No, you cannot go on a cruise with an expired passport, even for "Closed-Loop" cruises (trips that start and end in the same U.S. port). While U.S. citizens on a closed-loop cruise can technically use a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license), if you choose to use a passport, it must be valid. Most cruise lines in 2026 strictly require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the date the cruise ends. If you arrive at the terminal with an expired passport and no alternative qualifying documents, you will be denied boarding without a refund. Furthermore, even on a cruise where a passport isn't "required" for the ship, it is highly recommended; if you have a medical emergency or a family crisis and need to fly home from a foreign port (like Nassau or Cozumel), you cannot board an international flight back to the U.S. without a valid, unexpired passport book.