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.

For a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2026, the required documentation for children depends on their nationality and the ship's itinerary. Passports are the "Gold Standard" and are strongly recommended for all guests, including infants; they must be valid for at least six months after the cruise ends. For U.S. citizens on "closed-loop" cruises (departing from and returning to the same U.S. port), children under 16 can often travel with just an original state-issued birth certificate or a certified copy. However, if the cruise visits certain international ports or if an emergency flight home is required, a birth certificate will not suffice for air travel. A critical requirement for 2026 is the "Minor Consent Form": if a child is traveling with only one parent, or with a guardian who is not their legal parent, a notarized letter of consent signed by the non-traveling parent(s) is often required to prevent international child abduction issues. Additionally, families should ensure the child's name on the reservation matches their legal documents exactly to avoid being denied boarding at the terminal.