carnival cruises without passport

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

8 Cruise Destinations That Don’t Require a Passport

No passport? No problem — here are cruises you can take without a passport.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruising is back after a few years of rough seas, figuratively speaking. Cruise lines worked behind the scenes during the pandemic, planning for their return to the world’s waterways. New ships , creative amenities, engaging shore excursions, a wide range of itineraries, and meticulous health protocols are now attracting first-time cruisers as well as long-time cruise fans. From mega-ships to smaller expedition vessels, there’s a voyage for every type of traveler. 

If you’ve been thinking about a cruise — perhaps you received an invitation from a friend to join an upcoming trip, or you noticed a last-minute cruise bargain — you’ll want to make sure you have all of your travel documents ready to go. If your passport has been gathering dust for the last two years, it may be expired. Does that mean you won’t be able to take the cruise? Not necessarily — here’s what you need to know about taking a cruise without a passport. 

You can cruise to quite a few destinations without a passport, as long as you have proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID. A variety of documents are accepted as proof of citizenship, including a state-certified U.S. birth certificate. A complete list is provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and their recent publication also explains the requirements for taking a cruise without a passport. Note that enhanced driver’s licenses are issued in very few states at this time, so it’s important not to assume that yours qualifies as identification and proof of citizenship.

The cruises must be “closed-loop,” meaning they begin and end at the same U.S. port. A one-way cruise that boards in a U.S. port and disembarks in a different U.S. port does not qualify. While you may leave and enter the United States on a closed-loop cruise with the required identification and proof of citizenship, you should be aware that some countries on your itinerary may require a passport. (Your cruise line should provide that information when you book your trip.) It’s still a good idea to bring your passport on a cruise if it’s up to date, but if it’s not, we’ve got you covered. Here are eight destinations that you can cruise to without a passport (and don’t forget to renew your passport so you’ll always be ready to travel).  

Places to Cruise Without a Passport

The good news is that you can cruise to quite a few popular destinations without a passport, including Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean , Canada, and New England. Just be sure that your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port, and double check your identification and proof of citizenship documents.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The majority of closed-loop cruises to Alaska originate and return to Seattle. However, American Cruise Lines ’ Southeast Alaska cruise boards in Juneau and returns to the same port after visiting Glacier Bay and several Alaskan towns.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a seven-day cruise from Seattle aboard Norwegian Bliss with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, and Victoria before returning to Seattle. Holland America Line ’s seven-day Alaskan Explorer departs from Seattle and cruises the Puget Sound and Stephens Passage.

Courtesy of Disney

Florida’s ports of Miami, Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale), and Port Canaveral (about an hour east of Orlando) offer the majority of closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas. In addition to those departure ports, Carnival Cruise Line sails to the Bahamas from Florida ports in Jacksonville and Tampa, while Royal Caribbean has departures from Tampa, Baltimore, Cape Liberty, New Jersey, and Galveston, Texas.

Disney Cruise Line offers a three-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral aboard the spectacular Disney Wish with a day in Nassau and a day at Disney Castaway Cay before returning to Port Canaveral.

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Closed-loop cruises to Mexico depart from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Galveston. From East Coast ports, cruise ships visit the Yucatan Peninsula’s Costa Maya and the island of Cozumel in the Caribbean Sea. From West Coast ports, destinations along the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez include Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Manzanillo, Loreto, La Paz, Guaymas, and Topolobampo.

Celebrity Cruises ’ 12-night New Orleans & the Caribbean cruise departs from and returns to Tampa after stops in New Orleans, Key West, and Honduras as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel. Princess Cruises offers a seven-day Mexican Riviera with La Paz voyage that includes Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and La Paz.

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Located 570 miles east of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is a convenient cruise destination from the East Coast ports of New York City, Baltimore, Charleston, Boston, Port Canaveral, Miami, and Norfolk, Virginia. 

Carnival ’s six-day Bermuda from Norfolk cruise spends two days at sea and three days in Bermuda. Bermuda Bliss, a seven-day Oceana cruise from New York City, visits Hamilton and St. George in Bermuda and includes two days at sea.

The Hawaiian islands are about 3,700 miles from the West Coast, so cruises from the mainland to Hawaii and back involve four or five days at sea in each direction. Closed-loop cruises depart from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego. There are also cruises that originate in Honolulu and tour the other islands. 

Princess Cruises' 16-day Hawaiian Islands voyage from San Francisco visits Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui before five days at sea and a stop in Ensenada on the return to San Francisco. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a seven-day Hawaii inter-island cruise that boards in Honolulu and visits Maui, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island, and Kauai before returning to Honolulu.

The Caribbean

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Departure ports for closed-loop Caribbean cruises include Tampa, Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Baltimore, New Orleans, and New York City. Cruises also depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Regent Seven Seas features the Wonders in the Caribbean cruise that departs from Miami with stops in the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Key West. Royal Caribbean ’s seven-night Southern Caribbean Holiday cruise embarks in San Juan and visits Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, St. Vincent, and St. Maarten.

Canada and New England

Canada and New England are typically grouped together on itineraries that originate in Boston, New York City, and Cape Liberty, New Jersey. 

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a seven-day Canada & New England cruise from New York City with visits to Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, before a day at sea and a return to New York City. 

Related Articles

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

6 Places to Cruise Without a Passport

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

1. Alaska-Canada

2. the bahamas, 4. u.s. northeast-canada, 5. other caribbean islands, book smart: get travel insurance, can you cruise without a passport.

If you thought you needed a passport to head overseas on every single trip, think again. Those long waits for passport applications or renewals , even if you finally secured an in-person appointment , aren't needed for some cruise vacations. 

The secret: closed-loop cruises. These are cruises that depart from a U.S. port, visit other countries, then return to a U.S. port of entry.

Instead of a passport, passengers will need to carry a valid U.S. driver’s license and proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization should suffice). Here are six cruises that don’t require a passport.

Wait a minute, you’re thinking. Alaska is a U.S. state. True, but Alaskan cruises can sometimes make stops in parts of British Columbia, like Victoria. If so, you can still visit as long as the cruise you take begins and ends in the U.S. 

Alaska is a popular vacation destination for its majestic scenery, glacier-filled landscape and outdoor adventures from dog-sledding to helicopter rides over the mountains. Seeing this part of the country by ship is one of the most convenient and beautiful ways to get around.

You can also find Alaskan cruises that start and end in Vancouver, British Columbia, which don't technically qualify as passportless cruises unless you cross the border from the U.S. into Canada by land using two pieces of approved government identification: an enhanced driver’s license (currently available to residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state only) and a U.S. birth certificate.

With those two approved documents and traveling overland into Canada, it is possible to do a one-way cruise starting or ending in Vancouver as an American without a passport. Note that flying across the border would require a passport, however.

Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas, for example, departs from Vancouver and disembarks in Seward, Alaska.

The Bahamas is a Caribbean nation of islands and a popular cruise destination. Because of its proximity to the U.S., there are often shorter three-night cruises from Florida that make it easy to snag a good deal on a whim. Plus, it qualifies as an option for cruises without passports.

For many people without or in between passport applications, it can be disappointing to have to ignore last-minute deals . That’s no longer the case when you take advantage of cruises you can go on without a passport.

There's excellent shopping, dining and water sports activities in many ports like Nassau and Freeport. Another popular option is buying a day pass to mega resorts like Baha Mar and Atlantis , both of which welcome cruise visitors for the day.

Three-day cruises aboard Carnival Conquest depart Miami for the Bahamas, but return back to Miami. This means U.S. passengers don't need a passport for this closed-loop sailing.

Cruises to Bermuda are almost always closed-loop sailings from a U.S. port, save for a few transatlantic trips. This means you can visit the British territory without the worry of having a valid passport.

Bermuda has beautiful golf courses, historic forts and excellent dining. Many cruises overnight here to give passengers time to get out and explore. 

There are sailings aboard Celebrity Cruise Line's Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Eclipse that don't require passports as they depart a U.S. port, travel to Bermuda for a few nights, then return to a U.S. port.

If you’re looking for culture and history in the northeast, cruises that depart New England for parts of Canada are a great option.

Closed-loop cruises that depart and end in the U.S. negate the need for a passport (despite stops in Canadian ports), and like Alaskan cruises, one-way sailings remain an option if you choose to drive across the U.S.-Canada border and hold an enhanced driver’s license to cross.

From urban destinations like Boston and Halifax to picturesque destinations like Bar Harbor, Maine, and Saint John, New Brunswick, cruises like these trade palm trees and sunscreen for evergreens and rain jackets. This itinerary on Celebrity's Celebrity Summit ship doesn't require a passport because of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

» Learn more: Your guide to the U.S.-Canada border crossing

There are a lot of options when it comes to visiting Caribbean islands.

U.S. cruise ports line the coastline including places like:

Fort Lauderdale.

Port Canaveral.

Galveston, Texas.

Mobile, Alabama. 

New Orleans.

As long as your cruise departs and returns to a U.S. port, you won’t need to bring a passport.

Various cruises that depart locations like these visit several islands in the region, including:

Grand Cayman.

St. Maarten.

Aside from water sports and outdoor adventure, you can visit markets, explore historic sites, meander through the town center on some islands and discover what makes the Caribbean a diverse region.

If you are wary about taking advantage of this benefit (perhaps some people in your party have a passport and others don’t), consider a cruise to U.S. island territories instead. These include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John). Traveling by plane or ship to these island paradise destinations is considered a domestic trip. 

Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

You can find cruises from either U.S. coast to Mexico with its glittering beaches, historic landmarks and incredible cuisine.

As long as the ship you are taking departs and returns to a U.S. port, these are some of the cruises that don’t require a passport. Passport-free, you can visit ports like:

Cabo San Lucas.

Puerto Vallarta. 

This four-night departure aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas makes a visit to Cozumel before returning back to Texas.

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

Before you embark on any sort of trip, consider travel insurance, which can protect your nonrefundable deposit in case something derails your plans. Purchasing cruise travel insurance or booking your trip with a credit card that includes coverage can also mitigate the risks of travel emergencies.

Some travel cards also offer cruise benefits, so it can be a smart money move to book your trip with a card that offers these perks along with travel insurance. Here are some cards that offer cruise and travel insurance perks:

on Chase's website

on Bank of America's website

on American Express' website

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

• Get 25% more value out of your points when you book cruises through Chase.

• Book with your card to get automatic travel protections for your cruise.

• Redeem miles as a statement credit to cover spending on cruises.

• Book with your card to get automatic travel insurance coverage for your cruise.

• Earn 2x points on travel spending, including cruises and some ship excursions.

• Book with your card to get trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage and other travel assistance services.

• Get American Express Cruise Privileges Program benefits when you book at least five nights with eligible cruise lines.

• Cruise program benefits include $300 credit redeemable toward dining and spa services plus amenities like wine, chocolates and champagne.

Terms apply.

There are many more credit cards that offer travel insurance so if you're thinking about relying on a card to protect your cruise, it can be a good step to get familiarized with your options so the your trip is covered.

You can also purchase a standalone travel insurance policy if you feel that the protections provided by the card aren't sufficient. Either way, being aware of your options can bring some peace of mind, and not having to bring a passport to one of these destinations can make going on the trip even simpler.

Yes, there are several cruises without passport requirements that you can book. This is welcome news for those whose passports may have expired, for families who want to opt out of buying short-term passports for children , or haven't had a chance to renew their passport. 

However, it is preferable to have a passport with you (in the event you need medical care and have to stay in the country, for example). Being aware of your travel insurance options can also be a smart money move. Also check if the credit card you already have offers travel insurance or consider getting a card that includes this coverage for free.

A cruise is an easy way to visit many new places without having to unpack and pack again. When you discover a place you want to return to, you can plan another trip, perhaps with a new passport in hand.

AMERICAN EXPRESS DISCLAIMERS

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises

When Chanel Sims graduated college, her mom rewarded her achievement by treating her daughter to a trip with Carnival Cruise Line .

But the July 2022 sailing – shortly after her graduation in May – didn’t leave Sims much time to get a key travel document: her passport.

Sims, now 24, had never gotten one. She tried once before to study abroad but was dissuaded by long wait times , and traveling internationally for fun wasn’t on her radar.

“I was a broke college student. I wasn’t going anywhere,” said Sims, who lives in Los Angeles and works for a life insurance agency.

Luckily for her, there was an alternative: She sailed with her family from Miami to the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and back with just her photo ID and birth certificate.

In many cases, travelers can sail without a passport on round-trip voyages from the U.S. Here’s what to know.

What is a closed-loop cruise?

Closed-loop cruises are those that start and end at the same U.S. port and travel within the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. citizens booked on those sailings can leave and enter the country with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and – if 16 or older – a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection .

They can also use an enhanced driver’s license , which denotes both proofs of identity and citizenship, though those are available only in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington for now. Travelers can reenter the country from Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico with an EDL, but the documents are valid for border crossings only by sea or land.

Travelers under 16 can show an “original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State, (DOS) and/or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),” according to Customs and Border Protection’s website.

Cruise lines may require you to have a passport anyway, however.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, for example, requires passports for all voyages no matter the ports of call or countries visited, and destinations may call for them as well.

Carnival, which Sims sailed with, allows U.S. citizens to sail without a passport on qualifying cruises but "highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel," according to its website .

How do I know if I can sail without a passport?

Cruise lines typically provide guidance for travelers on the requirements of their sailing, according to Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of travel agency franchise Dream Vacations. A travel adviser can also help fill in any blanks.

Cruising without a passport can be risky, though. 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 .

If travelers get stuck at a port of call, there will be “a lot of red tape you have to get through” to make it home without one, Daly said.

In those cases, they should contact the U.S. Embassy and local immigration authorities, he said. Daly also recommended taking a photo of your government IDs, which can be helpful backups when dealing with officials.

A travel adviser can hold travelers’ hands through the process, though Daly noted “it’s not something that happens a lot.”

Sims, for her part, was able to easily get off the ship at ports like Nassau with just her Sail & Sign card, she said, which acts as both a room key and means of charging items to your onboard account. After showing her birth certificate and photo ID during the initial boarding process, she kept them in a suitcase.

