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Passports for Cruises FAQ

Carnaval Cruise Ship

The passports for cruises FAQ page provides American citizens with answers to the most frequently asked questions about passport requirements related to cruising. Discover if a passport is required to go on a cruise, when to obtain one, where to get it and how quickly you can acquire your travel document.

The general rule is that all adult U.S. citizens arriving by sea from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, or Mexico must have a valid passport book or passport card. There is an exception for passengers of closed-loop cruises.

If you board a cruise ship at a U.S. port, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship, you only need to present government-issued photo identification and proof of citizenship. Therefore, you can present a valid driver's license and a birth certificate.

You still may need a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. It is always a good idea to contact the cruise line to verifiy travel document requirements.

Related Article: Guide to Cruise Passport Policies for U.S. Travelers

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For more information, check out the links to visitor-submitted questions below.

List of Passports for Cruises FAQ

If you find a question below for which you would like to read the answer, just click the link...

Passports for Closed Loop Cruise 
Question: If we are leaving Miami on a cruise to Belize and Honduras then returning back to Miami, do we need a passport? Answer: A cruise .

What is the best way to get a passport for a cruise in 3 weeks? 
Question: I don't have a passport. I plan on going on my cruise in less than 4 weeks. What is the best way to get my passport in time and how much...

Do I need a passport for a cruise to Mexico? 
Question: Going on a cruise in two weeks and have never had a passport. I'm aware I can have on expedited using a service but don't want to incur extra .

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About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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