What Documents Are Needed To Board A Cruise Ship?

To board a Royal Caribbean cruise, guests must present an accepted form of identification and travel documents based on their nationality and country of citizenship. These documents include identification, boarding passes, health forms, and visas. Non-U.S. citizens must also provide appropriate documentation at embarkation day.

Cruise documents are a set of paperwork that guests in the same stateroom must fill out prior to their cruise. They come in paper and require an accepted form of identification based on their nationality and country of citizenship. An U.S. citizen under 16 can present either an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate, a passport, or official government document that permits boarding a ship going to any foreign nation.

Guests must bring their physical Permanent Resident Card, which must be original and valid for at least six months after the cruise. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel.

For cruises sailing from one U.S port to a different U.S port, guests are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel. Other necessary documents include passports, visas, proof of vaccination, cruise rules, regulations, and restrictions, as well as passenger limits.

At check-in, all passengers must present valid passports or other acceptable proof of citizenship.


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What documents are needed to board a cruise ship royal caribbean
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Can you board a cruise without a passport?

As luck would have it, you’ve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. Don’t let your lack of a passport stop you. Consider a cruise. If you take closed loop cruises (meaning your trip begins and ends at a U.S. port), you can sail to a variety of dreamy destinations as a U.S. citizen without a passport.

For “closed-loop” cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide:

  • A boarding pass
  • A government photo I.D. if 16 years of age or older
  • And a certified birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization

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.

A stop in Victoria, British Columbia offers a whole new set of adventures. Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. When you arrive back in Seattle or San Francisco, take time to explore those cities for even more vacation fun.

Documents needed for cruise Royal Caribbean
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What do non US citizens need for cruises?

Domestic Cruises Non-U.S. Citizens are required to carry a valid, unexpired passport and a Multiple Entry Visa, if applicable. In addition, guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements.

Carnival requires guests to provide proper travel documentation in order to travel. The documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest.Our policy states that any guest traveling without proper documentation will be denied boarding the ship and will be under full penalty, and therefore, will not be offered a refund or a replacement cruise. Guests must contactthe appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements.Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

On occasion, Non-U.S. Citizens may be asked to surrender their passport at time of check-in.It will be returned upon completion of the immigration inspection at the time of debarkation.

Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least sixmonths beyond the completion of travel unless otherwise noted differently.

Royal caribbean closed-loop cruise passport requirements
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Do cruise ships ask for ID?

For cruises to Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada / New England, Caribbean or Mexico- U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to have either a valid passport*, a U.S. passport card, a trusted traveler card (such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver’s License (which is available in several different states and provinces). However, if the cruise to these destinations departs from and returns round-trip to the same U.S. port (“closed-loop” cruises), U.S. citizens may instead provide an originalgovernment-issuedbirth certificate or certified copy (with raised seal)issued by the Department of Vital Statisticsplus, if age 16 and over, a government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver’s license).NOTE: Hospital-issued birth certificates and baptismal certificates are not acceptable.

For cruises to Hawaii– If the cruise starts and ends in Hawaii and never sails beyond the Hawaiian islands, U.S citizens only need a government-issued photo I.D. such as a passport* or valid driver’s license with photo. For Hawaii cruises that begin, end in, or visit a non-U.S. port, the requirements are the same as for cruises to Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada / New England or Mexico (as explained in the preceding paragraph).

For all other cruises– All U.S. and Canadian citizens (including children) are required to have either a valid passport*, a U.S. passport card, a trusted traveler card (such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver’s License (which is available in several different states and provinces).

Royal Caribbean cruise visa requirements
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What documents do I need to cruise on Carnival?

  • Your paper or digital airline tickets, if you are flying to your cruise departure port
  • Your cruise documents
  • Your passport, an enhanced driver’s license or a government-issued birth certificate to show proof of citizenship (take photos of these documents in case of loss)
  • A certificate of vaccination (if required)
  • A medical insurance card and your medical history
  • Copies of your prescriptions and a list of all medications you’re taking

On the first day of your cruise, it may take a few hours for your luggage to be delivered to your stateroom, but you don’t have to wait to have fun. Stuff a carry-on backpack with essentials like your cell phone, wallet, bathing suit and sunglasses, and start swimming, sunning or exploring your ship immediately. When it’s time for shore excursions, pack this handy tote with everything you’ll need for the day and save space for a few souvenirs you’ll pick up along the way.

Chances are, you’ll enjoy every day of your cruise in perfect health, but it’s good to be prepared for small ailments that might pop up like a scratchy throat, a headache or a blister. Bring along a small toiletry bag packed with pain relievers, cough drops, allergy medicine, adhesive bandages, antacids, antiseptic wipes, antibacterial hand gel and seasickness remedies like pills, wrist bands, skin patches or ginger chews.

Royal Caribbean travel documents Hub
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What is required to travel on a cruise ship?

Documents needed for cruisers to board a ship. Identification. For most cruises, you’ll need a passport book that’s valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. In some cases, you can use a passport card instead of a passport book, but that will only work if you plan to reenter the U.S. via your ship from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean.

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What ID do you need to board a cruise ship?

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government …

Royal Caribbean cruise without passport
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What documents do I need to get off a cruise ship at port?

