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Guests should double-check the visa requirements with the consulate 14 to 30 days before the cruise starts. Carnival Cruise Line strongly advises having a valid passport book while traveling. A passport book is not only the most reliable form of identification but if guests unexpectedly need to fly to or from the U.S. during their cruise, not having a passport book could cause big problems and delays. The cruise line you’re traveling with may also have its own documentation requirements, which can include a passport book or passport card regardless of the itinerary. If you are a U.S. citizen and cruising out of the United States (meaning your cruise begins and ends in the United States), then you do not need a passport.
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You will also always need a passport book if you are traveling on a cruise that requires you to take an international flight to get to your departure port, such as those cruises departing from Europe, South America, or Asia. You will always need a passport book if you are starting and ending your cruise in different ports. Even if your cruise starts and ends in U.S. cities, you will still be required to have a valid U.S. passport book in order to board. There are some advantages to traveling with a passport card rather than a passport book, mainly cost and portability. Currently, a passport card costs only $65 to issue, while issuing a passport book is $145.
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Children under 16 can also travel to the Bahamas on a cruise with an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, sports team, or other organization with adult supervision. A U.S. passport book is a government-issued document that allows U.S. citizens to travel internationally by air, land, and sea.
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(Foreign-flagged lines are not allowed to sail between U.S. ports without visiting another country under the Jones Act.) You can do a week on the ship from Honolulu and visit five Hawaiian Islands. There are two ways to cruise to the volcanoes, tropical forests, whales, and surfing beaches of Hawai‘i without a passport. One is on a cruise where you fly in and spend your entire vacation in and around the islands. The other is a long slog, closed-loop sailing from a California port or Seattle, with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and several days at sea getting to and from Hawai‘i.
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Carnival’s six-day Bermuda from Norfolk cruise spends two days at sea and three days in Bermuda. Bermuda Bliss, a seven-day Oceana cruise from New York City, visits Hamilton and St. George in Bermuda and includes two days at sea. Florida’s ports of Miami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale), and Port Canaveral (about an hour east of Orlando) offer the majority of closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a seven-day cruise from Seattle aboard Norwegian Bliss with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, and Victoria before returning to Seattle. Holland America Line’s seven-day Alaskan Explorer departs from Seattle and cruises the Puget Sound and Stephens Passage.
Regardless, we always recommend traveling with a U.S. passport book, in case there are any inconveniences during your trip. If you take a closed-loop cruise to Bermuda, you can leave your passport at home and travel instead with a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate. Even though Alaska is part of the United States, most cruise itineraries will require you to travel with a U.S. passport. A valid U.S. passport book is mandatory even if you’re flying to or from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean from the United States. The cost for a first-time passport holder is $165, plus the photo fee; the steep fee alone is why many Americans choose to go without one. The good news is that an adult passport is valid for 10 years – and you can travel to most places in the world with just a passport and no visa.
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Still, a passport may be necessary if any of your shore excursions enter Canada. Travelers crossing the U.S.-Canada border by land or sea can opt to use a passport card instead of their passport book. But if you have a change of plans and need to take a plane, you would be out of luck as you would need a passport book to fly. Cruising is a wonderful way to explore incredible destinations while also enjoying luxury accommodations and onboard entertainment. However, before you step foot on the cruise ship, it is smart to understand the documentation requirements to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
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We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. Their Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises, in particular, are renowned for their luxury. Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean International is a leading cruise line brand and a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group.
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While a cruise can offer a wonderful mixture of relaxation and adventure, you must ensure that your packing list contains everything you need. Right at the top of that list should be your mandatory forms of proper identification. While some cruises may not mandate a passport, it’s always smart planning to carry one. A valid passport acts as your ticket to a hassle-free and enjoyable cruising experience. The company boasts a fleet of 28 ships, including the world’s five largest cruise vessels.
Travelers should reach out to the embassy or consular services of each country they’ll visit on their cruise to understand specific visa requirements, details, forms, and fees. While some cruises don’t require you to travel with a U.S. passport book, we always recommend you bring one on your trip, even on a closed-loop cruise. If you need to fly back to the United States during your cruise, you’ll only be able to board a plane with a passport book. If you’re traveling on a closed-loop cruise to Alaska that starts and ends in the same U.S. port, you can travel with a passport card or a state-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) and an original birth certificate.
Check with your cruise line before departure to see what documents are needed instead of a passport. Many require a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate if you don't have a passport. U.S. and Canadian citizens under 16 (or under 19 if traveling with a school, religious group or other youth groups) only need to present a birth certificate or another proof of citizenship. That said, some may require a passport if you want to disembark at ports in any Caribbean destination. And if you're starting and ending your cruise at different ports within the U.S. — or flying in to or out of a Caribbean country — you will need a passport.
The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency website provides the relevant information. Basically, having a passport on you while you travel by cruise ship can be a worthwhile precaution, even if it is not needed. Any international movement, whether planned or unexpected, will always be smoother if you have a passport on you. If you have changed your name for whatever reason, you must also bring proof of name change.
If you are on a longer cruise that visits other Caribbean islands, you’ll want to check with your cruise line about any passport requirements. Freestyle Travelers is the ultimate resource for cruisers seeking to explore the seas. As the leader in all things related to cruising, our travel blog provides expert guidance and valuable information to enhance the cruising experience.
Furthermore, you could be denied entry when returning to the United States if you had to return by air. Therefore, it’s crucial to check your passport’s expiration date well in advance of your cruise departure date. Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, or other organization with adult supervision. If you’re traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, you can bring a U.S. passport card instead of a passport book.
However, when looking at small ships and larger ships on more expansive routes, keep in mind some islands—including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Bart’s—do require a passport. If you are age 16 and up, and without a passport, you will also need to present a photo I.D. Non-American travelers planning to board cruises with stops within the United States will want to familiarize themselves with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Royal Caribbean check-in process Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog
Royal Caribbean check-in process Cruise.Blog.
Posted: Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you are on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends in the U.S. and visits Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, all you need to do is prove you are a U.S. citizen, and this applies to everyone in your party. Note that the birth certificate can’t be the cute one with the baby’s footprints issued by the hospital; it needs to be issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where the child was born. To apply for a passport, you'll need to fill out an application form, provide proof of U.S. citizenship, provide photo identification, and pay a fee. The current fee for a first-time adult passport book is $145, and the processing time is typically 4-6 weeks. If you need your passport more quickly, expedited processing is available for an additional fee. Even if your cruise doesn't require a passport, there are several benefits to having one.
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