Do you need papers to go on a cruise?

Necessary cruise documents include acceptable official forms of identification, proof of your booking number and boarding information, and confirmation that you aren't ill. You must present these upon arrival at the port.



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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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While cruising with a passport is always recommended, it's not required by law in certain circumstances. Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport.

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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.

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All cruise ships are required to file a passenger manifest with the National Immigration Naturalization Service (I.N.S) prior to sailing.

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On closed-loop cruises, a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID are all that's required. Check with your cruise line before departure to see what documents are needed instead of a passport. Many require a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate if you don't have a passport.

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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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Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.

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  • No smoking indoors or on balconies. ...
  • No underage drinking. ...
  • No sneaking drugs or alcohol on board. ...
  • You must attend the safety drill. ...
  • Report your symptoms on the health form. ...
  • Return by all-aboard time. ...
  • No guests in crew areas. ...
  • No diapered kids in the pools.


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You probably won't need much actual cash while onboard, as many cruise lines will just charge purchases to your account. Even ship casinos these days have cashless credit systems. On nearly all cruises, passengers are given an itemized bill at the end of the trip listing all charged expenses.

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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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In summary, the most cost-efficient option is to not get a passport if one is not required. The next most cost-efficient option is to apply for the passport card if it is acceptable for your cruise. The application fee for the card is only $30 while the fee for the book is $110.

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Travelers under the age of 21 must share a cabin with a parent or guardian. Certain cruises require passengers 21 to 24 years old to be accompanied by someone 25 years or older. Minimum age to leave a Costa ship on your own: Passengers must be 18 or older to go on a ship-sponsored shore excursion on their own.

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