American-flagged cruise lines that can sail solely in U.S. waters include American Cruise Lines, UnCruise Adventures, and Lindblad Expeditions.
People Also Ask
Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.
U.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.
More often than not, the answer is no. U.S. citizens don't need a passport if the cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. city. This is known as a closed-loop cruise. That said, some may require a passport if you want to disembark at ports in any Caribbean destination.
If a cruise ship does want to sail from U.S. port to U.S. port — without stopping in a foreign country — then they have to be flagged in the United States, which also means having an American crew. At this time there is one major cruise ship that does this: Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America.
CBP officials told the line that in order to operate cruises to nowhere, they must “employ persons legally authorized to work in the United States, since such cruises did not touch a foreign port.” As all major U.S.-based cruise lines employ mostly foreign crew, the decision applied to them as well.
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.
I've said it before and I'll say it again – cruises are by far the most budget friendly way to travel because you can book them in advance and prepay in installments. But the base fare is not the only thing you can prepay.
The only way to drive to Alaska without a passport is if you are a U.S. citizen with a NEXUS membership card, an enhanced driver's license, or you have special authorization via the military or government affiliations.
Alaska cruise vacations that begin or end in Canada or another Foreign Port and Alaska Vacations that do not begin and end in the same port of call: If you are a U.S. Citizen and your Alaska cruise begins or ends in Canada or another foreign port, you are required to carry a valid passport.
All-inclusive European river cruise deals land in the $350 to $450 range per person, per night as well. All-inclusive river cruises within the U.S. trend a bit higher, so anything under $600 per person, per night is a good deal.
U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Jamaica, as well as proof of anticipated departure from Jamaica. If you are traveling to Jamaica on a cruise, you may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.