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. 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. The only exceptions are the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed loop cruises), including ferry service, by the summer of 2009, according to the U.S. If you’re taking a closed-loop cruise, you’re only required to travel with a birth certificate or a government-issued photo ID.
Traveling with medications
And, because a passport card is less bulky (it’s similar in size to a driver’s license), it’s easier to carry more securely than a passport book. However, a passport card is only valid for land and sea border crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. A passport book may be required in foreign ports on your itinerary and is mandatory for international flights (in case of an emergency). Therefore, a valid passport book is the most recommended and dependable form of identification in all cases of cruise travel.
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While international travel flexibility and cost are both important differences between a passport book and card, there are similarities. Either type of passport can be used on closed-loop sailings that call at foreign ports but depart and return to the U.S. Without either document, you’d need to provide proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and proof of identification (such as a driver's license). Sea travelers should also check with their cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
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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. If you have a medical emergency and you’re not traveling with a U.S. passport, you must contact the local U.S. The same applies if your ship has mechanical failure and you’re stuck in a foreign country.
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Royal Caribbean check-in process Cruise.Blog.
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You will be rejected if you forget your passport and it is required to board the ship. Unfortunately, you would also be ineligible for a refund, as bringing your passport is your responsibility. Aside from remembering to bring a passport or passport card for yourself and any children in your care, you also need to make sure that those pieces of identification have a valid expiration date. 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. While nobody likes to think about the worst-case scenario when planning a vacation, being prepared is always a good idea.
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While it may seem strange to think of such a notoriously cold area with a rainforest, the dense forests surrounding the town are classified as temperate rainforests. Skagway sits on the Lynn Canal, North America’s longest and deepest fjord. Numerous tour operators can provide safe and guided rafting experiences.
As luck would have it, you’ve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. If you take closed loop cruises (meaning your trip begins and ends at a U.S. port), you can sail to a variety of dreamy destinations as a U.S. citizen without a passport. Cruise lines recommend that every passenger have a passport when traveling, even on closed-loop cruises when one isn't strictly necessary.
However, it doesn't hurt to apply for one if you don't have one yet and have the time and funds. Skagway also offers shopping enthusiasts an opportunity to browse a wide variety of unique souvenirs and hand-made goods. Handcrafted jewelry and authentic Native Alaskan artwork both make unique and stunning keepsakes.
That is because you have already registered with the ship, and they will present this information to any customs agents on your behalf. Another option for a cruise passenger is to keep their passport card on them while storing their passport book in their cabin safe. In either scenario, you must still bring your passport when boarding the ship. Again, you could board the ship with an enhanced driver’s license or a valid government-issued photo identification and a birth certificate.
Mainstream cruise lines operate numerous cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coasts that don't require passports. These depart from the ports of Bayonne, Baltimore, Boston, Manhattan, Brooklyn and occasionally Norfolk. 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. 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. Passports are required for the islands in the South Pacific, which means they're required for the entire cruise.
Immigration and border authorities must be very strict about checking documents for validity, so a photocopy will never be sufficient, even if it is just for a child or senior in your care. 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). The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency website provides the relevant information.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to check with the country’s embassy or its consulates for up-to-date information. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Otherwise, keep it stowed away in a dedicated section of your bag (if you keep it in the same place every time, you won’t ever scramble to locate it).
What if something happens to the ship or to someone in your party and you have to fly home? Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.
If you have recently changed your name, there are certain steps you will need to take. Fortunately, Royal Caribbean International offers a simple guide explaining what you must do to address this issue. If you need a new copy of your birth certificate, you can request a new one from your local or state vital statistics department for a fee.
