Heidi BucoloAre you looking to cruise without a passport? For U.S. citizens, passports are not required for all cruises. While we do recommend having a passport just in case, these are the top cruise destinations you can visit without one.
Quick Summary
- U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport on most closed-loop sailings from a U.S. homeport
- Those sailing without a passport need to bring the original or a certified copy of their birth certificate as well as a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license)
- There’s a large variety of itineraries in the Bahamas and Caribbean that guests can sail without a passport
- Other destinations that U.S. citizens can cruise to without a passport include the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Bermuda, the California Coast, Hawaii, and Canada/New England
Can you cruise without a passport?
Yes, you can cruise without a passport (in certain situations). For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required for closed-loop cruises from the U.S. A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends in the same homeport.
For a closed-loop cruise, a birth certificate and a government-issued ID are the only forms of documentation required. The birth certificate must be the original or a certified copy with the raised seal. A photocopy is not permitted.
Keep in mind that these requirements are for U.S. citizens only. For all other nationalities, a passport is generally required to cruise.
Of course, if you are traveling internationally, U.S. citizens will need a passport. A passport is required for all international flights and for any cruise that embarks or disembarks in a foreign country.
Further, passports are also required for cruises that begin and end in different locations (open-loop cruises).
Where Can I Cruise Without a Passport?
You can cruise without a passport to the Caribbean
The Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations, and the good news is that you can cruise the Caribbean without a passport. Many of the newest mega-ships from contemporary cruise lines visit popular islands in the Caribbean region. There are also several U.S. departure points for Caribbean cruises.
The Caribbean offers that picturesque tropical vacation of which you are dreaming. With itineraries generally divided into Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Southern Caribbean routes, you have plenty of choices when it comes to a Caribbean cruise.
Which islands are visited does vary slightly by the cruise ship and cruise line. However, all islands offer a variety of popular activities like beach breaks, island tours, snorkeling, and historic and cultural tours. There are also adventure activities like zip lining and off-road tours at most ports of call.
Again, keep in mind if you decide to cruise without a passport, you might not be able to get off the ship in certain locations. For example, the Caribbean island of Martinique requires that all cruise passengers have a valid passport to go ashore.
You can cruise to the Bahamas without a passport
The Bahamas is another popular cruise destination that you can visit without a passport. Normally, these cruises depart from the East Coast of the United States, primarily from Florida homeports. If you are looking for a shorter duration cruise or just a quick getaway, then a Bahamas cruise is definitely for you.
While you are probably familiar with Nassau, Bahamas, this region is also home to many cruise line private destinations. These private islands offer exclusive access for passengers sailing with the cruise line. They usually offer included food, beach access with loungers, and other amenities.
For instance, MSC Cruises has its private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Virgin Voyages has The Beach Club at Bimini which is on the island of Bimini. Additionally, who could forget Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay? There is also Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, Carnival Cruise Line’s Half Moon Cay, and Princess Cays.
You can cruise without a passport from Seattle to Alaska
For many, the seasonal cruise destination of Alaska is high on their bucket lists. An Alaskan cruise even lures those who wouldn’t normally consider a cruise. These vacations are more about the destination than the cruise ship. Cruises to Alaska appeal to nature lovers, photographers, and explorers. On an Alaskan cruise, you can set off in search of glacial vistas, wildlife encounters, and some of the freshest seafood.
Most major cruise lines offer sailings in this region. The most popular U.S. embarkation port for Alaska cruises is Seattle. Though, there are also roundtrip cruises from Vancouver and one-way itineraries as well.
These itineraries usually include port stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, Alaska. These itineraries often visit Victoria and/or Vancouver, British Columbia as well. These ports of call offer a variety of shore excursion options from helicopter rides over glaciers to whale watching, bear sightings, salmon bakes, and historic gold route tours.
Keep in mind that even though you are not required to have a passport to cruise to Alaska, some excursions like the White Pass Railway in Skagway may require a passport because it travels into Canada.
Do you need a passport for Hawaii?
