Passport Requirements for Cruises

Posted by Passport Editorial November, 21st 2019 in Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a passport to go on a cruise? Passport requirements for cruises depend on where you are going. If your boat only stops at US ports, then a passport may not be necessary. However, the US Department of State highly recommends all international travelers carry a valid passport.

US Citizens are required to present one of the following documents to re-enter the country:

A US passport book
A US passport card (Note: Unlike the US passport book, the US passport card is not valid for air travel)
A NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST card
An enhanced driver’s license (only available in certain states)

Passport Requirements for Cruises in the Western Hemisphere:

US citizens on a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, can use a driver’s license or government-issued ID card and a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.
Children under the age of 16 traveling by land or sea can use their birth certificates, as can children under the age of 19 if they are under adult supervision and are traveling with an organization such as a school group, church group, volunteer organization or sports team.

However, most cruise lines strongly recommend that all guests travel with a valid US passport during their cruises for a couple of important reasons:

If you have a medical, family, personal or business emergency and need to fly back to the U.S. before your cruise ends a passport is required or you could experience significant delays and complications. See Why You Should Consider Getting a Passport for a Closed-Loop Cruise
If you need to fly to meet your ship at the next available port should you miss your scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port or if you miss a ship’s departure from a port of call.
Some ports may have their own entry requirements. Talk to your cruise line to confirm the documents you need for your cruise.

Also, here are some additional articles about passport requirements for different cruise destinations:

Do You Need a Passport for a Disney Cruise?

Do You Need a Passport To Go To Mexico?

Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada?

Do you Need a Passport to Go to the Caribbean?

No matter where you’re cruising to, RushMyPassport can help you get your passport in time. We personally deliver your passport application to the Department of State, resulting in processing times as low as one week. Don’t let your ship sail without you-apply for your passport!

