Is A Passport Needed For An Alaskan Cruise?

Alaskan cruises typically require all passengers to carry a valid passport, with closed-loop cruises starting and ending at the same U.S. port not requiring a passport. U.S. citizens without a passport can use an official U.S. birth certificate and government-issued photo ID for identification. Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and visa for international travel on Alaskan cruises.

The answer to whether you need a passport to cruise to Alaska depends on where you are departing from and returning to. All guests must carry a valid passport (valid at least 6 months from the departure date from the U.S.), and if necessary, a multiple entry visa is required. Alaska, Hawaii, and New England are all U.S. destinations, so any closed-loop routes departing from these locations will not require a passport. However, having a passport for an Alaskan cruise is recommended by every cruise line and the U.S. State Department, as it simplifies the process of getting home and provides additional benefits.

For closed-loop cruises that start and end in the same U.S. port, a passport is not strictly required. Passport requirements vary depending on the itinerary, but all cruise lines and WMPH Vacations highly recommend carrying a valid passport. If a U.S. citizen takes a cruise that begins and ends in the same US port (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles), they don’t need a passport.

Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of the U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the U.S. by air, land, or sea. American citizens can get by with a passport card for Alaskan cruises, but they cannot fly to or from Vancouver if only having a passport is provided.