There are other advantages to having a passport. For instance, the document gives travelers who don't board their cruise in time more flexibility to meet the ship at its next stop. “You can’t fly to Mexico without a passport,” Daly said.

Routine processing of passports currently takes between 10 and 13 weeks, and seven to nine weeks for expedited service, according to the State Department . But most travelers who book with Dream Vacations plan their cruises at least six months out, according to Daly, which should give them plenty of time to get one: “So, we still highly encourage that.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected] .

Cruises Without Passport: Planning Your Closed Loop Cruise

Imagine embarking on a fantastic voyage where you can discover new places, savor delicious cuisine, and enjoy thrilling activities, all without worrying about passport hassles. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, we've got all the information you need.

In this blog, we'll uncover the magic of passport-free cruising, where you can explore enchanting destinations close to home. We'll also delve into the ins and outs of boarding a cruise ship without a passport so you can plan your next vacation with confidence.

Closed-Loop Cruises

What is Closed Loop Cruising?

Closed-loop cruising, or roundtrip cruising is a type of cruise where your journey starts and ends at the same port, making it a convenient choice for travelers looking to cruise without a passport. You can depart from major cruise cities like Miami, Los Angeles, or New York City. Exploring various destinations throughout the cruise. The key differentiator is returning to your starting point, saving you the trouble of bringing passports, one-way flights, and complex travel plans. 

Can I Cruise Without a Passport?

Yes, you can cruise without a passport with closed-loop cruises, which start and end at the same port. On closed-loop cruises, you can use a passport card, enhanced driver's license, or other accepted forms of identification for your journey. While a passport is often the safest and most versatile travel document, it's possible to enjoy a cruise without one if you plan accordingly and stick to closed-loop itineraries.

The Benefits and Limitations of Traveling Without a Passport

Benefit: Convenience

Cruises without a passport can be convenient for travelers on closed-loop itineraries, starting and ending at the same U.S. port. If you don’t have a valid passport, closed-loop cruises allow you to cruise with other government-issued IDs, saving you the stress of acquiring a valid passport. It's particularly advantageous for domestic travelers and those who want to avoid the potential hassles of passport-related issues during their cruise. However, travelers should check their specific cruise line's policies and be aware that if they plan to visit foreign ports during the cruise, a passport may still be required. Having a passport is generally recommended for international travel and emergencies.

Limitation: Emergencies

In some emergency situations, your cruise may have to stop in a foreign port. Without a passport, this can be a serious problem as you may need a passport to be able to return home. This could mean having to apply for a passport and receive it while out of the country, which can be very complicated.

Limitation: Inconsistent Entry Requirements and Rules

Each cruise line has its own rules and regulations for closed-loop cruises. If you don't know the specific rules for the cruise you are taking, it can cause complications on your cruise with what ports you're allowed to visit. Depending on your cruise, you may not be allowed to visit some of the ports without a passport due to the risk of an emergency where you do not have the proper legal documents. Be sure to look into your specific cruise before booking to make sure you know what the specifications are for your trip.

How to Go on a Closed Loop Cruise

Necessary Documents and Legal Information

For U.S. citizens, one of the most significant legal considerations is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Under WHTI, U.S. citizens have the privilege of traveling on closed-loop cruises to destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, instead of a passport.

This flexibility can be a convenient option for travelers, as it simplifies the documentation process and may save both time and money.  Double-check the specific requirements for your chosen cruise destination, as regulations can vary depending on the itinerary. Being well-prepared with the right documents ensures you can set sail on your closed-loop cruise adventure with confidence and peace of mind.

Travel Insurance Requirements/Recommendations

While closed-loop cruises may allow U.S. citizens to travel with proof of citizenship like a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, having comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended, as it provides essential coverage for unforeseen events.

Travel insurance safeguards you against disruptions such as trip cancellations or delays due to unexpected circumstances like severe weather or medical emergencies, ensuring you don't bear the financial burden. Additionally, travel insurance is indispensable for covering unexpected medical expenses while at sea or in foreign ports, offering peace of mind in case of illness, injury, or emergency evacuations. In essence, it's your safety net, ensuring your cruise remains a memorable and worry-free experience, even when traveling without a passport.

TravelGuard has great travel insurance offerings. With many different insurance plans, they are flexible to fit the plan for your cruise vacation and help with any mishaps or emergencies that may occur along the way.

What to Bring on a Cruise if You Don’t Have a Passport?

When cruising without a passport, be sure to bring other forms of government-issued identification, as required by your cruise line. Remember your travel insurance, your cruise reservation documents, and any shore excursion details. In addition to your travel documents, we recommend bringing comfortable clothing, swimwear, toiletries, and any necessary medications. 

Cruise Lines Offering Closed-Loop Cruises

Various cruise lines allow travel without a passport. Below is a list of some of the most popular cruise lines that offer passport-free cruising.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers closed-loop cruises to places like Mexico, Canada, and the US. Royal Caribbean boasts world-class dining, incredible entertainment, and family friendly amenities. Their entertainment facilities include theatre productions, live ice skating performances, water shows, casinos, nightclubs, and music bars. To entertain the kids, they have bumper cars, kids clubs, waterslides, and much more.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line offers many different closed-loop cruises you can take without a passport. Carnival Cruises offers passport-free sailing to Alaska, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cozumel, New England, Canada, The Caribbean, Hawaii, and Baja, Mexico. Carnival Cruise Line is known for its lively, fun-filled atmosphere, appealing to a wide demographic with its affordable, family-friendly vacations. It offers a plethora of onboard activities ranging from water slides and pools to diverse dining options and vibrant nightlife, making it popular for those seeking an energetic and entertaining cruise experience.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has many closed-loop cruise vacation options available and can be a great option when looking for passport-free cruises.Celebrity Cruises offers closed-loop cruises to the Mexican Riviera to many amazing locations like the Baja desert.

Celebrity Cruises emphasizes a modern luxury experience, combining sophisticated design, contemporary décor, and a focus on culinary excellence. The ships are elegantly designed with modern amenities and artistic touches. The line provides a diverse range of onboard entertainment options, including Broadway-style shows, live music, educational talks, cooking classes, wine tastings, and wellness programs. Known for their high level of customer service, Celebrity Cruises staff are attentive and provide personalized service to ensure a memorable experience for guests.

Celebrity Cruises is perfect for passport-free cruising, find the cruise you're looking for today!

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers great passport-free cruising. Voted to be the Best Hawaii Cruise Itinerary, the Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu to Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu.  Norwegian Cruise Line offers guests flexibility and freedom in dining times, seating arrangements, and attire, along with a wide range of entertainment options, including Broadway shows and water parks. The line also features a variety of cabin types, from solo traveller studios to luxurious suites, catering to diverse traveller needs.

Cruise Destinations to Explore Without a Passport

Below is a list of some of the locations you can visit on a closed-loop cruise. 

Celebrity Cruises operates Caribbean cruises departing from Florida, most often out of Fort Lauderdale to places like St. Maarten, Barbados, St. Lucia, and other Caribbean islands. One of Celebrity's most innovative ships is the Celebrity Edge , which travels from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Mexican Riviera

Celebrity Cruises regularly offers closed-loop cruises from California ports like Long Beach to the Mexican Riviera destinations, including Cabo San Lucas and the Baja desert. The Mexican Riviera, a stunning stretch along Mexico's Pacific Coast, is famous for its diverse and scenic destinations. Cabo San Lucas is renowned for its beautiful beaches, water sports, and vibrant nightlife. The nearby Baja desert adds a contrasting landscape, offering unique adventures like desert safaris and exploration of its distinct flora and fauna, complementing the seaside allure of the Riviera.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers passport-free cruises within the Hawaiian islands. The Hawaiian Islands are a paradise of diverse landscapes and cultures, with Honolulu on Oahu famed for its vibrant city life and iconic Waikiki Beach, while the Big Island is known for its volcanic landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Kauai, the "Garden Isle," mesmerizes with its lush greenery and dramatic cliffs, Maui is celebrated for its luxury resorts and Humpback whale watching, and Oahu blends history with natural beauty, home to the historic Pearl Harbor and the famed North Shore surfing beaches.

There are great cruising opportunities from Cape Liberty to Bermuda. You can take a  trip as short as 3 days and 2 nights on board to Bermuda, an idyllic island in the North Atlantic. Bermuda is renowned for its unique pink-sand beaches and a rich maritime history reflected in its well-preserved colonial architecture and the historic town of St. George. Its crystal-clear blue waters, extensive coral reef system, and numerous shipwrecks make it a premier destination for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the vibrant marine life.

Can I Take a Royal Caribbean Cruise Without a Passport?

Yes, you can often take a Royal Caribbean cruise without a passport if you are a U.S. citizen. Royal Caribbean, like many other cruise lines, offers closed-loop cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port while visiting specific nearby countries.

Note that entry requirements and policies can change, so we recommend verifying the specific documentation requirements with Royal Caribbean or consulting with your travel agent before booking your cruise.

Can I Go on a Cruise to the Bahamas Without a Passport?

Yes, you can cruise to the Bahamas without a passport, as long as your voyage starts and ends at the same U.S. port with a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. However, it's advisable to check the specific policies of your cruise line, as some might require a passport, regardless. Remember that if an emergency arises that requires you to fly back to the U.S., not having a passport will cause complications. Traveling with a valid passport is always recommended for convenience and unexpected situations. 

Explore the possibility of cruising to the Bahamas without a passport at JustCruises.com . Your tropical escape may be closer than you think!

Experience Cruises Without a Passport Today

Cruising without a passport opens up a world of possibilities. From the luxury of major cruise lines to the serene landscapes of your destination, every travel enthusiast can find something that fits their cruising needs. Remember to explore various cruise line options, understand the legalities, pack the required documents, and ensure you have suitable travel insurance.

The adventures in places like the Caribbean Sea and Glacier Bay are waiting for you. The question is, are you ready to plunge into a journey, even without a passport in hand? The world of no-passport cruises is waiting to be explored! Book a closed-loop cruise with Royal Caribbean and have the time of your life, passport-free.

Expert Author: Bruce Parkinson

Bruce has written about the travel industry for over three decades, focusing on ocean and river cruising in recent years. Currently Senior Editor for TravelPulse Canada, Bruce is also a travel communications consultant and contributor to the popular CruiseRadio.net.

On These Cruises, You Don’t Need a Passport

There are plenty of wonderful sailings you can take that don’t require a passport, including to foreign countries..

• Copy Link copied

Sail to Bermuda on a closed-loop cruise from the East Coast and a passport isn’t mandatory.

Courtesy of Unsplash

If you get the urge to cruise and your passport has expired , or you have made a last-minute decision to take the kids and they don’t have passports , you may be wondering, do I need a passport to go on a cruise? In select destinations, you do not need a passport to go on a cruise. Whether you should cruise without a passport is another matter (there are some risks that we’ll get into below).

To cruise without a passport, you need to stay in the Western Hemisphere and sail from the United States on a “closed-loop” itinerary , which means you leave from and come back to the same U.S. port. The rules for sea travel were established under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative . Cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada, New England, Mexico, Bermuda, and Hawai‘i all fit these criteria.

Keep in mind the “closed-loop” bit. If your ship is not returning to the same port—for instance, if you are eyeing a one-way Panama Canal sailing from Los Angeles to Miami—you do need a passport. You will also be limited on some Caribbean itineraries, as select islands such as St. Bart’s and Martinique do require a passport, which means your cruise line will require a passport before you board the ship.

If there is a passport requirement, each person needs to have one, including infants and toddlers.

All cruises everywhere else in the world that sail in destinations outside the United States require a passport.

What I.D. you’ll need instead of a passport

If you are on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends in the U.S. and visits Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, all you need to do is prove you are a U.S. citizen , and this applies to everyone in your party. Options here, in lieu of a passport, include an Enhanced Driver’s License , which is a state-issued driver’s license that provides proof of U.S. citizenship (currently available only to residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington); a government-issued birth certificate; or an official Certificate of Naturalization . Note that the birth certificate can’t be the cute one with the baby’s footprints issued by the hospital; it needs to be issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where the child was born.

If you are age 16 and up, and without a passport, you will also need to present a photo I.D. such as a state-issued I.D. or driver’s license. The photo I.D. must include your photo, name, and date of birth.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides a detailed description of the requirements . If you have any questions, check with your travel agent or cruise line. You don’t want to be turned away at the pier for lack of proper identification.

The risks of not bringing a passport on an international sailing

Even on closed-loop sailings in North America, cruise lines typically strongly recommend that you have a passport. The reason: While you’re in a Caribbean country, Canada, or Mexico, you could encounter issues if for any reason you need to cut your trip short and fly home. Passports are required to fly back to the U.S.

This point should be top-of-mind especially because of COVID-19 and any other medical emergency that would require the trip to be altered or a medical evacuation. You’ll also be glad you have a passport if you encounter other unforeseen circumstances such as a family emergency or a sailing cut short due to bad weather or technical issues.

If you don’t have a passport, you will also run into problems should you miss boarding your ship at the correct time and need to fly home or to the next port of call.

Passport cards, a form of government I.D. that is cheaper than a passport book, can get you on the ship but are valid for entering the USA by land and sea only. They don’t work for air travel.

Where you can cruise without a passport

You can cruise Alaska either on closed-loop sailings from Seattle that stop in Canada along the way, or fly to Alaska and take a cruise that remains within the state.

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

See a glacier calve, spot whales, and explore wilderness towns on “closed-loop” sailings from Seattle on lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line , Celebrity Cruises , Holland America Line , and Princess . The sailings visit Canada for a day, but no passport is required.

For small-ship fans, other options include sailings that do not leave Alaska, such as those of UnCruise Adventures , Lindblad Expeditions , and Alaska Native–owned Alaskan Dream Cruises .

Kick back on the beach at Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay in the Bahamas.

Photo by Peter Hansen/Unsplash

Quick three- to five-day hops to the Bahamas bring you to white-sand beaches and cruise lines’ private islands at an affordable price, with no passport required. If you are on a longer cruise that visits other Caribbean islands, you’ll want to check with your cruise line about any passport requirements.

