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Got a few free days and looking to go on a trip, but don’t have a passport? If you passport has expired, or you never got a passport in the first place, you are still able to visit several foreign countries as a U.S. citizen. There are many different types of cruises that cater to a variety of age groups. One type of cruise that has gained popularity in recent years is the closed loop cruise. These types of cruises are usually shorter in length, lasting only a few days to a week. Because of their popularity, there are now a number of different age limits for closed loop cruises.
Children Under the Age of 16
This is a great cruise for people who want to experience a lot of different cultures and see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. If you are considering booking a cruise, be sure to ask about closed loop options to see if they are available for your desired destination. If you travel to any of these countries without a passport, however, it’s a good idea to take your valid forms of ID with you when you walk around the port in case you encounter any problems. Rather, you’ll see terms like “return trip cruise” or “two-way cruises.” Check each itinerary very closely. An incredibly popular cruise line, Royal Caribbean departs from 14 ports across the US.
Chesapeake Bay Sailboat Adventure near Williamsburg, VA in Yorktown
For purposes of this conversation, that port is in the United States (even though the term “closed loop cruise” could be used to describe a cruise that starts and ends in the same city in another country). If you’re 16 or older, you will also need a valid government-issued driver’s license or picture ID that contains your photo, name and date of birth. Discover the rocky coasts of New England and eastern Canada on a closed loop cruise from Boston or New York City.
Do I Need a Passport on a Closed Loop Cruise?
But if you’re looking for an incredible Alaskan experience, head out west to Seattle and catch a trip to The Last Frontier with HAL. Every voyage on a ship that’s not U.S. flagged, departing from and returning to a U.S. port must, according to maritime law, visit one foreign port of call. This is why you’ll find Alaska cruises stopping in Vancouver, or Western Caribbean cruises calling in at Cancun. However, there are some cruises that have a minimum age of 21 years old. The reason for this age limit is because closed loop cruises usually involve alcohol and other adult activities. Therefore, it is important that all passengers on a closed loop cruise are of legal drinking age.
As a result, the process is much more straightforward if you are traveling internationally via cruise ship and are staying in one place for a long period. Different documentation is acceptable for minors under 16, including an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. Voter registration cards and Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. As a U.S. citizen, you can take advantage of the convenience of what’s called a closed-loop cruise—with no passport required. However, there are some cruises that allow passengers who are 65 years old or older to participate. The reason for this age limit is because most closed loop cruises are geared towards a younger crowd.
Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise? - NerdWallet
Do You Need a Passport for a Bahamas Cruise?.
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The main cruise port options with itineraries sailing there are from Port Canaveral, Manhattan, Port Everglades, Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans, Cape Liberty, Galveston, or Tampa. A valid passport from your nation of residence is required if you’re not a U.S. citizen or a LPR of the United States of America. The second acceptable piece of identification must be a government-issued ID with your photo, full name, and date of birth. As we’ve mentioned above, a closed loop cruise is a cruise that departs from and returns to the same port in the United States.
Cape Liberty to Bermuda
Discover ancient temples and architecture, sample classic Mexican cuisine, sunbathe on amazing beaches and partake in endless outdoor adventures. If your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port -- for example, sailing roundtrip Miami to Miami -- then you are embarking on what is considered a closed loop cruise, according to the WHTI. If you begin your cruise in one U.S. port (e.g. San Diego) and end your cruise in a different U.S. port (say, Fort Lauderdale), it will not count as a closed loop.
U.S. citizens on closed loop cruises have two options for providing documentation to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean for sea border crossings at the end of their trip. They can present a passport, passport card or Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) and only need to show one document. For U.S. citizens, a passport is not required to take a closed loop sailing (though it's always recommended, especially when visiting foreign ports of call). It's worth noting that select ports of call -- like the island of Martinique -- require a passport to enter, so it's always best to check with your travel agent, a cruise line representative or the U.S.
Closed-Loop Cruises: Popular Port Cities from the United States
Set sail on a catamaran trip at sunset, or join a pub crawl of Hamilton’s bars after dark. One of the most unique things to do in Bermuda is to sample a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, the powerful local specialty made of dark rum with ginger beer and a slice of lime. There’s plenty to do, from snorkeling to golf, exploring the shops and galleries in Hamilton, the pastel-hued capital, and visiting the island’s forts. Hike the historic Railway Trail, consisting of 18 miles of scenic pathway following the course of an old railroad line.
Whereas a Real ID is available in all states, it cannot be used to cross borders like an EDL or passport. A cruise that departs from one port and arrives/ends at a separate port of call is known as an “Open-Jaw Cruise.” Sometimes they’re referred to as “Open Loop” or “Repositioning” cruises. Disney Cruise Line has a very similar 3-day or 4-day itinerary, usually departing from Port Canaveral, which is on Florida’s Space Coast near Cape Canaveral. It leaves, returns to Port Canaveral, and stops at Disney’s Castaway Cay island and Nassau in between. Are you planning a closed-loop cruise and wondering whether or not you need a passport?
Closed loop cruises have “closed” itineraries, meaning that they start and end in the same U.S. port. On the way, however you may visit some other destinations, whether within the United States or in other countries. All closed loop cruises are round-trip cruises from the same port in the United States. Closed-loop cruises are those in which the ship embarks and returns to the same port.
Some of the best closed loop cruises around the world include those that depart from Boston, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. A closet loop cruise is a type of cruise that visits different ports on a closed loop itinerary. An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. However, an EDL is only accepted at land and sea border crossings, not for air travel. It’s not great for traveling with kids but if you’re adults, it’s a wonderful option. There are quite a few port options if you want to travel to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
It’s also important to mention that as an ID, driver’s licenses are only accepted at land border crossings and sea border crossings, not airports for international destinations. You can also only use a valid driver’s license to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. However, valid identification to board the ship is required; you must also show that identification upon reentry to the US. These kinds of one-way cruises require all passengers to have a valid passport. So, for example, you can board a cruise ship in Miami, Florida, stop at least one foreign port in places like Mexico, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, and return to the port of Miami afterwards. As a U.S. citizen, you will not need a valid passport to leave and re-enter the United States this way.
Always check to see the latest details of the requirements before you book your cruise, while you await your cruise, and about four weeks before your cruise to make sure you’re good to go. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a comprehensive list and details the criteria for taking a cruise without a passport, including what constitutes a government-issued photo ID. While these ocean trips on the high seas require a passport, you can access many more countries. Most of the itinerary options are on bigger ships with 1,500+ passengers. One of the major benefits of closed-loop voyages is that the US Customs and Border Patrol has determined that.
Blessed with near-perpetual sunshine and stunning beaches, the Bahamas are one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations. As a Caribbean island nation, it’s an excellent place to visit without a passport on closed loop cruises. Departure ports include Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville, Miami and other southeastern U.S. cities. However, if the cruise stops at foreign ports, you may need a passport to enter those countries. Additionally, some cruise lines may require a passport as a form of identification for boarding, even if it is not technically needed for the itinerary.
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