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Did you know Puerto Rico has the only tropical rainforest in the United States? Hiking trails, natural pools, and tropical animals are everywhere (like the coqui frog), but the crown jewel is La Coca Falls, once thought to be the fountain of youth. Often seen as part of the Caribbean, Bermuda is actually 650 miles east off the coast of North Carolina off on its own in the North Atlantic, and its geography and history make it a truly unique island. Regardless of what you decide, you should always bring some form of official photo I.D. Daly also recommended taking a photo of your government IDs, which can be helpful backups when dealing with officials.
Canada & New England
If you’re flying to Caribbean islands like Barbados or the Bahamas, or Canadian homeports, such as Vancouver and Montreal, you will need to carry a passport for these cruises as well. This loophole, if you want to call it that, is the result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative designed to allow travel to and within North American countries on a cruise ship. Instead of a passport, passengers will need to carry a valid U.S. driver’s license and proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization should suffice). Part of America but still exotic enough for an ideal getaway, Hawaii offers black-sand beaches, volcanic vistas, surfing opportunities, amazing food and, of course, hula dancing.
Is travel insurance really necessary for such a short cruise?
Only two cruise ships per day are even allowed to enter Glacier Bay – and the Alaska Explorer from Holland America is one of them. WHTI passport cards are convenient and affordable because you don’t have to travel with your birth certificate and ID. Cruising with a passport will usually be the best option, if you have one. Perhaps there is no time to get a new or renewed passport (or perhaps you forgot to bring them at all!).
Cruising without a passport
These Western Caribbean locales offer an array of activities such as swimming with dolphins, exploring ancient Mayan ruins, and thrilling zip-line adventures. Whether you’re in the mood for cultural exploration or seeking adrenaline-pumping activities, Mexican Riviera voyages from the West Coast provide an eclectic mix of experiences. Seattle, known for its coffee culture and markets, and Astoria, with its adventure-rich history, provide distinct experiences. West Coast cruises are ideal for those looking for a quick getaway or for first-time cruisers wanting a taste of the Californian lifestyle and the broader West Coast. Cruising along the West Coast of the United States offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes and vibrant cities of California, Washington, and Oregon without needing a passport. From the historic and adventure-packed Eastern Caribbean to the vibrant and nature-rich Southern Caribbean, and the culturally diverse Western Caribbean, there’s a slice of paradise for every traveler.
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]
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. While not common, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility for a cruise ship to need to make a sudden, unplanned stop at the nearest port. If that place happens to be somewhere that requires a passport, you may find yourself in a bad spot. Additionally, if you choose to go the passport card route, you’ll find it quite limiting.
The East Coast: A No-Passport Cruise Adventure
Or just enjoy a meal of fresh salmon or crab while you're ashore -- no passport needed. You've decided you want a vacation, but there's a problem -- you're a U.S. citizen and you don't have a passport. Maybe you've never had the time, money or desire to travel abroad previously, or perhaps your old passport has expired. For any concerns not addressed in this section or by your cruise documentation, don’t hesitate to contact the cruise line directly. They’ll be more than happy to assist and ensure you have a smooth sailing experience. Engage with the crew and staff—they have a wealth of knowledge and often share hidden gems about the ship or even the ports you’re visiting.
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. Yes, you can take a cruise out of the country without a passport if it’s a closed-loop cruise, a specific type of itinerary that major cruise lines offer, which begins and concludes at the same U.S. port. These cruises, operating under an international agreement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, permit U.S. citizens to travel to destinations within the Western Hemisphere without a passport. You need a passport for any cruise that departs out of a foreign port that you need to fly to. Cruises departing from Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia require passports.
Bahamas
Whether you want to cruise along Mexico’s Caribbean side or the Pacific coast, you can do so without a passport, so long as your cruise starts and ends in the same port city in the United States. On these closed-loop itineraries, you only need to present a government ID and birth certificate (or a passport card). If you are wary about taking advantage of this benefit (perhaps some people in your party have a passport and others don’t), consider a cruise to U.S. island territories instead. Traveling by plane or ship to these island paradise destinations is considered a domestic trip.
A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles
Cruisers can even travel as far south as Mexico and the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) islands of the southern Caribbean, a stone's throw from South America which rarely see tropical storms. There are, however, a couple of islands that do require passports, including the French islands of the Lesser Antilles, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique. With itineraries leaving from the East Coast from ports such as Boston, Baltimore and Bayonne, it is a convenient cruise option. Additionally, a number of itineraries include a night on the island, which gives passengers even more time to explore all that the island has to offer. Some itineraries will sail to Bermuda and the Caribbean and/or Bahamas, too, giving you more places to check off of your bucket list.
If you need a passport, and you don’ t have one to show, you will not be allowed to board. You likely won’t get your money back either, and if you traveled domestically to the cruise homeport, you’ll need to make your own arrangements to book a hotel or change your flights back home. Americans do not need to cruise with a passport on select sailings out of U.S. homeports, though they will have to show proper identification.
Most of the more extended Bahamas cruise options stop there on the way to the Caribbean. They depart from ports in Manhattan, Bayonne, Charleston, Baltimore, Galveston, New Orleans, and Tampa. Due to the Bahamas’ proximity to the US East Coast and its popularity, several cruise liners travel from Florida’s eastern ports in Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale. With its spectacular tropical beaches, delicious food, and abundance of cultural excursions to ancient Mayan ruins, our southern neighbor, Mexico, is an ideal family cruise destination. Should you travel with your kids under 16, they will only need an original or a copy of their birth certificate (preferably certified). Or other forms of identification like a Naturalization Document or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad document.
New ships, creative amenities, engaging shore excursions, a wide range of itineraries, and meticulous health protocols are now attracting first-time cruisers as well as long-time cruise fans. From mega-ships to smaller expedition vessels, there’s a voyage for every type of traveler. Before booking your Caribbean cruise, thoroughly review the itinerary. You want to ensure that the ship will not stop at any of these islands. Certain cruises do not require cruisers to present a passport when boarding which is good news for the many Americans suffering from long passport processing times.
This British territory is home to some of the friendliest people and arguably the best beaches and natural landscapes in the Atlantic. An over-night visit to the island of Maui is common on a Hawaiian cruise as well. Some of Maui’s most popular attractions include the Road to Hana and Haleakala Crater.
Many major cruise line operators like Carnival and Royal Caribbean, offer Mexican Riviera cruises departing from Los Angeles ports all year round. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) agreement entitles all US citizens to travel on closed-loop cruises to a limited amount of international destinations. Cruising is back after a few years of rough seas, figuratively speaking. Cruise lines worked behind the scenes during the pandemic, planning for their return to the world’s waterways.
In our homeport of Boston, you can learn more about the founding of the United States by trekking the Boston Freedom Trail. Or, you can see the Victorian era architecture and historic homes of Portland and visit Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor. As native New Englanders, we sometimes take the fall foliage for granted.