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101 Responses

April, 20th 2018shelby DeFrenn
Im traveling to CUba June 11 for 5 days on a Cruise Just received my passport in mail. Do I need to get a Visa to go there and where Do I get one, from the cruise ship or post office.
- April, 30th 2018Kerri Kaufmann
  You will need a visa to visit Cuba. Please contact the nearest Cuban embassy or consulate for assistance.
April, 20th 2018shelby DeFrenn
Im going to Cuba on a cruise June 11 for 5 days. DO i need a Visa and if so will the cruise line provide at a cost or I get one myself. I just received my Passport for the first time. So its right at 2 months old. thanks
April, 16th 2015Thomas G
I plan on going on a cruise out of Galveston, TX. I am a US citizen but my wife is a citizen of Mexico. I want to go to Cozumel and Belize. Does my wife need a passport from Mexico to re- enter or does she just need to use her green card.
April, 9th 2013Tiffany F
We are going on a seven day cruise I have a passport but my husband doesn't does he need one for these ports?? Cozumel Mexico, Belize, mohagany bay isla roaton, and costa maya Mexico or will the ID/ birth certificate be ok??
March, 19th 2013Danielle
My hubby and I have passports. My two kids (4 and 7) do not. they only have birth certs. If we went on a cruise (closed loop) but wanted to disembark at each port city to do sightseeing, should i worry about my kids not being able to get back onto the ship? I know that getting a passports for them is the safest way, but if i can’t get the passports before the cruise start, how much should i worry about my kids? We want to go on an excursion to the British Virgin Islands will the kids need a passport?
March, 12th 2013karina
I'm pretty sure I can answer my question by reading all the other comments but I am wondering if I'm going to have any problems when going on my cruise by taking my permanent resident card and my Mexican passport because I've lost weight so I don't look as chubby and in my passport my hair was red and its dark brown now. should I bring some other from of documentation so they know that it is really me even if I have changed a little or would I be ok?
January, 4th 2013Alison Kroulek
Hi Chelsea,You should be fine with a driver's license or state ID card and a birth certificate, but please contact your cruise line to be sure.
December, 27th 2012chelsea camfferman
Hey, i'm going on the carnival breeze in 29 days for 6 days and i dont have a passport but we are leaving from Miami and returning back to Miami, I know I dont need a passport?? but will i need one to get off the ship in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Grand turk???? PLEASEE help me!!!
December, 14th 2012Alison Kroulek
Hi Mandy,As long as she has her naturalization certificate, she can use that as proof of citizenship along with a driver's license or state ID card. Have a great cruise!Alison
December, 13th 2012Mandy
Hi, We want to take a 4 day cruise to Mexico in 2 weeks, departing and arriving in the same Los angeles port. My Mom has a British Birth certificate. She is a a US citizen but her passport expired in February. What documents are acceptable for her since she does not have a US birth certificate? Does she need a valid passport to travel?
November, 30th 2012Alison Kroulek
Hi Jason,She won't need a passport to get back into the US, she'll just need her green card.However, per the Bahamas Embassy website (http://www.un.int/bahamas/tourist%20visa%20info.htm) she will need a valid passport from her country of origin to get into the Bahamas. Hope this helps!
November, 29th 2012Jason Stokes
I am planning to take a honeymoon cruise with my fiance from Miami, that travels to Nassau, Bahamas, Cococay (Cruiseline Private Island). I am a US citizen and have my birth certificate and Government ID. My fiance is a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States from Hati and has a social security card and Government ID. Can she travel on this closed loop cruise that returns to Miami without a passport.
October, 28th 2012Alison Kroulek
Hi Juan,You should be fine with a driver's license and birth certificate or naturalization certificate, but do check with your cruise line just to be sure. Have a great trip!
October, 26th 2012Juan Chavez
I'm planning on going on a cruise that departs from Galveston and stops to Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico before returning to Galveston. Do I need a passport.
October, 8th 2012Swendor
Norwegian says only a state-issued driver's license is required for cruises to nowhere.
October, 8th 2012Alison Kroulek
Hi Swendor,Please check with your cruise line to see what's required. Enjoy your trip!
October, 7th 2012Swendor
Mostly everyone who posted asked about cruises which have ports of call. However, I'd like to go on a cruise to nowhere-leaves NY, goes out in the ocean for two nights and goes back to NY. Is a driver's license sufficient or do I need a birth certificate as well?Thank you.
September, 9th 2012Alison Kroulek
Hi Taylor,You should be okay with a birth certificate and ID, but please contact your cruise line to verify as they have the final authority over whether or not you board. :)Have a great trip!
September, 7th 2012Taylor
Hi! My husband and I are planning on taking our honeymoon on a cruise at the end of November. Its a 7 night cruise to belize, honduras, cozumel, caymen islands and key west. It is closed loop from and to miami. Do we need to get passports or passport card to go or is birth certificate and id okay?? thanks (:
September, 1st 2012mary
My husband and I and another couple are going to cozmel leaving from galveston and returning to cozmel we have been told we do need a passport to get back on the boat at mexico port, and we do not if coming back to galveston, could you please give us a correct answer. thank you
August, 31st 2012mary
My husband and I and another couple are going on a cruise leaving from Galveston to Cozmel and returning to Galveston. I have gotten conflicting answers about a passport. We all 4 have B. Certificates, and valid D.Licenses, is that all we will need? One man said he saw the man sitting there to let you back on the boat would not let a woman back on the boat, they have me so nervice I said I might just stay on the boat.Could you please clear this up we will be leaving in a 5 days, to late for a passport anyway. Thank You
