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These kinds of one-way cruises require all passengers to have a valid passport. Got a few free days and looking to go on a trip, but don’t have a passport? If you passport has expired, or you never got a passport in the first place, you are still able to visit several foreign countries as a U.S. citizen. An Enhanced Driver’s License, which is a state-issued driver’s license that delivers individuality evidence and U.S. nationality.
How do I know if I can sail without a passport?
However, their fleet of ships is usually limited, with fewer options for itineraries. Specifically, on a closed-loop cruise, U.S. citizens were required to have only a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID. There are some real advantages for travelers booking a closed-loop cruise. Because these cruises start and end at the same port, those flying in to board their ship can easily book round-trip flights. Passengers driving in will find that options to park directly at the point of departure can make the trip that much more convenient.
Explanation of Passport Requirements
Just south of the Equator, Polynesia and year-round warm temperatures and gentle Pacific breezes. The Mexican Riviera cruise season is year-round, with the winter months of December to April considered peak season. Several parts of the initiative deal with citizens from Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda, in addition to the United States.
What Is A Closed Loop Cruise
Many world cruises start and end at the same U.S. port, such as Los Angeles, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale. Due to the arctic climate, the Alaska cruise season is short and only from May to September. You can get the best price if you’re willing to cruise on the fringe season in May or September. Alaska cruises depart from Vancouver or Seattle, as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, only Seattle and San Francisco qualify as closed-loop cruises within the WHTI guidelines.
Therefore, always make sure to know whether you need your passport or not before going on your cruise. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was launched in 2009 by the United States government. This was implemented to clarify what documents guests require for traveling on a cruise ship. 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. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, for example, requires passports for all voyages no matter the ports of call or countries visited, and destinations may call for them as well.
Always check with the embassy or consulate of each country to determine the specific requirements. Before we move on to the visa requirements, it’s important to understand the role of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when it comes to international travel. CBP is responsible for securing the U.S. borders and facilitating legitimate travel and trade. When you’re returning from your cruise, CBP officials will ask to see your passport and any other required travel documents. They’ll also conduct a security screening to ensure that you’re not carrying any prohibited items.
It’s worth noting that some ports, such as the island of Martinique, require a passport to enter. Closed-loop sailings are the most common type of cruise offered by cruise lines. They provide simpler logistics for the cruise line by beginning and ending in the same port. Because most cruise ships operate under foreign flags, Alaskan itineraries often involve a stop in Canada, and Hawaiian cruises are rather uncommon.
Passports can be used as your form of identification but the fact that they aren’t mandatory is why closed-loop cruises are popular. It provides simpler logistics for a cruise line by using the same port. The United States isn’t the only region that offers closed loop cruises. Numerous cities in Europe also have such itineraries, although they aren’t always referred to as a closed loop cruise in marketing material.
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Another consideration to keep in mind is that it is cruise line policy to depart on time at all times. Passengers who don't keep track of the ship schedule while exploring ports of call face the real possibility of being left behind. When this happens, passengers are responsible for flying themselves home or to the next port of call. Unlike closed-loop cruises, airlines do require passports for international travel, which can prove to be a difficult scenario for those cruising without this form of identification. Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America and UnCruise's Safari Explorer, both U.S.-flagged vessels, are the only cruise ships based in Hawaii. Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu, while Safari Explorer offers cruises between Molokai and the Big Island.
Starting and ending in Seattle or San Francisco, an Alaskan cruise takes you to charming waterfront cities and villages like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. In Alaska, also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, you can see spectacular, icy glaciers by boat or seaplane, watch for whales and try your hand at dog sledding. To visit the Bahamas or the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line, choose the Port of Miami as the departure port.
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends all travelers departing from the U.S. have a passport book in hand. Part of America but still exotic enough for an ideal getaway, Hawaii offers black-sand beaches, volcanic vistas, surfing opportunities, amazing food and, of course, hula dancing. A closed-loop cruise to this part of the map often means flying to Honolulu, which you can do passport-free, but airfare can be pricey. American citizens do not need a passport to go on a closed loop cruise. However, it is important to know that another proof of citizenship will be required instead.
Here are a few cruises that qualify as closed-loop according to the WHTI guidelines. Outside of the Americas, there are other countries within the boundaries of the Western Hemisphere. The following countries or territories are also within and available for cruising from a U.S. port. A United States Passport Card is a low-cost, limited-use travel document produced by the Department of State.
Always check with the embassy or consulate of each country you’re visiting to determine the specific requirements. State-issued enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. It’s important to note that closed loop cruises can be operated by various cruise lines and cater to different budgets and preferences. They can range from short weekend getaways to longer voyages spanning several weeks. The choice of itineraries and destinations depends on the cruise line, the ship, and the specific time of year.
You can visit this gorgeous, historic island on round-trip cruises from Boston and other East Coast ports. Swim with dolphins, visit the Royal Navy Dockyard or scuba dive to a shipwreck. If you’re taking a closed-loop cruise that includes a port of call in another country, you’ll need a passport book, not a passport card. A passport card is a wallet-sized card that is only valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
They also make vacation planning easier for passengers who book round-trip flights. And those that drive to the port will have their car available at the end of the cruise vacation. According to U.S. maritime law, ships that are not US-flagged must make at least one stop in a foreign port. They can be used to re-enter the United States at land, sea, and air border crossings, but not at airports.
This ship is ideal for such magnificent surroundings thanks to its plenty of outdoor area and upper Lawn Lounge. 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. At Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, you’ll find it impossible to resist exploring the crystal-clear water via snorkeling, kayaking, or sailboat. For an afternoon basking on the gorgeous Honeymoon Beach, the lush, low-key island of St. John is an easy hop across the water.
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