Can I go on a cruise without a passport if I dont get off the boat?

Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.



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If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

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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.

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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...

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All travelers are advised to carry a valid passport with them when taking a cruise to Mexico, regardless of their nationality and port of departure. US citizens on closed-loop cruises, meaning they begin and end at the same US port, can travel to Mexico with proof of citizenship other than a passport.

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Places to Cruise Without a Passport
  • Bahamas. Courtesy of Disney. Florida's ports of Miami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale), and Port Canaveral (about an hour east of Orlando) offer the majority of closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas. ...
  • Mexico. Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises. ...
  • Bermuda. Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line.


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Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.

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Immigration officials will often come onboard cruise ships to check documentation and the process of keeping the passports centrally makes it much easier and faster for the cruise line and passengers.

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Yes, people do it all the time. You just have to let the front desk people know several days in advance where you are getting off and where you are getting back on. Don't be late. They will sail away without you.

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Usually everyone has to be gone by 9-10am.

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Identification. For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends.

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There are no exceptions to this rule. Passport cards, birth certificates, etc., are not accepted when air travel. So, you have to have your US passport for the Bahamas.

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Domestic Cruises Non-U.S. Citizens are required to carry a valid, unexpired passport and a Multiple Entry Visa, if applicable. In addition, guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements.

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Some Caribbean countries—Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Barths, St. Martin (but not Dutch St. Maarten), and Trinidad & Tobago—will require you to have a passport to enter or exit.

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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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However, in 2009, the U.S. Department of State implemented the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires all U.S. citizens and legal residents to present a valid passport when entering or re-entering the United States from Mexico by land, sea, or air.

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To clarify, U.S. citizens entering Mexico must present proof of citizenship (such as a certified copy of a birth certificate), photo ID and proof of sufficient funds. A passport and visa are not required of U.S. citizens entering Mexico for tourism or for transit for stays of up to 90 days.

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Royal Caribbean cruisers don't need a passport to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas since it is a “private” island. However, guests are required to follow their cruise itinerary.

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