Table Of Content
- Can you take a cruise out of the country without a passport?
- Explore North to Alaska
- The Legal Backdrop: Cruising with Confidence
- Budgeting: Set Sail Without Sinking Your Wallet
- Day Alaska Round-trip Seattle: Hubbard Glacier, Skagway & Juneau
- What Documentation Do You Need for a Cruise if You Don’t Have a Passport?

The cruises must be “closed-loop,” meaning they begin and end at the same U.S. port. A one-way cruise that boards in a U.S. port and disembarks in a different U.S. port does not qualify. (Your cruise line should provide that information when you book your trip.) It’s still a good idea to bring your passport on a cruise if it’s up to date, but if it’s not, we’ve got you covered. Here are eight destinations that you can cruise to without a passport (and don’t forget to renew your passport so you’ll always be ready to travel). Mainstream cruise lines operate numerous cruises along the U.S. and Canadian coasts that don't require passports.
Can you take a cruise out of the country without a passport?
If you had a passport, you could just leave the cruise during its next stop and hop on a flight from the nearest airport. However, you always need a passport to fly internationally, so if you don’t have one, you’d be out of luck. Let’s remember that just because you can do something doesn’t always mean that you should. For some travelers, trying to cruise without a passport just isn’t worth it.
Explore North to Alaska
Most Caribbean islands participate in the WHTI, but it's always best to check the details specific to the ports of call included in your itinerary. Don't forget that islands such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are U.S. territories, so visits never require passports for U.S. citizens. If you're interested in cruising to Alaska without a passport, look for itineraries that begin (and end) in Seattle, San Francisco or southern California ports, such as Los Angeles or Long Beach, California. The most common length for these closed-loop Alaska cruises operated by the major cruise lines is seven nights.
The Legal Backdrop: Cruising with Confidence
The birth certificate must be the original or a certified copy with the raised seal. If you’re not familiar with a passport card, it’s a government-issued I.D. A passport card is different than a passport book, the multi-page booklets that customs officials stamp as you enter a country. U.S. citizens booked on those sailings can leave and enter the country with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and – if 16 or older – a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. However, a passport card is only a valid form of identification for a closed-loop cruise.

Celebrity Cruises’ 12-night New Orleans & the Caribbean cruise departs from and returns to Tampa after stops in New Orleans, Key West, and Honduras as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel. Princess Cruises offers a seven-day Mexican Riviera with La Paz voyage that includes Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and La Paz. Florida’s ports of Miami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale), and Port Canaveral (about an hour east of Orlando) offer the majority of closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas.
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Day Alaska Round-trip Seattle: Hubbard Glacier, Skagway & Juneau
In general, US citizens are allowed to sail on closed loop cruises that depart from and return to a port in the United States. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, so it’s important to check with your travel advisor prior to booking your cruise. Some Caribbean islands such as St. Martin, Haiti, Guadeloupe and Barbados still have rules that require that visitors carry passports. Citizens, including green-card holders and lawful permanent residents.
Other Caribbean islands
As the sun sets, find yourself mesmerized by the bioluminescent bays or the rhythms of bomba and salsa. It’s a place where the Old World romances the new, and your cruise ship grants you a front-row seat to the spectacle. From the famed Atlantis Resort to the natural wonder of the Exuma Cays, there’s never a dull moment. Water sports, duty-free shopping, and yes, those adorable swimming pigs, are all part of the Bahamian voyage. Proximity to the U.S. allows for a whirlwind adventure even for the time-pressed traveler.
What Documentation Do You Need for a Cruise if You Don’t Have a Passport?
While you won’t need a passport, it’s imperative to ensure your other documents are in order. Starting and ending in Seattle or San Francisco, an Alaskan cruise takes you to charming waterfront cities and villages like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. In Alaska, also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, you can see spectacular, icy glaciers by boat or seaplane, watch for whales and try your hand at dog sledding. I’m Bobby Pham, but you can call me “Bobby on Cruise.” I’ve been cruising the high seas and exploring the world for years, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with you. Did you know the tranquil and thrilling Pacific awaits you, even without a passport?
How do I know if I can sail without a passport?
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Carry an original or a certified copy of your birth certificate and a photo ID, like a driver’s license. Remember, for children under 16, the birth certificate alone will do. Depart from the Californian cities of San Francisco, San Diego or Long Beach for a quick but memorable cruise to the Baja Peninsula in northern Mexico. Along the way, stop by Catalina Island for a day packed full of outdoor enjoyment. Kayak in and out of secret coves, zip line through the trees or try parasailing.
However, American Cruise Lines’ Southeast Alaska cruise boards in Juneau and returns to the same port after visiting Glacier Bay and several Alaskan towns. Holly Riddle is a freelance travel, food, and lifestyle journalist who also dabbles in ghostwriting and fiction. Her work appears in publications ranging from Global Traveler to Golf Magazine, Mashed to Forbes, and Bloomberg.
This guide will debunk myths and introduce you to sun-kissed destinations just a short journey away. No-passport cruises are particularly beneficial for domestic travelers keen on exploring the U.S.’s scenic beauty, from the majestic glaciers of Alaska to the vibrant cultures of the Caribbean. They’re also a godsend for family travel — because we all know getting passports for the whole gang can be as fun as a sunburn.
For travelers without a passport, there’s an option to embark on a round-trip cruise from Florida that avoids making port in Colombia, adhering to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. With historical sites like St. Peter’s Church and the National Museum of Bermuda, you can delve deep into the island’s rich past while enjoying its present-day beauty and cultural offerings. When cruising to Bermuda, you’re not just visiting an island; you’re stepping into a blend of history, luxury, and natural splendor. These cruises typically meander along California’s stunning coastline, allowing you to experience the iconic beauty of places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Up north, Seattle, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon serve as scenic ports, each with its own charm. Even though a US passport is not required to take a cruise to Jamaica.
A great way to cruise without a passport is to stay away from the oceans. Try exploring the Columbia River, Snake River, or the mighty Mississippi. I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! There are also several cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Holland America, and Princess cruises, that also offer East Coast routes, so you can compare their rates to get a great deal.
This cruise guarantees a vacation filled with remarkable memories and breathtaking sights. Such cruises are a boon for those looking to take a break from the ordinary, offering a getaway that’s both accessible and extraordinary. The key lies in the simplicity of the process – less paperwork, and more enjoyment. If you’d rather go north than south, there’s nothing quite like a cruise to Alaska.
With warm weather all year long, many love a summer break or a getaway from the cold winter weather. Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her. Opponents argue that the chance of you missing the ship is low, and it’s more likely that your passport will get lost or stolen while you’re exploring in port.
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