If you are not a U.S. citizen or an LPR, you will need a passport and/or the appropriate documentation based on the status you are seeking in the United States for any type of cruise, closed loop or not.
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In the United States, anyone on a cruise ship whose last port of call was outside the US is required to pass through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), unless if the last port of call was equipped with US preclearance facilities (in which case the ship will be treated as a domestic arrival).
The good news is that you can cruise to quite a few popular destinations without a passport, including Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, and New England.
Beyond needing a valid passport to travel, cruise ship passengers might also require a cruise visa. This happens when the countries they are exploring along the way have specialized entry requirements in place. A cruise visa provides the same credentials for a traveler as a traditional visa.
Government issued photo identification. Proof of citizenship (an original or copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization)
First and foremost, if a United States citizen chooses to do a closed-loop cruise without a passport, they'll still be required to show a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (a certified copy of your birth certificate).
For U.S. citizens: Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. For Round Trip cruises from the U.S. that DO NOT include Panama or Colombia, U.S. citizens 17 and under will be able to present either an original, n...
There are relatively few countries where the cruise line will assist passengers in obtaining the necessary visa prior to arrival. You can usually find this information by searching your cruise line's website for the country name and the word visa or by calling the cruise line directly.
A Passport is Required to Cruise To and From Foreign PortsThis means you'll need a passport regardless of whether you plan to fly or drive in or out of the country. The cruise line will require you to enter your passport information during check-in, and then the airline will verify your passport to board the flight.
Find a port agent.In cases when cruisers are late returning to the vessel, the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items -- passports, cell phones and medication -- from the ship to leave with the port agents. These officials can help you with contacting your ship and making travel arrangements.
Entry, Exit and Visa RequirementsU.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.
Necessary cruise documents include acceptable official forms of identification, proof of your booking number and boarding information, and confirmation that you aren't ill. You must present these upon arrival at the port.
In order to board the ship at the start of a cruise, all Guests must provide a valid government-issued photo ID. For certain international itineraries, you will also need to present a valid passport and travel visa.