- September, 1st 2012Kerri Kaufmann
  Hi Mary,You're on a closed-loop cruise, so you should be fine with driver's licenses and birth certificates. However, you may want to contact your cruise line and check just to be on the safe side, since they have final authority over whether or not you get on board. Have a great cruise!Alison
August, 16th 2012Alison Kroulek
Sasha,That sounds like a question for your cruise line. Or are you asking whether or not you'd need a passport? If so, the answer is more than likely yes. According to the State Department: "U.S. citizens traveling by air, road, or sea must present a valid passport when entering or departing Panama." See here for more details: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html
August, 16th 2012Alison Kroulek
Michelle,For a closed-loop cruise, government-issued photo ID and birth certificates are generally all that's required, however please contact your cruise line to verify. Have a great trip!
August, 15th 2012sasha
hi I'm planing to go on a cruise with my husband departing from Los Angeles but we want to get off the boat and stay in panama. is it possible to do this?. thanks
August, 14th 2012Michelle
hello,I am planing a trip...closed loop cruise from Florida to the Bahamas 5 day cruise... active duty military. 2 adults 3 kids do we need a passport?? or is our military id and birth certificates ok
June, 18th 2012Kellie
Hi, I am taking a Pacific Coastal cruise from Vancouver, Canada to Los Angeles, CA. I have a passport card, do I need to get an actual passport too? Thanks!
- June, 23rd 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Kellie,Are you a US citizen or Canadian? If you're a US citizen flying into Vancouver to start the cruise, then yes, you'll need a passport to get on the plane. If you're not flying into Canada, a passport card is fine.
June, 6th 2012Lei
My boyfriend and I would like to take a closed loop cruise leaving from Galveston and returning to Galveston. I have a passport, but my boyfriend does not. He does have a valid ID and birth certificate, but he is not a US Citizen. He was born in American Samoa (a US territory in the South Pacific) and he is technically a US National, will there be any problem with him going on the cruise or does he need a passport?
- June, 11th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Lei,He should be fine, but check with the cruise line just to be sure he won't have any problems boarding. Have a great trip!
April, 26th 2012Alison Kroulek
No problem, Maria! As long as it has the raised seal, she should be fine, but I'd recommend contacting the cruise line to verify as they have final authority over whether or not she gets on the boat.
April, 24th 2012Maria Konitshek
Asking this question for a friend who is taking a closed loop cruise. She has the short form birth certificate (her parent' names do not appear on her birth certificate. Can she use this or does she need the full certificate with her parents' names? My understanding is that as long as it has a raised seal, either type of birth certificate will work.
April, 22nd 2012mesig
Hi, I am leaving on a cruise from Tampa and stopping in the Grand Caymans, and then Cozumel. We will then be returning to Tampa. Do I need a passport or can I get by with the other documents?
- April, 26th 2012Alison Kroulek
  You should be fine with a certified copy of your birth certificate (the kind with a raised seal) but please contact your cruise line to verify. Thanks!
April, 13th 2012Debi Kay
I am going on a 4 day cruise from San Pedro, California to Ensenada, Mexico. Are we required to have a passport to get off the ship in Ensenada?Thank you,
- April, 13th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Debi,No, you'll be fine with just your driver's license and birth certificate. Have fun!
March, 22nd 2012Erica
Hi, I am going on a close loop cruise to the Bahamas with my boyfriend. He was born in Jamaica, but has recently become a U.S citizen. Can his Certificate of Naturalization be used instead of a Birth Certificate or a passport, or is he going to need a passport still?
- March, 23rd 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Erica,Double-check this with your cruise line, please, but all he should need is photo ID and his Certificate of Naturalization for a closed-loop cruise. Definitely have him get a passport as soon as he can, though- it's always good to have more than one way to prove your US citizenship.Have a great cruise!Alison
March, 22nd 2012bowtie
We are taking our son's 16 year old friend with us on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. He has a passport card. Do we need a notarized letter from his parents for him to get off and on in Cozumel?Thanks
- March, 23rd 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Bowtie,Yes, you should get a notarized letter from his parents. They may not ask for it, but it's always a good thing to have when you're traveling with an unrelated child, and Mexico does require it.
March, 18th 2012Monique
We are going to Mexico in June, I have all our birth certificates and I.D.s . Do I still need passports for us? Leaving from Tampa and returning there 4 days. Thanks for your help.Regards Monique
- March, 23rd 2012Alison Kroulek
  If you're going on a cruise with that itinerary, then no. You should be fine with just birth certificates and IDs. Have a great trip!
March, 18th 2012Nanda
Hi, i just sent in for a passport renewal/name changed and going on a cruise to the Bahamas in April and need the passport # ,how do i get the number? ,i had to turn in the passport
- March, 18th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Nanda,Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They may be able to help. Have a great cruise!
March, 11th 2012wes
i am deployed in afganistan right now and I'm about to go on leave april 1st. i wanna go on a 5day cruise from tampa to the cayman islands and cozumel. it is a closed loop cause i leave from tampa and return to tampa. do i need a passport?
