What should I know about a one-way cruise ?

[katyringo]

We will be first time Disney cruisers.

We are looking at a 7 night Galveston to San Juan cruise on the Magic.

We've gone back and forth between a longer cruise, shorter cruise, or a WDW/cruise combo. So I'm just gathering info. Is there anything I would need to know about the one way cruises specifically? The 5 day is more expensive, but I'm gonna guess we will pay a little more in flights and hotels, so it's probably a wash.

 

[JM_97]

The only thing different is what you've already stated: you'll pay more in flights before and after, which off sets the cheaper cruise fare. As for the cruise itself, nothing should be all that different.

 

[Lesverts]

Logistics is your biggest concern if you aren't planning extra time or continued travel in the end-point destination. You have two different airports to fly into/out of and therefore have to research transfers/hotel options etc for 2 places. Will not be a concern given you are looking at a USA to USA territory cruise but there is also stricter document rules and port checks for one-way cruises in general.

I have only done one and I really enjoyed the 'journey' aspect of the cruise. Like being on an old-timey ocean liner going on an adventure to a new place. With Disney ships looking like ocean liners it really helped the feeling too. It is why I am looking at a similar cruise next fall.

I do not know where you live but also looking at pricing a multi-destination ticket over 2 one ways. They can be cheaper. Just do your research and price compare before shopping. Within NA prices should generally be able even. If you are doing a repositioning that involves not NA it can get real pricey for 2 one ways.

 

[lanejudy]

The first that pops to mind is make sure you have passports. Unlike “closed loop” cruises that begin and end at the same port and allow US citizens to cruise with just a birth certificate plus ID, a passport is required for 1-way cruises with different start/end ports.

 

[AgentMama]

The flights are not always more expensive, in our experience. We've enjoyed one way cruises, especially if they start or end in a port we haven't been in before.

Biggest thing, as a previous poster already suggested, is to be sure you have the right documents!

 

[katyringo]

Am I missing something to with the documentation? I'm on the Disney cruise website which states for one-way Caribbean cruises- and it specifically says Galveston to San Juan- that ID and birth certificates are enough- doesn't require the passport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The first that pops to mind is make sure you have passports. Unlike “closed loop” cruises that begin and end at the same port and allow US citizens to cruise with just a birth certificate plus ID, a passport is required for 1-way cruises with different start/end ports.

Am I missing something to with the documentation? I'm on the Disney cruise website which states for one-way Caribbean cruises- and it specifically says Galveston to San Juan- that ID and birth certificates are enough- doesn't require the passport.

Generally, cruises that begin in one US port and end in a different US port require a passport.

Cruises to/from Puerto Rico, however, are excepted. As with most Caribbean cruises, for US citizens, a birth certificate and government issued photo ID is the minimum requirement.

 

[lanejudy]

Cruises to/from Puerto Rico, however, are excepted. As with most Caribbean cruises, for US citizens, a birth certificate and government issued photo ID is the minimum requirement.

PR is exempt from the PVSA itinerary requirements, but that is different from the WHTI. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does not mention any exception for cruises to/from Puerto Rico. It's my understanding is that the only exception allowing adults to travel with just a birth certificate plus ID is on a closed-loop cruise.

I realize that DCL's site says otherwise. I honestly don't trust that. One may fly from a US city to PR without a passport because it is a territory. But again that's different from the WHTI requirements for cruises.

 

[robinb]

The first that pops to mind is make sure you have passports. Unlike “closed loop” cruises that begin and end at the same port and allow US citizens to cruise with just a birth certificate plus ID, a passport is required for 1-way cruises with different start/end ports.

Personally, I think that everyone should have a passport when cruising but they are not necessary for this cruise.

I took a one-way cruise from San Juan to NYC in April. I too thought that everyone needed a passport because we stopped at a couple of international ports. However, there were many people on our FB group who only had regular IDs and they were just fine. I admit that I was surprised.

@katyringo, if you do take this cruise please add a couple of days in PR. It is a lovely place with a lot things to do.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

PR is exempt from the PVSA itinerary requirements, but that is different from the WHTI. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does not mention any exception for cruises to/from Puerto Rico. It's my understanding is that the only exception allowing adults to travel with just a birth certificate plus ID is on a closed-loop cruise.

I realize that DCL's site says otherwise. I honestly don't trust that. One may fly from a US city to PR without a passport because it is a territory. But again that's different from the WHTI requirements for cruises.

Hmm... OK, thanks.

 

[SteveMouse]

The only thing different is what you've already stated: you'll pay more in flights before and after, which off sets the cheaper cruise fare. As for the cruise itself, nothing should be all that different.

Not necessarily. Southwest flies to/from San Juan.

 

[katyringo]

Not necessarily. Southwest flies to/from San Juan.

Yes I thought flights we be significantly more but we are southwest folks and I just priced out March this year from San Juan back to Omaha (home) and it isn't any more than our normal flights.

 

[katyringo]

Thanks all. We've cruised before- not just Disney and don't have passports. But I'll admit I think it's a good idea and since we are looking at spring 2025 we have plenty of time and might as well just get them.

 

[dina444444]

Thanks all. We've cruised before- not just Disney and don't have passports. But I'll admit I think it's a good idea and since we are looking at spring 2025 we have plenty of time and might as well just get them.

Getting your first passport usually requires more paperwork and documents to be submitted. I would get started on it sooner rather than later.

 

[robinb]

PR is exempt from the PVSA itinerary requirements, but that is different from the WHTI. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does not mention any exception for cruises to/from Puerto Rico. It's my understanding is that the only exception allowing adults to travel with just a birth certificate plus ID is on a closed-loop cruise.

I realize that DCL's site says otherwise. I honestly don't trust that. One may fly from a US city to PR without a passport because it is a territory. But again that's different from the WHTI requirements for cruises.

This is exactly what I thought too, but the DCL website is correct.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks all. We've cruised before- not just Disney and don't have passports. But I'll admit I think it's a good idea and since we are looking at spring 2025 we have plenty of time and might as well just get them.

IMHO this is the best idea. It opens up the world - literally - for travel opportunities.

 

[JM_97]

Not necessarily. Southwest flies to/from San Juan.

Good to know. I am spoiled as I've always lived in a drivable distance to Port Canaveral and Miami.

 

[RoseColored97]

That is incredible that passports are not necessary for this type of cruise, even when stopping at international ports. I have a passport but the rest of the family does not (of course we could get them, but this makes things easy). This is really great news and opens up options for us that I did not know existed.

 

[JM_97]

That is incredible that passports are not necessary for this type of cruise, even when stopping at international ports. I have a passport but the rest of the family does not (of course we could get them, but this makes things easy). This is really great news and opens up options for us that I did not know existed.

Yes since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, you can get by without one. Having one gives you a safety net should something go wrong, but you can get around it if you provide a driver's license AND a birth certificate when you board the ship.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are on that cruise, and also on one in May, 2024. We really enjoy spending time in Puerto Rico!