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.

In 2026, travel requirements for minors on cruises are strictly enforced to ensure safety and legal compliance. All minors (under 18 or 21 depending on the line) generally need a valid passport book, even on "closed-loop" cruises where a birth certificate might technically suffice, as a passport is mandatory for emergency air travel back to the U.S. If a minor is traveling with only one parent, many cruise lines and foreign ports require a notarized parental consent letter from the non-traveling parent to prevent international child abduction. If the adult is not a legal parent or guardian, they must present a notarized letter from both parents authorizing the trip and the ability to sign medical waivers for activities like rock climbing. Additionally, original or certified copies of birth certificates are often required to prove the relationship between the adult and child, especially if their last names differ. For international itineraries, specific visas may also be necessary depending on the child's citizenship and the ports of call.