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Additionally, some cruise lines may require a passport as a form of identification for boarding, even if it is not technically needed for the itinerary. It’s always best to check with your cruise line and the countries you visit to confirm their passport requirements. They can also use an enhanced driver’s license, which denotes both proofs of identity and citizenship, though those are available only in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington for now. Travelers can reenter the country from Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico with an EDL, but the documents are valid for border crossings only by sea or land. A passport is the most accepted and reliable form of identification when traveling internationally. It’s a document that verifies your identity and citizenship and is issued by the government.
How Fast Does a Cruise Ship Go?
U.S. or Canadian children under 16 only need to present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. Most Caribbean and Bahamas sailings don’t need to worry about the requirement because they already include visits to foreign countries. If you miss your ship at a port, you will need to find a way to catch up to the cruise or return home. Also, it is advisable to always travel with some form of identification. Passengers should also note that for some ports, you may require a passport to gain entrance.
Closed-Loop Cruises: Popular Port Cities from the United States
Always Travel With a Passport on Your Cruise — Even If You Don't Need One - Fodor's Travel
Always Travel With a Passport on Your Cruise — Even If You Don't Need One.
Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise length ranges from 6-11 nights with all destination ports within New England. It’s easy to book multiple (back-to-back) cruises in regions like the Caribbean. Book a 2nd cruise with a different itinerary leaving from the same port.
What Cruise Lines Offer Closed Loop Cruises
Below we’ll define what is a closed loop cruise and the documentation requirements for U.S. citizens. Additionally, there must be a destination to a foreign location to qualify as a closed-loop cruise. Therefore, you tend to see more cruise ships sailing with a foreign flag. Canadian and U.S. children under 16 must only present birth certificates (notarized, original, or certified copy), Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, Certificates of Naturalization, or proof of citizenship. Social Security Cards and Voter Registration cannot be used as a form of citizenship.
Travel by train, vehicle, or airplane has its perks, but adventurers looking for time on the waves often choose to cruise instead. Luxury and fun on the high seas continue to be something that increasingly appeals to travelers worldwide. It's projected that by 2028, the global cruise market will become an industry worth over $15 billion. If you love the great outdoors and want to surround yourself with nature, an Alaska cruise is perfect. Sail past glaciers; spot whales, moose and bald eagles; capture breathtaking photos on a mountaintop train ride; and cuddle with sled dog puppies.
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]
This allows passengers to enjoy the benefits of visiting diverse locations while still enjoying the comfort and familiarity of their starting point. A prime example would be if a closed-loop cruise stops at a port of entry on the island of Martinique. This destination requires all U.S. citizens to hold a valid passport to enter the country. Passengers without a passport would be required to stay onboard the ship at this point in the cruise which could put a damper on the fun if it's something unexpected. U.S. citizens booked on those sailings can leave and enter the country with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and – if 16 or older – a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. When traveling outside of the U.S. a passport is always recommended, but cruises are the exception to the rule.
This allows individuals to enter and exit the U.S. without needing to get a new visa stamp. These countries share a physical land boundary with the United States – in the case of the US, the two contiguous territories would be Mexico to the south and Canada to the north. In my view, the worst day cruising is still better than the best day “back in the office! However, only partial world cruises can be considered “closed-loop.” This is due to the restriction that the itinerary must be exclusively in the Western Hemisphere. A world cruise is on the bucket list for many cruisers, but the cost can be prohibitive.
Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, is an incredibly popular destination that only Disney Cruise Line sails to. REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. While U.S. Customs recommend an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) as a passport alternative, very few states offer this form of government-issued ID. As we mentioned, adults must have two ID forms to board a cruise if they don't have a passport. Stay organized with a dedicated container, book, or pouch for all your cruise documents, including your identification. Disney Cruise Line has a very similar 3-day or 4-day itinerary, usually departing from Port Canaveral, which is on Florida’s Space Coast near Cape Canaveral.
Princess Cruises
It’s possible that you’ve heard the phrase “closed-loop cruise” thrown about in the context of sailing and been interested in what it means. Even though it has something to do with the locations on the calendar completing a complete circle, there is more to the tale than that. There’s plenty to do, from snorkeling to golf, exploring the shops and galleries in Hamilton, the pastel-hued capital, and visiting the island’s forts. Hike the historic Railway Trail, consisting of 18 miles of scenic pathway following the course of an old railroad line. From Ensenada, you could snorkel over underwater rock formations at Todos Santos island, or join a wine tasting tour to Calafia Valley, Mexico’s wine-growing region.
This type of sailing was granted special documentation requirements to simplify travel. However, travelers do need appropriate government-issued documentation when they cruise. This particular type of itinerary begins and ends in the same U.S. port. There are many types of cruises, but in recent years one that is becoming more popular is the closed-loop cruise.
Mexico cruises most frequently depart from Los Angeles (San Pedro and Long Beach), San Francisco and San Diego. Typically, a closed-loop cruise would leave from Miami, Florida, make her way to Bermuda and the Caribbean, and then return to Miami. Daly also recommended taking a photo of your government IDs, which can be helpful backups when dealing with officials.
After 9/11, the U.S. government ramped up border security, and launched the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) in 2009 to clarify documentation requirements for people traveling into and out of the U.S. Closed loop cruises are a special category within the WHTI guidelines, and sailing on one means you can provide different I.D. U.S. citizens younger than 16 may use an original, notarized or certified copy of their birth certificate to go on a closed loop cruise. Different documentation is acceptable for minors under 16, including an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization.
You can cruise to The Bahamas from a number of U.S. ports along the Atlantic Coast. Located just southeast of Miami in the Atlantic Ocean, The Bahamas offers an ideal island getaway. With soft-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and pastel-colored British colonial architecture, the Bahamian capital of Nassau makes a popular port of call for cruisers.
Without geographic restrictions, ships with an open itinerary can travel farther and often stop at more ports. This may also entail visiting places that other cruises would not have the time or ability to visit, such as more exotic locations. The benefit of taking these “round-trip cruises” is that American travelers don’t necessarily need a passport as long as the trip begins and ends at the same U.S.A. port. However, you must understand the nuances of the itinerary you choose if you don’t have a passport, even if you have a travel agent to help guide you. The itineraries of closed-loop cruises begin and end in the same port. For purposes of this conversation, that port is in the United States (even though the term “closed loop cruise” could be used to describe a cruise that starts and ends in the same city in another country).
Voter registration cards and Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. If you’re taking a closed-loop cruise that includes a port of call in another country, you may need a visa. Always check with the embassy or consulate of the country you’re visiting to determine the specific requirements. If so, you might have come across the terms closed-loop and open-jaw cruises.
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