We strongly recommend that all guests present a passport as their form of ID on boarding day. Technically, yes – U.S. citizens can present a state-certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID to sail on most cruises departing from the U.S. But a passport is the more efficient, secure option.

No, Royal Caribbean strictly requires original documents or certified copies; a simple photocopy or a digital scan of a birth certificate is not acceptable for boarding. For "closed-loop" cruises (sailing from and returning to the same U.S. port), U.S. citizens can use an original state-issued birth certificate (with a raised seal) or a certified copy issued by the Vital Records department, paired with a valid government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license). If you bring a standard photocopy made at home, you will be denied boarding at the pier with no refund. Royal Caribbean's 2026 policy emphasizes that "all documents must be original—no photocopies." For children under 16, only the birth certificate is required. While the birth certificate option is legal for certain routes, the cruise line "strongly recommends" a valid passport for all guests, as it is the only document that allows you to fly back to the U.S. from a foreign port in the event of an emergency or if you miss the ship.