In fact, with so many options, it can be downright confusing. Join. An official website of the United States government. Apparently, RCCL does. Cap off a day of adventure in Bermuda with a sunset rum-tasting cruise. 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 license, picture ID, denoting photo, name, and date of birth. 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. The birth certificate can be original, photocopy, or certified copy. Some countries do require 6 months so they are covering themselves. Because international cruises in Europe and Asia require air travel, these vacations also demand a passport. You need a birth Certificate with a raised seal and a valid govt ID or license. But, the policy is the policy. An example would be one that starts in Florida and ends in the Bahamas. The Bahamas is a Caribbean nation of islands and a popular cruise destination. Dont Miss: Princess Cruise And Flight Packages. If any of you came to me with a valid US passport that was still valid by the end of your closed loop cruise I would embark you. WebApply early for your passport, or make sure your current one will be valid at least six months beyond your travel dates and has two or more blank pages. But, that doesn't have anything to do with RCCL's policy which is stand-alone. 3. Okay, the horse is dead enough, again. BTW, I just looked at my so-called "Invoices" and they aren't even that, it's a "Booking Confirmation". 5 things people that cruise a lot would tell first time cruisers if they could, Fly out of the United States to meet a ship at the next available port should they miss the scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port. What types ofmedical servicesyour ship can provide, such as basic or urgent care, hospitalization, dialysis, etc. We flew and sailed last month and my wife's passport expires in 5 months. Looking for more tips about passports? In some cases, where youre arriving in a country by sea , the cruise line will handle visa procurement for you. I just looked and they have changed the language in their policy from what it was in January. 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. A NEXUS application processing fee costs $50 for a five-year membership, and children under 18 can apply with no fee. This was implemented to clarify what documents guests require for traveling on a cruise ship. The birth certificate contains details about you that could be used to steal your identity more readily than the passport. Its the passengers responsibility to check with the appropriate government agencies and their cruise line to determine what documentation is required. Few years ago we were in Belize doing an excursion in Belize, tubing through the caves (Darknight I believe it was) and we also went through the forrest in the mountains. Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States must present one of the following documents: This requirement applies to all Canadian citizens, including children, travelling by air to or even just transiting through the United States. When it comes to domestic cruises, nothing beats a trip to Hawaii. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! Routine wait times are 10 to 13 weeks, and that doesnt include mailing times, according to the State Department. From Caribbean destinations to closed-loop travel, here are the spots Americans can go without a passport. Dont Miss: Royal Caribbean New Years Cruise. For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required for closed loop cruises. Web"U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) will be able to enter or depart the country with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Do we need a passport or will a certified birth certificate and photo id work. Closed-loop cruises make financial sense for cruise lines as well as passengers. 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. It makes a port of I always advise people to call the cruise line and confirm documentation with them. The opportunities for adventure on a Caribbean cruise are endless. We were even able to check in on the app using her passport. Make colorcopiesof your passport photo page, foreign visas, and itinerary. That's not the purpose of my post. 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. Consular Information Frequently Asked Questions, Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage, Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia Travel Options Out of Russia, FIFA Womens World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. Depart from the Californian cities of San Francisco, San Diego or Long Beach for a quick but memorable cruise to the Baja Peninsula in northern Mexico. It's not a "Contract", at least according to you. Paying a $60 fee can expedite the process, but travelers will still need to wait seven to nine weeks for processing. Convenience is the main reason that people take closed-loop cruises. Citizens of the United States dont require passports on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. We checked with a few lines for you. You mean the contract that keeps getting longer and more complicated all for the purpose of reinforcing the notion that the customer has zero rights in any dispute with the cruise line? Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. It's one reason I had the various links of information available. Whether RCI will let you board with whatever documants depends on the itinerary. It's interesting how different states handle it differently. These types of cruises are becoming more common with cruise lines. It can be costly and embarrassing. Paste as plain text instead, Bring enough cash to cover your stay. Consider a cruise. 3. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. 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. It does not say required. Do you tell him that the Contract "Recommends" A, but his retorts that the policy dictates "B"? Though someclosed-loop cruisesmay not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port. United States maritime law states that non-U.S. flagged ships must make at least one stop at a foreign port. For instance, if you board a cruise ship at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and after visiting at least one foreign port of call, such as Bermuda, or Cancun, and return to Fort Lauderdale, you have taken a closed loop cruise. Whatever the reason, you still have choices. garywatson, April 23 in Royal Caribbean International. It is discussed somewhere in the government's websites and it just states that some countries require 3 or 6 months. It has already been taken care of, including stops at foreign locations. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu. Mainstream cruise lines operate a number of cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coast that dont require passports. However I find a definite answer whether or not passports are required. It's not. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. 5. 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. We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Certain destinations, such as China and Russia, may require visas for arrival into the country by air or independent exploration ashore. You will enjoy it. Additionally, there must be a destination to a foreign location to qualify as a closed-loop cruise. 91. r/royalcaribbean. This is important to know before boarding. This will be our first cruise, Your cruise carrier website should list all the required documentation. Mechanical Issue Forces Disney Ship to Skip Port, Adjust Itinerary, First Cruise Ship Arrives for Busy Montreal Season, Another Overbooked Oasis-Class Royal Caribbean Ship, Many options since they are the most popular type of cruise, Park close to the port and retrieve your vehicle at the same location, No advantage if you are not a U.S. citizen since youll need a passport to get to the port, U.S. Most U.S. citizens dont need a passport for closed-loop cruises that depart from American ports. In case of emergency, or if you need to return by air, you must provide a passport to board. We are required to take them off in Cuba but that is the only one for us so far. Okay, so be it. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. 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. The goal is to strengthen border security while facilitating entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers, making the process more efficient and convenient. If you use a "Passport" it must meet the minimum requirements. Most closed loop cruises from the US do not visit any countries that require a passport, much less 6 month post travel validity, or is waived for cruise passengers. What about an Canadian? Embarking and deparking from Galveston, Texas. Your cruise must end before the 90-day period for admission has passed. Took me exactly 56 minutes for the entire processin the DMV that Monday. It is recommended that passports are taken with you on the cruise as you may need them at a foreign port of call. It provides simpler logistics for a cruise line by using the same port. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Staff at the cruise terminal will check your travel documents before they assign you a key card and send you up the gangway to the ship. 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 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. Your link has been automatically embedded. Passengers should also note that for some ports, you may require a passport to gain entrance.