You must remain on the ship if you dont have your passport. Upload or insert images from URL. So, I'm not interested in playing word games (Acceptable). Simply put, having a passport makes traveling significantly easier and simpler. This is taken directly off of Royal Caribbean's invoice for a cruise that was booked today. It is discussed somewhere in the government's websites and it just states that some countries require 3 or 6 months. Display as a link instead, For those on the Visa Waiver Program, you can use the I-94W (your immigration stamp received when first entering the United States) when you re-enter at disembarkment. EDITED IN: It doesn't say "Required" because they aren't, if you want to use a Birth Certificate and DL on a "closed Loop" cruise, you can. United States citizens can visit the State Departments travel website or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center at (877) 4USA-PPT; TDD/TTY: (888) 874-7793. I would make sure they have a police report or some documentation about the wallet being lost. We all learned a lesson from that! Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. Children 15 and under only need to have their U.S. birth certificate. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, Social Security Cards and Voter Registration cannot be used as a form of citizenship. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. and birth certificate is sufficient, however it says to check with each specific port. Paying a $60 fee can expedite the process, but travelers will still need to wait seven to nine weeks for processing. If you live in the U.S., you will also need the original copy of your Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green Card") and any other documentation the countries on your itinerary require due to your alien status. "If you are a U.S. citizen a passport is not required, but it still serves as the best identification when traveling,"the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism's website says. In case of emergency, or if you need to return by air, you must provide a passport to board. Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. Needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ships departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. For U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), you must have your photo ID plus your Permanent Resident Card (I-551/Green Card). What their procedures are in case ofemergency. Okay, the horse is dead enough, again. Not every passenger goes to the website to check for information. Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology for Border Crossing, CBP Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border, An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Bahamas is a Caribbean nation of islands and a popular cruise destination. For a cruise ship to qualify for a closed-loop status, it must start and end in the United States. 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 notneeda passport. and birth certificate is sufficient, however it says to check with each specific port. If you cannot be discharged before the cruise ship is scheduled to depart, the cruise ship may leave without you. However I find a definite answer whether or not passports are required. Remain vigilantand exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad. There is also a fine line in answering this question that goes beyond the word "need" and essentially talks about if you "should" get a passport. Most cruises beginning and ending in the same location are considered "closed-loop," meaning they begin and end at the same port in the United States and travel within the Western Hemisphere. Not all destinations require U.S. tourists to carry a passport. I dont have to worry about damaging the birth certificate which is only as durable as the paper its printed on. Closed-loop cruises start and finish at the same United States port. Having a passport on a cruise means not just an easier embarkation and disembarkation process, but it protects you against an unexpected situation that may occur during the course of a cruise, such as: Certainly many guests will cruise without a passport and likely not run into any issues. The only time youll need to show your birth certificate is during the boarding check-in process and when you leave the ship as you arrive back home. There are many perks for passengers and cruise lines that offer closed-loop cruises. No kidding. These itineraries, like Alaska cruises, may be possible without a passport book, as long as your plans dont include flying into or out of Canada and your cruise line allows you to cruise with either a passport card or other acceptable form of identification and proof of citizenship. I would 100% take what is written on your booking invoice as policy as opposed to what is written in general terms in an FAQ section of the website. But, I try. 4. If you look at Roysls site it says recommends and not requires. Some countries do require 6 months so they are covering themselves. I have had two Real ID licenses from two different states.I moved. If you use a "Passport" it must meet the minimum requirements. Recommended Reading: Cheapest Way To Cruise Alaska. THAT I remember. Keep in mind that these requirements are for U.S. citizens only. If youre trying to fly to an international cruise port without a passport, you wont get past airline check-in. Spend a day soaking up history in Boston, Massachusetts, and tour the Charles River aboard an amphibious duck vehicle. Web In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or a certified copy), plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state or local government agency is required. The big "what if". Although you do not need a passport to visit these destinations as a U.S. citizen, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise vacation for the following reasons: Cruises up North Americas East Coast allow you to take in historical sights of early Americana, stand atop rugged cliffs on the coast of Nova Scotia or revel in the French culture of Quebec. In the Eastern Caribbean, find dream destinations like Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. Its best to check the specific entry requirements for each foreign port youll be visiting before leaving your passport at home. If you choose not to bring your passport and take advantage of the benefits of a closed-loop cruise, there are some things that you need to be aware of. All I need is the book. New applicants can expect to spend $130 for a passport book, plus a $35 acceptance fee. When you get off and on the ship in ports of call, youll just need to have your ID and your cabin keycard. You unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air. Cruises that dont begin and end in the same port are not considered closed-loop cruises. 