- March, 13th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Wes,You should be fine with a birth certificate and driver's license, but please verify that with the cruise line as their requirements may differ. Thanks, and have a great trip!
March, 7th 2012Cathy
My husband and I are traveling on a closed loop cruise to the Bahamas in a few days. He is a naturalized citizen and cannot find his original naturalization certificate. He still has his passport from his native country as they accept dual citizenship. I spoke to the cruise line and they said that as long as he doesn't need a visa to get into the Bahamas from his native country (which he doesn't) then he should be allowed on the cruise. I'm not sure that's correct. Will he still be able to leave and re-enter NY without his naturalization certificate? (We have his drivers license, a copy (not certified) of his naturalization certificate, his social security card, our marriage license, and his valid passport from his native country.) The cruise line will not give us a definite answer as to what they will do once we arrive at the ship. The worst thing would be if we got on and then he wasn't able to get back home.
- March, 8th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Cathy,That's a good question. The valid passport from his native country will get him into the Bahamas, but getting back into the US may be a hassle. Now, they actually can't prevent a US citizen from re-entering the country once they verify citizenship, so if they let him on the ship he should be able to get back home- but he might be temporarily detained while they verify that he is in fact a citizen, since he needs a certified copy of his naturalization certificate for proof of citizenship and he won't have one with him. And given that cruise lines aren't supposed to let people on without the documents they need to get back into the US without problems, they may not let him on the ship at all.Has he ever had a US passport before? If so, he could get a replacement passport expedited without the naturalization certificate by including a Request for File Search Form with his application.Otherwise, I would call US Citizenship and Immigration Services and see what your options are: 1-800-375-5283I recommend that he go ahead and get a US passport once he gets his naturalization certificate replaced, as it also serves as proof of citizenship.Good luck to you both!
February, 28th 2012ngan
I'm sure this has been asked and you have been graciously answering repeated questions:My hubby and I have passports. My two kids (4 and 7) do not. they only have birth certs. If we went on a cruise (closed loop) but wanted to disembark at each port city to do sightseeing, should i worry about my kids not being able to get back onto the ship? I know that getting a passports for them is the safest way, but if i can't get the passports before the cruise start, how much should i worry about my kids?
February, 24th 2012Victoria
Hi, Im going on a 3 day cruise to Mexico in 2 weeks. I DO have a passport, but do not have an ID. Will a passport suffice??? PLEASE HELP.
- February, 24th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Victoria,Yes, you'll be just fine with your passport! It serves as both ID and proof of citizenship. Enjoy your cruise!
February, 8th 2012Lisa
Hi me and my husband are Going to Bahamas on a closed loop trip, but we are staying on the island for 2 nights do we need passports even though we get back on at the same port? Ps worried
- February, 8th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Lisa,Possibly. Please contact your cruise line for the requirements. Have a great trip!Alison
February, 7th 2012Dwayne
We are taking a closed loop cruise (Port Canaveral) in March and are using birth certificates for our son and his friend. Our son's birth certificate shows only mine and my wife's middle initials. Is this acceptable for the purpose of taking this cruise? I know the new requirement for US passport application requires that the full names of both parents be shown on the birth certificate. My son's friend's birth certificate was issued at our county health department (my wife is telling me that the state of Indiana allows county health departments to issue as well as the state vital records department). The certificate says "State of Indiana" on it and has the county health director's signature. Is this certificate acceptable? Both boys will also have their state issued drivers licenses.Also one of our daughters was adopted from China. She has a delayed birth certificate issued by the state of Indiana as well as her US Certificate of Citizenship. Is this all we need for her or is any additional documentation required?Thanks for your insight!
- February, 8th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Dwayne,For your son, I'm honestly not sure. I can't find any mention of that requirement for birth certificates being applied on closed-loop cruises, just on passport applications. Call your cruise line and ask, since ultimately they decide whether or not you get on board. You're leaving in March, so I would go ahead and contact your state's Department of Vital Records (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm) to see if you can get him a new one before you sail, just to be on the safe side. Your son's friend should be fine as long as his birth certificate has an official seal. Your daughter should be fine with her certificate of citizenship.I hope you all have a wonderful trip!
February, 3rd 2012Karen Colcernian
My sister's and brother in law's passports expires August 12, 2012. We are sailing March 4th-16th, 2012 on a closed-loop cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. Are their passports still good even though they expire within 6 months of the end of our cruise? Are birth certs and DL sufficient for the countries we are traveling to? I don't want to be refused at boarding!Thank you!
