A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that departs and ends in the same U.S. port, for example, Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, or round-trip to Alaska from Seattle.
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If you are on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends at the same port in the United States and visits Canada, Mexico, or much of the Caribbean, you do not need a valid passport. According to CBP, all you need is documentation proving you are a U.S. citizen.
A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that departs and ends in the same U.S. port, for example, Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, or round-trip to Alaska from Seattle.
First and foremost, if a United States citizen chooses to do a closed-loop cruise without a passport, they'll still be required to show a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (a certified copy of your birth certificate).
If you're a U.S. citizen age 16 or older on a closed-loop cruise without your passport, you will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license that has your photo, name and date of birth. In addition to a driver's license, you must also present a document that proves your U.S. citizenship.
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).
The Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada are all foreign ports, which means they only qualify for the passport exception if they are a stop along your cruise itinerary. If the cruise originates in any of these countries, it is likely you will need your passport.
Beyond needing a valid passport to travel, cruise ship passengers might also require a cruise visa. This happens when the countries they are exploring along the way have specialized entry requirements in place. A cruise visa provides the same credentials for a traveler as a traditional visa.
If you don't need to take your passport ashore, then don't! Leave it locked securely in your safe within your stateroom. There is no point risking loss or theft.
The choice is totally yours. You can go ashore on a tour, explore the cruise port on your own or stay onboard and relax by the pool, book a (usually discounted on port days) spa treatment or take advantage of other activities on your ship during the day.
A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that departs and ends in the same U.S. port, for example, Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, or round-trip to Alaska from Seattle.
Most ports have a special desk or office for tourists where you get your passport stamped. Sometimes you can get an official immigration stamp. In other places, you may get a souvenir stamp made just for cruise visitors. It's usually free to get a stamp.
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.
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.