U.S. citizens on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Bermuda are able to re-enter the U.S. with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card.
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Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.
Though most foreign travel requires that you have a valid passport to come back home, cruising makes it easier to enjoy your vacation without worrying about this paperwork. 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.
Entry, Exit and Visa RequirementsU.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.
We highly recommend that all U.S. Citizen's cruise with their U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise. Guests may also sail with their official US state-issued Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID...
All travelers are advised to carry a valid passport with them when taking a cruise to Mexico, regardless of their nationality and port of departure. US citizens on closed-loop cruises, meaning they begin and end at the same US port, can travel to Mexico with proof of citizenship other than a passport.
For U.S. Sailings only, U.S. Citizens may cruise using an official US state-issued Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID, like a driver's license or an identity card.
Voter registration cards or Social Security are not considered proof of citizenship. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a hospital issued birth certificate.
If you travel to the Bahamas by sea (like a cruise), you can use your passport or substitute one of the following documents: A passport card. A Trusted Traveler card. An enhanced driver's license (sometimes called Real ID) with security features.
You can use a Real ID to fly domestically, but NEVER internationally. Real ID proves your identity but not your U.S. citizenship. Therefore if you use it as photo identification to take a closed-loop cruise, you will still need a birth certificate to prove your citizenship.
Also, US citizens taking closed-loop cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship such as government-issued ID, birth certificate, etc. The passport is required alongside other documents. They include; Official Mexico Tourist Card – Entry Immigration Form (FMM).
A U.S. passport book is a government-issued document that allows U.S. citizens to travel internationally by air, land, and sea. A valid U.S. passport book is mandatory even if you're flying to or from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean from the United States.
A foreigner of any country traveling to Mexico on leisure trips visiting Mexican maritime ports by cruise, are not required to obtain a visa or consular stamp. The passenger must carry a valid and not expired passport or travel document.