Among the many options are Disney Cruise Line sailings from Port Canaveral (near Orlando) that visit Disney’s private island Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, and Miami that head to the extravagant waterpark at the line’s private island CocoCay. Virgin Voyages’ ships are limited to age 18 and up and bring you to Virgin’s classy Beach Club at Bimini. For a fancy small ship, check out sailings on the 298-passenger Evrima , the first yacht from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sailing to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.

Closed-loop cruises from New York City, Boston, Baltimore, and Port Canaveral from lines such as MSC Cruises , Norwegian , Celebrity , and Royal Caribbean head to the famous pink-sand beaches and golf courses of Bermuda. In October, Disney does sailings from New York that add the bonus of Halloween activities with special spooky movies and “ghoulish treats” for passengers of all ages. Other lines sailing to Bermuda on closed-loop itineraries include the foodie-focused upscale brand Oceania Cruises , also from New York.

Caribbean cruises to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico are a safe bet for those who don’t have a passport.

Photo by Ethan Jameson/Unsplash

Year-round Caribbean cruises are ideal vacations for sun-seekers looking for blue skies, powdery sand, and time spent relaxing under swaying palm trees. Round-trip itineraries that don’t require a passport embark from ports that include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa in Florida; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; and Galveston, Texas, on all the big ship lines, including Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships , the largest in the world.

You won’t run into any passport requirements on tried-and-true routes from U.S. ports such as those that visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John—which are all part of the United States. You can also fly in to embark on cruises from these destinations.

However, when looking at small ships and larger ships on more expansive routes, keep in mind some islands—including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Bart’s—do require a passport.

Head up the Eastern seaboard for dramatic shoreline views.

Photo by Julie Haider/Unsplash

New England and Canada

If your calling card is lobsters, rugged coastline, whale-spotting, colonial history, or fall colors, all are accessible on itineraries that sail round-trip from Boston, New York, and Bayonne, New Jersey, on lines that include Celebrity , Norwegian , and Royal Caribbean .

On one-way sailings, such as between Montreal and Boston on Holland America Line , you will need a passport to fly to or from Canada.

Get a view of Kaua‘i’s stunning landscapes from the vantage point of the sea on any number of Hawai‘i cruises.

Photo by Braden Jarvis/Unsplash

There are two ways to cruise to the volcanoes, tropical forests, whales, and surfing beaches of Hawai‘i without a passport. One is on a cruise where you fly in and spend your entire vacation in and around the islands. The other is a long slog, closed-loop sailing from a California port or Seattle, with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and several days at sea getting to and from Hawai‘i.

The only big ship line with the fly-in option is Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,186-passenger Pride of America , which is U.S.-flagged, a requirement for operating to and from a U.S. port without stopping in another country. (Foreign-flagged lines are not allowed to sail between U.S. ports without visiting another country under the Jones Act.) You can do a week on the ship from Honolulu and visit five Hawaiian Islands.

For a one-week small ship experience, book UnCruise Adventures , from Moloka‘i to the Big Island, stopping on the island of Lāna‘i and Maui. If cruising from California, with most sailings 14 nights or longer, your choices expand to such lines as Holland America , Celebrity , Viking Cruises , and Seabourn .

Sail down to Cabo from California.

Photo by Victor Hughes/Unsplash

No passport is required on western Caribbean closed-loop itineraries from the United States, offered by all the major cruise lines from Florida ports, New Orleans, Galveston, and elsewhere to places such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progresso. Belize and Honduras, which are sometimes included on these itineraries, also waive their passport requirements for cruise ship passengers.

You can also cruise to the Mexican Riviera—destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán—without a passport. These round-trip sailings typically embark from Los Angles, Long Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco. If your cruise also visits other countries, you may be required to have a passport on hand—usually the cruise lines will ask to see it but you likely won’t need it on shore. Lines doing the sailings include Princess , Holland America , Disney , Norwegian , Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean .

• Food & Drink
• How to Plan
• Shore Excursions
• Onboard Activities
• What to Expect

No Passport Needed: Tropical U.S. Destinations

By Carnival Cruise Line

No passport? No problem!

Looking for somewhere truly tropical that’s still part of the United States? While you’re probably thinking of Hawaii , there may be more options than you realize! Not only are these three islands warm all year, they also qualify as domestic travel. So no passport, no customs required—just fun in the sun!

Here are the top attractions you’ll find in our top three passport-free warm weather destinations:

Puerto Rico

In this tropical American territory, be sure to check out:

Did you know Puerto Rico has the only tropical rainforest in the United States? El Yunque is near San Juan, and it’s great for jungle exploration! Hiking trails, natural pools, and tropical animals are everywhere (like the coqui frog), but the crown jewel is La Coca Falls, once thought to be the fountain of youth.  

Puerto Rico is home to, not one, but two massive, 16 th -century Spanish forts. Castillo San Felipe del Morro at the tip of the city is the most famous and you can learn about its history in battles at the museum. Fort San Cristobal is the largest Spanish fortification in the Americas—plus it offers an incredible ocean view.

The food and drink

There’s no shortage of delicious eats in Puerto Rico—like traditional beef empanadillas (thicker empanadas). But you’ve gotta try a national favorite, “Mofongo.” It’s a mash of not-yet-sweet plantains, garlic, and pork rinds shaped into a ball and served in a broth with beef or even octopus. And if you like piña coladas, order the national cocktail with the island’s famous Bacardi rum.

In the “gateway to the Caribbean”, you’ll want to experience:

The beautiful bay

The gorgeous, crescent-shaped Magens Bay has the go-to beach and clear blue water that’s perfect for taking a tropical dip. For even better views, trek up Skyline Drive to the highest point on the island, where you can see the entire bay and neighboring islands on the horizon.

The underwater adventures 

Whether you prefer snorkeling or scuba diving, St. Thomas is the spot. The island reefs are home to sea turtles, manta rays, and parrot fish. But what makes it unique? Shipwrecks! Besides the beautiful coral reefs, fish make their home in the many submerged vessels of St. Thomas, so snorkel above them or dive down for a closer look.

Duty-free shopping

Who doesn’t love a good deal? St. Thomas is called the “duty-free shopping capital of the world,” so you’ve got to scope out the stores. Head to the many local shops in the downtown area of Charlotte Amalie to find jewelry, island rum, and crafts for souvenirs.

While part of Florida, this island is often called, “the Conch Republic,” and is actually a closer distance to Havana than Miami. It’s also a stop on mini cruises from Miami to Cozumel! Don’t miss:

Historic houses:

There’s a second “white house” in the U.S. and it’s in Key West. Really! The “Little White House” was frequented by President Harry S. Truman and he even issued official documents there. You can learn everything about the LWH’s history in the present-day museum. But a more popular Key West home belonged to the famous writer Ernest Hemingway and visitors will learn about his life, books, and his six-toed cats.

Smathers Beach:

Sun, surf, umbrellas, and food trucks—what more could you ask for? Key West’s largest public beach is lined with palms for a Caribbean feel and offers spectacular sunsets. Once you plop down in the sand, you won’t want to get up. But if you do and are feeling active, you can also rent kayaks.

Key lime pie:

These “keys” go together. In fact, Key limes are named for the Florida Keys! For the best pies? Visit Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe for perfectly tart, sweet treats. And the options go beyond pies to sauces and marinades, so you can kick up your cooking at home! 

Related articles

Check out the caribbean.

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-to/caribbean-cruises.aspx

Destinations US citizens can visit without a passport on major cruise lines

• Closed-loop sailings allow travelers to visit international destinations without a passport.
• Cruise companies like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity allow these sailings.
• Travelers can visit anywhere from the Caribbean to Canada with an ID and proof of citizenship.

Many Americans dream of faraway vacations — but a passport backlog may be holding them back, with wait times for a renewal of up to 13 weeks.

However, a lack of a passport doesn't mean you can't leave the mainland US. Travelers can visit US territories like the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands without a passport.

Or they can embark on a closed-loop cruise, which is a cruise that starts and finishes at the same US port. 

An international agreement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative allows US citizens to travel to destinations in the Western Hemisphere on cruises without a passport. In order to embark on a closed-loop cruise without a passport, the traveler must have a government-issued ID as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Many cruise lines offer closed-loop sailings, but not all. And if you're embarking on a closed-loop cruise, some companies, such as Celebrity Cruises , caution travelers that if a cruise doesn't go to plan and they need to return to the US by air, they'll need a passport to fly home. The same thing goes if a passenger misses their ship in one of the ports. 

Take a look at the cruise companies that offer closed-loop sailings and where you can go without a passport. 

Editor's note: Travelers should always check with the cruise company about closed-loop sailings before booking a trip. 

As long as your destination starts and ends in the same US port, you can board a Celebrity Cruise without a passport.

Source: Celebrity Cruises  

On a Celebrity ship, cruisers can head to the Bahamas.

Or visit popular Mexico destinations like Puerto Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.

Celebrity ships also sail to St. Thomas.

As well as St. Kitts.

Carnival Cruises is another popular cruise line that offers closed-loop sailings.

Source: Carnival  

On Carnival, cruisers can visit the Bahamas without a passport.

Or Carnival passengers can go on adventures in Cozumel and Baja, Mexico.

Another closed-loop cruise option is Royal Caribbean.

Source: Royal Caribbean  

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, travelers could head to Jamaica.

Cruisers could also visit a port in Puerto Rico.

Or explore Canadian destinations like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

This just scratches the surface of where travelers can adventure to without a passport. According to The Points Guy, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and American Cruise Lines also offer closed-loop cruises out of the US.

Source: The Points Guy

• Main content

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Answered: How to Cruise Without a Passport

There’s a major reason people love to take cruises. Yes, cruises are one of the best values for a vacation. And yes, the sun and the fun are huge draws.

But more than anything, people love to cruise because it’s easy. You just pack your bags, find your cabin, and then you’re whisked away to exotic ports while everything you could want on vacation is just a few steps away. What could be simpler?

Well, if you don’t have a passport, then it’s not always so easy.

Every cruise line has warnings that every passenger should travel with a valid passport. In fact, we also suggest that every cruise passenger have a passport.

But what many people don’t know is that in most cases you don’t have to have a passport to cruise.

That’s good news if you have a trip coming up and don’t already have one.

Why Many Cruise Passengers Want to Sail Without a Passport

Frankly, if you are only an occasional traveler, we can understand why you wouldn’t have a passport already nor be very eager to get one.

For one, new passports are somewhat expensive. A passport book costs $110, plus a $35 “execution” fee for adults. For kids, it is $80 plus a $35 fee.

So if you are taking a family of four on a trip for the first time and want to supply them all with passports, that’s more than $500 spent before you even set foot on a ship:

You can get a passport card (basically a fancy driver’s license) for only $30 ($15 for kids), plus the $35 fee. It’s cheaper, but not as versatile as a traditional passport.

For example, if something happens on your cruise and you need to fly back, the passport card does no good. It’s only valid for land and sea entries from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Of course, all of these options suppose that you have the time to get a new passport before your cruise. As you can see below, it can take several weeks before you can expect yours to arrive after ordering. Some people may simply not have enough time before their trip.

Processing times vary, but routine service is currently at 10-12 weeks , or roughly three months. Expedited process is available for a higher fee, but will still take 4-6 weeks.

Luckily, a little known law helps most people from having to deal with the time or expense of getting a new passport for their cruise.

Do I Need to Have a Passport to Cruise?

If you don’t want to sail with a passport, then you’re in luck. Most people don’t need one.

That’s because of something called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or WHTI for short. Put simply, this rule says that if you embark and debark from a cruise at the same port in the United States, then you can enter the U.S. using only a birth certificate and a driver’s license.

Here’s the official language:

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

(Note that kids under 16 can travel with just the birth certificate on closed-loop cruises. They don’t need the photo ID.)

Most cruises fall under this umbrella. So if you’re leaving from Miami, headed around the Caribbean for a week and then back to Miami, it’s considered a closed-loop cruise. For that, you only need ID and a birth certificate.

Why Suggest a Passport If You Don’t NEED It?

So if this is the case, why are the cruise lines — and Cruzely — so adamant about getting a passport in the first place?

There are a couple of reasons.

First, if anything were to happen that made you have to find alternate transport home, then you’d be in deep water without a passport. For example, if you had to fly home from a foreign port due to a family emergency, then you’d have trouble returning without a passport.

With the recent health crisis, this is more important than ever. While it’s not definite, it’s been seen that on some cruises, passengers that are positive for COVID have had to debark the ship. That means they have to find an alternate way home, such as flying.

Second, passports can make the debarkation process faster.  

Not all terminals have the technology yet, but many are switching over to automated passport screening. In the old way of doing things, you leave the ship and then have to wait in line for a Customs & Border Patrol agent to check your documents before letting you into the country.

With automated screening, you scan your passport, take a quick photo, and you’re on your way. Instead of waiting in a long line, the processing takes seconds. However, those with a birth certificate still have to wait in line and have their documents manually checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Do I Show My Birth Certificate or Passport? For the most part, you’ll keep your birth certificate locked away in your cabin safe or in your luggage as you travel. You’ll need to show it only when you check-in before you get on the ship and when you disembark at the end of your trip. Other that, you won’t likely show it anywhere else.

Do I Need to Bring My Birth Certificate Into Port? No, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring a copy of it with you, just in case (leave the original in the cabin safe). When you get off the ship in port, you don’t need your birth certificate to enter or leave.

You should bring a photo ID and your cabin keycard with you as they will be checked to make sure you are supposed to be on the ship when you return.

Do I Need a Passport or Birth Certificate if Cruising to Alaska? No, you don’t have to carry a passport to sail to Alaska. However, you do need some sort of citizenship proof, meaning either a passport or a birth certificate/ID. 

But why do you need that if you are cruising to Alaska, which is part of the United States?

Cruises on foreign-flagged ships (which almost all cruise ships are), must make a stop in a foreign port before returning to the United States. Thus, any trip to Alaska will have a stop in Canada included. Since you are leaving the country, you’ll need proof of citizenship to return home.

