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Located just southeast of Miami in the Atlantic Ocean, The Bahamas offers an ideal island getaway. With soft-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and pastel-colored British colonial architecture, the Bahamian capital of Nassau makes a popular port of call for cruisers. In Freeport, you can shop till you drop at the Port Lucaya Marketplace or kayak through the mangroves at Lucayan National Park.
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You can cruise Alaska either on closed-loop sailings from Seattle that stop in Canada along the way, or fly to Alaska and take a cruise that remains within the state. You may want to use this as an opportunity to double-check all of your documents nonetheless. Either you take the time to get a passport or some other WHTI-compliant document in order, or you skip the trip. Whether or not a U.S. or Canadian tourist needs a passport to visit a Caribbean destination comes down to a few simple rules. 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.
What type of ID do you need to carry for a closed-loop cruise if you don't have a passport?
It’s evident that all cruise lines strongly advise guests to carry a valid passport during their voyage, as passports are the most dependable form of identification. They are also necessary for entry into destination countries and in case you need to fly back to the United States. By being well-prepared and knowledgeable about these specific guidelines, you can ensure a smooth sailing experience on your ocean adventure. Keep in mind that cruise passport requirements can change based on shore excursions, too. For example, any time you cross a land or sea border into a foreign country, you’ll need a passport, whether it's riding Alaska's White Pass and Yukon Railway or taking day trips to smaller Caribbean islands. Additionally, it's a good idea to check entry requirements of all individual ports in your itinerary, as you might need a visa as well.
Alaska
Many cruises have such a wide array of activities and experiences—not to mention unforgettable destinations—that there’s always something for everyone in your party to enjoy. Currently, routine passport processing is about 6 to 8 weeks, expedited processing takes about 2 to 3 weeks and rushed expedited processing is possible within 14 days. Taking a cruise abroad is an unforgettable experience and an amazing way to see the world.
Cobranded Cards
It's your responsibility (not your cruise line's) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go. These documents will permit you to receive a temporary passport to be used for reentry into the United States. Temporary passports are only valid for a short period of time and are given out to travelers who need to travel quickly but don't have time to wait for a standard passport.
Temporary Passports for Emergencies
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. 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. Royal Caribbean emphasizes that Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. Traditional expedited service can take up to 3 weeks—not including mailing times.
If you don't have a passport and your ship stops at one of these islands, you'll have to stay on board. If you want to cruise without a passport, choose itineraries where you know you can get off the ship and enjoy your day in port. Certainly many guests will cruise without a passport and likely not run into any issues. 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. Regardless of what the minimum requirements are for travel, we highly recommend everyone get a passport.
Airlines
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. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Learn the rules and consequences of traveling with an expired passport. Our comprehensive guide shares the steps to take if you find yourself in this situation.
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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. If you only have a U.S. passport card and plan on visiting countries outside of North American and the Caribbean, you'll have to purchase a passport book. For a one-week small ship experience, book UnCruise Adventures, from Moloka‘i to the Big Island, stopping on the island of Lāna‘i and Maui. If cruising from California, with most sailings 14 nights or longer, your choices expand to such lines as Holland America, Celebrity, Viking Cruises, and Seabourn. However, when looking at small ships and larger ships on more expansive routes, keep in mind some islands—including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Bart’s—do require a passport. Explore beautiful spots spread across Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, and drink in the natural beauty only Hawaii delivers.
Check with your cruise line before departure to see what documents are needed instead of a passport. Many require a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate if you don't have a passport. On closed-loop cruises, a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID are all that's required.
Passport expediters are professionals who specialize in speeding up the passport application process. They help group travelers get their passports quickly and efficiently, making them a valuable resource for those traveling on short notice or those who wish to avoid the complexities of the passport process. A reliable passport courier can manage the logistical challenges and multiple appointments required for obtaining numerous passports on a tight schedule. A credible passport expeditor can make planning a group cruise a lot smoother and less stressful. It’s always a good idea to check with Carnival Cruise Line or your travel agency for the most up-to-date information. For more information on travel requirements for Carnival Cruise Lines, visit the What travel documents do I need to bring?
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. Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean International is a leading cruise line brand and a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group. Based in Miami, it’s the largest cruise line by revenue and the second-largest by passenger count. Speaking of unexpected events, you should also purchase travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies and evacuation .
Keep in mind that you will need a passport if you have to do any air travel outside the United States. This way, in case your ship leaves without you, or you have to fly home from the Caribbean unexpectedly, you will have the means to do so. You need more than just a passport card, you need an actual passport pamphlet. Even if you plan to stick to a closed-loop cruise, we still recommend you invest in a passport or passport card before your cruise. Though you can cruise without a passport and still get home if you get stranded in port, the hassle of obtaining a temporary passport on top of making arrangements for last-minute travel is rarely worth it. In our minds, investing around a dollar per month for 10 years of security is a steal.
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. Furthermore, you could be denied entry when returning to the United States if you had to return by air. Therefore, it’s crucial to check your passport’s expiration date well in advance of your cruise departure date. Mostly, whether or not a passport is required depends on your itinerary. If you are going on what’s called a “closed-loop” cruise (for example, leave from Ft. Lauderdale then visit a foreign county (ex. Caribbean islands) and return to Ft. Lauderdale then technically you do not need a U.S. passport booklet (like in the above photo).
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