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You can visit Alaska on a round-trip Seattle cruise without a passport. But if you wish to book a rail journey excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which takes you from Alaska into Canada, choose the shorter White Pass Summit tour; you'll need a passport for the longer trips. The rules also apply to Caribbean islands that are U.S. territories. For instance, you won't need a passport to fly to and cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas in the U.S.
Vacations That Don't Require a Passport
Residents of the East Coast have several choices when it comes to homeports, which include Baltimore, Bayonne (Cape Liberty), Boston and New York (Manhattan). Additionally, Miami, Norfolk, Charleston and Orlando (Port Canaveral), sometimes offer one-off cruises to Bermuda. A number of East Coast and Gulf Coast homeports offer round-trip Bahamas cruises. They include Baltimore, Bayonne (Cape Liberty), Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Galveston, Jacksonville, New York (Manhattan), Miami, Norfolk and Orlando (Port Canaveral). In the Eastern Caribbean, find dream destinations like Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. In Amber Cove, you can tour the Dominican outback, soak up the sun on Coconut Cove Beach, or ride the Waterfalls of Rio de Damajagua.
The 8 Cruise Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport
Closed-loop cruises from U.S. ports that visit Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico are part of an international agreement that allows U.S. citizens to cruise without a passport. In these cases, government-issued identification and proof of U.S. citizenship are acceptable alternatives to a passport book. Closed-loop Hawaii cruises that don't require passports come in two varieties. The short option is to fly to Honolulu and take a seven- or 10-night cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America. This is the only large cruise ship allowed to operate entirely within the Hawaiian Islands without visiting a foreign port.
West Coast
Since you are leaving the country, you’ll need proof of citizenship to return home. Many cruises design itineraries encompassing islands like Grand Cayman, where you can mingle with stingrays, or St. Maarten, with its split Dutch and French personality. While some stops may require passports, many don’t, expanding your horizon beyond the typical. If you find yourself without a passport but in need of one, you would need to contact and locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and request an emergency limited validity passport in order to fly home.
With historical sites like St. Peter’s Church and the National Museum of Bermuda, you can delve deep into the island’s rich past while enjoying its present-day beauty and cultural offerings. When cruising to Bermuda, you’re not just visiting an island; you’re stepping into a blend of history, luxury, and natural splendor. Whether it’s for a short break or a longer voyage, these cruises offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and sightseeing along America’s stunning Pacific coastline. These cruises typically meander along California’s stunning coastline, allowing you to experience the iconic beauty of places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Up north, Seattle, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon serve as scenic ports, each with its own charm.
You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises - USA TODAY
You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises.
Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you have to cancel your cruise at the last minute, you won’t have to worry about any international travel restrictions. If you don't have a passport and your ship stops at one of these islands, you'll have to stay on board. If you want to cruise without a passport, choose itineraries where you know you can get off the ship and enjoy your day in port. Mexican Riviera voyages are a great choice for passport-less would-be cruisers who live on (or cruise from) the West Coast. Not only does Mexico offer some spectacular food and culture, but sailings to the region tend to be more affordable than those to Hawaii, a region that's also frequently accessed via West Coast homeports.
Whether you’re in the mood for cultural exploration or seeking adrenaline-pumping activities, Mexican Riviera voyages from the West Coast provide an eclectic mix of experiences. Seattle, known for its coffee culture and markets, and Astoria, with its adventure-rich history, provide distinct experiences. West Coast cruises are ideal for those looking for a quick getaway or for first-time cruisers wanting a taste of the Californian lifestyle and the broader West Coast. Not just a destination for leisure, the Caribbean offers a journey through history and culture, with opportunities to explore ancient ruins, rainforests, and engage in wildlife encounters.
You Need a Passport for Cruises To and From Foreign Ports
The process requires explaining your urgent situation, completing an application, and showing your travel documents, photo identification and proof of citizenship. There are sailings aboard Celebrity Cruise Line's Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Eclipse that don't require passports as they depart a U.S. port, travel to Bermuda for a few nights, then return to a U.S. port. Passport cards are an affordable and unquestionable alternative to carrying an ID and birth certificate. Most Caribbean islands participate in the WHTI, but it's always best to check the details specific to the ports of call included in your itinerary. Don't forget that islands such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are U.S. territories, so visits never require passports for U.S. citizens.
Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. It's your responsibility to research the proper documentation in order to cruise, and if you go on a cruise without a passport, you won't be allowed on and risk the entire cost of the cruise. Opponents argue that the chance of you missing the ship is low, and it’s more likely that your passport will get lost or stolen while you’re exploring in port. In that case, your passport is better left in the safe in your cabin.
That means they have to find an alternate way home, such as flying. First, if anything were to happen that made you have to find alternate transport home, then you’d be in deep water without a passport. For example, if you had to fly home from a foreign port due to a family emergency, then you’d have trouble returning without a passport.
Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise? - NerdWallet
Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise?.
Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you want to visit Mexico's eastern shores, you can find three- to 15-night cruises to Costa Maya, Cozumel and Progreso. Sailings depart Florida from Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral; you can also find itineraries from New Orleans, Galveston and Mobile, Alabama. This means that Alaska cruises are one instance when the passport card would be a handy alternative to traveling with both an ID card and a birth certificate. The cruises that you don't need a passport for are closed-loop sailings, which depart from and return to the same port within the U.S.
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. Just be sure that your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port, and double check your identification and proof of citizenship documents. Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans.
If you are age 16 and up, and without a passport, you will also need to present a photo I.D. The necessity of a visa depends on the cruise itinerary and your nationality. Despite the allure of no-passport-required adventures, we’d be remiss not to highlight the security and peace of mind a passport provides. Imagine needing to fly home unexpectedly from a foreign port because of an emergency, or getting the chance for an impromptu jaunt to a fascinating nearby country. While your cruise must start and end in the U.S., some Alaskan cruises make pit stops in dreamy British Columbian spots like Victoria, renowned for its lush Butchart Gardens.
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