Does Royal Caribbean take copies of birth certificates?

We strongly recommend that all guests present a passport as their form of ID on boarding day. 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.



No, Royal Caribbean strictly prohibits the use of photocopies or digital images of birth certificates for boarding. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling on a "closed-loop" cruise (one that begins and ends at the same U.S. port) and choose not to use a passport, you must present an original state-issued birth certificate or a certified copy with a raised seal. Hospital-issued "souvenir" certificates are also not accepted. This policy is in place to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations for verifying citizenship. While children under 16 only need the birth certificate, adults using one must also provide a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. Royal Caribbean continues to "strongly recommend" using a passport for all sailings, as a birth certificate will not allow you to fly home from a foreign port in the event of an emergency, but if you do use a birth certificate, it must be the physical, official document.

People Also Ask

Birth Certificate Information A clear, legible copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified. Birth Certificate Card. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

MORE DETAILS

Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Children under 16 years of age, who do not have a passport or Photo ID, must have a copy of their birth certificate or their parents Medicare Card.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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)

MORE DETAILS

For U.S. citizens: Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. For Round Trip cruises from the U.S. that DO NOT include Panama or Colombia, U.S. citizens 17 and under will be able to present either an original, n...

MORE DETAILS

Most cruises operate as “closed loop” cruises, which begin and end at the same port. If you take a closed loop cruise, you are not required to have a passport to reenter the United States. Instead, you can return to the country with a government issued ID, such as a driver's license, and a birth certificate.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

What forms of ID are required for minors traveling on Royal Caribbean? All guests, including children, must be in possession of a passport which is valid for 6 months after the end of the sailing.

MORE DETAILS

Times Your Child Does Not Need a Passport to Cruise Children younger than 16 need only to carry their birth certificates (original or copy); children 16 and older, as well as adults, each need to show both a birth certificate and a government-issued photo I.D.

MORE DETAILS

Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license).

MORE DETAILS

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.


MORE DETAILS

Royal Caribbean cruisers don't need a passport to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas since it is a “private” island. However, guests are required to follow their cruise itinerary.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Name changes (first or last) or substitutions can be made to all but one of the original names on your booking. These changes must be made before the final electronic manifest is sent to the ship, so we advise that any changes be made far in advance of your sail date.

MORE DETAILS

Adult Focused Cruise Options and Amenities
  • Carnival Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.
  • Silversea All-Inclusive Ultra-Luxury Cruises.
  • Seabourn Luxury Cruises.
  • Windstar Small Ship Cruises.
  • Oceania Cruises.
  • Azamara Luxury Cruises.


MORE DETAILS

Guests age 15 and under are NOT required to have a photo ID, just the birth certificate. Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.

MORE DETAILS