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Do kids need passports for cruises?

Children under the age of 16 who are citizens of the U.S. or Canada are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings.



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In general, if traveling by air to a foreign country, all passengers must have a valid passport irrespective of their age, including babies and infants.

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If the child does not have a photo ID, the following will be accepted: Original birth certificate. Certified copy of the birth certificate. Medicare card*

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Cruising to/from a foreign homeport: Any time your embarkation or debarkation port is in a foreign country, all cruisers (kids and adults) need to carry valid passports. This includes Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. In most cases, passports must expire 6 months or more after the end of your trip.

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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.

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Most cruise lines do not require a child travel consent form if a child is traveling with only one parent. However, if parent and child do not share a last name, many lines do require you to bring your child's passport and birth certificate as legal proof that you're related.

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If you're a U.S. citizen age 16 or older on a closed-loop cruise without your passport, you will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license that has your photo, name and date of birth. In addition to a driver's license, you must also present a document that proves your U.S. citizenship.

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On all cruises and cruise journeys, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied and share a cabin with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21. We reserve the right to limit the number of minors under the age of 18 years on board.

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How do I write a consent letter for my child to travel?
  1. List your child's name, birth date/place, and passport details.
  2. Provide the parent's/guardian's name, custody information, and passport details.
  3. Add contact information for the non-traveling parents/guardians.
  4. Detail the child's destination and dates of travel.


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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)

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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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4 Caribbean Islands That Don't Require a U.S. Passport
  • Puerto Rico. Things to do. Each year, Puerto Rico sees millions of visitors, and many head straight to San Juan, the island's capital. ...
  • St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Things to do. ...
  • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Things to do. ...
  • St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Things to do.


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More often than not, the answer is no. 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.

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Typically, you'll need a notarized letter of consent, signed by the other parent (include contact information), saying that you have permission to take your children out of the country on the specific dates and specific cruise and to sign activity waivers and make medical decisions for the child when traveling.

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Are you traveling with a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other child that you are not the guardian of? When a minor (age 17 and under) travels without their legal guardian, an accompanying adult must present a notarized form signed by the child's guardian.

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100% Adult Only Cruise Lines
  • Virgin Voyages. Now We're Voyaging – Virgin Voyages. ...
  • Viking Ocean Cruises. Viking. ...
  • U by Uniworld. U by Uniworld. ...
  • Carnival Cruises Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. ...
  • Silversea All-Inclusive Ultra-Luxury Cruises. ...
  • Seabourn Luxury Cruises. ...
  • Windstar Small Ship Cruises. ...
  • Oceania Cruises.


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The answer is Yes. You will need a passport to go on a cruise from the UK, regardless of your international destinations, or even if you're not planning on leaving the ship. A passport is an essential travel document that serves as your proof of identity and nationality when crossing borders.

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On all cruises and cruise journeys, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied and share a cabin with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21. We reserve the right to limit the number of minors under the age of 18 years on board.

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