Table Of Content
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. Like with any international trip, however, you must understand the documentation requirements ahead of time; you don't want to be denied boarding! In short, the requirements for a passport when traveling to The Bahamas vary depending on whether you're traveling via cruise ship or plan on an extended land-based stay on one of the many islands. An Enhanced Driver’s License, which is a state-issued driver’s license that delivers individuality evidence and U.S. nationality. A government-issued birth certificate or passport can also verify the identity of a person while traveling on a cruise.
Popular Cruise Lines Offering Close Looped Cruises
The 6 Best Cruise Ships in the Bahamas: A Comparison - Cruise Critic
The 6 Best Cruise Ships in the Bahamas: A Comparison.
Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You can choose to book an excursion to visit one of Orlando's theme parks, relax on the nearby Cocoa Beach, take a tour of the Kennedy Space Station, or remain onboard. Even if you're careful to return to the ship on time, you never know when a mechanical issue will force passengers to disembark in a foreign port. If you happen to get stranded abroad, you will need a valid passport. If your itinerary includes a call in a port that requires a passport, you’ll need to bring your passport on your cruise vacation. U.S. citizens can use alternatives like an Enhanced Driver’s License or a birth certificate coupled with a government-issued photo I.D. U.S. citizens sailing on a closed-loop cruise departing and returning to the same U.S. port don’t need a passport to cruise to the Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean
All of these can be compliant with WHTI’s guidelines if booked correctly. Another exotic continuous loop cruise includes Hawaii and Polynesia. Just south of the Equator, Polynesia and year-round warm temperatures and gentle Pacific breezes.
Do You Need a Passport for a Closed-loop Cruise?
If you are an LPR, you’ll need your I-551, or Green Card, to re-enter the U.S. LPR, you’ll need a passport regardless of whether you’re on a closed-loop cruise or not. An enhanced driver’s license is a low-cost travel document that indicates both your identity and citizenship.
The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise - Cruise Critic
The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you already have a passport or a passport card, you are free to use any one of those items as a form of identification. However, in the instance of closed-loop cruises, United States residents are permitted to depart or enter the nation so long as they provide confirmation that they are a citizen. The Bahamas offers a range of activities to enjoy during your cruise.
FRUITS OF THE SEA
(US River Cruise ships are an exception to the foreign-flagged generalization.) These destinations are usually contiguous United States territories such as Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean islands. Note, however, that this does not necessarily mean that the countries on your itinerary, especially in the Caribbean, won’t still require you to have a passport to enter. If that’s the case, your cruise line might already require you to have a passport to board the ship—even if U.S. Whether it’s a Baja California cruise from San Diego or L.A., or a cruise to Cozumel from the East Coast, Mexico is a great closed loop cruise destination. Discover ancient temples and architecture, sample classic Mexican cuisine, sunbathe on amazing beaches and partake in endless outdoor adventures. Discover the rocky coasts of New England and eastern Canada on a closed loop cruise from Boston or New York City.
Explore beautiful spots spread across Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, and drink in the natural beauty only Hawaii delivers. On this exciting trip, you can deep sea fish for marlin, explore forest caves and waterfalls, soak up the sun on a black-sand beach and attend a traditional luau. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach and Honolulu.
Precautions to Keep in Mind Traveling Outside the United States Without a Passport
If you’re looking for a Bahamas cruise, you’ll want to be aware of the documentation requirements for your trip. If you board in Miami, make a few ports of call, sail through the Panama Canal and end in San Diego, you’ll need to bring your passport. There are occasions when you’ll need to bring your passport for a cruise.
Sign Up for Special Offers
The State Department encourages having one "in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port," according to its website. She tried once before to study abroad but was dissuaded by long wait times, and traveling internationally for fun wasn’t on her radar. You’ll find live music all over the ship late into the night, whether you want to dance, listen to jazz, or attend a Broadway-quality show in the Theatre. Each itinerary features one to two more “formal” nights that we call Evening Chic.
The Jones Act and Passenger Vessel Services Act were established over 100 years ago in 1886. These two acts of maritime law restrict cruise ships that are NOT U.S.-built, owned, and documented. The only restrictions are that the cruise ship must remain within the Western Hemisphere and return to the same cruise port they departed from. The WHTI introduced the concept of a ‘closed-loop cruise’ as a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. This type of sailing was granted special documentation requirements to simplify travel.
However, there is often a west coast cruise itinerary each year, like from San Diego. While it’s true that you don’t need a passport for most US closed-loop cruises, you must present two forms of ID to board a closed-loop cruise ship. Without geographic restrictions, ships with an open itinerary can travel farther and often stop at more ports. This may also entail visiting places that other cruises would not have the time or ability to visit, such as more exotic locations. There are some real advantages for travelers booking a closed-loop cruise. Because these cruises start and end at the same port, those flying in to board their ship can easily book round-trip flights.
As mentioned earlier, the cost will be higher, which is something you need to account for in your overall vacation budget. You could visit Bimini or Freeport instead of a private island, though. They have restaurants, bars, and shops for you to enjoy during your stay on board. From a space for you to breathe fresh air by yourself to your medication, everything is present on a cruise, providing you with the utmost enjoyment and safety of the tour.
Bringing a passport on your Bahamas cruise is a safety net, giving you peace of mind during your trip. 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. Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.
Ships cannot depart Fort Lauderdale and return to Miami, even though both ports are in Florida. For those who have a longing to escape to a tropical destination or attend an exciting Alaskan adventure yet don’t have a valid passport, you may want to consider a closed-loop cruise. U.S. citizens can take advantage of closed-loop cruises where passports are not required. State-issued enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. They provide travelers with a low-cost, convenient alternative for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive.
Just let them know you want a ‘Closed-Loop Cruise,’ and they will find what you need. However, only partial world cruises can be considered “closed-loop.” This is due to the restriction that the itinerary must be exclusively in the Western Hemisphere. The Mexican Riviera cruise season is year-round, with the winter months of December to April considered peak season. Alaska cruises depart from Vancouver or Seattle, as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, only Seattle and San Francisco qualify as closed-loop cruises within the WHTI guidelines.
No comments:
Post a Comment