Are There Advantages to Using a Passport Instead of a Birth Certificate to Cruise? Yes. We discussed above how a passport gives you more flexibility if you need to return home in the middle of your cruise. While that’s rare, there is another advantage to having a passport: faster debarkation.

Today many cruise lines have switched to facial recognition to speed up debarking. You simply scan your passport, take a photo and then you are on your way off the ship. If you have a birth certificate, your documents will be manually checked and it takes much longer.

Our suggestion is to always sail with a passport that’s valid for at least six months after your cruise . But if that’s not possible, then you can sail with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

If there are any doubts, be sure to contact your cruise line well in advance of your trip. 

Related Articles:

• 10 Questions and Answers to Using a Birth Certificate to Cruise
• Do I Need a Passport for an Alaskan Cruise?

Cruise 101: Getting a Passport for Your Cruise

Popular: 39 useful things to pack (17 you wouldn't think of), read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, answered: do you need a passport for an alaskan cruise, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

I Made a Simple Booking Mistake… And it Cost Me My Entire Cruise (Don’t Do the Same)

25+ miami hotels near the cruise port with shuttles (free & paid), here’s when new cruise ships are worth the higher fares, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

11 Places To Go On A Cruise Without A Passport

Usually, there's only one major complication that stops the spontaneous traveler from dropping their immediate responsibilities and heading out on a trip at the drop of a hat, and that's the time and effort it takes to get or renew a passport. OK, so it's not terribly hard to get your passport sorted, but it can potentially take a good amount of time and be a drawn-out process in which the status of your passport is in the government's hands. There's no need to let the lack of a passport stop you from traveling, though, as there are a number of places you can go without one. If you're the kind of traveler that likes to do as little planning as possible, a cruise to one of these destinations just may be the thing to satisfy your travel bug.

Taking a cruise is arguably the most relaxing way to travel because you only need to worry about buying your ticket and getting on the ship. Making it on the ship, though, can be complicated if you don't have a valid passport, but it doesn't have to be. There are a number of destinations you are able to cruise to if you are without one, and we have the skinny on where you can go and the stipulations of getting there without typical travel documentation.

Before you book your cruise

If you are planning on booking a cruise without obtaining a passport, you should know a few things first. If you are a citizen traveling outside of the United States, it's highly recommended to have a passport even if your cruise doesn't require it because emergencies do arise and port plans on rare occasions do change. You can travel abroad on a cruise if the cruise in question is "closed"  or a "closed loop," meaning your beginning and ending ports are one and the same.

What you need instead of a passport, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection , is an enhanced driver's license or both your state-issued driver's license and your birth certificate. It's important to note that if you are bringing any minors under the age of 16 on vacation with you, they will still need a passport regardless if it is a closed cruise.

It's also important to check with your specific cruise line before you purchase any tickets and make sure that they do not require you to have a passport regardless of one not being absolutely needed by the governments touched by the cruise. Some cruise lines, like Windstar Cruises, always require passengers to have a valid passport. Also, make sure any documentation meets the cruise line's specifications, and the validity of some documents must extend for some time either before or after the cruise. For example, Windstar passengers' passports must be valid for six months after their return.

You likely know that you are able to travel to any of the 50 states without a passport, but a lot of people don't consider taking a cruise to one – especially one as chilly as Alaska. Traveling to the United States' most northern state via cruise comes with some complications compared to flying there, as you must make sure to select the correct route when traveling without a valid passport.

To make sure you are able to get on the ship without a hitch, you must make sure your trip does not depart or end in Canada. While many cruises destined for Alaska will require a passport because they port in Canada, you can find cruises that are closed in the United States. Princess is one of the most popular cruise company options for an Alaskan cruise and they have closed cruises from Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

While Alaska may not be the first place you consider when picking a cruise destination, you shouldn't count the state out. The entire state is practically a natural wonder with gorgeous mountains, clear waters, and front-row seats to the aurora borealis . A cruise is one of the most affordable ways to see the large area that is Alaska and it is a trip you won't soon forget.

As the only other non-contiguous state of America, it would only make sense that you would consider a trip to Hawaii in the same thought as Alaska. Unlike Alaska, though, Hawaii has the warm and tropical atmosphere that most people connect to a luxury cruise. Even though Hawaii is one of the most tropical places in the United States and is quite expensive to visit, a cruise to the islands of Hawaii is a lot more affordable than flying in, not to mention the amount of planning that goes into visiting Hawaii without a cruise can get pretty intense.

Hawaii is made up of eight major islands and a number of smaller ones, making it a big endeavor to thoroughly see even a few of them with one trip. Taking a cruise through the islands is a great way to take it all in over the course of two weeks or so. Practicality aside, Hawaii should not be treated as just another state to visit. Though it is a state and was officially brought into the United States as one in 1959, Hawaii remains the home of the Kanaka Maoli and visitors should show the utmost respect to the land, waters, and people of Hawaii. If you decide to cruise to the beautiful islands of Hawaii, be sure to make it a learning experience and honor the culture there.

New England

While not the tropical paradise of some of the other destinations on this list, swapping sandy beaches for rocky ones and cruising in New England actually makes for a pretty interesting vacation as well. Traveling north rather than south will result in a totally different trip, but it's a perfect option for people who want to take a cruise without a passport and want a different experience than a beach vacation.

New England is made up of the northeastern states of Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire — it's a large area of the U.S. that was settled by England when the United States was being formed as the country we know today. The group of states still honor the part they played in America's birth and a trip up north will be somewhat heavy in influence from early American history.

A lot of popular New England cruises will also incorporate Canada, but you can find cruises that both depart and return in the same U.S. port that focuses on the northeastern part of the United States. These cruises will allow a more in-depth look at this part of the country and, as there is a lot to see, they would be ideal for travelers specifically interested in seeing certain spots in Cape Cod or along the Hudson River.

It's possible to cruise the length of the United States' western coast. And as long as the route doesn't bleed over into Canada, there is no need to bring along a passport. These cruises are a great option for travelers taking a cruise for the very first time and for people who have always wanted a taste of California and the west coast but don't know quite where to start. Cruises along the west coast tend to be shorter, and the vast majority of the cruise spends its time along the coast of California, seeing as the long state makes up a substantial portion of the entire coast itself.

While California is beautiful and offers some awe-inspiring ocean views with sandy beaches, Seattle, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon also act as cruise ports and have plenty to offer travelers. Both these ports are interesting to explore, Seattle obviously being a desirable city for coffee lovers and market goers, while Astoria is a smaller city you may recognize from the film "The Goonies," making it ripe for adventure.

Cruises along the west coast offer somewhat of a unique opportunity to those local to a port, as just a couple hundred dollars and a free weekend can result in a mini vacation that is perfect for spontaneous travelers — particularly those without a passport. Of course, longer cruises are available and if you have a free week you can explore the west coast in full via cruise ship.

Panama Canal

There are a few ways to do a cruise of the Panama Canal, but if you're planning on traveling without a passport, you're limited to only one option. You will need to begin and end in Florida and do a circular route that avoids making port in Columbia. Other routes will begin and end on either coast of the United States, which is a full trip of the Panama Canal, but will require a passport due to it not falling in line with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which is the travel agreement between the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean meant to strengthen borders and make traveling easier. For this same reason, routes that make use of a South American port will need a passport as well.

Once you find a cruise that allows you to travel to the Panama Canal via cruise ship, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to go there. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the modern world thanks to the technicality and impressive nature of its design. A cruise to the Panama Canal is an adventure that is akin to traveling to a different world, with the route full of lush rainforest and wildlife, both of which are sights you absolutely don't want to miss out on.

As a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, you do not need a passport to cruise into Canada. Typically, cruises that take you to Canada will include some stops in the northeast of the United States, and it's important to know how to make the transition between the two countries — they may be neighbors but they do have cultural and atmospheric differences, including a potential language barrier in certain parts of Canada, where many people speak French. 

Canada is a touch larger than the United States, which means that it's a massive country – the second largest in the world – with different cultures and norms throughout. If you are traveling to Canada via cruise, though, chances are you are heading to its eastern coastline. A number of cruises make use of Halifax, the capital of Canada's Nova Scotia, and the maritime town is a great place to get some grub and do some shopping. Halifax is known for its involvement with the Titanic, as it sent out recovery ships during the incident and a number of departed passengers are buried in the city. Whether you're grabbing a lobster roll or exploring a lighthouse, Canada has plenty to offer cruise-goers.

Bermuda is a popular cruise destination thanks to its pink sand beaches and luckily for travelers, you can travel to the island from the States without a passport. While Bermuda is not a part of the Caribbean, it shares a lot of characteristics (like tropical climate and clear water) with the group of islands and is a much closer destination for travelers who start out at more northern ports, like Virginia, Maryland, or even New York.

While travelers may feel a pang of nervousness about traveling to Bermuda, thanks to the infamous Bermuda Triangle, it is perfectly safe. In fact, if you are truly concerned about the Bermuda Triangle and its many legends, you may be surprised to hear that the vast majority of cruises from the United States to pretty much any Caribbean island pass through the mysterious destination . The island of Bermuda itself is located at the northernmost point of the triangle, making it much less involved than other incredibly popular cruise destinations.

Since there are no other island destinations near Bermuda, cruises to the island are typically just there and back. Passengers spend a decent amount of time on the ship, but they are granted plenty of time at the destination. This allows travelers to get the best of both worlds, a relaxing and stress-free cruise, and an island vacation.

The Caribbean

If you're looking for a tropical vacation that is full of variety, a cruise to the Caribbean is pretty much the perfect choice. Made up of hundreds of islands, the Caribbean contains 13 separate countries that all have their own culture and functionality. A Caribbean cruise will typically hit a few island destinations, making for a vacation full of new places and exploration.

If you ask the majority of people where their dream destination is, there is a good chance that a lot of them would say Aruba, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, or another of the tropical, paradise-like islands in the area. The reality is, though, that all these destinations belong to the whole of the Caribbean, and plenty of people each year visit a good many of them affordably via a cruise ship. Whether you'd like to indulge in oxtail in Jamaica or lay out on the beaches of Turks and Caicos, an island-hopping cruise to the Caribbean is just what you need a vacation to be and a great way to unwind from the real world for a while.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is the most popular Caribbean destination and sees a lot of cruises come to its shore and, like the rest of the Caribbean islands, you do not need a passport if traveling here via cruise ship. Cruises that go to the Dominican Republic typically also go to a whole slew of Caribbean islands, but you may come away with the second largest Caribbean island as your ultimate favorite.

There is quite a lot going for the Dominican Republic in the way of travelers having the ultimate vacation there. The environment and atmosphere there is next to none, the clear waters allowing the perfect opportunity to go snorkeling with sea creatures. Later in the day, looking around to see which tropical and exotic animal is brave enough to show itself to you could lead to a parrot or squirrel monkey sighting.

Visiting the Dominican Republic can be as relaxing or as excitingly adventurous as you make it. Whether you just want to lay out on the beach or hike to see some of the island's many waterfalls, a cruise to the exceedingly popular Caribbean destination is something practically anyone can enjoy.

If you have ever dreamt of visiting Mexico but have worried about the safety aspect of traveling there, taking a cruise is a great option for you. While Mexico is relatively safe to travel in a lot of areas that are big for tourism, it can be a dangerous place otherwise. By taking a cruise there, you will only really be taken to the high tourist areas and you can enjoy a different view from the sea that you can really only get with a cruise.

Cruises to Mexico typically leave from a port in either California or Florida and go to one (or more) of the country's 20 cruise ports. While you will still need to take a closed cruise, there are plenty of options when it comes to cruising to Mexico and you can have your pick.

Mexico is a great choice if you want to have it all. Not only will your time on the ship be relaxing, but Mexico has great beaches, some tropical areas, and is rich in culture. No two visits to Mexico will be the same, which will leave you open to returning again and again.

American river cruises

While it makes sense that you can cruise up and down both the country's coastlines, you don't typically think of cruising within the U.S. itself, but you certainly can. The United States is made up of waterways, a lot of which are absolutely beautiful to explore and have contributed greatly to American history.

With the United States being the melting pot that it is, different regions and even smaller areas within the states have wildly different cultures, so taking smaller, more concentrated cruises is a great way to dive into what helps make the United States a diverse and culturally rich country. Taking a trip on the Mississippi is a great example of how both culture and environment can quickly shift, and a cruise on this river could take you through the ethnic enclave of New Orleans. The river is typically broken up into multiple cruises, as it spans the entire country from top to bottom.

River cruises throughout the mainland of the United States tend to be more expensive than their affordable ocean-voyaging sisters, which may lend a hand in them being overall less common options for a lot of travelers. While this may be true, the two experiences are wildly different and a river cruise is an opportunity that shouldn't always be counted out just because there is a more affordable apple to its orange.

Protect Your Trip »

Here's when you need (and don't need) a passport to cruise.

It's the type of sailing – closed-loop or open-loop – that largely determines whether or not you need a passport to cruise.

Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

Getty Images

A passport isn't always required for cruising.

To determine whether or not you need a passport to cruise, you first need to figure out if the itinerary is closed-loop or open-loop (also known as open-jaw).

Closed-loop cruise: A closed-loop cruise typically doesn't require a passport since it begins and ends in the same U.S. port (though there are some exceptions to this rule).

Example: Royal Caribbean International 's seven-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise stops in several countries – the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti and Grand Cayman – but the itinerary is considered closed-loop because it starts and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Open-loop cruise: An open-loop cruise begins in one U.S. port and ends in a different U.S. port.

Example: Carnival Cruise Line 's 16-day Panama Canal from Seattle itinerary is not considered closed-loop because it departs from Seattle and completes its journey in New Orleans.

All of the above regulations have been determined by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: a plan by the departments of State and Homeland Security that determines which documents are acceptable for proving identity and citizenship when entering the United States.

Where to cruise without a passport

There are several destinations where you can cruise without a passport on a closed-loop sailing. They include the following:

• The Bahamas

When looking at cruises to these locations, be mindful of the home ports. The Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada are all foreign ports, which means they only qualify for the passport exception if they are a stop along your cruise itinerary . If the cruise originates in any of these countries, it is likely you will need a passport.

