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In all cases, traveling with a valid passport book is highly recommended, as unexpected situations may arise requiring you to leave the ship. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your travel and contain blank pages for endorsements and visas. Princess Cruises also recommends carrying a second government-issued photo ID while in port. Be aware that requirements on closed-loop cruises can still change in certain countries, so be sure to check the entry requirements of the specific cruise ports on your itinerary. Some Caribbean nations still require passports or passport cards, like Martinique and Guadeloupe. So while you don't need a passport of passport card to cruise to Alaska from Seatlle or other U.S. ports, you will need this idenfitication as the cruise must stop in Canada on its way.
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If you find yourself without a passport but in need of one, you would need to contact and locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and request an emergency limited validity passport in order to fly home. The process requires explaining your urgent situation, completing an application, and showing your travel documents, photo identification and proof of citizenship. This article will delve into family sailing, covering passport requirements, alternate travel documents, and useful advice to ensure the trip is seamless and pleasurable. As if there wasn’t enough to figure out to begin with, each cruise line has its own set of rules. A birth certificate for minor children is enough for many, while others require passports for all passengers – knowing which cruise lines hold this requirement is essential. Certain cruise lines like Princess and Holland America require that children accompanied by only one adult carry a valid passport, even if it is a closed-loop cruise that doesn’t usually request them.
Card Type
However, a passport might still be needed depending on the cruise’s other stops and the cruise line’s requirements. Cruises offer a unique opportunity for travelers to experience multiple destinations all in a single vacation. However, this also means adhering to the diverse entry and exit regulations of each country visited. Sometimes you might need additional documentation, such as a notarized consent letter signed by the absent parent, permitting you to leave the country with the kids.
Open-Loop Cruises
Carnival Provides Updated Guidelines Ahead of 30-Night Sailing - Cruise Hive
Carnival Provides Updated Guidelines Ahead of 30-Night Sailing.
Posted: Sun, 10 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If your passport book does not meet this requirement, you may be denied boarding or entry into certain countries, even if your cruise ship is your primary means of travel. 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.
Each cruise is packed with a wide array of entertainment choices, from stage shows and live music to deck parties and casinos, ensuring fun-filled days and nights. If you are traveling with a minor and are not their parent or legal guardian, you will need a notarized letter signed by the child’s parents permitting you to take them on the cruise. While these incidents can be incredibly stressful, you can help avoid them by always holding passports and important documents for your children. Once you are sure the passport cannot be located, it should be reported as lost or stolen to protect your child from identity theft. Supporting documents could include state or county-issued marriage licenses, divorce decrees, a government-issued name change document, or an official child adoption paper.
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. 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. Any cruises where you need to fly to or from a foreign country, including Canada, will necessitate a passport. Royal Caribbean requires that all passengers carry a US passport that does not expire until at least six months after the cruise returns. While traveling abroad with a group can create lasting memories, organizing such trips can be challenging—especially when everyone needs passports.
Crystal Cruises
An example would be a 16-day Panama Canal cruise that sets sail from Seattle and ends its journey in New Orleans. Open-loop cruises require guests to present and carry a valid passport book with (typically) at least 6 months of validity remaining after the last date of their cruise. However, it is still a good idea for children to have appropriate documentation for travel. No, kids do not need passports for closed-loop cruises, but they can enter or leave the country with only proof of their citizenship. Children under 16 years old can provide original, notarized, or certified copies of their birth certificates. Children between 16 and 18 years old can submit their birth certificates, driver’s license, picture ID, or an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL).
It’s worth noting that although you can take a closed loop cruise with proper ID and your birth certificate, we recommend getting a passport. Passports are generally easier to check than other documentation and may save you time when boarding and deboarding. One major advantage of traveling on a cruise is that international customs are mostly handled for you. Before boarding, you’ll provide your passport number and other applicable information to the cruise line, which then provides this information to customs authorities in the international ports of call you’ll visit. Once this is arranged, you’ll simply get off the ship and enjoy your destination without having to go through customs each time.
International Cruises
U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu. You probably guessed it – you’ll need a passport if you have booked an international cruise. This could be a cruise departing from or returning to a port outside your home country, or it could refer to a cruise that features international ports of call in its itinerary.
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. If you are cruising to the Caribbean, you will need to enter with either your U.S. passport book, passport card, Trusted Traveler card (Nexus, SENTRI, or FAST), or an enhanced driver’s license. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency states that if you're cruising without a passport, you'll need proof of identity and U.S. citizenship in the form of a state-issued birth certificate. It also requires a government-issued driver's license or a photo ID with your name and date of birth.
By being well-prepared and knowledgeable about these specific guidelines, you can ensure a smooth sailing experience on your ocean adventure. For specific travel requirements, it is always best to check with the cruise line. In all cases, Disney Cruise Line recommends guests carry a valid passport book during their voyage. A passport is not just a dependable means of identification, but it’s also crucial in case guests need to unexpectedly travel by air to or from the U.S. during their cruise. Passport books should be valid for at least 3 months or 6 months after the end of the cruise, depending on the destination countries’ requirements.
While obtaining a passport can be a cumbersome experience, so can finding your original birth certificate and getting a valid photo ID for your minor children. These documents are needed to obtain a passport anyway, so it makes sense to go one step further and get the passport. While Carnival Cruises does not require a passport of all passengers outright, it is highly recommended. If a minor is traveling in a school group or without their legal guardian, they require a letter stating that the minor has permission to attend the cruise.
(The government will inspect the original document and return it to you, keeping the photocopy.) Just make a simple one-sided, black and white photocopy of your document on standard paper. The obvious reasons for having a passport are if you are not sailing on a closed-loop cruise or heading to a port that requires it. 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. While you might be okay not bringing a passport if your cruise departs and returns to your home country, it can be a good idea in case of an emergency.
Another thing you’ll want to check is the amount of blank pages in your passport. You should have at least one blank page for each country you’re visiting. If you don’t have enough pages left for stamps, you’ll need to renew your passport before your trip. If children under the age of 16 are traveling internationally by air, they will need a valid U.S. passport. Even though Hawaii is a U.S. state, all of our cruise itineraries require you to travel with a U.S. passport book or card.
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