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. 2023 www.jsonline.com. When traveling outside of the U.S. a passport is always recommended, but cruises are the exception to the rule. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory and popular Caribbean destination, is about as easy to fly to as any state if you have a state-issued ID. Read Also: Royal Caribbean Cruises To Hawaii. WebWhat forms of ID are required for minors travelling on Royal Caribbean? Regardless of what the minimum requirements are for travel, we highly recommend everyone get a passport. That being said, there are certain types of cruises where youll be able to board with other types of documentation if you do not have either a passport book or passport card. This is often the case for Mediterranean cruises that visit, but dont embark or debark in, Egypt. If you leave on a cruise I am guessing that your CA CBP officers would want their citizens returning home to Canada with a valid passport, but it doesn't effect your closed loop cruise. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. On my browser it has a "find" feature. Carry awritten copy of all your prescriptionswith you in case a country requires it, or you need to replace your medications. Additionally,the State Departmentsaystravelers under 16 do not need a passport to enter Canada; they need only proof of U.S. citizenship. I hope the takeaway from all this is that its never too early to get your childs first passport. We advise checking with a travel agent, the U.S. Department of State website, or a cruise line representative before embarkation. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Frequently Asked Questions. For cruise passengers driving to their port, their vehicle will be available when they disembark. And the ability to use a Birth Certificate and DL is an authorization given by the: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-74?language=en_US. Citizens of the United States dont require passport s on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. For U.S. citizens, passports are not required for all cruises. It provides simpler logistics for a cruise line by using the same port. WebMariner of the Seas is experimenting with a complimentary embarkation day lunch to help alleviate demand in Windjammer. Most U.S. citizens dont need a passport for closed-loop cruises that depart from American ports. What types ofmedical servicesyour ship can provide, such as basic or urgent care, hospitalization, dialysis, etc. While the passport card may protect you against certain scenarios and is superior to not having a passport at all, getting a passport book not only provides more coverage (such as flying internationally), but it allows you to travel beyond simply cruises. 27 days ago. What is a closed loop cruise can simply be phrased as any cruise ship debarking from and returning to the same point. What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea? To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements. Here are some popular destinations you can visit without a passport. WHTI is the joint Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to implement a key 9/11 Commission recommendation and the statutory mandates of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). Mainstream cruise lines operate a number of cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coast that dont require passports. While we do recommend having a passport just in case, these are the top cruise destinations you can visit without one. The passport card is an option the United States government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. Passports are required for all cruise travel to all other International destinations. WebHeres an example of a closed-loop cruise itinerary that starts and ends in a United States Cruise Port: A 4-night cruise departs from the Port of Miami in Florida. Do you tell him that the Contract "Recommends" A, but his retorts that the policy dictates "B"? If you are considering travel on a cruise ship, please review the latest CDC guidance. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. It says accepted. I'm not saying that I do or don't agree with it. Different ports will have different requirements. It says accepted. All rights reserved. if 16 years of age or older, And a certified birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization. I just looked and they have changed the language in their policy from what it was in January. This case is closed unless something comes up to add material discussion. U.S. citizens can take advantage of closed-loop cruises where passports are not required. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. Travel delays or quarantines due to COVID-19 may result in unanticipated expenses for travelers. So for the purposes of this article, a child is someone no older than 15 . This is longer than any other ID in the USA and it proves both identity AND citizenship. Leave one copy with a trusted family member or friend and carry one separately from your actual documents. in the DMV that Monday. U.S. citizens who do choose to travel internationally should make contingency plans, as they may have to remain in a foreign country longer than originally planned. This includes payment for hotels, restaurants, taxis, souvenir shops, etc. Luckily, not all destinations require U.S. tourists to carry the document. In some cases, where youre arriving in a country by sea , the cruise line will handle visa procurement for you. We checked with a few lines for you. Look no further: Youve decided you want a vacation, but theres a problem youre a U.S. citizen and you dont have a passport. The U.S. Virgin Islands, another Caribbean destination, allows domestic travelers to enter without a passport. And as stated, I'm not going to try to justify what RCCL does or doesn't do, and I'm not going to discuss what Joe or Mary got away with 5 years ago. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu. Corporate legalese v boots on the ground, real life, local best practices. https://www.carnival.com/cruise-from.aspx, pastel-colored British colonial architecture, Things to Do in Los Angeles: Before or After Your Cruise. If you travel on a cruise ship or river cruise and disembark in a foreign port, you might not be able to receive appropriate medical care or be medically evacuated if you get sick. The supervisors know what will and won't be accepted by CBP. You will enjoy it. As a former crew member for Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line I can continue my passion by sharing my experiences with readers. The Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. So, why list them.? Ensure shore excursions and purchases comply withU.S. regulations. Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's Travel Documentation page for specifics. 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. But, RCCL doesn't cruise there, so no need to list it. An U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, aConsular Report of Birth Abroadissues byDepartment of State,(DOS) and/orCertificate of Naturalizationissued by U.S. Something that I guarantee you nobody in his group planned on! However, as we mentioned previously, you will have better protections in the event of an emergency or a change of travel plans simply by carrying a valid passport. Passports are not required for closed loop cruises because you are leaving and entering from the same U.S. port, without really spending any time abroad. Someone (adult) showing up without a photo ID is rare. Convenience is the main reason that people take closed-loop cruises. Any non-U.S. citizen must present a passport for each cruise they take, including a closed-loop cruise. WebIf 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. Bring enough cash to cover your stay. It's not a "Contract", at least according to you. Look on pretty much every TA's invoice and you will see the same thing. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. You can post now and register later. On Grand Turk, enjoy swimming with stingrays, riding horses along the coast, or touring the island by ATV. 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. If youve heard about an international cruise where a passport isnt required, thats most likely a closed-loop According to U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Citizens can enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo I.D., including: U.S. Passport Passport Card Birth Certificate Enhanced Drivers License I've been to most Caribbean popular ports of call and I have never heard that a Passport is even required to get in. Ive read several posts on different sites stating the call centers for cruise lines are not very educated and give wrong information, so in all honesty I would trust someone who has actually traveled to these ports vs. calling and talking to a rep. You won't need your passport at these ports. You can cruise to The Bahamas from a number of U.S. ports along the Atlantic Coast. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. From Caribbean destinations to closed-loop travel, here are the spots Americans can go without a passport. Traveling past that date for over 30 days is not permitted. Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. Application processing takes 12 to 14 months,according to the Department of Homeland Security. My son's passport will expire 5 months after our cruise booked later in the year. Of course, if you are traveling internationally, U.S. citizens will need a passport. It can be costly and embarrassing. Citizens of the United States dont require passports on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. Passports for Canadian Citizens travelling to the US only need to be valid for the length of their stay. Proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Drivers License , a government-issued birth certificate, a passport card, or a passport. Popular closed loop itineraries include not only the Caribbean but also the Mexican Riviera and Alaska. For a closed loop cruise, a birth certificate and a government issued ID are the only forms of documentation required. However, I strongly recommend that all adults 16 and over have a passport. What if I dont have the required documents when I travel to or return to the United States? Your link has been automatically embedded. Passports do have an additional cost to them , but we feel the advantages of having a passport far outweigh the cost and work required to get one. A cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port is considered a closed loop. But some like to see all that is published on cruise line websites in black and white. WebU.S. You can always call them to provide specifics. It's interesting how different states handle it differently. For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required for closed loop cruises. A closed-loop cruise is a sort of loop-hole in the passport requirement for a cruise. In neither state was I able to walk out with it. For closed loop cruises, generally speaking it states a valid I.D. Dont take chances that might ruin the vacation of a lifetime. *A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID. If you are traveling to the Bahamas on a closed-loop cruise, which is a cruise that starts and ends at the same U.S. port, you may travel with a state-issued ID and an original U.S. birth certificate. What Is the Documentation Required for a Non-U.S. Citizen? If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship. The words "Birth Certificate" is used 10 times. I'm not right 100% of the time and I've proved it. (Columbia is the one I know does require 6 months even for cruise passengers, don't book a cruise going to Columbia without meeting that requirement). The cruise ship will have procedures in place for handling a crime onboard. We flew and sailed this past March and my wife's expired 5 months from the date we sailed. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Princess, Holland America and Celebrity all strongly recommend passport books, but allow one of the WHTI forms of identification. Have a plan in case you have to remain overseas longer than expected. Some countries might refuse to dock your ship or allow passengers to disembark. For me, the peace of mind of a passport far outweighs bringing a birth certificate and ID along with you. What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via air? This is important to know before boarding. This will be our first cruise, Your cruise carrier website should list all the required documentation. On a closed-loop cruise, adults do not necessarily need a passport but you will need proof of identity in the form of a valid government-issued photo ID card AND proof of citizenship . That's not the purpose of my post. If youre 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. We discuss what is a closed-loop cruise and why they are so popular. I absolutely love cruising with my favorite ports of call being in the Caribbean. I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport. Paste as plain text instead, If you can cruise with a birth certificate they are not going to turn away a valid passport on those itineraries. As usual, I'd hate to be the one or cause someone else by not providing what is the written policy. All rights reserved. By State-issued enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. All closed-loop cruises embark accept any of the following WHTI-permitted forms of US identification: a passport card, Enhanced Drivers License, Trusted Traveler Program ID (FAST, SENRI, and Nexus), or an I-872 American International sailings (cruises that begin outside the United States), U.S. citizens require a valid Passport and the corresponding visa required for entry and exit from the country. There is also a rule called the Six Month Passport Validity Rule. The important thing here not having a photo ID is so rare that the supervisors have some leeway to try to make what the unfortunate passenger has, work. You can find this information on the govt website.. just search for closed loop cruise requirements. First time cruiser and Im stressing about required travel documentation. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. Also, it is advisable to always travel with some form of identification. A Birth Certificate and DL are acceptable. However, ifyou board a cruise ship in San Diego, California, sail through the Panama Canal (stopping at a foreign port during the cruise), and end the cruise in Miami, Florida, you have not taken a closed loop cruise. Further, passports are also required for cruises that begin and end in different locations . Also airports and cruise terminals are accustomed to processing a passport. Most people are not very careful so they should send their renewal in a year. As long as you book a closed loop cruise, you can travel to certain destinations without a passport. The last 3 have nothing to do with this. While LPRs are not required to have passports, other destinations may contain different rules. I think we all know that RCCL's, et al, have a hard time keeping up with their own hands. The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to. In your experience, how does that person board? Passports are not required to visit the Northern Mariana Islands, aU.S. commonwealthmade up of 14 islands, includingSaipan,Tinian andRota. If you read further down it mentions some cruises only require a birth certificate and photo ID. Children under 16 can also travel to the Bahamas on a cruise with an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. It also includes: Passports can be used as your form of identification but the fact that they arent mandatory is why closed-loop cruises are popular. The concern without having a passport is if an emergency occurs, only an official passport will allow you to easily and quickly fly from a foreign port to another port and/or back home. If you're concerned about the cost of the passport, see if the places you're travelling to accept the passport card instead of the book. The opportunities for adventure on a Caribbean cruise are endless. Again, the passport card opens up the one-way possibilities assuming you arent flying and your cruise only includes Canada and the U.S. Be aware you can not fly internationally without a passport so if something happened mid-cruise and you needed to fly home, you couldn't. Passport cards cannot be used on cruises from international homeports. When you arrive back in Seattle or San Francisco, take time to explore those cities for even more vacation fun. Medications that are legally prescribed in the United States are not always legal abroad. 3. You likely wont get your money back either, and if you traveled domestically to the cruise homeport, youll need to make your own arrangements to book a hotel or change your flights back home. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's An official website of the United States government. Come to find out once we got to the end someone in the group behind us slipped on the trail and went over the side of the trail and fell about 30 feet. Perhaps Pennsylvania uses a different verification of address but not everyone in the US can walk out with a Real ID licence.
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