Since Alaska, Hawaii and New England are all U.S. destinations, any closed-loop routes departing from these locations will not require a passport. However, keep in mind that it can be hard to find closed-loop cruises originating in Hawaii or Alaska.

To find closed-loop itineraries for a Hawaiian voyage or Alaskan cruise , try searching for sailings departing from major cities on the West Coast, like Seattle or Los Angeles . By contrast, quite a few closed-loop cruises leave from New England ports, but they are often marketed as Canadian cruises.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

When you need a passport for closed-loop cruises

Some cruise itineraries include foreign ports that require a passport for disembarkation. This is most commonly an issue for travelers on a closed-loop Caribbean cruise. 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. Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private island , is an exception and does not require a passport despite its location in Haiti.

If your itinerary includes a country requiring a U.S. passport, your cruise line will require you to have the passport at check-in. Note that your passport must not expire within six months of your arrival in a foreign country or else it won't be considered valid for international travel.

Read: The Easiest Way to Renew Your Passport

Acceptable forms of ID

All travelers – U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike – must present documents that show identity and citizenship when entering the United States. A U.S. passport can show both. If you don't have one or don't want to bring one, be aware that you may need to present more than one document.

U.S. citizens 16 and older

If you're a U.S. citizen age 16 or older sailing on a closed-loop cruise without your passport, you will need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license. In addition, you must present a document that proves your U.S. citizenship. These include:

• Passport card
• State-issued enhanced driver's license (EDL)
• Government-issued birth certificate
• Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST)
• American Indian Card (Form I-872) or Enhanced Tribal ID Card

The Trusted Traveler Programs are risk-based programs to facilitate the entry of travelers who have been vetted and preapproved. Most of these programs will provide you with a machine-readable card that allows you to pass through border checkpoints quickly. Keep in mind, some of these IDs are only available to travelers 16 and older.

Read: TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry

U.S. citizens younger than 16

U.S. citizens younger than 16 are only required to present proof of citizenship, such as one of the following documents:

• Original, notarized or certified copy of their government-issued birth certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by U.S. Department of State
• Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Read: How to Get a Passport for Kids

Non-U.S. citizens

If you are a lawful permanent resident (or LPR) of the United States, you are required to present a permanent resident card or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.

Non-U.S. citizens, with the exception of Canadians and Mexicans, are not subject to passport exceptions, so a valid passport will need to be provided. Canadian citizens can present a valid passport, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program card. Mexican citizens must present a passport with a visa or a Border Crossing Card.

Unacceptable forms of ID

While most common forms of identification are accepted, there are a few exceptions. U.S. military identification cards and U.S. Merchant Mariner documents are valid forms of identification, but only when traveling on official orders or in conjunction with official maritime business, so it is unlikely they will be accepted when traveling on a cruise.

Here are some other documents that will not be accepted as proof of citizenship:

• Voter registration cards
• Social Security cards
• Baptismal papers
• Hospital certificates of birth (for anyone older than a newborn)

It is important to note that many of the permitted forms of identification, such as a passport card or EDL, are only accepted at land and sea border crossings. Unforeseen circumstances, such as a medical air evacuation, may cause you to return to the U.S. by air travel. In this case, these documents won't be accepted when you try to reenter at the border crossing.

To avoid extra delays in your return to the U.S. following unforeseen travel complications, the Department of State recommends that everyone taking a cruise from the United States carry a valid passport book in case of emergency.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Erin Vasta has traveled extensively to international destinations, gaining a deep knowledge of travel regulations in the process. Her expertise in this area has saved her family and friends from unnecessary travel delays and ensured stress-free trips through border security in nearly 15 countries. To write this article, Vasta used her international travel experience and research skills.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Passport Holders
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Bring
• Safe at Sea: The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Top things to do in florida.

Gwen Pratesi May 31, 2024

The Best Travel Neck Pillows

Timothy J. Forster and Amanda Norcross May 30, 2024

Road Trip Essentials

Alissa Grisler and Amanda Norcross May 29, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Santa Barbara

John Rodwan and Suzanne Mason May 29, 2024

The Best Underseat Luggage

Rachael Hood May 28, 2024

Top Pride Parades and Celebrations

Suzanne Mason May 28, 2024

The Best Miami Boat Tours

Gwen Pratesi May 28, 2024

The Best Travel Purses

Rachael Hood May 24, 2024

The Best Beach Games

Gwen Pratesi May 24, 2024

The Best Branson Shows

Carrie A. Back May 23, 2024

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Cruising without a passport

By Tracey.kinney425 , May 26, 2020 in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

Tracey.kinney425

So I applied for and got my passport March 19th, the next day they stopped issuing passports. My passport is wrong as it listed the wrong state of birth for me. Since I can't get this fixed and don't know if I will be able to prior to my August 29th cruise, what do I need to take with me instead? I've read I will need my birth certificate but since I changed my name when I got married do I also need my marriage license?

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

ninjacat123

19 minutes ago, Tracey.kinney425 said: So I applied for and got my passport March 19th, the next day they stopped issuing passports. My passport is wrong as it listed the wrong state of birth for me. Since I can't get this fixed and don't know if I will be able to prior to my August 29th cruise, what do I need to take with me instead? I've read I will need my birth certificate but since I changed my name when I got married do I also need my marriage license?

Yes, bring your birth cert and marriage license and your driver's license. I believe that should cover you.  Also when you do online check on, make sure you indicate what form of id's you are using.  Have a great cruise!

Where are you cruising?  Be aware that the ship may not let you board without a passport in your possession.  If you have to leave the ship in another country, you can't fly back to the US without a valid passport.

5 minutes ago, wolfie11 said: Be aware that the ship may not let you board without a passport in your possession.

  not necessary, but as others have said if you have to fly back, could be problematic 

How would they know the state was wrong on your passport?

And it’s a little scary, that those doing passports, can’t read the Birth Certificate. Hmmmmmm

I thought the same but the last thing I would want is to miss my cruise because I thought it wouldn't cause a problem.

Seriously, they had my Ohio birth certificate in hand and put Arizona, guessing they screwed it up because I live in Arizona now.

tqc_cruiser

If I were you, I'd just present the current passport.  I can't imagine that the fact that the wrong state of birth is listed will be a problem.  As crzndeb said, how would they even know? ...Generally speaking, a passport is a better travel document and more universally accepted....I think if you don't say anything, no one will ever know there is a mistake...

I'm not saying you shouldn't mention the error to the state department, but I'd wait until after you travel and after the passport offices reopen.  (Again I'm not advising you never fix the error, but I once knew someone who was a foreign born US citizen and he had the wrong birth date on his passport.  He just used the birth date listed on the passport as if it were correct and never had a problem.  Something to do with date of baptism vs. date of birth on one of the foreign language forms caused the error, I think.)

If it were me, I would send the passport back as soon as possible.  Knowing the government, if you wait, they may charge you the whole fee all over again.  It's their mistake and they should correct it for free if you do it right away.

You have almost three months before your cruise.  Hopefully things will be back to normal by then and you'll have your passport corrected and back in your hands.  If not, your birth certificate and marriage license will work in a pinch.

for peace of mind- I would  send back and get it fixed.  flying back , if you had to, would require a passport.  

4 hours ago, RWolver672 said: If it were me, I would send the passport back as soon as possible.  Knowing the government, if you wait, they may charge you the whole fee all over again.  It's their mistake and they should correct it for free if you do it right away.   You have almost three months before your cruise.  Hopefully things will be back to normal by then and you'll have your passport corrected and back in your hands.  If not, your birth certificate and marriage license will work in a pinch.

I would second this. When we applied for passports I misspelled DW's middle name (still haven't heard the end of that), her middle name is Anne and I omitted the "e". They fixed it with no additional charge and it took less than a month. 

5 hours ago, RWolver672 said: If it were me, I would send the passport back as soon as possible.  Knowing the government, if you wait, they may charge you the whole fee all over again.  It's their mistake and they should correct it for free if you do it right away.   You have almost three months before your cruise.  Hopefully things will be back to normal by then and you'll have your passport corrected and back in your hands.  If not, your birth certificate and marriage license will work in a pinch.

If they send their passport back in, I don't have any faith that they will get it returned before their cruise. I sent mine in mid-march and they have had it on March 19th. Haven't gotten anything back, still listed as in progress, and they are still quoting 6-8 weeks for processing time. Even if they get back and running in the next month or so, I would assume that backlogged passports like mine would get handled first.

18 hours ago, Tracey.kinney425 said: So I applied for and got my passport March 19th, the next day they stopped issuing passports. My passport is wrong as it listed the wrong state of birth for me. Since I can't get this fixed and don't know if I will be able to prior to my August 29th cruise, what do I need to take with me instead? I've read I will need my birth certificate but since I changed my name when I got married do I also need my marriage license?

I have a travel companion in the same boat as you and she plans to bring her birth certificate and other documents in case she doesn't get her passport. We sail on August 22nd.  Keep us updated!  🤞

22 minutes ago, sanger727 said:   If they send their passport back in, I don't have any faith that they will get it returned before their cruise. I sent mine in mid-march and they have had it on March 19th. Haven't gotten anything back, still listed as in progress, and they are still quoting 6-8 weeks for processing time. Even if they get back and running in the next month or so, I would assume that backlogged passports like mine would get handled first.

As I said  in the other post, if there is an error, it should be corrected right away as it was their mistake.  If you wait, they may charge you for a completely new passport.  That and the fact that you don't need a passport to cruise.  Only to fly back into the US and there is a very slim chance that that will happen.

I'm hoping that they start processing them again and that I can get an expedited corrected replacement as this is not on me.

I'm thinking of they aren't open I will take everything. I'll try to use my passport but if somehow someone notices the year than I will have my birth certificate and marriage license available.

Another question, As long as my name on the passport matches the name on my driver's license exactly and is not expired, it's not going to matter that I no longer live in Ohio is it? I had wanted to get my Arizona Real ID the same day that I applied for the passport but the post office gave me incorrect information and I did not have a 2nd birth certificate, then the Covid mess happened.

1 hour ago, RWolver672 said:   As I said  in the other post, if there is an error, it should be corrected right away as it was their mistake.  If you wait, they may charge you for a completely new passport.  That and the fact that you don't need a passport to cruise.  Only to fly back into the US and there is a very slim chance that that will happen.

Here's what the State Department website says regarding corrections:

A passport issued with a data error (e.g., name, sex, or place of birth) or printing error (e.g., data is missing on the biographical page, discoloration, crooked printing, etc.) can be corrected at no charge if the passport is still valid.

• Complete Form DS-5504 .
• Submit form by mail with your passport, one color photo , and evidence of the error (e.g. your U.S. birth certificate showing the correct spelling of your last name).
• You will not have to submit any fees.

1 hour ago, Tracey.kinney425 said: I'm hoping that they start processing them again and that I can get an expedited corrected replacement as this is not on me.   I'm thinking of they aren't open I will take everything. I'll try to use my passport but if somehow someone notices the year than I will have my birth certificate and marriage license available.   Another question, As long as my name on the passport matches the name on my driver's license exactly and is not expired, it's not going to matter that I no longer live in Ohio is it? I had wanted to get my Arizona Real ID the same day that I applied for the passport but the post office gave me incorrect information and I did not have a 2nd birth certificate, then the Covid mess happened.

As long as the name on your passport matches your booking that is sufficient, there is no need to show the DL (although many people use the DL in port as their ID to return to the port area).

My passport renewal application was received on March 2. I have not received my new passport yet. It shows "Being Processed" on their website. Maybe with more and more offices opening up, they will send it to me before my October 3rd cruise. Heck, I can't even renew my license plate on my car, as the County Clerk's office is still closed.

5 hours ago, tybrkr17 said:   I have a travel companion in the same boat as you and she plans to bring her birth certificate and other documents in case she doesn't get her passport. We sail on August 22nd.  Keep us updated!  🤞

We are sailing 8/22 on the Horizon as well.  My older son's passport expires on 8/11.  He is 15.When we went to the post office in early April, we were advised not to send it in for processing as they are only fulfilling emergency passport requests,  I keep checking the website and it still urges not to send in your documents at this time.  We have had passports for the boys since they were infants and have never sailed without them, but I guess we will take the chance this time if we are able to sail and the passport agency does not get back to normal.

15 minutes ago, bambilin said: We are sailing 8/22 on the Horizon as well.  My older son's passport expires on 8/11.  He is 15.When we went to the post office in early April, we were advised not to send it in for processing as they are only fulfilling emergency passport requests,  I keep checking the website and it still urges not to send in your documents at this time.  We have had passports for the boys since they were infants and have never sailed without them, but I guess we will take the chance this time if we are able to sail and the passport agency does not get back to normal.

Carnival's site says if your son is under 16, he needs a birth certificate for cruises that begin and end in a US port.  If he will be 16 or older he needs one of these:

Photo Identification

A non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is required of all guests 16 years of age and older. The following are acceptable:

• Driver's License (a temporary Driver's License with photo is acceptable)
• Driver's Permit
• School/Student I.D. (acceptable for guests 16/17/18 years of age)
• Government-issued identification card including a U.S. Military I.D. with photo (city/state/federal)
• Government-issued Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST) - for photo identification use only 

I have always brought my children's passports even when they were expired.  Have a great cruise!

Thanks so much. I know he can travel with the birth certificate but I always prefer to have the passport. He also has a valid global entry card. We will definitely carry the expired one with is just in case!

Here is our situation.  Let me know your thoughts.

DD was married in September of 2019.  She has a new drivers license with her married name.  She has her marriage certificate.  Her passport has expired and now they aren't processing them.  She will have her birth certificate and an expired passport in her maiden name.  We sail for their anniversary cruise in early September.   Will she be ok with 2 pieces in one name and 2 pieces in another name? Birth certificate and expired passport in maiden name and driver's license and marriage certificate in married name.  Thoughts?

