valid passport book. This is because a passport book is the most reliable form of identification. Also, if travelers need to fly to or from the U.S. unexpectedly during their cruise, they may face significant delays and complications without a valid passport book.
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It also provides information regarding identification options for American citizens under 16 who are traveling on a domestic cruise. This is also helpful for children not born in the United States, so they cannot present a U.S. birth certificate as ID. Many cruise lines require passports for all passengers regardless of age and destination. As you book your cruise, be sure to check the guidelines from that specific carrier to ensure you have all proper documentation available before embarking. 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.
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We always recommend you bring a U.S. passport onboard, regardless of your cruise itinerary. It's best to check the requirements not just for each island that you'll be sailing to, but also to additional destinations you may visit on a port call. If you don't have a passport, these documents may also be sufficient to show customs officials in some Caribbean islands. Everyone will need to present an accepted form of identification to board the ship.
International Cruises
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Whether you need a passport for a cruise can be both yes and no—it largely depends on the specifics of your cruise. Remember, preparation is key to a seamless, enjoyable cruise vacation with your family. Whether it’s a beach day for sandcastle building, a nature park with plenty of space to run around, or a museum with interactive exhibits, these experiences will create lasting memories for your children. Make sure there are sights to see and experiences to enjoy that cater to your children’s interests and energy levels. If you’re still not sure, you should be able to give your cruise line a call to see what the requirements are. While the world of travel regulations can seem complex and daunting, it’s essential to fully understand these rules to ensure a hassle-free and memorable vacation.
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Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. When you arrive back in Seattle or San Francisco, take time to explore those cities for even more vacation fun. This is an extra $60 charge and your passport will process in 2-3 weeks.
Disney Cruise Lines also suggests travelers carry a second government-issued photo ID while in port. Some cruise lines, like Holland America and Princess Cruises, require any minor traveling with only one adult to carry a valid passport. Please check with your specific cruise line to confirm travel documents and age requirements for infants and children.
For example, here’s a sample of Royal Caribbean Group’s consent form for children under 18 to travel without their legal guardian. In short, you should bring a valid passport for each child you travel with on an international cruise, regardless of age. In my experience, I often recommend that, when in doubt, it’s best to have a passport for each family member.
Having one ensures that even if something unexpected happens, then you have the proper documentation to move about the country and re-enter the United States by land, sea, or air. If you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, including Canada, you will always need your passport for the cruise (in some cases a passport card will suffice). You'll also need a passport for a cruise that begins and ends in different U.S. ports. No, photocopies are not considered valid forms of identification for any cruise, domestic or international. If you are worried about losing your passport or other important documents, it is advised that you secure them in your cabin safe box as soon as you make it there. Far too many travelers overlook the expiration date on their passports, which can result in a complete disaster when they arrive to start their vacation.
Aside from remembering to bring a passport or passport card for yourself and any children in your care, you also need to make sure that those pieces of identification have a valid expiration date. If your cruise is listed as domestic, you will not need a passport, as you will not be disembarking into a foreign country during the voyage. Instead, you will be boarding the ship in a domestic port and returning to a domestic port, even if they are not the same.
In order to sail, a guest must meet the requirements of ONE of the check boxes below. The U.S. Department of State provides all the steps and documentation you will need to apply for a passport for any child under 16. Many cruise lines offer a wealth of kid-friendly amenities and programs. These range from supervised kids’ clubs that cater to various age groups, to engaging activities such as scavenger hunts and craft sessions.
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 a U.S. citizen and don't have a passport, you actually have quite a few cruise options. 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.
Other cruises, though, require that kids under 16 have an original birth certificate with them, and kids over 16 must have a passport. Cruises travel all over the world, and choosing where you plan to go affects what kinds of documentation you’ll need to carry with you. It’s a safe assumption that a passport is a good idea if you plan to pass through international waters or stop at international ports. For closed-loop cruises (starting and ending at the same U.S. port), a passport isn’t required to re-enter the U.S.
