Cruising 10-17-2010 Passport requirements

[Mickeys Carol]

I am going on the October 17th 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. Am I required to have a passport or is it true that I just need a certified birth certificate and valid drivers license? I am a US citizen.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

As long as you're a US Citizen traveling on a closed-loop cruise (beginning and ending in the same US port) all you are required by law to have is a certified birth certificate and photo ID.

 

[wdwfreeksince88]

We just got back from our cruise. We had 26 people going and only some people had a passport. As long as you are on a closed loop(meaning you leave and come back on the same ship to the same port) you only need to have a birth certificate and gov issued photo id. BUT.....in the case of an emergency you will not be able to get back anyway other than the ship. You won't be able to fly without the passport. Also if you are looking into the passports make sure you don't confuse this with the passport card. The card is not good for air travel. So while it will work for the ship if there was an emergency you would not be able to fly back with the passport card. I highly recommend getting an actual passport as it made everything so much easier.

 

[TrekBoy85]

While the passport is not necessary on closed loop cruises, it's really not a bad investment. It gives you the ability to make alternate arrangements in case of emergency. While they're slightly expensive to get, for all adults over the age of 16, a passport is good for 10 years.

Does anyone know what happens if your closed-loop cruise becomes open (was scheduled to return to one US port, but for some reason had to return to another)?

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

At this time, a passport is NOT required but ...

From the DCL website:

Guests are responsible for obtaining proper documentation to board the ship. U.S. Government passport requirements continue to change; therefore, we strongly encourage Guests of all ages to have a valid U.S. passport for all cruises. Having a passport allows you to always be prepared to travel wherever you wish, and offers an added measure of security when you're traveling.

From Galvestoncruises.com :

U.S. citizens taking "closed-loop" cruises are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required.


A few years ago, our whole family obtained passports. It was so nice to just show that one document for each person upon check-in at Port Canaveral. Also, having a picture id for my children being in a foreign country gave me peace of mind. If you have a enough time and funds, I would get a passport. JMO

Jennifer