Cruises Without a Passport: Here's Everywhere You Can Cruise Without a Passport in 2024

Table Of Content

• Cobranded Cards
• New England and Canada
• What Is the Average Cost of a Ticket for a Cruise on the Ruby Princess?
• Enjoying my content?
• What other documents do I need to go on a cruise?
• You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises
• Passenger Capacity and Amenities
• Impact of CDC’s Decision on Cruise Passengers

There are also plenty of sweet treats including maple syrup, whoopie pies, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream from nearby Vermont. 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.

Cobranded Cards

Sailings depart Florida from Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral; you can also find itineraries from New Orleans, Galveston and Mobile, Alabama. Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, lying 643 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Hop on a cruise ship for a direct route to the island's famous beaches and golf courses. Spring and summer are the prime seasons to visit, but cruises are possible throughout the year. Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the only U.S. departure ports that offer closed-loop Alaska sailings.

Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise? - NerdWallet

Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise?.

Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

New England and Canada

One is on a cruise where you fly in and spend your entire vacation in and around the islands. The other is a long slog, closed-loop sailing from a California port or Seattle, with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and several days at sea getting to and from Hawai‘i. 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. Other lines sailing to Bermuda on closed-loop itineraries include the foodie-focused upscale brand Oceania Cruises, also from New York. Cruises to Hawaii from the mainland depart from San Francisco, San Diego, and Long Beach.

What Is the Average Cost of a Ticket for a Cruise on the Ruby Princess?

Certain cruises departing from Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana also don't require a passport for travel to these enchanting destinations. Islands like Aruba, Curacao, Dominica, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica welcome cruise passengers without the need for a passport, providing a seamless and hassle-free travel experience. If you’re not cruising with a passport, you’ll need an official US state-issued birth certificate (not a copy!), as well as valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID. Most even offer two or three day stays to enjoy this beautiful location. You can use this time to explore Kings Wharf and other popular stops like St. George’s and Hamilton. Though, there are also roundtrip cruises from Vancouver and one-way itineraries.

Here are eight destinations that you can cruise to without a passport (and don’t forget to renew your passport so you’ll always be ready to travel). Some cruise lines also offer one-way cruises in both directions between Canada and New England. These itineraries, like Alaska cruises, might be possible without a passport book. If you’re looking for cruises that don’t require a passport, take a round trip sail to Bermuda from New York City, Baltimore, Charleston or one of two Florida ports of call. As Britain’s oldest colony, Bermuda offers wonderful historic attractions and plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun.

The Bahamas is a Caribbean nation of islands and a popular cruise destination. Because of its proximity to the U.S., there are often shorter three-night cruises from Florida that make it easy to snag a good deal on a whim. However, if you don't have a passport, or don't wish to get one, you can still cruise — you're just limited to North American cruises sailing round trip from U.S. departure ports. If you don't have a passport, these documents may also be sufficient to show customs officials in some Caribbean islands. Even if you're on a closed-loop sailing, certain islands in the Caribbean – Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados and others -- require a passport for entry.

You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. If travelers get stuck at a port of call, there will be “a lot of red tape you have to get through” to make it home without one, Daly said. The State Department encourages having one "in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port," according to its website. You can choose to either fly out to Hawaii and take an inter-island cruise, or you can take a cruise all the way from California to Hawaii and back. Mexico cruises most frequently depart from Los Angeles (San Pedro and Long Beach), San Francisco and San Diego.

Passenger Capacity and Amenities

Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas, for example, departs from Vancouver and disembarks in Seward, Alaska. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. It can take eight to 11 weeks (expedited wait times are five to seven weeks) for a routine passport to be issued, so you always want to plan ahead. If you had an emergency and were forced to disembark due to illness or other reason in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, the Bahamas, Bermuda or Canada you would need a passport to return home by plane.

These depart from the ports of Bayonne, Baltimore, Boston, Manhattan, Brooklyn and occasionally Norfolk. The majority of these New England and Canada cruises are weeklong fall sailings; however, a handful depart at other times of the year or are a touch longer, ranging from eight to 10 nights. You have options to cruise without a passport because not every sailing requires them. Quick three- to five-day hops to the Bahamas bring you to white-sand beaches and cruise lines’ private islands at an affordable price, with no passport required.

If an emergency arises, only an official passport will allow you to fly home quickly from a foreign port. If you end up stranded in another country because of unforeseen circumstances, you do still have options, but it will take more time and effort to get home with only a birth certificate and photo ID. The answer to all of these questions for U.S. citizens is no -- as long as you’re taking a closed-loop cruise. Closed-loop cruises travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda but start and end at the same U.S. homeport. However, there are some caveats you'll need to know about ID requirements. That is cheaper than a passport book, can get you on the ship but are valid for entering the USA by land and sea only.

Additionally, the ship has a dedicated outdoor movie theater where passengers can enjoy the latest films under the stars. As we move on to discuss the onboard facilities and services, you’ll discover even more wonderful amenities awaiting you. The staterooms on board are designed with comfort in mind and are equipped with all the amenities you need for a relaxing vacation. From plush bedding and spacious closets to flat-screen TVs and mini fridges, each cabin is thoughtfully appointed to ensure your utmost comfort.

Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. When you arrive back in Seattle or San Francisco, take time to explore those cities for even more vacation fun. If you are sailing out of one U.S. homeport and disembarking at the end of your voyage in a different one, you also need a passport for your cruise. For example, a Panama Canal cruise that leaves from Miami and ends in Los Angeles will require a passport.

Not necessarily — here’s what you need to know about taking a cruise without a passport. Residents of the East Coast have several choices when it comes to homeports, which include Baltimore, Bayonne (Cape Liberty), Boston and New York (Manhattan). Additionally, Miami, Norfolk, Charleston and Orlando (Port Canaveral), sometimes offer one-off cruises to Bermuda.

For small-ship fans, other options include sailings that do not leave Alaska, such as those of UnCruise Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, and Alaska Native–owned Alaskan Dream Cruises. 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.

The best time to book a cruise without a passport is during the shoulder season (April-May and September-October). During this time, prices are typically lower and there are fewer crowds. However, it’s important to note that cruises to popular destinations like Alaska and the Caribbean can still be expensive during the shoulder season. If you’re dreaming of a cruise vacation but don’t have a passport, don’t despair!