Can you go on a cruise without a passport or citizenship?
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.
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For U.S. Sailings only, U.S. Citizens may cruise using an official US state-issued Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID, like a driver's license or an identity card.
Some people may think that because you're cruising around the UK, you won't need a passport when travelling on an Ambassador Cruise. Well, this is a common misconception, and no matter where you are travelling on a cruise, you are required to bring your passport.
In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.
Birth Certificate InformationThe 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.
If you're a United States citizen going on a “closed loop” cruise, you'll only need to present: 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)
U.S. citizens don't need a passport if the cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. city. This is known as a closed-loop cruise. That said, some may require a passport if you want to disembark at ports in any Caribbean destination.
Drinking Alcoholic Beverages / Tobacco ProductsGuests must be 21 years of age or older to be served alcohol on board. Proper I.D with birth date is required.
Suppose you are an American citizen, part of a closed-loop cruise. In that case, you can travel with only a copy of your birth certificate, government-issued photo ID, or Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). Remember that a closed-loop cruise means you will enter the same U.S. port you have departed.
While you can generally assume that you won't need a visa, it would still be wise to check with your cruise company, especially if your cruise is outside of the Western Hemisphere or Europe. Some countries allow the cruise line to handle visas upon arrival in port.
Based on current rules and trends, you cannot leave the US with an expired passport. However, traveling with one is not untrue; as of May 2021, the US government made it possible for citizens with expired passports to return home using their expired passports if they expired on or after the end of January 2020.
Passengers ages 18 to 20, with the written consent of their parents or guardian, can purchase beer or wine for themselves only when the ship is sailing in international waters (except in Alaska and Hawaii, where you must be 21 years of age to consume or purchase alcohol or any kind).
All passengers must be 21 years old to drink alcohol, with the exception of Europe, South America and Australia cruises if parents cruising with their children sign a waiver allowing their 18 to 20 year olds consume alcohol. Passengers must be 18 to gamble in the casino (and 21 on Alaska cruises).