Is a closed loop cruise considered leaving the country?

A closed-loop cruise is an itinerary that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. For U.S. citizens traveling to Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean islands and Mexico, closed-loop cruises are an exception to typical U.S. Customs and Border Protection passport requirements.



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A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that departs from and returns to the same U.S. port and remains in the Western Hemisphere. As such, it does not require the passengers to have a U.S. passport—even if the itinerary visits some international ports along the way.

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There are several destinations you can cruise to without a passport on a closed-loop sailing. Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada and New England are all closed-loop cruise destinations that may not require a passport for entry.

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NEW YORK -- Royal Caribbean is planning for what it calls the longest and most comprehensive world cruise ever. Passengers will be onboard the Serenade of the Seas for 274 nights - that's nine months!

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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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If you miss the ship, you'll have to either meet it in a subsequent port of call or call it a wash and head home. Your cruise line, travel agent or travel insurance provider might be able to help you make the plans; otherwise, you'll have to make arrangements on your own.

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In some cases, yes. Although cruise and stay packages tend to tag holidays onto the beginning or end of a stand-alone cruise, some lines offer shorter stays within their itineraries, often as optional excursions that are a distance from port so require overnight hotel stays.

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It may have cost around $1.4 billion to built, but the Global Dream II is destined to be trash. We may earn a commission from links on this page. The ship that would have become the world's largest cruise liner has been scrapped before it ever had the chance to take its maiden voyage.

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Carnival has many departure ports in the United States. For example, you can cruise to the Western Caribbean from the departure port of Mobile, Alabama. Disembarkation: This is when you leave the ship at the end of your trip. Embarkation: It's when you board your cruise ship at the beginning of your trip.

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While food, some drinks, entertainment and lodging are part of the package — there are often more costs once you're on board. Some cruise lines specifically advertise themselves as all-inclusive, and you'll likely encounter fewer add-on opportunities on these ships.

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Visiting the Bahamas by Air or Cruise Ship Even though the 700 islands in the Bahamas are so close to the U.S., it's still an international destination. Whether you arrive by plane to board a ship or stay for a week at a resort or just spend a day in Nassau or Freeport, all require specific documentation.

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