What documents do I need for a cruise?

For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. In some cases, you can use a passport card instead of a passport book, but that will only work if you plan to reenter the United States via your ship from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean.



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Identification. For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends.

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The good news is that you can cruise to quite a few popular destinations without a passport, including Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, and New England.

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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.

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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.

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Birth Certificate Information A clear, legible copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified. Birth Certificate Card. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

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Children 15 years of age and younger are required to present one of the documents listed above, but do not need to present a Government-issued photo ID. Social Security Cards and Global Entry are not acceptable proof of US citizenship for purposes of traveling outside of the US.

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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.

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements 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.

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The need for a passport depends on where the cruise will depart and disembark. Consider your passport needs as follows: A Standard Cruise: Will the cruise depart or disembark from a non-U.S. port? If your answer to this is yes, then you will require to provide a valid U.S. passport.

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Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal. Some passengers might be required to meet with immigration officials on board prior to getting off the ship.

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If you are traveling domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport.

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While you do not need a REAL ID to board the ship, beginning May 7, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security will require every resident of a US state or territory who is 18 years of age and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification (such as a passport or ...

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Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license).

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Most cruises operate as “closed loop” cruises, which begin and end at the same port. If you take a closed loop cruise, you are not required to have a passport to reenter the United States. Instead, you can return to the country with a government issued ID, such as a driver's license, and a birth certificate.

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The simple answer is yes, you can bring snacks on a Carnival cruise.

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For “closed-loop” cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: A boarding pass. A government photo I.D. if 16 years of age or older.

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Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. Learn why a passport is best. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends.

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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.

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