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.

Yes, U.S. citizens can take what are known as "Closed-Loop" cruises without a traditional passport book. A closed-loop cruise is a round-trip voyage that begins and ends at the same U.S. port (like Miami or Seattle) and travels within the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas). In 2026, instead of a passport, you can use a combination of an original state-issued birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license). You can also use a U.S. Passport Card or a Trusted Traveler card like NEXUS. However, it is a peer-to-peer "safety essential" to know that if an emergency occurs—such as a medical evacuation or a ship malfunction requiring you to fly home from a foreign port—you cannot board an international flight without a passport book. Many destination countries also have their own entry rules, so always check your specific itinerary before leaving your passport at home.