20 minutes ago, junglecat said: Here is our situation.  Let me know your thoughts. DD was married in September of 2019.  She has a new drivers license with her married name.  She has her marriage certificate.  Her passport has expired and now they aren't processing them.  She will have her birth certificate and an expired passport in her maiden name.  We sail for their anniversary cruise in early September.   Will she be ok with 2 pieces in one name and 2 pieces in another name? Birth certificate and expired passport in maiden name and driver's license and marriage certificate in married name.  Thoughts?

I would bring all of it.  Is the boarding pass in her married name? If so, I would think the marriage cert would show the change of name from the birth cert and the driver's license is govt approved ID with her married name, which hopefully is the name on the boarding pass. Are you flying to the port? If so, make sure her driver's license qualifies as ID to get on the plane.  If for some reason she would need to fly home from a foreign port, the expired passport might help at the embassy.

This is what I would do, but I hope others would chime in with more info.  

Have a wonderful cruise!

10 hours ago, junglecat said: Here is our situation.  Let me know your thoughts. DD was married in September of 2019.  She has a new drivers license with her married name.  She has her marriage certificate.  Her passport has expired and now they aren't processing them.  She will have her birth certificate and an expired passport in her maiden name.  We sail for their anniversary cruise in early September.   Will she be ok with 2 pieces in one name and 2 pieces in another name? Birth certificate and expired passport in maiden name and driver's license and marriage certificate in married name.  Thoughts?

She can’t use an expired passport to board the cruise. She can use a current drivers license with a birth certificate and marriage license to bridge the name change. It wouldn’t hurt to bring the expired passport and may help get an expedited replacement if you needed to fly home. But I don’t think anyone will accept it as is as a boarding document so wouldn’t even show on ship.

17 hours ago, RWolver672 said:   As I said  in the other post, if there is an error, it should be corrected right away as it was their mistake.  If you wait, they may charge you for a completely new passport.  That and the fact that you don't need a passport to cruise.  Only to fly back into the US and there is a very slim chance that that will happen.

that’s fine. I was just adding my experience to suggest that there’s a good chance that even with 3 months left they song get their passport back in time for their cruise. So they would have to choose between sending it back to get it fixed to avoid fees or keeping it for this cruise and then sending it back. It does appear from another post that there won’t be a fee either way.

17 hours ago, bambilin said: Thanks so much. I know he can travel with the birth certificate but I always prefer to have the passport. He also has a valid global entry card. We will definitely carry the expired one with is just in case!

If it gets to be close to sailing and the passports still aren't figured out, you can always try to make an appointment at the Passport Agency in Philadelphia which will do same-day issuance.  You might have to take a day off work and it's a bit of a hassle to come all the way down here, but it's an option to consider, the agency in Philly is still open and taking appointments if you are within a week of travel.

I wouldn't travel internationally without a passport, nor would I take my kids out of the country without one, so I completely understand your dilemma!  I'm lucky in that the agency is only about 20 minutes from me, so it's not as big a deal for me to get there.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/philadelphia.html

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started Friday at 01:39 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 03:52 PM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 08:46 PM

LauraS · Started May 27

LauraS · Started May 24

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises (and Open Jaw Itineraries)

C ruising, as you may know, is one of the best ways to explore the world’s coastlines and nearby cities. But what if you lack a passport or your passport has expired? Exactly what are the passport requirements to cruise? 

As a United States resident, you may benefit from the ease of a so-called closed-loop cruise and not need a passport for a cruise vacation at all. Let’s dive in.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What is a Closed Loop Cruise? 

First, let's define a closed loop voyage. 

The itineraries of closed-loop cruises begin and end in the same port. 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). 

Think of it like a closed circuit, with the ship literally closing a geographical loop, even if that loop is an imperfect shape. However, along the route, you might stop at a few other places, either in the United States or abroad. 

The benefit of taking these “round-trip cruises” is that American travelers don’t necessarily need a passport as long as the trip begins and ends at the same U.S.A. port. However, you must understand the nuances of the itinerary you choose if you don’t have a passport, even if you have a travel agent to help guide you. 

That’s why we stress how imperative it is to read the detailed information below about identification requirements.

Closed Loop Cruise Origins

So how did closed-loop cruises come about? Well, in order to comply with U.S. maritime rules and the Passenger Vessel Services Act (also known as the Jones Act), all foreign-registered cruise lines leaving from American ports are required to include a port abroad. 

Nearly all cruise ships are foreign-flagged, so they must stop outside the nation. ( 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.

Example of a Closed-Loop Cruise

Here’s an example of a closed-loop cruise itinerary that starts and ends in a United States Cruise Port :

• A 4-night cruise departs from the Port of Miami in Florida.
• It makes a port of call in Nassau, in the Bahamas…
• …then sails onto Half Moon Cay.
• The cruise returns to Miami to disembark, where it departed from. 

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. 

While these 3 or 4-day itineraries are considered short, there are plenty of longer sailings with more Port of Call available across many cruise lines. 

Most of the itinerary options are on bigger ships with 1,500+ passengers. 

If a Cruise Starts and Ends in the United States but From Two Different Ports, is it a Closed-Loop Cruise?

No. If a cruise starts in San Diego but ends in Los Angeles, for example, it is an open-jaw cruise, not a closed-loop cruise. 

Another example: If a cruise starts at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale but ends in the Port of Miami, it is not a closed-loop cruise.

What is an Open Jaw Cruise or Itinerary? 

Perhaps you’d prefer to explore beyond the destinations of a closed-loop cruise. 

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. 

While these ocean trips on the high seas require a passport, you can access many more countries. 

On a map, such a trip may appear as a triangle or an “open jaw.” For example, you may do a yacht cruise on the Mediterranean as we did that departs from Athens, explores Greece, then heads to Sicily and ends on mainland Italy, and takes a flight home from Rome.

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.

Do you Need a Passport for a Closed Loop Cruise? 

A passport is typically not required for a closed-loop cruise for United States citizens if the cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. port. 

For example, this has made Hawaiian Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Alaska cruises very popular.

You Need Valid Government Identification, Even if Not a Passport

However, valid identification to board the ship is required; you must also show that identification upon reentry to the US. Such ID includes proof of citizenship and a government-issued ID. If you happen to have a valid passport, it’s the only ID required.

Shop for Cruise document Holders

Stay organized with a dedicated container, book, or pouch for all your cruise documents, including your identification.

Ensure that this remains in your carry-on bag as you embark and disembark the ship.

Check it out >

What documentation is needed for a closed-loop cruise .

Nervous about going on a cruise without a passport? 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. 

These forms of ID should be carried with you when you disembark at each port of call. 

Two Forms of ID

As we mentioned, adults must have two ID forms to board a cruise if they don't have a passport. The two documents must fall under the two categories listed below.

1. Proof of Citizenship

One form of ID must be your proof of US citizenship. For example, this can be a government-issued birth certificate. 

2. Government-Issued ID with Requirements 

The second acceptable piece of identification must be a government-issued ID with your photo, full name, and date of birth. A driver’s license will suffice.

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.

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. 

While U.S. Customs recommend an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) as a passport alternative, very few states offer this form of government-issued ID. 

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.

Closed-Loop Cruise Documentation

• Proof of citizenship, i.e., government-issued birth certificate
• Driver's License/Real ID
• Enhanced Driver's License
• Trusted Traveler Program  card (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
• Form I-872 American Indian card
• Enhanced Tribal card
• Lawful Permanent Resident card
• Voter registration card/ID
• Social security card
• Baptismal papers
• Hospital certificates of birth

Enhanced Driver's License vs. Real ID

Is a Real ID the same thing as an EDL? No. It is not.

The short answer is that EDLs can be used for limited border crossings and is only available in specific border states. Whereas a Real ID is available in all states, it cannot be used to cross borders like an EDL or passport.

A Real ID does not have an additional cost to obtain. It differs from previous driver's licenses because it shows a star icon in the top corner of the license.

An EDL is only offered in a handful of states and costs an additional $30.

The Department of Homeland Security states the following about an EDL:

Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option 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. DHS Enhanced Driver's Licenses: What Are They?

EDLs are only available to residents of the following states:

Real IDs are available in 55 states and territories, however, it is not a viable document to cross a border, including for international sea cruise travel.

REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. From “Real ID FAQs” on the Department of Homeland Security

Children Under the Age of 16

For children traveling under the age of 16, a variety of forms of identification, including an original birth certificate or a copy that has been notarized or certified, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization, are acceptable. 

What is Not Acceptable as a Form of ID? 

As per the US Government's regulations, documents proving voter registration and social security cards are not recognized as proof of identity. 

Lawful Permanent Residents

There are specific rules if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States. 

Even though the US Government doesn’t mandate that you need a passport, it is always advisable to double-check as some locations along your cruise journey may have various requirements, including having a visa. 

If you are an LPR, you must have your I-551, or Green Card, in order to re-enter the US. 

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.

Closed-Loop Cruises: Popular Port Cities from the United States 

U.S. departure ports are plentiful, from coast to coast.

The most popular port cities on the East Coast are Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the Port of Miami, and Port Everglades, respectively. 

On the West Coast, San Francisco sees the most cruise ships pass through every year. Quite a few other city ports are offering closed-loop cruises from the US, so let’s take a look.

West Coast Closed-Loop Cruises

An Alaskan cruise is one of the most popular closed-loop cruise options in the US. If departing from the United States, Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. They often stop in Vancouver, British Columbia (in Canada), to pick up more cruise passengers.

Mexican Riviera and Hawaii closed loop itineraries are accessible from the West Coast, departing from the cities of San Pedro and Long Beach, San Francisco, and San Diego.

East Coast Closed-Loop Cruises

If you’re looking to head somewhere warmer such as the Bahamas, look to sail from: 

• Florida: Either from Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, the Space Coast’s Port Canaveral, the Port of Miami, or Tampa.
• Maryland: Baltimore.
• Northeast and New England area: Manhattan in New York City, Cape Liberty in New Jersey, or Boston, Massachusetts.
• Texas: Galveston.

Some of these itineraries even stop in Bermuda if you take a closed loop cruise from Boston, Manhattan, Baltimore, or Cape Liberty. 

Of course, you can’t forget about a Caribbean cruise! There are quite a few port options if you want to travel to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. 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. 

Popular Cruise Lines Offering Close Looped Cruises

Though cruise ships and their contracted ports of call may change annually, here’s a list of cruise lines and expected ports they sail from. 

Princess Cruises

Princess is one of our favorite cruise lines for a mature audience! It’s not great for traveling with kids but if you’re adults, it’s a wonderful option.

With Princess Cruises , you can travel to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Mexico, or the Bahamas from the United States. They operate many cruises from Fort Lauderdale or off the West Coast, where you can sail from Los Angeles to Mexico or Hawaii.

In fact, we sailed on a wonderful closed-loop California itinerary that stopped in San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ensanda before heading back to Los Angeles. 

Celebrity Cruises

Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida, are popular ports for Celebrity Cruises . You can travel to Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean from here.

It’s another one of our favorite cruise lines, offering class and sophistication to a generally younger audience than Princess Cruises.

We absolutely love their class offerings – our favorite is “in “ The Retreat ” – and recommend booking a suite if you sail with Celebrity. 

Disney Cruise Line

Who doesn’t love a Disney cruise, especially when you can sail to Bermuda, the Bahamas, or the Caribbean with all your favorite characters? But even if the characters don’t pique your interest, sailing as adults, only, is always fun with Disney. We’ve cruised on DCL without kids many times! 

Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, is an incredibly popular destination that only Disney Cruise Line sails to.

Most Disney Cruises in the United States set sail from the East Coast, with the most popular ports being Port Canaveral and Miami. However, there is often a west coast cruise itinerary each year, like from San Diego. 

Holland America Line

The majority of Holland America Line (HAL) closed loop cruises leave Fort Lauderdale and head to the Caribbean. 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.

Royal Caribbean 

An incredibly popular cruise line, Royal Caribbean departs from 14 ports across the US. The most popular closed-loop itineraries leave from Port Canaveral and Miami, where they sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

People love to visit Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island.

Norwegian Cruise Line 

Despite its name, many cruises with Norwegian actually depart from the US. Amongst their popular itineraries is a Hawaiian closed-loop cruise from Honolulu, that tours around the Hawaiian Islands. 

To visit the Bahamas or the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line, choose the Port of Miami as the departure port.

Carnival Cruises

Miami, Galveston, Tampa, and Port Canaveral are the port of call where most closed-loop Carnival Cruises sail from. The top itineraries for all three ports will lead you to the incredible island nations of the Caribbean.

MSC Cruises

Dip your toes in Caribbean sand when you set sail from Port Canaveral or the Port of Miami. MSC Cruises offers hundreds of closed loop cruises each year.

Margaritaville at Sea

If you want a very short, low-cost cruise option that sails from the Port of Palm Beach, look into Margaritaville at Sea . 

Closed-Loop Cruises in Popular European Cities  

The United States isn’t the only region that offers closed loop cruises. Numerous cities in Europe also have such itineraries, although they aren’t always referred to as a closed loop cruise in marketing material. 

Rather, you’ll see terms like “return trip cruise” or “two-way cruises.” Check each itinerary very closely. 

However, it’s worth noting that while these cruises are technically closed-loop, because they start and end in the same port of call as our Emerald Cruises did in Amsterdam in The Netherlands, you need a passport to sail in Europe or Asia, for example, if you’re a United States citizen traveling abroad. You’ll also need a passport to fly there at an international airport.

One of the closed itineraries growing in popularity in Europe is a cruise to Iceland. Departing and ending at Rotterdam, in The Netherlands, you’ll get to explore this true wonder of the world. Cruises to Iceland also commonly include a port of call in Ireland as well.

The port of Civitavecchia in Rome, Italy, also offers a number of return trip cruises. These itineraries include stops in Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Or you can sail in a loop from the port of Ravenna in Venice, Italy, to see cities in Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

MSC offers popular cruises in the Mediterranean with return trips from Marseille, France . On these journeys, you will stop in places such as Genoa, Palermo, Ibiza, Valencia, Barcelona, and Naples.

Closed-Loop Cruises FAQs

What are the advantages of a closed loop cruise.

