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. Embarking and deparking from Galveston, Texas. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu. In this case, you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance from your doctor. New 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 . I would think what is written on the invoice would trump what it says on the website. U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport; Requirements for lawful permanent residents of the United States are not changed by the implementation of WHTI. 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. For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov. Travelers without WHTI-compliant documents are likely to be delayed at the border as CBP officers work to verify identity and citizenship. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Further, passports are also required for cruises that begin and end in different locations . 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. 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. Does a child need a passport on a closed-loop cruise?Second, is this a closed-loop cruise? This includes countries in Europe, Asia, Central and South America. But, the title of this thread includes and is limited to "Close Loop" cruises. citizens must ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after their cruise. An official website of the United States government. You can post now and register later. For a closed loop cruise, a birth certificate and a government issued ID are the only forms of documentation required. You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. you 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. Travelers on closed-loop cruises sailings that depart and end at the same U.S. portand travel within the Western Hemisphere do not need a passport, according to Customs and Border Protection. You just get to come and go as you please. A lock ( Not all cruises have the same passport requirements. February 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. Once again, forgive me for providing a good deed (and you know what they say about good deeds), again. (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). So if you're sailing it will get you onto a closed loop cruise but if you are outside the US, even if in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, you can't use it fly back to the US. If under 16, a U.S. citizen can present their birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or consular birth report abroad. 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. This is often the case for Mediterranean cruises that visit, but dont embark or debark in, Egypt. I'm not saying that it WILL happen, but identity theft is real. Merchant Mariner documents if you are on official maritime business, U.S. Military I.D. 6 For U.S. citizens, you can enjoy traveling without a passport requirement. In addition to making family travel much easier, the old and expired passports accumulated over the decades make for great memories. Children may need just a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, but not a passport or photo ID. If you are flying directly to or from your cruise vacation, please enter the airport name or 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Boarding closed loop tomorrow with ID+birth certificate, but lost ID today! Bring enough cash to cover your stay. If the Canadian passport was accepted for entry to the US at the border by our US CBP (and that Canadian was standing in front of me at a US terminal to get on a closed loop cruise), as long as that passport was valid for at least a day after the cruise, they would be embarked. Kayak in and out of secret coves, zip line through the trees or try parasailing. 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. Unexpected circumstances can come up that make it impossible to return to the United States on the cruise ship. Simply put, having a passport makes traveling significantly easier and simpler. Along the way, stop by Catalina Island for a day packed full of outdoor enjoyment. 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. Look no further: Youve decided you want a vacation, but theres a problem youre a U.S. citizen and you dont have a passport. You should check the passport requirements for any port you are visiting, as sometimes there can be a port that requires a passport to visit even if you do not need a passport to return to the United States. In Ensenada, the Cinderella of the Pacific, you can ride horses along mountain trails, tour the wine country, shop for souvenirs and taste the local tequila. Birth certificate may be enough for the ship but will not help you in another country and will add a frustration to an already frustrating situation. As long as you book a closed loop cruise, you can travel to certain destinations without a passport. If someone couldn't produce anything showing their name and photo (old passport, old DL, Costco card, employment ID, etc), then they probably would be denied boarding. Is a contract a policy? That works yet supposedly a valid passport has to not expire within the next six months?. On my browser it has a "find" feature. U.S. citizens traveling on closed-loop cruises to either Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, or the Caribbean can travel with the following documentation: First, how old is the child in question? Passports should be valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. Therefore, always make sure to know whether you need your passport or not before going on your cruise. I'm only showing what RCCL's policy is. The peace of mind of having the passport is worth far more than the effort to getting it. 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 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. Havemedical, emergency evacuation, and other. BTW, I just looked at my so-called "Invoices" and they aren't even that, it's a "Booking Confirmation". I have zero memory these days for details like this. Keep in mind that these requirements are for U.S. citizens only. A closed-loop cruise is a sort of loop-hole in the passport requirement for a cruise. I always carry our passports, as well as our trip and health insurance information with me when I leave the ship and go on foreign soil. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Boarding closed loop tomorrow with ID+birth certificate, but lost ID today! Childrens passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years. Maybe youve never had the time, money or desire to travel abroad previously, or perhaps your old passport has expired. I haven't seen the word "recommended" in the policy! The opportunities for adventure on a Caribbean cruise are endless. