Do you need ID to board a cruise?

Everyone will need to present an accepted form of identification to board the ship. It's important that the name on your reservation appears exactly as it does on the government issued identification document(s) that you use to board the ship. If you... Do I need any visas to cruise to and from other countries?



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Everyone will need to present an accepted form of identification to board the ship based on their nationality/country of citizenship. Guests who do not bring required documents may be denied boarding.

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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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Technically, yes ? U.S. citizens can present a state-certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID to sail on most cruises departing from the U.S. But a passport is the more efficient, secure option. Learn more about why passports are best.

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First and foremost, if a United States citizen chooses to do a closed-loop cruise without a passport, they'll still be required to show a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (a certified copy of your birth certificate).

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Most ports have a special desk or office for tourists where you get your passport stamped. Sometimes you can get an official immigration stamp. In other places, you may get a souvenir stamp made just for cruise visitors. It's usually free to get a stamp.

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Either type of passport can be used on closed-loop sailings that call at foreign ports but depart and return to the U.S. Without either document, you'd need to provide proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and proof of identification (such as a driver's license).

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Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal. Some passengers might be required to meet with immigration officials on board prior to getting off the ship.

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Additionally, if you are using an identification (e.g., driver's license) and a citizenship document (e.g., birth certificate), then BOTH documents must match the name on your reservation. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.

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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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A Known Traveler Number is assigned to you when you apply for the TSA Pre?® Application Program. If you're a member of the program, you can look up your KTN online.

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A travel document number is not necessarily the same as a passport number. While a passport number is a type of travel document number, there are other types of travel documents, such as visas and refugee travel documents, with unique numbers.

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If you don't need to take your passport ashore, then don't! Leave it locked securely in your safe within your stateroom. There is no point risking loss or theft.

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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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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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In the United States, anyone on a cruise ship whose last port of call was outside the US is required to pass through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), unless if the last port of call was equipped with US preclearance facilities (in which case the ship will be treated as a domestic arrival).

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Cruise ships leave passengers behind frequently. If you stick to shore excursions that are sold by your cruise and the tour is delayed in returning to the ship, the ship will be held in port. If you explore a port on your own, you will also be on your own if you miss your ship's departure time.

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