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What happens if you go on a cruise without a passport?

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).



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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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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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For U.S. citizens: Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. For Round Trip cruises from the U.S. that DO NOT include Panama or Colombia, U.S. citizens 17 and under will be able to present either an original, n...

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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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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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Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that both originate and terminate at the same U.S. port, we, again, strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel).

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Immigration officials will often come onboard cruise ships to check documentation and the process of keeping the passports centrally makes it much easier and faster for the cruise line and passengers.

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If you apply in person (or by mail if renewing a passport) and select Expedited Service you will receive your passport in the mail in about 2 (two) weeks. Expedited Service requires an additional rush fee plus the cost of overnight delivery services.

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If you're a United States citizen going on a “closed loop” cruise, you'll only need to present: Government issued photo identification. Proof of citizenship (an original or copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization)

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If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

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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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Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements. On occasion, Non-U.S. Citizens may be asked to surrender their passport at time of check-in. It will be returned upon completion of the immigration inspection at the time of debarkation.

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Passports and Visas needed for Cancún and Cozumel All nationalities must have a valid passport to enter Mexico by air, land, or sea. Citizens of most countries, including the United States, Canada, and members of the EU, do not need to obtain a visa to enter Mexico.

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There are no exceptions to this rule. Passport cards, birth certificates, etc., are not accepted when air travel. So, you have to have your US passport for the Bahamas.

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For the purpose of flying into as well as out of Mexico, a Passport is always required for cancun as well. Technically, It must be a legitimate passport book and not just an ordinary passport card, as the card isn't valid to travel internationally. The passport book should have validity for the period of your stay.

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Can you cross the Mexican border with a birth certificate? Birth certificates are only acceptable as forms of identification for minors traveling to Mexico by road or closed-loop cruises.

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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 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.

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