Do I need citizenship for cruise

[Doug McCoy]

I am going on a cruise in March in that cruise we will stop at Nassau. Do I need a passport/citizenship, I do not plan on getting off the boat. But, will I need one regardless.

Thanks!

 

[lanejudy]

You will need documentation to prove your citizenship. If you are a U.S. citizen, that can be a birth certificate plus a drivers license (or other government-issued photo ID). A passport is recommended but not required.

I should add — i’m assuming you are taking a closed loop Bahamas cruise, departing and returning to the same U.S. port.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[NS8VN]

To clarify what lanejudy said, you need that ID to get on the boat. Even if you don't plan to get off at any stop they will not let you on the boat without a passport or (if US citizen) a government issue photo ID and birth certificate. If you arrive at the port without that documentation you will not be sailing that day.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[PartyExpress2001]

I can vouch for what NS8VN said. My Japanese fiance brought her passport with her when we went on the Magic in November. She needed to show it twice - once at check-in and again at customs after the cruise (both at NYC Cruise Terminal).

 

[kiford]

To clarify what lanejudy said, you need that ID to get on the boat. Even if you don't plan to get off at any stop they will not let you on the boat without a passport or (if US citizen) a government issue photo ID and birth certificate. If you arrive at the port without that documentation you will not be sailing that day.

Very true. This is because you are deemed to be IN the country once the ship enters that country's waters even if you never disembark although specific documentary requirements may differ between flying into, driving into, or sailing into the country. Depending on the country you are visiting (and your country of citizenship), you may not need to get visas unless you are disembarking but those things are also important to check out before sailing because they all vary. Sometimes the ship gets a blanket visa for all occupants and other times you have to get one specifically yourself.

 

[Mousewerks]

This is what a passport card is good for. You don't need the full passport for a cruise, just the passport card will do as the ID.

 

[KristiMc]

This is what a passport card is good for. You don't need the full passport for a cruise, just the passport card will do as the ID.

The passport card is no better than using your birth certificate and photo Id. You can not use it to fly home in an emergency.

 

[Capt_BJ]

b4 you board the ship you must present a document that will allow you to re-enter the US

if the ship allows you on and you have no document to re-enter you become 'the ships' problem, so it is in their best interest to ensure you can re-enter the country.

Same rule applies if you want to qualify for 'global entry' .... show the document that allows country re-entry. Got a passport? NO PROBLEM ..... got a US birth certificate, well on your way to a successful trip. Neither of these? Stand by for an extended process . . .

 

[abayaflowers]

The passport card is no better than using your birth certificate and photo Id. You can not use it to fly home in an emergency.

According to the US Dept. of State Bureau of Consular Affairs that the passport card is a limited travel document, valid only for land and sea travel within North America (Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda). It cannot be used for international air travel. If you have questions, you can call their 800 #.

 

[bumbershoot]

According to the US Dept. of State Bureau of Consular Affairs that the passport card is a limited travel document, valid only for land and sea travel within North America (Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda). It cannot be used for international air travel. If you have questions, you can call their 800 #.

That’s what Kristi said.


Sometimes people suggest getting the passport card for cruises rather than the BC and ID, and that’s fine if you already have one. But to get that specifically for a cruise is silly, because it does exactly the same thing, with the same restrictions, as the BC and ID. So it’s just a waste of money for the most part.



But to really help the OP we have to know more about what he means. Does he mean “do I have to have citizenship”? Does he mean “do I have to have proof of citizenship”? Etc.

 

[SteveMouse]

If you are going on a cruise from a US port, with the exceptions of a cruise on the Pride of America in Hawaii or a river cruise, you are leaving the US, and need to have proper documentation for reentry to the US (eg if you are a foreign national, you would need any necessary visa/other documentation specific to your situation). Please consult an immigration attorney as appropriate.

 

[kiford]

b4 you board the ship you must present a document that will allow you to re-enter the US

You must present documentation that is sufficient to allow you to visit another country based on that country's requirements. It must also be sufficient to allow you to re-enter the country you are disembarking at (usually where you started). That documentation may be insufficient to allow you to return to your originating country by another method (e.g., flight) if you are unable to return via ship.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'm not sure if you are in agreement or not

the cruise line worries that you can re-enter via their ship. They have no concerns about your ability to re-enter by another path ....

and by 're-enter' I mean, enter a country on the schedule, including a return to the US in the case of a closed loop cruise.

The group of counties in the scope of 'closed loop cruise' is pretty small .....

and for the record, I've NEVER heard of a air medivac being stopped because the 'victim' didn't have their passport on them ...... in emergent cases this is an 'after the fact' issue!

But what do I know, I only participated in or coordinated a few hundred cases .....

 

[Stratus22]

Just get a passport......please.

 

[arlopop]

This is why you get a passport book (not a card)

From the United States State Department:

“Unexpected circumstances can come up that make it impossible to return to the United States on the cruise ship. Here are some examples:

1. Illness or Injury – Depending on the severity of your illness or injury, you may have to be admitted to a local hospital overseas. If you cannot be discharged before the cruise ship is scheduled to depart, the cruise ship may leave without you. In this case, you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance from your doctor.

2. Damage to cruise ship – Occasionally cruise ships are damaged or have mechanical issues that cannot be fixed during your trip. In these cases, you would need a U.S passport book to fly home.”


https://travel.state.gov/content/tr...al-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Citizenship is not the same as a passport . A passport is a travel document that proves you can travel from a particular country