There are many, especially if you don’t have a passport!

• They don't require a passport.
• It’s much easier to book flights or arrange transportation if they start and end in the United States.
• There are many cruise itineraries to choose from across various cruise lines.
• Simplified planning.
• Cost is usually more economical.

What are the Disadvantages of a Closed Loop Cruise?

The main disadvantage is that fewer ports of call are available to you. Along with this, depending on your taste and travel preferences, your experience diving into different cultures and historical sites is lessened if you can only explore closed-loop cruise options. 

How Do I Know If My Cruise Is Closed-Loop? 

Two main things indicate if your cruise is closed loop and you won’t need a passport  (but don’t forget – you need other valid identification): 

• For Americans looking to travel without a passport, the first piece of information to note when investigating whether or not a cruise is closed-loop is if it departs from and arrives back at the same US port. 

In order for it to be considered a closed-loop cruise that you don’t need a passport for the ship must leave and return to the same exact American port. 

• The second criterion to check for is: Are all ports of call on the itinerary within the Western hemisphere? 

Today, the majority of cruises that are closed-loop and you don’t need a passport for as a US citizen are within the Western Hemisphere only.

The idea of a closed-loop cruise originated with the creation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) . 

The objective of WHTI was to enhance and fortify American border security after 9/11 in 2001. However, there was also the added objective of streamlining and improving entry procedures into the United States. Several aspects of the initiative also deal with easing entry for residents of Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. 

Can You Leave the Ship on a Closed-Loop Cruise Without a Passport?

The answer is yes and no. It depends on the port of call. 

It’s important to check the itinerary for your trip because there are a few places, even on a closed-loop cruise, that do require a passport to disembark. This is particularly common in the Caribbean in nations including Guadeloupe, the island of Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados, and others. 

Below is a list of Caribbean nations you can travel to without a passport on a closed-loop cruise (meaning you can disembark the ship if your cruise ship stops there and you do not have a passport):

• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Netherlands Antilles
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Turks and Caicos

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. 

Precautions to Keep in Mind Traveling Outside the United States Without a Passport

Keep a few things to keep in mind if you travel on a closed-loop cruise without a passport. 

Imagine, for instance, that something goes awry, and you need to fly back to the United States from a foreign country for a medical emergency. In this situation and in the case of an emergency, you will need a passport in order to travel through an international airport and board an airplane traveling internationally.

Additionally, without a U.S. passport, getting home or catching up with the trip could be challenging if you miss the ship in one of the ports.

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.

A closed loop cruise is a wonderful sea travel option for United States residents and citizens who want a vacation in multiple cities without needing a passport. (It’s an especially good option if you’re waiting for your new passport to arrive and you’re aching to go on a cruise, asap!) 

However, there are things to be aware of when you’re looking into going on a closed-loop cruise from the United States. With the important information we have provided here, you’ll be an informed traveler who can make the best decision for your’s and your family’s next cruise.

Interested in cruises? Read this next:

• River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?
• How to Decide the Best Cruises to Book
• Guide to Mississippi River Cruises: Discover The Heart of America

• Today's Deals
• Sign Up & Save!

• Top Cruise Destinations
• Alaska Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises
• Bermuda Cruises
• Caribbean Cruises
• Europe Cruises
• Mexico Cruises
• 1.800.764.7419

Never Miss a Cruise Deal

• Thank you for signing up! 
• Click here to learn more about our specials.

Have Fun. Be Safe

• Health Protocols and Requirements for Sailing

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

• Travel Documents
• Online Check-In

Getting There

• Cruise Terminal Information and Parking
• Airport and Pier Transportation
• Air Information

Before You Board

• Embarkation Day Check-In

Youth and Family

• Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old)
• Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
• Carnival's Seuss at Sea
• Age Policies

Things to Know

Onboard experiences.

• Shore - Excursions
• Spa and Fitness
• Outdoor Fun
• Entertainment and Activities
• For Your Convenience
• Onboard Guidelines and Policies
• Past Guest Recognition Programs

Onboard Celebrations

• The Fun Shops
• Special Occasions
• Wedding Cruises and Vow Renewals

Dining and Beverages

• Dining and Snacking Options
• Dining Rooms
• CHEERS! Beverage Program
• Liquor and Beverage Policy

Onboard Communication

• WI FI Service and Carnivals HUB App
• Staying Connected

Money and Gratuities

• Gratuities (Tips)
• Sail & Sign Onboard Account
• Forms of Payment
• Cruise Cash/Bar/Photo
• Financial Access

Shipboard Health and Safety

• Passenger Bill of Rights
• Guest Screening Policy
• Safety and Security
• Safety Briefing - Muster Station Drill
• General Health Information
• Privacy Notice
• What to Pack
• Cruise Ticket Contract
• Carnival Vacation Protection
• Guests with Disabilities
• Choosing Your Cruise
• Tech Support
• Early Saver Promotion
• Minors / Infants / Pregnancy
• Making changes to your booking
• Carnival EasyPay
• Financing Powered by Uplift
• US Department of State Travel Tips
• And more things to know....

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

• Preparing to Go Home
• Post Cruise Inquiries

Travel Documentation: Non-U.S. Citizens

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 contact the 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 six months beyond the completion of travel unless otherwise noted differently.

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 assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.
• Visa Waiver Program (VWP) : Non-U.S. citizens that are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program must have a valid, unexpired machine readable passport that includes specified security features (biometric identifiers). In addition , travelers are required to have an electronic travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Details on this program as well as the participating VWP countries can be found below. 
• Mexican citizens who are traveling with a Border Crossing Card must also present a valid, unexpired Mexican passport.  Please click  here for more details.

Cruises that Visit Canada or Transit in Canada 

• Non-U.S. Citizens must carry a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of their visit to Canada, from their country of citizenship.
• Non-U.S. Citizens may require a Canadian Visa depending on their nationality.
• Guests who are not citizens of the United States, Canada, U.K., Australia or New Zealand, may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit or transit Canada.
• As of March 16, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include travelers with a valid Canadian visa.
• If guests are required to have a visa, it must be obtained in advance regardless of whether they choose to remain onboard or go ashore. Processing times vary by citizenship and may take up to 45 days. For more information, regarding travel documentation requirements, please contact your local Canadian consulate or visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp .
• Entry into Canada: Guests who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into Canada - for more information, click here .

Visa Waiver Program (VWP) The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to travel to the United States for business or pleasure, for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

All Visa Waiver Program countries are required to issue passports that include specified security features (biometric identifiers) in order to enter the United States. A biometric identifier is an electronic scan of a physical feature, such as an eye, hand, fingerprint, or face. It allows an immigration inspector to know for certain that the person appearing before them is the same person to whom a passport or visa was issued.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications may be submitted any time prior to travel. However, it is recommended that guests apply when they begin preparing their travel plans. We suggest that guests visit  www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta for additional information regarding ESTA. 

Guests will need to print and carry their Electronic System for Travel Authorization as it will need to be presented at cruise check-in along with their passport. An ESTA needs to be completed for each family member traveling on the cruise.

Citizens of the following countries (excluding U.S. Permanent Residents) that participate in the Visa Waiver Program must possess an ESTA for entry into the United States:  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and United Kingdom *

* United Kingdom - only British citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent residence in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are eligible to enter the United States with ESTA.

Note: Citizens of Curacao, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten (from the former Netherland Antilles) are not eligible to travel to the United States under the Visas Waiver Program, if they are applying for admission with passports from these countries.

Europe and Transatlantic Cruises Non-U.S. Citizens must contact the 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.

• Non-U.S. Citizens must carry a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of their visit to a Schengen country (see list of countries below).
• Non-U.S. Citizens may require a Schengen Visa.
• For itineraries that include countries (such as Turkey and Croatia) which are not part of the Schengen agreement, additional visas may be required for citizens of certain countries.

Schengen Visa Requirements Under the Schengen regulations, citizens of certain countries will need a valid visa to visit or transit through any country in the Schengen area. There are currently 26 European countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement. The agreement eliminates all internal border controls between the participating countries. Once you enter a Schengen country, you may travel continuously for up to 90 days within the member countries.

The following countries are party to the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Visa requirements vary depending on the passport under which you are traveling and the countries being visited.  Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. We strongly suggest that guests visit  www.schengenvisa.cc for additional Schengen Visa information and check with the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Be sure to provide the complete itinerary of the cruise so the embassy or consulate can provide the correct information. Guests may also contact a visa service agency for assistance. Names on Travel Documentation It is important that the guest’s full name (first name and last name) on the cruise and airline tickets be the same as the guest’s non-expired government-issued photo I.D. they plan to use for travel identification. In the event of a different name on the cruise/airline ticket and the guest’s photo I.D. as a result of a marriage, divorce or a legal name change, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate, marriage license or legal name change court document. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.

Please Note: For those about to or recently have been married, we strongly recommend that if the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be made in the maiden name (do not include the married name); If the reservation was made in the married name, but the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate or marriage license. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denial of boarding.

Traveling with Minors When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

Was this answer helpful?

Answers others found helpful.

• Travel Documentation: U.S. Permanent Residents
• Travel Documentation: Canadian Citizens
• Travel Documentation: U.S. Citizens
• VisaCentral Passport & Visa Service
• U.S. Passport Card

PLAN A CRUISE

• Search Cruises
• Travel Agent Finder
• Weddings & Occasions

• Carnival Mastercard
• Away We Go Blog

Group Travel

• Group Shore Excursions

Already Booked

• Manage My Cruises
• Shore Excursions
• In-Room Gifts & Shopping
• Spa & Salon Services
• Internet Plans
• Beverage Packages

• Airport Transportation

Customer Service

• Have Fun. Be Safe.
• Early Saver Price Protection Form
• Lowest Price Guarantee Claim Form
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Legal Notices for EU & UK Guests
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

About Carnival

• Passenger Bill Of Rights

• Legal Notices  
• Privacy & Cookies  
• Site Map  

• © Carnival Corporation. All rights reserved.

Carnival Glory cruise ship review: What to expect on board

I embarked on a 14-night transatlantic cruise on Carnival Glory after securing a balcony cabin at an exceptional rate through a Carnival Players Club Fun Match deal. Although your cruise on Carnival Glory is likely to be much shorter, my extended cruise gave me plenty of time to get to know the ship and its amenities.

Carnival Glory had just come out of a 21-day dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, during which public areas were updated, a nonsmoking casino area was added, the sports bar was rebranded as the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, Camp Ocean (the kids club) was redesigned with a new video wall for its Space Cruisers program and the video arcade was refreshed.

Although my cruise was a long Carnival Journeys voyage from Barcelona to Florida, Carnival Glory is now based in Port Canaveral and will be sailing three- and four-night Bahamas cruises through at least April 2026.

Here's what you need to know about cruising on this older yet recently refreshed ship.

Overview of Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory is a 110,000-ton Conquest Class cruise ship that entered service in 2003. It can accommodate 2,980 passengers at double occupancy and 1,150 crew members.

Self-proclaimed as a "fun ship," Carnival Glory is best suited for travelers who want to have a good time without spending too much cash and who prefer a modestly sized ship. Carnival Glory is best known for its two multistory waterslides, comedy club and large Amber Palace theater for shows.

Related: Carnival cruise ships by size: Here are the largest Carnival cruise ships, biggest to smallest, by tonnage

What I loved about Carnival Glory

Carnival is known as a budget-friendly cruise line, so I came into my cruise on Carnival Glory with modest expectations. Even still, I found a lot to love about the cruise ship.

Modest-size ship with helpful signage

Within 24 hours, I was acquainted with the ship and felt confident navigating its 14 decks. The signage on Carnival Glory is straightforward and helpful. The ship diagrams in the elevator lobbies and the clear signs designating the side of the ship with odd- and even-numbered cabins help a lot.

You'll find most self-serve and counter-service foods on decks 9 and 10 and most shopping on Deck 5. I loved that I rarely needed to take an elevator, as it was easy to walk up a few floors from my Deck 7 cabin to the Lido Deck (Deck 9) and down a few floors to the casino on Deck 5 and the main dining room on decks 3 and 4.

Related: Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style

Appealing counter-service restaurants

Two restaurants I found myself repeatedly visiting on Carnival Glory were Guy's Burgers and BlueIguana Cantina. BlueIguana serves decent-quality burritos and tacos for breakfast and lunch, while Guy's is open for lunch into early dinner with freshly made burgers and delicious fries.

I mostly avoided the buffet during my cruise. Instead, I went to BlueIguana for breakfast, Guy's for a late lunch and the main dining room for dinner most days. I skipped the main dining room a few nights to save time — as dinner often took longer than an hour in the dining room — and had my last meal of the day just before 6 p.m. at Guy's Burgers or later in the day at the Carnival Deli.

Related: 7 secret Carnival cruise breakfast spots that let you skip the buffet crowds

Wi-Fi could be essential or irrelevant to you, depending on how you plan to spend your time aboard Carnival Glory. As a remote worker who wanted to continue working throughout my cruise, having good Wi-Fi, even at sea, was a huge positive. The speed and quality were much better than expected; all Carnival ships now have faster Wi-Fi through Starlink .

Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

Casual vibe

Some people like dressing up on vacation, especially for dinner. I'm not one of them. I appreciated that I could wear dress shorts and a blouse to dinner most nights. Even on the more formal nights and at the steakhouse, a black dress and ballet flats fit well within the stated dress code.

Carnival clearly states the minimum dress code requirements for dinner and the steakhouse. Overall, passengers met or exceeded the dress code requirements. I did notice a few passengers at dinner who clearly violated the dining room dress code, including a man in gym shorts one night, but weren't turned away.

What I didn't love about Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory is an older ship, so it won't be the best choice if you expect a modern design and amenities. I did face a few annoyances on board that weren't related to the ship's older design.

Morning announcements

Most mornings, I woke up to the cruise director making announcements over the speaker in the hallway outside our cabin. These announcements, which occurred between 7 and 9:30 a.m. each morning, usually didn't provide any information that wasn't already in the daily cruise bulletin and sometimes acted as a sales pitch for excursions or onboard shopping.