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Drivers License, or Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST). Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. The Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. THAT I remember. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection indicates that You will leave it in the safe. Passport Requirements for Royal Caribbean Cruises. 1. For that, you need only a birth certificate and a drivers license . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. 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. Bermudian citizens are required to present a valid passport. I actually had a relative be denied at the airline ticket counter because their passport had less than 6 months left on it (they were trying to fly to England at Christmas). Im hoping someone has traveled to these ports without a passport and can comment with their outcome. But I bet the Contract changes, thereafter, really quickly. The birth certificate contains details about you that could be used to steal your identity more readily than the passport. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. 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. We will be traveling with Royal Caribbean in May. 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. God forbid something should happen to you in the Bahamas and you cant get back on board of the ship you will need your passport to get off the island. Here are some popular destinations you can visit without a passport. Royal Caribbean emphasizes that Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Don't get me wrong, I do believe you have a good argument and you may get away with it, they'll take pity on you. Display as a link instead, 4. It says accepted. If youve heard about an international cruise where a passport isnt required, thats most likely a closed-loop I traveled internationally on a cruise with Royal with a passport that had five months left because the year when I renewed I had a lot of travel and that was the best window. Official websites use .gov You must remain on the ship if you dont have your passport. Citizens of the United States dont require passports on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. If you leave on a cruise The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to. In these cases, you might need to go ashore in a country which requires a passport and/or you would need a U.S passport book to fly home. So, just answer me this, does RCCL, by policy, require that U.S. Citizens using a Passport as a cruise document, have at least 6 months validity beyond return to the U.S? 27 days ago. What their procedures are in case ofemergency. 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. In Freeport, you can shop till you drop at the Port Lucaya Marketplace or kayak through the mangroves at Lucayan National Park. Luckily, not all destinations require U.S. tourists to carry the document. If 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. For closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: A boarding pass. A government photo I.D. if 16 years of age or older. United States maritime law states that non-U.S. flagged ships must make at least one stop at a foreign port. WebU.S. I think we all know that RCCL's, et al, have a hard time keeping up with their own hands. All rights reserved. Additionally, there must be a destination to a foreign location to qualify as a closed-loop cruise. Consider storing your travel documents and othervaluables in a secure spot, such as a room or ships safe. 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. Upload or insert images from URL. Many first timer cruisers want to know if you need a passport to take a cruise, and the answer depends on a few factors. By The cruise ship takes care of the immigration process for passengers arriving in a foreign port. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. A closed-loop cruise is one that starts and finishes at the same U.S. port and only sails to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or the Bahamas.1. 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. If you use a "Passport" it must meet the minimum requirements. A passport is required for all international flights and for any cruise that embarks or disembarks in a foreign country. 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. "You should check with your cruise ship, travel agent, and destination country to confirm the requirements to enter the foreign countries you will visit.". Below, weve compiled a list of seven places to visit without a passport, from scenic Alaska to the beachy Caribbean. Passports are universally accepted because they combine identification and citizenship, whereas a driving-license-& -birth-certificate combo might get refused. Better to be safe than sorry get a passport if you do not have one. Cruises that dont begin and end in the same port are not considered closed-loop cruises. Pasted as rich text. As luck would have it, youve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. 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. If youre looking for cruises that dont require a passport, take a round trip sail to Bermuda from New York City, Baltimore, Charleston or one of two Florida ports of call. I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport. 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. If you look at Roysls site it says recommends and not requires. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. *A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID. 5. Does the contract say how many bottles of wine you can bring aboard? 1. But, the policy is the policy. Also, it is advisable to always travel with some form of identification. I don't know. You can cruise to The Bahamas from a number of U.S. ports along the Atlantic Coast. I've been to most Caribbean popular ports of call and I have never heard that a Passport is even required to get in. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. You never can plan an illness or an injury and never know when you may need the appropriate documentation. Travel delays or quarantines due to COVID-19 may result in unanticipated expenses for travelers. We were even able to check in on the app using her passport. If they did not have the appropriate paperwork with them it would have been more of a pain than if they did. 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. 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. U.S. credit and debit cardsdo NOT workinCuba. If thats not useful try. Again, the passport card opens up the one-way possibilities assuming you arent flying and your cruise only includes Canada and the U.S. In Amber Cove, you can tour the Dominican outback, soak up the sun on Coconut Cove Beach, or ride the Waterfalls of Rio de Damajagua. A NEXUS application processing fee costs $50 for a five-year membership, and children under 18 can apply with no fee. Go on a Cruise. Leave one copy with a trusted family member or friend and carry one separately from your actual documents. 