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The majority of these New England and Canada cruises are weeklong fall sailings; however, a handful depart at other times of the year or are a touch longer, ranging from eight to 10 nights. With closed-loop cruises, you have a hassle-free option to sail sans passport. These special voyages start and end at the same U.S. port, simplifying travel documents. Understanding the specifics — like when a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID suffice — is key to avoiding a vacation shipwreck. Beware of 20-plus-night cruises that are round-trip sailings from the West Coast and would seem to fit the bill for closed-loop cruises that don't require passports. Most of these cruises don't work because they also include stops in French Polynesia, which is outside of the WHTI agreement.
Which cruise ports require a passport?
Or just enjoy a meal of fresh salmon or crab while you're ashore -- no passport needed. Our local cuisine is another great reason to cruise to Canada and New England. Portland is home to the one and only Maine Lobster, but the waters off these coasts are home to other seafood delights as well. You can enjoy a rich and creamy cup of New England clam chowder or some Rhode Island style calamari. There are also plenty of sweet treats including maple syrup, whoopie pies, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream from nearby Vermont.
Do you need a passport to cruise Canada and New England?
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. In Freeport, you can shop till you drop at the Port Lucaya Marketplace or kayak through the mangroves at Lucayan National Park. At the south end of the island of Eleuthera, Princess Cays offers island resort living at its finest. Many of the major cruise lines usually have ships that visit Bermuda. Most even offer two or three day stays to enjoy this beautiful location. You can use this time to explore Kings Wharf and other popular stops like St. George’s and Hamilton.
Cruise Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport
Cruises For First Timers - Virgin Voyages
Cruises For First Timers.
Posted: Tue, 07 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. A few longer, seven- to 15-night itineraries stop in the Bahamas on their way into the Caribbean. Departures from Bayonne, Manhattan, Baltimore and Charleston will often get you weeklong Bahamas itineraries, as will sailings from Tampa, Galveston and New Orleans. More complications arise for non-passport holders who book shore excursions that involve crossing from Alaska to Canada. White Pass and Yukon Route allows cruise passengers to go on the three-hour train excursion without a passport but doesn't allow them to take any longer routes.
No, Royal Caribbean, like several other major cruise lines, typically requires passengers to have a valid passport for travel, even for closed-loop sailings that wouldn’t legally require one. This policy helps ensure that, in case of emergencies that necessitate flying back to the U.S. from a foreign port, passengers can do so without legal complications or delays. First time cruisers often ask if they need a passport to go on a cruise. The answer is that you generally need a passport to travel to a foreign country, but select itineraries sailing roundtrip from U.S. homeports do not require passports as travel documents. While cruising with a passport is always recommended, it's not required by law in certain circumstances. 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.
Imagine stepping off your cruise ship and straight onto the soft sands of the Bahamas. Perfect for shorter three-night escapades or week-long retreats, the Bahamas serves up a platter of activities. No-passport cruises are particularly beneficial for domestic travelers keen on exploring the U.S.’s scenic beauty, from the majestic glaciers of Alaska to the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean. They’re also a godsend for family travel — because we all know getting passports for the whole gang can be as fun as a sunburn. Embarking on a no-passport cruise is like finding a golden ticket inside your chocolate bar — it’s all about serendipity and convenience.
Like many of the tropical cruise regions, there are plenty of beach breaks, island tours, food tastings, and nature excursions to experience in the Mexican Riviera. Plus, there are exclusive offerings like whale watching, cultural shows like Rhythms of the Night, and some unique landscapes that you can’t find in the Caribbean. For those living on the West Coast, the Mexican Riviera might be the perfect destination to which to cruise without a passport. There are a lot of options when it comes to visiting Caribbean islands. If you’re looking for culture and history in the northeast, cruises that depart New England for parts of Canada are a great option. Bermuda has beautiful golf courses, historic forts and excellent dining.
Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to the Bahamas?
It's best to check the requirements not just for each island that you'll be sailing to, but also to additional destinations you may visit on a port call. If you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, including Canada, you will always need your passport for the cruise (in some cases a passport card will suffice). You'll also need a passport for a cruise that begins and ends in different U.S. ports.
A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. This means that you don’t need a passport to board or disembark the ship. Closed-loop cruises are available to all U.S. citizens, regardless of age.
If you’re 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. Spend a day soaking up history in Boston, Massachusetts, and tour the Charles River aboard an amphibious duck vehicle. 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. A stop in the charming fishing village of Halifax, Nova Scotia offers beautiful gardens, more delicious seafood and double-decker bus tours. After you pull into port in the Big Apple, make sure to see a Broadway show, visit the Empire State Building and take a stroll through Central Park. Given that the island is further north than many of the other popular tropical destinations, the weather is a bit more seasonal here.
If possible, I'd recommend close to six months prior to your vacation. If your cruise itinerary does not necessitate a passport, you must show other valid documentation. If your cruise itinerary does require a passport, and you don’t have one, you will be turned away from the ship and not allowed to board. When most travelers think of cruises in sunny, sandy locales, they think of the Caribbean or South Pacific. However, Hawaii is right there, and since it’s a U.S. state, there’s no worry about passports.
The majority of closed-loop cruises to Alaska originate and return to Seattle. However, American Cruise Lines’ Southeast Alaska cruise boards in Juneau and returns to the same port after visiting Glacier Bay and several Alaskan towns. Like Bermuda cruises, popular embarkation ports for Canada/New England cruises are in the Northeast. New York, Cape Liberty (NJ), Baltimore, and Boston are the most popular. Ports in the Mexican Riviera, like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, offer amazing beaches, immersive cultural and historical experiences, and a festive atmosphere day and night.
These ports of call offer a variety of shore excursion options from helicopter rides over glaciers, to whale watching, bear sightings, salmon bakes, and historic gold route tours. For all other nationalities, a passport is generally required to cruise. Exploring the world by sea is a thrilling experience, and the great news is, you don’t always need a passport for these adventures. From the rugged beauty of Alaska to the sun-kissed shores of the West Coast, the options are diverse and exciting. The Panama Canal is not just a passage between oceans; it’s a gateway to a myriad of natural wonders and historical significance.
They may be able to issue you a temporary ID that you can use to disembark the ship and return to the United States. An enhanced driver's license is another alternative that you can use for land and sea port crossings, but not for international flights. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years.
If that place happens to be somewhere that requires a passport, you may find yourself in a bad spot. That said, to be honest, gathering up other valid types of identification might be more troublesome than just getting a passport. For the most convenience possible, consider getting a passport if you don’t want to book a closed-loop itinerary cruise to Canada. 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. Known for their leaf-peeping opportunities, maritime history and ultra-friendly locals, these voyages don't necessitate passports.
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