Do you need a passport
to go on a cruise?

April 7, 2025

Cruises are an accessible and family-friendly travel option that are only growing in popularity. It's not hard to see why: The convenience, range of activities, and all-inclusive nature make them an obvious choice for a stress-free, relaxing, and fun-filled vacation. They're a great option for low-hassle international travel that often allows you to see multiple countries all in one trip. Frequent cruise-takers often find themselves choosing longer itineraries with multiple destinations. Multi-generational travel has also become popular with entire families—grandparents, parents and children—as cruises offer activities that cater to everyone's interests.

That being said, international travel usually implies that you're going to need to pack your passport. Many cruise passengers are unsure about whether or not they need a passport to set sail. Some might try to choose itineraries that don't require passports, only to find they need documentation to disembark the ship and enjoy all the many activities and excursions offered at foreign cruise ports. 

In many cases, a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID will work, but documents such as these can limit your options and could possibly leave you stranded if an emergency were to occur on your cruise. Having a valid passport would allow you to remedy an emergency situation and also give you the flexibility to take advantage of last-minute shore excursions. 

If you're embarking on the high seas, here's when you need a passport on a cruise and when you don't.

Cruises that don’t require a passport.

If you’re a United States citizen going on what's called a “closed-loop” cruise, then your trip may not require a passport.

What is a closed-loop cruise?

A closed-loop cruise fits the following criteria: They're a round-trip sailing that departs and returns to the same port within the United States. These types of cruises don't usually leave the western hemisphere; and they are limited to traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or nations in the Caribbean.

So the answer to the most commonly asked questions—do you need a passport to go on a cruise to Mexico? Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to the Bahamas?—is no, as long as you're traveling on a closed-loop cruise. These types of cruises are popular among many U.S. travelers who don't have passports since other forms of identification can be used, such as an enhanced driver's license or a birth certificate along with a government-issued photo ID. Another additional feature many closed-loop cruises offer is more days at sea which gives passengers extra time to take advantage and enjoy the ships’ amenities and entertainment.

Closed-loop cruise examples

Many of the itineraries offered by major cruise lines fall under this definition of closed-loop cruises. For example, they might leave from popular Florida ports such as Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale and set sail for Caribbean islands, like the Bahamas or Barbados, before returning home to the same port in Florida. Or they may leave from San Diego for the Mexican Riviera—including hotspots like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas—before sailing back to San Diego to disembark.

Documents needed for closed-loop cruises

As mentioned before, in the absence of a passport you only need to present two documents: a government-issued photo ID, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (in states where those are available), and some proof of citizenship, such as an original or copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, or a certificate of naturalization to start your closed-loop cruise adventure.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a complete list of required documentation. It's always best to double-check that your travel documents are compliant before you start your journey to avoid any disappointment. As mentioned earlier, for peace of mind, it is also a good idea to have your passport readily available and accessible for any unforeseen circumstances that may occur on your trip.

When do you need a passport for a cruise?

If your cruise is a one-way excursion and embarks or disembarks from foreign ports, including those in Canada or Mexico, you’ll need your U.S. passport. The same goes for international cruises embarking and disembarking from different U.S. ports. Passports can also be required if you decide to participate in on-shore excursions.

So if you have to cross a land or sea border into a foreign country, plan on bringing your passport. And if you're planning on any onward air travel after your cruise, you'll of course need your passport for any further land or air border crossings.

Even for closed-loop cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port, it is still recommended to bring your passport as it provides an extra layer of security just in case there is an emergency, for example, a medical situation, or if you miss the ship’s departure from a port of call. Additionally, some cruise lines are making it mandatory for passengers to have their passports regardless of itinerary, so be sure to check their documentation requirements before you start your journey.

Is it safe to go on a cruise without a passport?

While it is possible to set sail without a passport on the right kind of cruise, there is a certain amount of risk involved in doing so. While alternative documents may be sufficient to use for some destinations, having your passport will give you an extra layer of security and flexibility, especially if an emergency situation occurs and requires you to fly home from a foreign port.

Unforseen circumstances.

If you have to cut your trip short for any unforeseen circumstances—such as bad weather, a health emergency, or family emergency—only a passport will allow you to quickly fly back to the US from a foreign port. If you only have a photo ID and a government-issued birth certificate, the process to get home will take much more time and effort, and will likely require you to get a temporary U.S. passport.

Getting a temporary passport.

There is also no way of controlling the processing time of your temporary passport, meaning you may be stranded for longer than anticipated. Generally, the process of getting a temporary passport can take several days and requires you to visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate with various documents such as proof of citizenship and identity; and in some cases a police report if your passport was stolen. And even if you're on a closed-loop cruise, you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting if you plan to go ashore.

It is for these reasons that most major cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean, urge travelers to carry a valid passport, even if one isn't strictly required on certain cruise itineraries. Travel always involves some degree of uncertainty, and being stuck in a foreign country or port without a valid passport is a situation you always want to avoid. Some people elect to get travel insurance to help in these types of situations, however, many travel insurance policies require passengers to have valid passports to be eligible for certain types of coverage along with emergency assistance. Additionally, some ports may conduct random document checks even if you don't plan to disembark—and without proper documentation, you could run into unwanted complications or be denied the ability to continue your journey.

Do kids need passports for cruises?

Cruises are family-friendly for good reason, and many parents decide to bring their kids on board for their first international travel excursion. Just keep in mind that the same rules apply to minors as they do to adults. While you can board a closed-loop cruise with kids who do not yet have a passport, you still need to bring along the relevant valid documentation, including an official birth certificate issued by the Vital Records Department from the state where the child was born—short-form certificates issued by the hospital are not sufficient.

It's also possible to apply for a passport card for your kids, rather than a full passport. These are a great alternative to passports and are cheaper when it comes to processing fees. A benefit is that they are similar to a driver’s license and conveniently easy to carry which is ideal for closed-looped cruises. However, keep in mind they have a much more limited functionality. So when considering this option, think about where you are travelling to and decide which option works best for you and your child. Passport cards are also great options because they enable U.S. citizens to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries by land or sea.

However, neither kids nor adults can use a U.S. passport card for international air travel. If you're worried about getting stranded in a foreign country with kids who do not have passports, then it's probably best to stick to a domestic trip, such as a cruise to Alaska, until you have passports for your whole family.

Do you need a visa for a cruise?

For many cruises, like closed-loop cruises, a visa isn’t required. But just like with passports, this varies by country and port. While you can generally assume you won’t need a visa if you're staying in the US, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean, it would still be wise to check with your cruise company, especially if your cruise is in Europe or outside of the western hemisphere. For example, in some countries like Russia and China cruise passengers almost always have to have a visa, even if you are only stopping for a day.

Some countries allow the cruise line to handle visas upon arrival in port, while in other cases your cruise line will only advise that you might need one. If you are still concerned, check the visa requirements on the official government websites for the countries you’ll be visiting.

Always travel well-informed with CIBTvisas

If you know you’re going to need a passport for your cruise, or just want one so you’re prepared for potential emergencies, CIBTvisas can help guide you through the application process. 

Our team of expert immigration and visa professionals submit all of the required documentation on your behalf, greatly minimizing the length of time needed to process your passport and ensuring all documents are correctly filled out and submitted. Contact CIBTvisas for a quote today.