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. Want to take a short cruise to an exotic island without the hassle? It's interesting how different states handle it differently. I just looked and they have changed the language in their policy from what it was in January. U.S. citizens can take advantage of closed-loop cruises where passports are not required. Although there are some situations where passports are not strictly necessary, it is better to be safe than sorry. But, I try. 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. Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz. Read Also: Royal Caribbean Cruises To Hawaii. If it doesn't say "Accepted" then the rest are not "Accepted". Princess, Holland America and Celebrity all strongly recommend passport books, but allow one of the WHTI forms of identification. 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. When the airlines say they require 6 months remaining on the passport for international flights - they mean it. An example would be one that starts in Florida and ends in the Bahamas. The Bahamas. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. 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. 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. It is discussed somewhere in the government's websites and it just states that some countries require 3 or 6 months. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. 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. Routine wait times for a passport are anywhere from 10 to 13 weeks, according to the State Department. The birth certificate must be the original or a certified copy with the raised seal. Spend a day soaking up history in Boston, Massachusetts, and tour the Charles River aboard an amphibious duck vehicle. WebU.S. Passport Not Required. Its best to check the specific entry requirements for each foreign port youll be visiting before leaving your passport at home. Even though youll be sailing on a no-passport-required cruise, youre still required to carry the following 2 pieces of identification: Proof of Citizenship AND Government-issued photo ID. The words "Birth Certificate" is used 10 times. 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. Still need a passport to enter the US. You cant cruise just anywhere on a closed-loop sailing, but the choices are more interesting than you might expect. 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. The, 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, a. issued by U.S. before it expires. The big "what if". We advise checking with a travel agent, the U.S. Department of State website, or a cruise line representative before embarkation. 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 Check your cruise lines prohibited items list when considering what to take with you. For those unfamiliar with the term, we discuss what a closed-loop cruise is. Original certificate of U.S. naturalization, U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. and birth certificate is sufficient, however it says to check with each specific port. Simply put, having a passport makes traveling significantly easier and simpler. Different ports will have different requirements. 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. If you cannot be discharged before the cruise ship is scheduled to depart, the cruise ship may leave without you. You can always call them to provide specifics. Always bring your passportin case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port in an emergency, even if your cruise says you wont need it. 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. For example, if your cruise begins and ends at the same port in Miami, then you are on a closed loop cruise. This will be our first cruise, Your cruise carrier website should list all the required documentation. Application processing takes 12 to 14 months,according to the Department of Homeland Security. For closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: Starting and ending in Seattle or San Francisco, an Alaskan cruise takes you to charming waterfront cities and villages like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. And for the last time, I am not going to discuss/debate what Joe or Mary got away with. One option is to take a closed-loop cruise a round-trip sailing that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port. Securing a passport can be a hassle. 242. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. It is our preference to carry them anytime we are outside of USA, just in case. What if the ship diverts somewhere and everyone has to fly home? What forms of ID are required for minors traveling on Royal Caribbean? A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notorized 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. Citizenship a You will enjoy it. I absolutely love cruising with my favorite ports of call being in the Caribbean. Cruises that depart from and then return to the same U.S. port and visit only Canada, Mexico, and/or the islands of the Caribbean are called closed-loop cruises. No kidding. The general wisdomfor US Citizens is an original raised seal birth certificate and government issued ID is adequate. Social Security Cards and Voter Registration cannot be used as a form of citizenship. A cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port is considered a closed loop. Different rules will apply if you are an LPR. But children passports are only good for 5 years so I want to wait as long as possible to renew. 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. Are you looking to cruise without a passport? They can go to contiguous territories or islands close to the continental United States, including Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Children 15 and under only need to have their U.S. birth certificate. So, why list them.? If you break the law, you will be subject to the justice system of the host country, If youlose your passport, report it immediately to the nearest. A supervisor might accept a photo work ID, a picture of an old DL, even a Costco card with the passengers photo has been accepted. 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. Caribbean, Alaskan, and Mexican cruises are extremely popular. Ships cannot depart Fort Lauderdale and return to Miami, even though both ports are in Florida. 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. 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, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end

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