These itineraries, like Alaska cruises, may be possible without a passport book, as long as your plans dont include flying into or out of Canada and your cruise line allows you to cruise with either a passport card or other acceptable form of identification and proof of citizenship. If you look at Roysls site it says recommends and not requires. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ships departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. For this reason, Alaskan itineraries include visits somewhere in Canada, and there arent a lot of Hawaii cruises. The only time youll need to show your birth certificate is during the boarding check-in process and when you leave the ship as you arrive back home. Travelers on closed-loop cruises sailings that depart and end at the same U.S. portand travel within the Western Hemisphere do not need a passport, according to Customs and Border Protection. As luck would have it, youve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. Regardless, we always recommend traveling with a U.S. passport book, in case there are any inconveniences during your trip. Not all embassies/consulates are located near the cruise ports and moreover, the time it takes for the entire process to occur is not quick. Closed-loop cruises make financial sense for cruise lines as well as passengers. I made an error. Passengers should also note that for some ports, you may require a passport to gain entrance. Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. It also states that "some cruise lines" may have a 6 month requirement. Cruises that dont begin and end in the same port are not considered closed-loop cruises. You might be wondering if you should get the passport card vs book. I dont have to worry about damaging the birth certificate which is only as durable as the paper its printed on. God forbid something should happen to you in the Bahamas and you cant get back on board of the ship you will need your passport to get off the island. Scarlson91 Not all cruises have the same passport requirements. Your cruise must end before the 90-day period for admission has passed. You are also right, "itinerary" has a lot to do with the documents required/acceptable. I'm not saying that I do or don't agree with it. Its best to check the specific entry requirements for each foreign port youll be visiting before leaving your passport at home. Places to Cruise Without a Passport | Carnival Cruise Line In some cases, where youre arriving in a country by sea , the cruise line will handle visa procurement for you. In case of emergency, or if you need to return by air, you must provide a passport to board. When you come ashore, followlocal laws and customs. EDITED IN: It doesn't say "Required" because they aren't, if you want to use a Birth Certificate and DL on a "closed Loop" cruise, you can. For these cruises, you do not need a passport for re-entry into the United States. This is an RCCL policy. The supervisors know what will and won't be accepted by CBP. The peace of mind of having the passport is worth far more than the effort to getting it. closed loop U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. Remember that travel plans change and you may need to fly out of the United States to meet your ship at the next available port if you miss the scheduled embarkation. The important thing here not having a photo ID is so rare that the supervisors have some leeway to try to make what the unfortunate passenger has, work. Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! The Department has been working with states to enhance their drivers licenses and identification documents to comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), effective June 1, 2009. Carry awritten copy of all your prescriptionswith you in case a country requires it, or you need to replace your medications. Cruises Traveling by plane would be a different story. You should check the passport requirements for any port you are visiting, as sometimes there can be a port that requires a passport to visit even if you do not need a passport to return to the United States. Any non-U.S. citizen must present a passport for each cruise they take, including a closed-loop cruise. Go on a Cruise. Waited too long to get a passport? What their procedures are in case ofemergency. For example, if your cruise begins and ends at the same port in Miami, then you are on a closed loop cruise. Illness or Injury Depending on the severity of your illness or injury, you may have to be admitted to a local hospital overseas. WebYou are showing your passport at embarkation and the requirement according to Royal Caribbean is "U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise.". If you need a passport, and you don t have one to show, you will not be allowed to board. 27 days ago. You will leave it in the safe. So, just answer me this, does RCCL, by policy, require that U.S. Citizens using a Passport as a cruise document, have at least 6 months validity beyond return to the U.S. 2. Princess, Holland America and Celebrity all strongly recommend passport books, but allow one of the WHTI forms of identification. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea? The U.S. Virgin Islands, another Caribbean destination, allows domestic travelers to enter without a passport. If under 16, a U.S. citizen can present their birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or consular birth report abroad. Have to agree with @twangsteron this one, if you search the boards you will find that this very subject has been debated to death. But children passports are only good for 5 years so I want to wait as long as possible to renew. What if I dont have the required documents when I travel to or return to the United States? In the Eastern Caribbean, find dream destinations like Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. On your booking confirmation that goes out to every passenger who books it clearly states recommended. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. This was implemented to clarify what documents guests require for traveling on a cruise ship. When it comes to domestic cruises, nothing beats a trip to Hawaii. Passport Requirements Do I want to be limited to places that will accept the birth certificate/ID combination? What is the goal of requiring secure documents? Mainstream cruise lines operate a number of cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coast that dont require passports. But, if you are using other than a BC and DL, you must use a Passport and it must meet RCCL's minimum requirements, by policy (note, I didn't say what you can get away with). Some countries might refuse to dock your ship or allow passengers to disembark. For all other nationalities, a passport is generally required to cruise. There is also a fine line in answering this question that goes beyond the word "need" and essentially talks about if you "should" get a passport. Social Security Cards and Voter Registration cannot be used as a form of citizenship. So I understand this is considered a closed loop cruise. booking a cruise visiting Closed loop cruise, travel documentation - Royal U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's license, picture ID, denoting photo, name, and date of birth. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. It can be costly and embarrassing. I've been to most Caribbean popular ports of call and I have never heard that a Passport is even required to get in. Certain destinations, such as China and Russia, may require visas for arrival into the country by air or independent exploration ashore. February 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. For those unfamiliar with the term, we discuss what a closed-loop cruise is. Mechanical Issue Forces Disney Ship to Skip Port, Adjust Itinerary, First Cruise Ship Arrives for Busy Montreal Season, Another Overbooked Oasis-Class Royal Caribbean Ship, Many options since they are the most popular type of cruise, Park close to the port and retrieve your vehicle at the same location, No advantage if you are not a U.S. citizen since youll need a passport to get to the port, U.S. *A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID. Remain vigilantand exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad. 242. Passports do have an additional cost to them , but we feel the advantages of having a passport far outweigh the cost and work required to get one. So if you're sailing it will get you onto a closed loop cruise but if you are outside the US, even if in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, you can't use it fly back to the US. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Boarding closed loop tomorrow with ID+birth certificate, but lost ID today! A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship. They are not going to list every country and itinerary because there are multiple possibilities so they publish a general statement of what is acceptable. Proof of identification, such as a drivers license or official picture ID. These types of cruises are becoming more common with cruise lines. That should make you think instead of having a one track mind on this subject. A passport is required for all international flights and for any cruise that embarks or disembarks in a foreign country. However, ifyou board a cruise ship in San Diego, California, sail through the Panama Canal (stopping at a foreign port during the cruise), and end the cruise in Miami, Florida, you have not taken a closed loop cruise. In an emergency, someone may need to know who you are. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. With the booking confirmation every passenger is being given the information required by the cruise line. You need a birth Certificate with a raised seal and a valid govt ID or license. At the south end of the island of Eleuthera, Princess Cays offers island resort living at its finest. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was launched in 2009 by the United States government. Don't get me wrong, I do believe you have a good argument and you may get away with it, they'll take pity on you. U.S. citizens who choose to travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 as they attempt to return to the United States. I have zero memory these days for details like this. Yeah, I walked out with my Real ID in Jan. 2020 (I went to a REAL ID Center), but not all PA DMV can print them. This includes payment for hotels, restaurants, taxis, souvenir shops, etc. It almost comes to a "what if" scenario at times but lets just say that "what if" is what the wife and I specialize in at our jobs so we always try to prepare for the worst case scenario. If you are returning to an international port or disembarking an international river cruise: Checktravel.state.govto find out aboutadditional challengessome travelers might face abroad, such asolder travelers,those with disabilities,women, andLGBTI travelers. Does the contract say how many bottles of wine you can bring aboard? Experience lighthouses, lobster bakes and craggy sea cliffs in Portland, Maine, and enjoy a trip to Saint John, a beautiful city on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. I guess we have dialed this down to what the definition of is is. It's one reason I had the various links of information available. Dont take chances that might ruin the vacation of a lifetime. We checked with a few lines for you. You can always call them to provide specifics. You cant cruise just anywhere on a closed-loop sailing, but the choices are more interesting than you might expect. https://www.carnival.com/cruise-from.aspx, pastel-colored British colonial architecture, Things to Do in Los Angeles: Before or After Your Cruise. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu. What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)? Paying a $60 fee can expedite the process, but travelers will still need to wait seven to nine weeks for processing. In Ensenada, the Cinderella of the Pacific, you can ride horses along mountain trails, tour the wine country, shop for souvenirs and taste the local tequila. Passport On my browser it has a "find" feature. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 4. Do we need a passport or will a certified birth certificate and photo id work. This is my reason. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. And as stated, I'm not going to try to justify what RCCL does or doesn't do, and I'm not going to discuss what Joe or Mary got away with 5 years ago. I just looked and they have changed the language in their policy from what it was in January. New And I don't think I'm wrong here. Consider a cruise. What if I get hurt on excursion? In this case, you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance from your doctor. If thats not useful try. This will be our first cruise, Your cruise carrier website should list all the required documentation. If you are considering travel on a cruise ship, please review the latest CDC guidance. Passport card. Therefore, you tend to see more cruise ships sailing with a foreign flag. . At the time I was looking it definitely stated recommended as we knew that my wife's passport expired. If youre looking for a different kind of cruise, explore parts of New England and Canada with New York City as an exciting starting and ending point. When embarking on adventures by sea that dont require a passport, make sure you have the proper cruise documentation. Documents - Do I need a passport for a cruise? - U.S. Again, the passport card opens up the one-way possibilities assuming you arent flying and your cruise only includes Canada and the U.S. The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to. State-issued enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. Like what you see? And I'm talking about RCCL's policy, not any other company unless it is RCCL, or country. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Drivers License, or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST). 3. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 2. The majority of these New England and Canada cruises are weeklong, fall sailings, but a handful depart at other times of year or are a touch longer, at eight to 10 nights. Passports for Closed Loop Cruise The, An U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a. issued by U.S. As usual, I'd hate to be the one or cause someone else by not providing what is the written policy. If not, just leave blank, How to make the most of your time on a Royal Caribbean cruise, First time cruisers: comparing Royal Caribbean's Oasis class to Voyager class. (Columbia is the one I know does require 6 months even for cruise passengers, don't book a cruise going to Columbia without meeting that requirement). The U.S. Customs & Border Protection indicates that citizens can enter the U.S. using a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate. You May Like: Dolphin Cruises Orange Beach Al. Maybe youve never had the time, money or desire to travel abroad previously, or perhaps your old passport has expired. If you are flying directly to or from your cruise vacation, please enter the airport name or WebU.S. Believe me, this isn't the first time I've had this discussion on the very subject and it's been in a few cruise social media sites going back for more than a couple of years. Why won't they let someone on that doesn't have at least 6 months left on their Passport but let someone on with just a birth certificate and DL? Also, your cruise company may require you to have a passport, even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not. WebMariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer.
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