Does RCC allow travel without Passport??

[MamaKate]

I know it's best to travel with a passport and the adults will have passports, however, my 9 year old's dad won't agree to a passport. He will sign the affidavit that she can take the cruise, but she won't have her passport.

Our cruise is a closed-loop cruise out of Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and is only 4-nights. We've done a couple Disney closed-loop cruises and have had no issues with just a birth certificate but I want to verify we won't have an issue with Royal Caribbean.

Has anyone used just a birth certificate recently with RCC?

Thank you

 

[HopperFan]

From RCI website in regards to Passport requirement ...

Exceptions:

• United States citizens on cruises that begin and end at the same port in the United States can use a original government-issued picture ID (i.e. driver's license) AND an original government-issued birth certificate or original Naturalization Certificate.
• Minors under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original government-issued, original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate; a Consular Report of Birth Abroad Issued by DOA; or Certificate of Naturalization issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are NOT acceptable. Military identification cards, voter registration cards or Social Security cards are NOT considered proof of citizenship.

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I don't know how it might work with Bahamas/US but I got our children passports before our first cruise because it is our understanding .... if there is an emergency, medical issue or missing of the ship .... without a passport you can't re-enter the US other than on the ship.


"Generally, all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. However, we strongly recommend visitors obtain a passport before travel in case of an unforeseen emergency that requires a cruise passenger to disembark and return by air."

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bahamas.html

 

[msjprincess]

Yes as long as it's closed loop you only need a BC and government ID. Kids under 16 only need a BC.

If you get stuck in the Bahamas you would have to get an emergency passport to fly home. Yes it will take longer but you will be allowed to re-enter the US since I'm assuming you are a US citizen.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes as long as it's closed loop you only need a BC and government ID. Kids under 16 only need a BC.

If you get stuck in the Bahamas you would have to get an emergency passport to fly home. Yes it will take longer but you will be allowed to re-enter the US since I'm assuming you are a US citizen.

And this part makes travel insurance even more important for you.

 

[MamaKate]

Thank you all for the replies! Very helpful information.

 

[HopperFan]

This was just posted ...

First time cruisers: Do you need a passport for a cruise? https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/...you-need-passport-cruise#.W3uKJdjy6AI.twitter