Explore without a passport: What to know about closed-loop cruises

Table Of Content

• What Is the Documentation Required for a Non-U.S. Citizen?
• What Cruise Lines Offer Closed Loop Cruises
• Royal Caribbean Cruises, History, Destinations and Itineraries
• MSC to Construct New Hospital Ship for People in Africa
• East Coast Closed-Loop Cruises
• Carnival Cruises
• Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises (and Open Jaw Itineraries)

Cruise from Fort Lauderdale on the fabulous Celebrity Edge, one of the most innovative and impressive ships afloat, bound for the Bahamas and the warm, blue waters of the Caribbean. If you do choose to take advantage of this opportunity to travel without a passport, there are a couple of warnings to bear in mind. Say, for example, something goes wrong and you have to return to the U.S. by air. The cruise departs and returns to Los Angeles, and typical itineraries are 28 to 32 days. Departure ports include Boston, Providence-Rhode Island, and Portland-Maine.

What Is the Documentation Required for a Non-U.S. Citizen?

An Alaskan cruise is one of the most popular closed-loop cruise options in the US. If departing from the United States, Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. They often stop in Vancouver, British Columbia (in Canada), to pick up more cruise passengers. As per the US Government's regulations, documents proving voter registration and social security cards are not recognized as proof of identity. The short answer is that EDLs can be used for limited border crossings and is only available in specific border states.

What Cruise Lines Offer Closed Loop Cruises

It leaves, returns to Port Canaveral, and stops at Disney’s Castaway Cay island and Nassau in between. As a United States resident, you may benefit from the ease of a so-called closed-loop cruise and not need a passport for a cruise vacation at all. Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide. Sail to the sun on Celebrity Apex, departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida for vibrant Puerto Rico, where an afternoon and evening in port mean you’ll see two faces of charismatic San Juan. Explore the chunky fortress, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and the brightly colored streets of Old San Juan, or visit the Bacardi distillery to learn about and sample the famous rum.

Royal Caribbean Cruises, History, Destinations and Itineraries

From Ensenada, you could snorkel over underwater rock formations at Todos Santos island, or join a wine tasting tour to Calafia Valley, Mexico’s wine-growing region. Closer to port, join a walking tour of the cosmopolitan town to sample tequila and tacos. Or you could try rafting, sail-and-snorkel tours, and even a healing session with an authentic shaman. There’s Mayan history here, too, at the Chacchoben Ruins, a short drive from the port.

There are a few things to be aware of if you decide to take advantage of this chance to travel without a passport. For instance, let’s say something goes wrong and you have to take a plane back to the United States. Since most Caribbean and Bahamas sailings already entail international travel, they don’t need to worry about the need. Additionally, without a U.S. passport, getting home or catching up with the trip could be challenging if you miss the ship in one of the ports. Miami, Galveston, Tampa, and Port Canaveral are the port of call where most closed-loop Carnival Cruises sail from. The top itineraries for all three ports will lead you to the incredible island nations of the Caribbean.

Remember to book early to secure your preferred cruise dates, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the cruise line or a travel professional for any assistance or clarification along the way. Sims, for her part, was able to easily get off the ship at ports like Nassau with just her Sail & Sign card, she said, which acts as both a room key and means of charging items to your onboard account. After showing her birth certificate and photo ID during the initial boarding process, she kept them in a suitcase.

If there is a passport requirement, each person in your party needs to have a passport, including infants and toddlers. All cruises throughout the world that sail in destinations outside the United States and that are not closed-loop cruises require a passport. If you aren’t a Lawful Permanent Resident or a U.S. citizen, you must provide appropriate documentation to prove your citizenship, including a passport. Citizen must present a passport for each cruise they take, including a closed-loop cruise.

If you begin your cruise in one U.S. port (e.g. San Diego) and end your cruise in a different U.S. port (say, Fort Lauderdale), it will not count as a closed loop. Territories can sail in a closed-loop cruise from their ports of call. The WHTI introduced the concept of a ‘closed-loop cruise’ as a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. This type of sailing was granted special documentation requirements to simplify travel.

Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises (and Open Jaw Itineraries)

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) to have one, along with a visa, according to U.S. An LPR is required to present an I-551 (Green Card) for reentry into the U.S. If your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port -- for example, sailing roundtrip Miami to Miami -- then you are embarking on what is considered a closed loop cruise, according to the WHTI.

And whether or not you’re on a closed-loop cruise, you’ll need a passport if you’re not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States. Closed loop cruises have “closed” itineraries, meaning that they start and end in the same U.S. port. On the way, however you may visit some other destinations, whether within the United States or in other countries. All closed loop cruises are round-trip cruises from the same port in the United States. These types of cruises allow you, as an American, to sail to amazing destinations without a passport.

In many cases, travelers can sail without a passport on round-trip voyages from the U.S. However, there are things to be aware of when you’re looking into going on a closed-loop cruise from the United States. With the important information we have provided here, you’ll be an informed traveler who can make the best decision for your’s and your family’s next cruise. If you travel to any of these countries without a passport, however, it’s a good idea to take your valid forms of ID with you when you walk around the port in case you encounter any problems.

They can be used to re-enter the United States at land, sea, and air border crossings, but not at airports. Cruises that depart from the United States and are round-trip must fulfill certain requirements. Explore the rugged coasts of Alaska on a closed loop cruise from cities like Seattle and San Francisco.

Discover the rocky coasts of New England and eastern Canada on a closed loop cruise from Boston or New York City. Indulge in world-class seafood, see beautiful lighthouses, visit seaside villages and explore important historic sites. While it’s true that you don’t need a passport for most US closed-loop cruises, you must present two forms of ID to board a closed-loop cruise ship. Without geographic restrictions, ships with an open itinerary can travel farther and often stop at more ports.