- February, 5th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Karen,You do need passports but your sister's and brother-in-law's passports should be fine. I checked the Department of State's website and Costa Rica and Panama both require passports to be valid for at least three months. There is no requirement listed for Columbia. That said, you should contact your cruise line with your concerns, as they have final authority over whether or not you get on board the ship.Thanks so much, and enjoy your cruise!
January, 31st 2012Samantha
I am going on a cruise leaving from Baltimore, and returning to the same port. Our only destination is Bermuda. Will I have any trouble getting on and off the ship without a passport when boarding the ship the first day and also while on the island?
- February, 5th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Samantha,Please contact the cruise line for required ID for your cruise. Have a great trip!
January, 31st 2012charo
I am permanent resident of the united states and I would like to go in a cruise.. Do I need to get a passport and if I do where can I get one.
- January, 31st 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Charo,Check with the cruise line before you book. Most cruise lines require permanent residents to carry both their permanent resident card and a valid passport from the country of origin for cruises outside of the US. However, we've heard from people who have successfully taken Caribbean cruises with just a permanent resident card. Don't take it for granted, always check with the cruise line, and understand that it's best to have your passport in case of emergency regardless. To get a passport, contact the embassy for the country you are a citizen of.Hope this helps!Alison
January, 31st 2012Jennifer
If I take a Carnival Inspiration 4 day cruise leaving Los Angeles and ports in Catalina Ensenada and Mexico , do I have to have a passport? I read alittle and it says with an DL and birth certificate it should be fine. My friend only has an ID not a DL. Is a military ID good to?
- January, 31st 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Jennifer,Yes, you should be fine with a driver's license and a birth certificate. Any government-issued photo is fine in place of a driver's license and a military ID works, too. Have a great trip!
January, 24th 2012Yang
Going to the Bahamas. Can I just bring a xerox copy of my birth certificate or does it have to be the original?
- January, 25th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Yang,It needs to be the original (or a certified copy issued by your county or state). A Xeroxed copy won't work as proof of US citizenship. Sorry!
January, 14th 2012Laura Taylor
Hi Everybody - I have been on 4 cruises (closed-loop out of New Orleans, Galveston, Mobile, and Port Canaveral). We've sailed to Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Grand Cayman. I've taken my husband and 2 children, as well as friends of theirs (who weren't even my own children). You can ABSOLUTELY get on the cruise with your government-issued ID's and birth certificates. We've NEVER had a problem. It's really not as hard as it may seem. I just keep everything in a manilla envelope, along with my travel tickets/itinerary and it makes it much smoother when going through customs and getting on and off the ships. We're going again this year and will do the same thing! Happy travels!!
- January, 15th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Yes, as long as the cruises are closed-loop, that's all you need. But I'd like to continue to encourage everyone to verify ID requirements with the cruise line before you sail. Better safe than sorry, right?Thanks for commenting, Laura, and I hope you have an even better time on your cruise this year!
January, 13th 2012chuck jones
Hey, I'm going to Bahamas on a cruise leaving from and returning to Miami I have a passport but other family members don't. Will they be able to get off at ports with id and birth certificate???
January, 12th 2012jd
if u are staying aboard the royal cruise thru out the cruise is a passport still mandatory?it is also a closed loop cruise
- January, 15th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi JD,If it's to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean you don't have to have a passport but you will need a driver's license and birth certificate. Hope this helps!
January, 11th 2012Mark
I'm a U.S. Citizen married to a Venezuelan who is a U.S. Resident. Want to do a 3 night cruise to Bahamas and back from Miami. Does my Venezuelan wife need a passport besides her U.S. Residency (green) Card ??Thanks
- January, 11th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Mark,She won't need a visa to visit the Bahamas but she will need both a green card and her Venezuelan passport: http://www.un.int/bahamas/tourist%20visa%20info.htm
January, 9th 2012Tamika
Im going on a cruise to the caribbean from miami can I just use my Id and birth certificate will I be allowed to get off the boat?
- January, 11th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Tamika,As long as it begins and ends in the same US port you should be okay, but please confirm with your cruise line and/or the embassies for the countries you'll be stopping in.Have a great trip!
December, 5th 2011Jimmy
Ok...so going on cruise to bahamas to and from miami. A drivers license and birth certificate is enough right? To get off at ports also?
- December, 16th 2011admin
  You should be fine, Jimmy, but please double-check with your cruise line!
November, 28th 2011Becky
If I have a driver's license with my new married name and my birth certificate has my maiden name, will I still be able to go on a cruise to Mexico. Will I have to be sure to take my marriage license as well? Also, if we don't get a passport and just use our driver's license and birth certificate can we get off the boat when it stops in Cozumel, Mexico? Or will we have to stay on board since we don't have passports?
- November, 30th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Becky,You should be fine without a passport as long as the cruise begins and ends at the same US port. Go ahead and bring your marriage certificate along in case anyone has any questions. Yes, you should be able to get off the boat in Cozumel, as Mexico only requires US citizens to have passports when they go further into the interior of the country.That said, please, PLEASE double-check with your cruise line as they may have stricter documentation requirements.Enjoy your trip!