Things to Take When You Get Off In PortA bag for a few essential items. This doesn’t have to be a big bag, just enough for your bits and bobs.Cruise Card. … Access to money. … Passport or some form of Photo I.D. … Check the weather forecast and plan ahead! … Phone or Camera. … Pack plenty of essential medication.

In this post, we are going to learn about going ashore in the ports.

Sometimes I get so excited about going on a cruise and everything happening on the ship, I forget to think about what happens when we get to port. It’s quite a big part!

We are going to look at everything you need – and how to save money. There may be a few things included that you hadn’t thought of:

Royal Caribbean ID requirements for minors
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What documents do I need to get off a cruise ship at a port?

Cruise Card. You will need this to get on and off the ship.

In this post, we are going to learn about going ashore in the ports.

Sometimes I get so excited about going on a cruise and everything happening on the ship, I forget to think about what happens when we get to port. It’s quite a big part!

We are going to look at everything you need – and how to save money. There may be a few things included that you hadn’t thought of:

When are Royal Caribbean cruise documents available
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Do they check passports on cruises?

Passport control is an important part of the cruising experience and it’s something that all passengers must go through. This process is designed to ensure that everyone on board has valid travel documents and is legally allowed to be in the country they intend to visit.

Passport Control Process Before Boarding. Before you embark on your cruise, your documentation will be processed at check-in, much like at an airport. Upon arrival, the port may seem bustling with excited travellers and staff, but rest assured, the procedure is usually well-coordinated with designated time slots assigned to different passengers to streamline the process.

When your allocated check-in time arrives, make sure you have your cruise documents and passport readily available for a smooth check-in experience. It’s helpful to keep these items together in a travel wallet or an easily accessible pocket. The ship’s officers will verify each passenger’s identification against an official database to ensure legal travel status, similar to procedures when entering a foreign country. This step is crucial for maintaining security and compliance.

For added security, your photograph will be taken, and you’ll receive a cruise card. This card is essential for boarding, accessing your room, and other onboard activities. It also serves as your onboard wallet, allowing you to make purchases and access various ship amenities. Ensure you keep this card safe and handy during your journey.

Royal Caribbean entry requirements
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Do I need a visa to get off a cruise ship?

One thing to bear in mind: you should have a valid visa for all ports of call that require them, even if you do not plan to disembark. Emergencies either yours or the ship’s could force a situation that would make a visa unexpectedly necessary.

Here are some countries that require a travel visa for U.S. citizens on cruises.

  • Australia Cruise Visas
  • Bahrain Cruise Visas
  • China Cruise Visas
  • Egypt Cruise Visas
  • Ghana Cruise Visas
  • India Cruise Visas
  • Indonesia Cruise Visas
  • Jordan Cruise Visas
  • Kenya Cruise Visas
  • Myanmar (Burma) Cruise Visas
  • Papua New Guinea Cruise Visas
  • Qatar Cruise Visas
  • Sri Lanka Cruise Visas
  • Tanzania Cruise Visas
Carnival Cruise
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Do I need an ESTA for a cruise?

For US Sailings:Non-US Citizens will require a passport valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends and the necessary visa for entry into the United States. On Transatlantic and Transpacific sailings European and Chinese guests will require ESTA (Europe) and EVUS (China). ESTAs are mandatory for everyone travelling to the US. You must apply for an ESTA no later than 72 hours before departing for the United States. Real-time approvals are not available and arriving at the airport without a previously approved ESTA will likely result in being denied boarding.;

  • For cruises departing Australia calling into only Australian ports, Australian citizens require either a valid passport or government issued pictured and laminated ID card to be used as identification. Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Children under 16 years of age, who do not have a passport or Photo ID, must have a copy of their birth certificate or their parents Medicare Card.
  • For all other nationalities, a passport (plus visa if needed in Australia) is required.
Which cruise ports require a passport?
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Which cruise ports require a passport?

Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Barts, and Trinidad and Tobago all require U.S. citizens to present a valid passport to disembark and enter the country, despite WHTI regulations not requiring a passport for these destinations.


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What Documents Are Needed To Board A Cruise Ship
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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  • We cover our luggage tags with packing tape to make it stronger. I also use blue painters tape to put our room number on the outside of our luggage and I write our room number and name, sailing date, ship etc on a piece of paper inside our luggage! I know it’s overkill but I always hear the lost luggage announcements! lol! Also, one time we had a new girl checking us in and she was confused why my last name wasn’t the same as my birth certificate! Luckily I packed my marriage license, haha! You just never know, so we always bring it.

  • We always travel with the passports, as you can’t fly out with a birth certificate outside the US. We have passport cards as well, but once again this too will not get you out of all foreign countries. We also print duplicates of all our cruise documents. sounds crazy, but we had to actually prove we had requested anytime dining on Carnival one time, as this was incorrect on our sign and sail cards, and the only proof I had for them to change it was on our cruise paperwork.

  • Small first aid kit (has paid off at least three times with kids on the cruise), small sewing kit (button or quick stitch), baseball cap (bad hair day or work out), Wet Ones for quick clean up while flying or at port, charging brick in cables for small electronics like phone or action cams, hydra-flask, and back pack for carry-on with one change of clothes and light travel jacket.

  • Our passports expired, too, so we completed the renewal process (we mailed everything in first week of July); we received our passports 12 weeks later. Just FYI. Great idea to photograph documents with your phone. We take pictures of the front and back of our credit cards—just in case. Excited for you guys!