Cruise Without a Passport: 5 Unique Itineraries

Table Of Content

• Is travel insurance really necessary for such a short cruise?
• Closed-Loop Cruise Destinations Without a Passport
• Can you take a cruise out of the country without a passport?
• You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises
• Day 2: Dive into Onboard Activities
• Cruise Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport

This point should be top-of-mind especially because of COVID-19 and any other medical emergency that would require the trip to be altered or a medical evacuation. You’ll also be glad you have a passport if you encounter other unforeseen circumstances such as a family emergency or a sailing cut short due to bad weather or technical issues. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides a detailed description of the requirements. If you have any questions, check with your travel agent or cruise line.

Is travel insurance really necessary for such a short cruise?

Other lines sailing to Bermuda on closed-loop itineraries include the foodie-focused upscale brand Oceania Cruises, also from New York. If you are on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends in the U.S. and visits Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, all you need to do is prove you are a U.S. citizen, and this applies to everyone in your party. Note that the birth certificate can’t be the cute one with the baby’s footprints issued by the hospital; it needs to be issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where the child was born. Cruises to Hawaii from the mainland depart from San Francisco, San Diego, and Long Beach. Another way to experience the islands via cruise is with an inter-island cruise beginning in Hawaii. If you want a quick tour around the islands without planning your own island-hopping itinerary, then a cruise is the way to go.

Closed-Loop Cruise Destinations Without a Passport

Before we dive into the ins and outs, let’s clarify some essential points. For a one-week small ship experience, book UnCruise Adventures, from Moloka‘i to the Big Island, stopping on the island of Lāna‘i and Maui. If cruising from California, with most sailings 14 nights or longer, your choices expand to such lines as Holland America, Celebrity, Viking Cruises, and Seabourn. All cruises everywhere else in the world that sail in destinations outside the United States require a passport.

Can you take a cruise out of the country without a passport?

The Cayman Islands are a string of three islands in the west Caribbean. One of the few tropical paradises under the UK flag, the Cayman Islands might be the most dazzling of the bunch. Half of this Caribbean island is French, and the other half is Dutch. Traveling without a passport aboard a closed-loop cruise is possible on whichever side you end up on. To travel to Guam without a passport, you must be careful not to enter any other country on a connecting flight – you MUST depart from Honolulu. St. Thomas is the most populated and busiest island within the US Virgin Islands.

At TPG, we always recommend cruising with a passport, but there are many reasons why you might want to set sail without one. This route allows you to experience the awe-inspiring Panama Canal without needing a passport. As you navigate through this engineering marvel, you’re surrounded by lush rainforests and vibrant wildlife, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. These Western Caribbean locales offer an array of activities such as swimming with dolphins, exploring ancient Mayan ruins, and thrilling zip-line adventures.

And as long as the route doesn't bleed over into Canada, there is no need to bring along a passport. These cruises are a great option for travelers taking a cruise for the very first time and for people who have always wanted a taste of California and the west coast but don't know quite where to start. Cruises along the west coast tend to be shorter, and the vast majority of the cruise spends its time along the coast of California, seeing as the long state makes up a substantial portion of the entire coast itself. OK, so it's not terribly hard to get your passport sorted, but it can potentially take a good amount of time and be a drawn-out process in which the status of your passport is in the government's hands. There's no need to let the lack of a passport stop you from traveling, though, as there are a number of places you can go without one. If you're the kind of traveler that likes to do as little planning as possible, a cruise to one of these destinations just may be the thing to satisfy your travel bug.

Day 2: Dive into Onboard Activities

Everywhere You Can Travel Without a Passport Right Now - Thrillist

Everywhere You Can Travel Without a Passport Right Now.

Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

On this exciting trip, you can deep sea fish for marlin, explore forest caves and waterfalls, soak up the sun on a black-sand beach and attend a traditional luau. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu. If you don't have a passport, these documents may also be sufficient to show customs officials in some Caribbean islands.

Cruise Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport

Apart from a few isolated cruises stopping in Bermuda as they come or go from other destinations, there are no one-way Bermuda cruises to confuse the situation. If you plan to sail without a passport, be wary of any Bermuda cruise longer than 10 nights. Those are likely to be point-to-point cruises that happen to include Bermuda. A cruise to the Caribbean transports you to tropical islands bathed in turquoise waters. Whether you seek warm beaches, cool drinks, water sports or cultural education, you can find a Caribbean cruise to fit the bill. The cruises that you don't need a passport for are closed-loop sailings, which depart from and return to the same port within the U.S.

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Or you can also visit Canada aboard a closed-loop cruise which often visits the country’s east coast, including Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. This British Territory is home to some of the clearest water in the world, with fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities. Closed-loop cruises give American citizens a chance to enter the country without a passport and discover the secluded shores of Grand Turk. American citizens can visit the Cayman Islands during a closed-loop cruise. The island nation’s cruise port is in George Town, where passengers unload to discover the pristine waters, many endangered species, and other spectacular ocean-based activities. This tiny string of tropical islands in the Caribbean is a British Overseas Territory home to incredible beaches.

Mexican Riviera voyages are a great choice for passport-less would-be cruisers who live on (or cruise from) the West Coast. Not only does Mexico offer some spectacular food and culture, but sailings to the region tend to be more affordable than those to Hawaii, a region that's also frequently accessed via West Coast homeports. Known for their leaf-peeping opportunities, maritime history and ultra-friendly locals, these voyages don't necessitate passports. From Nova Scotia's famed Peggy's Cove to lobster in Bar Harbor, there's plenty to enjoy about these sailings.

The cruises must be “closed-loop,” meaning they begin and end at the same U.S. port. A one-way cruise that boards in a U.S. port and disembarks in a different U.S. port does not qualify. While you may leave and enter the United States on a closed-loop cruise with the required identification and proof of citizenship, you should be aware that some countries on your itinerary may require a passport. (Your cruise line should provide that information when you book your trip.) It’s still a good idea to bring your passport on a cruise if it’s up to date, but if it’s not, we’ve got you covered.

On the rare occasion of a ship evacuation or a diversion to another country to disembark, a passport would also be essential for getting home. No matter which documents you bring, it's a smart idea to take copies of them (either paper ones or photos on your phone) when you leave the ship, in case something happens while you're ashore. Always carry some type of photo identification, like a driver's license, when you head into port.

Traveling north rather than south will result in a totally different trip, but it's a perfect option for people who want to take a cruise without a passport and want a different experience than a beach vacation. Some cruise lines, like Windstar Cruises, always require passengers to have a valid passport. Also, make sure any documentation meets the cruise line's specifications, and the validity of some documents must extend for some time either before or after the cruise. For example, Windstar passengers' passports must be valid for six months after their return. In October, Disney does sailings from New York that add the bonus of Halloween activities with special spooky movies and “ghoulish treats” for passengers of all ages.

Up north, Seattle, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon serve as scenic ports, each with its own charm. With options for closed-loop itineraries from numerous U.S. cities, including Miami, New York, and New Orleans, the Caribbean offers a wide array of experiences. Imagine the ease of traveling without the need to go through the lengthy process of passport renewal or application. This possibility opens up a world of travel opportunities, inviting you to explore and indulge in the wonders of cruising. If you had a passport, you could just leave the cruise during its next stop and hop on a flight from the nearest airport.