August, 4th 2011Jenny
If you are going on a cruise GET A PASSPORT PEOPLE! Yes, if it is a closed loop you can re-enter the U.S. with your driver's license and birth certificate. But, who goes on a cruise and NOT get off the boat and explore and do excursions. I know Freeport didn't check for passports to get off the boat or to get back on, BUT in Nassau they have their own military working at the gate checking for passports when trying to get back on the boat (This military guy gave me a hard time in Nassau bc my picture didn't look like me...I looked chubby in my passport picture and had worked out prior to my cruise). WHEN IN DOUBT GET A PASSPORT!
July, 21st 2011Slinkie
I'm travelling to Ensenada Mexico and am a US Resident but will not receive my renewed passport in time for my cruise? Am I still able to travel. I was told that I can with just my Driver's Licence and my US Resident Card.
May, 22nd 2011Eli
My family is planning on taking a cruise. One of my brothers is a US resident and has his passport. He is able to go on the cruise, correct? I was informed it had to be US citizens but with the proper documentation and legalization, there should not be a limit to only US citizens I would imagine. Thanks for your help.
- May, 24th 2011Alison Kroulek
  As long as has a valid passport and a valid permanent resident card, he should be fine. I don't know why anyone would think that only US citizens are allowed on a cruise!That said, you should call the cruise line and verify the documents he needs to bring.Enjoy your trip!
March, 20th 2011Cruiseboy
I am a texas citizen. If i have a drivers license and a birth certificate i can go on the cruise right?
- April, 8th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Cruiseboy,You should be fine as long as it's a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, and you're only going to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.Have a great trip!
March, 2nd 2011John Raehn
We have passports that expired last year. Can they just be updated somehow?Thanks
- March, 10th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi John,No, you must renew them. This step-by-step guide will help: https://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/2008/12/passport-renewal-cutting-through-the-red-tape/However, the government has raised passport fees since I wrote that post. See here for updated fees:http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_837.html
February, 22nd 2011Evette
We are going on a cruise to Bahamaas in Sept 2011. Do we need a passport? or can we us Driver's Licenses or Military ID and Birth certificates.
- February, 27th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Evette,If it's a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends at the same US port, you should be able to use your driver's licenses and birth certificates.Have a great trip!
December, 27th 2010Mallard
We are going on a cruise to 2 islands in the Bahamas in June 2011 we are a family of 4/ 2 adults 2 children ages 11 & 14. We are departing and returning to a port in Charleston SC; does anyone need a passport??????
- January, 8th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Check with your cruise line, but you should be fine with driver's licenses and birth certificates since it's a closed-loop cruise.
December, 4th 2010Constance
I am going on cruise with children their father and I are divorced. I have all the legal paper from divorce and thier birthcertificates. Going to the Bahamas from and back to the same port. Do I have to have his permission to take children. I have Primary custody.
- December, 16th 2010Alison Kroulek
  Hi Constance,As long as there's no court order preventing you from taking the children out of the country without his permission, you should be fine for the cruise as long as you have their birth certificates. You will need his permission for any travel that requires a passport, however, as the Department of State won't issue passports for the kids without his consent.Enjoy your cruise!
November, 29th 2010Christine
I am going on a 7 day western caribbean cruise. Do i need a passport to get off at the ports We are leaving and coming back to Miami. We have 4 stops in other countries.
- December, 2nd 2010Alison Kroulek
  Hi Christine,You should be able to get by with your driver's license and birth certificate, but please call your cruise line to make sure that's all you need.Have a great trip!
September, 28th 2010Kelly
Hi, I am going on a cruise that leaves from and returns to San Juan, PR. I contacted the ship they said you can use the ID/Birth certificate documents. Is this correct?
- October, 8th 2010admin
  Hi Kelly,Definitely. That qualifies as a closed-loop cruise. Have fun!
September, 2nd 2010Erin
I am going on a cruise to that bahamas that departs the US from new york and returns there was well. Im pretty sure I can use the state ID/Birth certificate combo. Is this correct?
- September, 20th 2010admin
  That's correct, but do confirm with your cruise line just to be on the safe side. Have a great trip!
March, 19th 2010Bobbie
I am planning on cruising from the Port of Galveston to Cancun this June or July. Is this considered a closed-loop Cruise? Will I need a passport? Please respond as soon as possible?
- March, 21st 2010admin
  Hi Bobbie- If your cruise begins and ends at the Port of Galveston, it is closed-loop and you just need your driver's license and birth certificate to get back into the states. However, Mexico has started requiring passports to enter the country if you are heading more than 20 kilometers south of the border or staying more than 72 hours. So, yes, you probably will need a passport. Contact your cruise line to be sure. Have a great trip!

Passport Requirements for Cruises

Passport Requirements for Cruises in the Western Hemisphere:

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