The accessibility of the Hawaiian islands makes it a popular cruise destination, especially for those looking to stay within the United States.
Some Hawaiian cruises depart from the island of Oahu, visiting the Big Island and Maui. Some cruises also visit the island of Kauai. With attractions like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and a selection of luaus, Oahu definitely requires a couple days to explore either pre-cruise or post cruise.
The Big Island‘s landscape is very diverse with volcanoes, mountainous terrain, beaches, rainforests, and everything in between. One of our favorite excursions is a helicopter ride over the island.
An overnight 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.
Several cruise lines normally have ships making stops in the region. As the only ship sailing in Hawaii year-round, NCL’s Pride of America is an easy choice. This Americana-themed ship usually sails a seven-night roundtrip itinerary from Honolulu, offering a comprehensive Polynesian experience.
You can cruise without a passport to Bermuda
If you are looking to cruise without a passport, Bermuda is another popular choice. This British territory is home to some of the friendliest people and has among the best beaches and natural landscapes in the Atlantic.
Given that the island is further north than many of the other popular tropical destinations, the weather is a bit more seasonal here. Therefore, cruises to Bermuda generally occur from April to October. Still, that is almost half of the year to find some vacation time to enjoy all that Bermuda has to offer.
Many of the major cruise lines have ships that visit Bermuda. Most even offer two or three-day stays to enjoy this beautiful location. You can use this time to explore King’s Wharf and other popular stops like St. George’s and Hamilton.
A Bermuda cruise might be the perfect choice for those living in the northeastern United States as there is likely no flying needed. Most Bermuda cruises leave from New York City or Cape Liberty, New Jersey. A few also depart from Boston, Massachusetts, Baltimore, Maryland, and occasionally some more southern ports like Norfolk, Virginia or Miami, Florida.
You can go on a Mexican Riviera cruise without a passport
For those living on the West Coast, the Mexican Riviera might be the perfect destination to cruise to without a passport. Ports in the Mexican Riviera, like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, offer amazing beaches, immersive cultural and historical experiences, and a festive atmosphere day and night. The Mexican Riviera is much like the Caribbean for West Coasters.
Like many of the tropical cruise regions, there are plenty of beach breaks, island tours, food tastings, and nature excursions to experience in the Mexican Riviera. Plus, there are exclusive offerings like whale watching, cultural shows like Rhythms of the Night, and some unique landscapes that you can’t find in the Caribbean.
Mexican Riviera cruises most often depart from California homeports. Brands including Royal Caribbean, Disney, Holland America, Carnival, Princess, Norwegian, and more all sail in this region.
Can you cruise the California Coast without a passport?
Yes! Roundtrip California coastal cruises, which include at least one port call in either Canada or Mexico, are great options for those wanting to take a cruise without a passport. In addition to multiple port stops in California, they may also include visits to coastal destinations in Oregon and/or Washington.
Do you need a passport to cruise Canada and New England?
Last but not least, you can also cruise without a passport to Canada and New England. Canada/New England cruise itineraries are seasonal, running from May to October with the majority of sailings occurring during the Fall.
As native New Englanders, we sometimes take the fall foliage for granted. However, this seasonal change is a sight to behold for many.
Popular ports of call include Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine; Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. Each of these ports offers its own historic and coastal charm.
In our homeport of Boston, you can learn more about the founding of the United States by trekking the Boston Freedom Trail. You can dive into the history of the Titanic when in Halifax. Or, you can see the Victorian era architecture and historic homes of Portland and visit Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor.
Our local cuisine is another great reason to cruise to Canada and New England. Portland is home to the one and only Maine Lobster, but the waters off these coasts are home to other seafood delights as well. You can enjoy a rich and creamy cup of New England clam chowder or some Rhode Island-style calamari. There are also plenty of sweet treats including maple syrup, whoopie pies, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream from nearby Vermont.
Like Bermuda cruises, popular embarkation ports for Canada/New England cruises are in the Northeast. New York, Cape Liberty (NJ), Baltimore, and Boston are the most popular.
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