Going on a cruise is a wonderful vacation experience that you
will never forget. One of the great things about most cruises is that
nearly everything is taken care of; there is no need to worry about
anything. Still, cruise travel can be quite different from normal travel
and certain things need to be taken into consideration. One common
cruise question is, "Do you need passports for cruises?"
The best indicator of the necessity of passports for a cruise is whether or not the cruise is international. In short, passports are needed for international travel and are not needed for domestic travel. Passports are never mandatory for domestic travel, but passport laws can vary for different types of international travel.
First, it is important to stay up to date on passport law. As of June 1st, 2009, passports are required for all border countries. This is applicable to air, land and sea travel. However, there are different laws that relate specifically to cruise ships.
Obviously, passports are required for any cruise that has an international final destination. This also applies to all border countries. For example, a passport would be necessary for a one-way cruise from Miami to Cancun, although round-trip cruises have different laws.
Additionally, any cruise that starts in another country would require the use of a passport. This should be pretty obvious because a cruise starting in another country often requires international air travel. There are never exceptions for the need of a passport when it comes to air travel. Passports are also now required for all border crossings, so a passport is necessary for any cruise departing from an international port.
Currently, many cruise lines offer what are called "closed loop voyages." Usually, a closed loop voyage refers to a cruise that starts and ends in the same port. However, in terms of the legal implications, a closed loop voyage can refer to any cruise that starts and ends in the same country. Closed loop voyages have a unique set of passport laws.
Passports are generally not required for closed loop cruises. In place of passports for cruises deemed closed loop, adult passengers are only required to bring a valid driver's license and birth certificate. Closed loop voyage passport and document exemption laws only pertain to travel from a U.S port to ports in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, and select Caribbean Islands. Anyone unsure of the passport requirements for closed loop cruises to certain Caribbean Islands should consult with the cruise company, their travel agency or the State Department website. Anyone that has a passport would be wise to bring it along just in case.
The best indicator of the necessity of passports for a cruise is whether or not the cruise is international. In short, passports are needed for international travel and are not needed for domestic travel. Passports are never mandatory for domestic travel, but passport laws can vary for different types of international travel.
First, it is important to stay up to date on passport law. As of June 1st, 2009, passports are required for all border countries. This is applicable to air, land and sea travel. However, there are different laws that relate specifically to cruise ships.
Obviously, passports are required for any cruise that has an international final destination. This also applies to all border countries. For example, a passport would be necessary for a one-way cruise from Miami to Cancun, although round-trip cruises have different laws.
Additionally, any cruise that starts in another country would require the use of a passport. This should be pretty obvious because a cruise starting in another country often requires international air travel. There are never exceptions for the need of a passport when it comes to air travel. Passports are also now required for all border crossings, so a passport is necessary for any cruise departing from an international port.
Currently, many cruise lines offer what are called "closed loop voyages." Usually, a closed loop voyage refers to a cruise that starts and ends in the same port. However, in terms of the legal implications, a closed loop voyage can refer to any cruise that starts and ends in the same country. Closed loop voyages have a unique set of passport laws.
Passports are generally not required for closed loop cruises. In place of passports for cruises deemed closed loop, adult passengers are only required to bring a valid driver's license and birth certificate. Closed loop voyage passport and document exemption laws only pertain to travel from a U.S port to ports in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, and select Caribbean Islands. Anyone unsure of the passport requirements for closed loop cruises to certain Caribbean Islands should consult with the cruise company, their travel agency or the State Department website. Anyone that has a passport would be wise to bring it along just in case.
It is important to stay current on any passport law changes. Expedited passports
for cruises to border countries or certain Caribbean Islands were not
always necessary but under the new laws, with the exception of closed
loops, people without passports
could be denied access. It certainly would not be any fun to be stuck
on the boat, so it is always best to be informed and prepared.
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