Can I do a cruise without passport?

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 you are a U.S. citizen, you can go on certain cruises without a passport, provided the voyage is a "Closed-Loop" cruise. A closed-loop cruise is defined as a trip that begins and ends at the same U.S. port (for example, departing Miami, visiting the Bahamas, and returning to Miami). For these specific itineraries, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows entry with a government-issued birth certificate (with a raised seal) and a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. Children under 16 typically only need their birth certificate. However, there are significant risks: if you miss the ship in a foreign port or have a medical emergency that requires you to fly home, you cannot board an international flight without a passport. Additionally, some specific destinations (like Martinique or Guadeloupe) may require a passport for entry regardless of the cruise's "closed-loop" status. Therefore, while it is legally possible to cruise with just a birth certificate on many Caribbean, Mexican, and Alaskan routes, travel experts and cruise lines strongly recommend a passport to avoid being "stuck" in a foreign country during an emergency.

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Ships & Cruises – Frequently Asked Questions What documents will be required when I check in for my cruise? A: At check-in, all Guests must present valid passports or other acceptable proof of citizenship. All travelers are required to have a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States by air.

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Birth Certificate Information The following are acceptable: An original or copy of a birth certificate issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics.

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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).

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This may be an original or photocopy of a state-issued birth certificate. If your daughter is 16 years of age or older, she will also need to present a government-issued photo ID. When it comes to the online check-in for your Disney Cruise, you will be required to submit a photo of these documents.

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Either type of passport can be used on closed-loop sailings that call at foreign ports but depart and return to the U.S. Without either document, you'd need to provide proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and proof of identification (such as a driver's license).

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The vast majority of passengers simply sail their normal cruise itinerary. But can you just get off the ship and return home on your own terms? The answer is yes, but there are some major complications (and laws) that should be considered.

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Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your cruise ends. Read more about passport requirements. Guests age 16 and older whose ARC has no photo must present a valid government issued photo ID.

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You can use a photocopy of your passport to prove that you have a passport or (if the passport is lost or stolen) to prove that you once had a passport. A photocopy of your passport can be quite useful, but you cannot use it if you wish to board an airplane.

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Mobile Passport Control (MPC) allows eligible travelers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device.

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If your cruise requires a passport and the passport doesn't arrive in time (e.g. not closed loop from the US or goes to a port that requires a passport even on closed loop cruises). then you won't be able to sail if the passport doesn't arrive in time. Did you submit for routine or expedited processing?

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Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal. Some passengers might be required to meet with immigration officials on board prior to getting off the ship.

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The ship's officers will check each passenger's identification against an official database to ensure that everyone onboard is legally entitled to travel in the country of departure. This process is similar to what happens when entering a foreign country.

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Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise.

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements U.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.

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