You’ve picked your itinerary, packed your bags, and you’re ready to set sail. But the question still lingers: do you need a passport to go on a cruise? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. As a general rule, you’ll need a passport for a standard cruise, but not for a closed-loop cruise—though there’s a little more nuance to it than that.
At Remitly, we know you’ll want your cruise to be as stress-free as possible. Read on to learn exactly what documents you’ll need before embarking on your next vacation.
What is a closed-loop cruise?
If you’ve done some research into cruises, you’ll likely have come across the term closed-loop cruise. A closed-loop cruise is a round-trip cruise that begins and ends at the same US port. If your ship leaves from Miami, travels around the Caribbean, and ends up back in Miami, it’s a closed-loop itinerary—even if it has a few stops in another country on the way. However, if you leave from Miami and finish your trip in Key West, it’s considered an open-loop or standard cruise.
On closed-loop cruises, US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) can travel without a passport. However, you’ll need to prove your identity and your citizenship or residency. You can do this with an Enhanced Driver’s License (only available in certain states), or else you’ll need to show these two documents:
- A government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license
- An official birth certificate (to prove your citizenship) OR your green card (for LPRs)
Immigrants and visitors to the US will need to present their passports and visa or residence permit to re-enter the US.
Cruise destinations that don’t require a passport
Closed-loop cruises offer plenty of options for those who don’t have a passport or don’t have time to renew it before setting sail. Some of the more interesting of these are:
- Canada: Cruises from the US to Canada and back usually qualify as closed-loop, but this can be a bit of a tricky area.
- The Bahamas: Most short cruises to the Bahamas from ports like Florida don’t require a passport.
- Bermuda: Closed-loop cruises departing from East Coast ports like New York, Baltimore, and Boston generally don’t need a passport heading to Bermuda.
- US Caribbean territories: While both Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are in the Caribbean, they’re both US territories.
- Mexico: Round-trip cruises from the US to specific ports in Mexico usually don’t need a passport. But, this is on relatively shaky ground, so it’s another instance where it might be better to stay on the safe side and bring it with you.
Most of the time, you’re not going to need a passport for a cruise to any of these destinations, provided you don’t need to fly and you’re getting on and off in the US. However, most cruise lines recommend bringing a passport with you in case of emergencies or unexpected changes—more on this below.
When is a passport mandatory for a cruise?
Now that we’ve seen some of the options for traveling without a passport, it’s important to note that there are many cases where you do need a passport for your cruise. Usually, this is the case if the cruise meets a few specific factors:
- Your cruise starts or ends in a foreign country.
- You’re traveling between foreign ports.
- Your cruise starts in the US but ends in a foreign port.
- You’ll be flying home from a port outside the US.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need a passport for a cruise if you’ll be crossing any kind of international border.
Countries that require passports for entry
There are also many countries that require US travelers to show a passport to enter, even if they’re on a closed-loop cruise. Common examples of Caribbean cruise destinations that require passports include:
- Barbados
- French St. Martin
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Martinique
- St. Barts
- Trinidad and Tobago
If your cruise includes any of these countries, you’ll need your passport in order to disembark and explore.
Why it’s best to bring a passport on any cruise
Even if your cruise doesn’t technically require a passport, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring one anyway. There are plenty of unforeseen situations that could arise and leave you wishing you had your passport.
- Emergencies: Imagine you have an emergency back home or a health issue during your vacations and you need to cut your cruise short and fly home. If this happens when you’re in a foreign port, you’ll need your passport to get home quickly.
- Unexpected changes: Weather, political events, and even on-board medical emergencies can force a change in your cruise’s itinerary. You might end up in a port where you’ll need to present a passport to de-board.
- Smoother travel experiences: Passports make boarding your cruise, getting through customs at ports, and re-entering the United States a lot easier. There’ll be fewer chances of a hiccup due to paperwork issues.
- Peace of mind: Even if nothing comes up, your passport gives you flexibility with your travel options. Who wouldn’t want a little more peace of mind when enjoying a relaxing holiday?
A passport is a great document to have, and the benefits of bringing it along far outweigh the inconvenience of applying for one, in most cases.
General document requirements for a cruise
Now that you know whether a passport is a must for your route, we’ve put together a handy checklist of important documents you may need.
- Proof of citizenship: a passport, certified birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization or citizenship
- Government-issued photo ID: a passport, driver’s license, or state-issued ID card
- Visas (if required): check whether the countries you’re visiting require a visa
- Cruise line documents: boarding passes, confirmations, and health forms
- Travel insurance: optional but recommended—covers emergencies, cancellations, or lost luggage during your trip
- Medical documents: if you have any health conditions or special medication
Double-check with your cruise company to be sure you bring all required documents with you.
Conclusion
So, do you need a passport to go on a cruise? This depends on exactly where you’re going, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry—if you have one, bring it with you. If you don’t have one, consider applying.
If you’re taking a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends in the same US port, you can often sail with just a birth certificate and a photo ID. For anything international or situations where you might need to fly, you’ll want to have your passport with you.
Cruises are about relaxing, exploring, and creating unforgettable memories—not worrying about your paperwork. Pack your documents, prepare ahead, and have a smooth sailing experience wherever your adventures take you.
FAQs
Do kids need a passport to go on a cruise?
For most closed-loop cruises, children under 16 can travel with a certified birth certificate instead of a passport. However, for cruises that include international flights or start (or end) outside of the US, a passport is required for everyone.
What about a passport card vs. a passport book?
A passport card is great for land and sea travel to destinations like Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda. But it can’t be used for international air travel. If there’s any chance you’ll need to get a flight, you’re better off with a passport book.
Do I need a passport for an Alaskan cruise?
This depends on your itinerary. Cruises that sail round-trip from Seattle, for example, usually qualify as closed-loop trips, so you don’t need a passport.
How long does my passport need to be valid for a cruise?
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your travel dates. Many countries enforce this rule, so some cruise liners wouldn’t let you board if your passport is too close to expiring.