I can understand having these announcements on days in port, although I wish they would wait to start them in cabin areas until about 30 minutes before passengers can disembark. But on days at sea, it would be nice to let travelers who had been up late enjoying deck parties and the casino sleep in.

Long waits for sit-down dining

If you want a sit-down breakfast or lunch in the main dining room — or opted for Your Time dinner seating — you'll quickly learn you'll need to check in to dine in the Carnival Hub app. You can see estimated wait times before you check in and then your estimated remaining wait time once you check in. Be sure to turn on notifications or keep an eye on the dining screen of your app to ensure you don't miss your opportunity to be seated once you're assigned a table.

We learned to watch the estimated wait times — which ranged from less than 10 minutes to 120 minutes during our cruise — and check in well before when we wanted to eat if the wait times were already long. Especially at the cruise's start, some guests were shocked and frustrated by the long wait times for sit-down dining.

Uncomfortable bed

It might have just been my cabin, but I found the bed uncomfortable and the pillows lumpy.

I expected the awkwardness of combining two twin beds into one king bed, but the foot of our bed was noticeably higher than the head. Additionally, the head and foot of the topper between the mattress and sheets rose in a banana shape each time I got into bed.

I figured this was just how cruise ship bedding is, especially after several fellow passengers noted they bring their own mattress toppers and pillows on extended cruises. In hindsight, I should have inquired with our room attendant to see if he could make any adjustments to our bedding.

Related: 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea

Carnival Glory cabins and suites

Like most cruise ships, Carnival Glory offers inside rooms, ocean-view rooms, balcony cabins and suites. If you want an inside cabin, know that while most are windowless, some offer small porthole windows or a walkway view. Some smaller inside rooms have one twin bed with an upper Pullman or sofa bed — perfect for a single traveler or a parent and child.

Ocean-view rooms have three primary types: obstructed view rooms, rooms with a picture window and rooms with a floor-to-ceiling window. You'll also find several types of balcony rooms, including those with standard or aft views, slightly larger rooms with premium balcony views and premium vista balconies for corner rooms where the balcony wraps around two sides of the ship.

Carnival Glory also offers four types of suites with extra perks like priority check-in and boarding, Main Dining Room time assignment and debarkation. Junior suites have more floor space, a bathtub and a standard-size balcony, while ocean and grand suites are even larger with bigger balconies. Finally, the captain's suite has a separate living room, multiple bathrooms and a large balcony.

Carnival Glory has 50 accessible cabins for guests with mobility limitations. Most are ambulatory-accessible cabins, designed for passengers who use a cane or similar device when walking long distances but who don't need a wheelchair or scooter. Carnival Glory only has four fully accessible cabins designed for passengers who use a wheelchair or scooter.

Balcony room on Carnival Glory

For my transatlantic cruise, I booked a 185-square-foot balcony room. I was impressed with how well designed the room was and how spacious it felt once I put all my belongings away.

On the left side of the cabin's entryway, you'll find three doors. Two are closets with 12 hangers each and shelves at the top and bottom. Meanwhile, the third closet offers four large shelves.

Across from the closets is the bathroom. The shower is large enough for one person. The water was contained between the curtain and the high-lipped shower pan even when I took a shower in rough seas. An extendable clothesline could be connected across the shower to provide drying space. Shampoo and body wash are provided, but not conditioner.

Due to the many shelves on both sides of the mirror, I had plenty of space in the bathroom for my belongings. Hand soap is provided, but nothing else (like lotion or a shower cap) is offered. Two hooks on the back of the bathroom door offer a good place to hang towels you plan to reuse.

Next to the closets is the desk area. Four drawers on one side of the desk offered more storage space, while the lap drawer was a good place to put old cruise bulletins and documents that would otherwise clutter the desk. You'll find a hair dryer in one of the desk drawers.

On the other side of the desk are a minifridge, a safe and a 21-inch TV. The TV offered rotating movies and TV channels, but my favorite channel was a rotating display of live camera views from the front of the ship and a map showing the ship's location.

Opposite the desk is a large couch. Ours was ripping at the seam on the top, but it was still comfortable to sit on. Next to the couch is a table you could adjust to different heights. This table was a good work desk, but I suspect many other cruisers would use it as a card table or for in-room dining. Under the couch were two large drawers.

The bed is close to the window and balcony, consisting of two 35-inch-wide twin beds pushed together. Nightstands with a light, power outlet, USB-A outlet and USB-C outlet were on both sides of the bed. I was glad I ordered magnetic hooks after reading TPG's list of must-have cruise items , as these were essential for keeping our curtain flush against the wall in the mornings and preventing the sun from shining in on both sides.

I loved sitting out on the balcony and spent a lot of time relaxing and working there. The two chairs were comfortable, and one even adjusted to different reclining levels. However, we got wet one evening when someone above us rudely decided to empty their ice chest over their railing.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Carnival Glory restaurants and bars

Carnival Glory offers various restaurants ranging from the included buffet in the Red Sail Restaurant to the $49-per-person steakhouse. I only ate at the buffet a few times during my extended cruise, as the included counter-service restaurants and dining room options were significantly better and offered enough variety.

As for bars, you'll find an assortment of options on decks 3, 4, 5 and 9 that range from a poolside tequila bar to a piano bar.

Restaurants

During my 14-night cruise, I tried most of Carnival Glory's dining options. My three favorite included options were the main dining room on decks 3 and 4, the BlueIguana Cantina on Deck 9 and Guy's Burger Joint on Deck 9. If you're willing to pay extra, Sushi at Sea offers some surprisingly good, fresh sushi, and the Emerald Room steakhouse serves tender filet mignon.

The main dining room on decks 3 and 4 is open at specific meal times. On port days, you can opt for a quick 25-minute breakfast, while sea days often feature a brunch with seating until noon. The main dining room may also offer a sea-day lunch or tea service.

I tried dining room breakfast during a sea day but found the service slow. I was disappointed that my scrambled eggs were made from powder instead of freshly scrambled. My husband's breakfast of chicken and waffles wasn't better, as dozens of tiny bones made the chicken difficult to eat. Meanwhile, the skillet cake was delicious but likely contained about half the calories I should eat daily.

You'll be assigned a dining room for dinner based on whether you select set dining (where you have a specific dinner time, the same servers and the same tablemates each night) or Your Time open seating dining (where you check in via the app each evening, are given a wait time estimate and then are eventually assigned a table).

Although service quality and speed varied depending on the server and the busyness of the dining room, we were impressed by the food quality we got in the main dining room. You can try as many appetizers and desserts as you want and order up to two main dishes per night without an extra charge. (Starting with the third, you'll need to pay $5 each.)

I enjoyed the appetizers each night and appreciated that you could often order smaller portions of main dishes as appetizers. My favorite appetizer was the lettuce wraps filled with meat, but I never got an appetizer I didn't like.

Of the 11 nights we ate dinner in the main dining room, only a few dishes were disappointing. One night, I got an undercooked and tough roasted beef sirloin. That same night, my husband tried the Southern fried chicken but found it difficult to eat due to the many tiny bones it contained. My favorite main dishes were the salmon and salad offerings.

I appreciated that Carnival offered a no-sugar-added dessert each night in the main dining room. I opted for this option most evenings, as it was usually still plenty sweet.

If you enjoy getting food quickly from a buffet, you'll appreciate the included Red Sail Restaurant on decks 9 and 10. Within the Red Sail Restaurant, you'll find multiple buffet areas. While most of the food and seating is on Deck 9, Ol' Fashioned BBQ and more seating are available on Deck 10. Ol' Fashioned BBQ is an included buffet-style counter serving barbecue and standard fixings.

I tried a few things from the buffet during my 14-night cruise but mostly avoided it because the items I tried weren't flavorful or fresh. I did appreciate the whole fruit usually available on the buffet.

As mentioned above, I regularly returned to the included counter-service BlueIguana Cantina near the primary pool on Deck 9 for delicious, freshly made tacos, burritos and other Mexican-style dishes. I recommend the breakfast burritos (get hash browns added, and ask for guacamole sauce), chicken burritos and chicken tacos with toppings from the salsa bar. I quickly learned the opening hours of this counter-service restaurant, as it only serves breakfast and lunch.

Another included counter-service dining option I enjoyed on Deck 9 by the primary pool was Guy's Burger Joint . Burgers were prepared fresh to order, and fries were served with excellent seasoning. My go-to was the Pig Patty, a cheeseburger with a bacon patty on top. However, beware: Guy's Burger Joint is only open from noon to 6 p.m. most days. If you want burgers for dinner, plan on eating early.

An appealing late-night counter-service option (open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) is the included Carnival Deli on Deck 9 within the seating area for the buffet-style Red Sail Restaurant. My husband liked the Reuben sandwich, while I preferred the hot dogs. The fries at Guy's Burger Joint are superior, but the condiments and hours at the Carnival Deli are better. Unfortunately, the lines can grow long (think: a 10-minute wait) when the Carnival Deli is the only included counter-service option besides Pizza Pirate still open.

Pizza Pirate is the included dining option with the longest hours. From 9 to 4 a.m. daily, you can get freshly baked pizza near the secondary pool on Deck 9 within five minutes of placing your order. I tried the Quattro Formaggi (the four-cheese pizza), which tasted good but was too oily.

One evening, I went to the a la carte Sushi at Sea counter within the Red Sail Restaurant on Deck 9. The cost per roll is reasonable, and I was pleased to see the fish cut and the rolls made in front of me while I waited. Plus, the rolls were more substantial and filling than I expected. I'd recommend visiting Sushi at Sea for a roll or two if you're craving sushi during your cruise or want something fresher than many other options on the Lido Deck.

Seafood Shack is an a la carte counter-service restaurant near the aft pool across from Pizza Pirate on Deck 9. I stopped by one evening to order a seafood basket but was informed only a few items were available that night. I ended up trying the shrimp bucket, which came with fries. The shrimp were breaded heavily but tasted like what you might get at a standard seafood restaurant. In short, I don't recommend spending your money at this a la carte restaurant unless you are craving its mostly fried seafood offerings.

You can have dinner at the Emerald Room Steakhouse on Deck 10 for a flat $49 per person cover charge. Keep an eye out for promotions that include wine if you book ahead of time or dine at the steakhouse on embarkation day.

I tried the steakhouse when a same-day reservation appeared on the second-to-last night of my cruise and was pleased with the quality of the tuna tartare and the filet mignon — which almost melted in my mouth, as expected.

The steakhouse offers a wine-pairing package with a half-glass of wine per course. However, when we tried to order this pairing package, the server advised us that ordering a bottle of wine would be more economical. We ordered one of the least expensive wines on the menu, a Sangre de Toro tempranillo, and found it paired well with our meals.

You'll find several self-serve ice cream stations on Deck 9. Grab a cone or cup and serve yourself chocolate, vanilla or a swirl of the two. I enjoyed a few bowls of vanilla ice cream on my cruise, as they were a nice treat after being in the heat.

The Red Sail Restaurant on Deck 9 offers complimentary self-serve coffee (including cream, milk and sugar). However, for specialty coffee, you must visit the JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 5, the Colors Bar on Deck 3 or the Coffee Bar on Deck 9 to buy a la carte coffee drinks. If you plan to purchase specialty coffee during your cruise, check whether a buy-six, get-one-free offer is available.

Finally, you can also order room service over the phone. Continental breakfast items are included from 6 to 10 a.m., but all other items are priced a la carte with an 18% service charge (although there's no additional delivery fee). I didn't try room service on my cruise, as I didn't want to wait around for it to be delivered and was always willing to walk a few decks up and get fresh food on the Lido Deck.

Related: Carnival cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

Cruisers gather around the Colors Bar in the lobby area on Deck 3 throughout the day, especially in the evenings. This bar is near the Your Time dining room and the Amber Palace theater, but it also hosts activities like trivia during the day and live music in the evenings. It's a good place to hang out inside, but it can be difficult to snag a spot at the bar in the evenings.

If you want to watch sports, head to the SkyBox Sports Bar in the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge. However, this bar isn't always staffed late at night, and the game you want to watch might not be available. You'll find military-themed cocktails here, including the Hero's Tribute cocktail with five different types of alcohol. The bar also offers many standard cocktails and martinis with military-themed names.

The Alchemy Bar is a sophisticated cocktail bar on Deck 5 near the nightclub and a favorite among Carnival regulars. The bar was usually popular in the evenings, but groups used it as a meetup spot during the day. The light-up menu books are a neat touch, but I never stopped to order a drink here.

The RedFrog Rum Bar and the BlueIguana Tequila Bar are located near each other on Deck 9 by the primary pool. These bars can get busy in the early afternoon on sea days when most cruisers are lounging around the pool. Both bars offer a collection of themed drinks and a shaded sitting area. I ordered the signature drink from each bar — Red's Rum Treasure and Blue's Patron Margarita — and split them with my husband. I liked the tangy taste of the margarita but preferred the spicy fruitiness of Red's Rum Treasure.

The Azure Bar serves the secondary pool near the back of the ship. This bar has a calmer vibe than the bars near the primary pool; some cruisers might even call the Azure Bar boring. One evening, I tried a Sangria Swirl from this bar, finding it an interesting twist to a standard frozen margarita.

You'll find a special drink menu for comedy shows within the Punchliner Comedy Club in the Ebony Cabaret Lounge on Deck 5. There's a bar at the back of the club, but servers come around to take drink orders at the start of each show. During an evening show, I tried the signature cocktail — The Punchliner — and appreciated its significant strength, blue color and fruity yet not-too-sweet taste. I could have ordered my cocktail as a pitcher, but frankly, that would have been too much of a good thing. The bar also offers an assortment of martinis and shooters.

You'll also find a bar within the casino on Deck 5. Guests rarely sit at this bar, as it is mostly there to serve people playing in the casino. Staff occasionally come around to see if players want to order drinks. If you are playing and have Drinks on Us in the casino, show the staff member your player number on the machine you are playing to get up to one complimentary drink per five minutes (up to 15 drinks per day).

If piano music is more of your jam, head to the Cinn-A-Bar piano bar on Deck 5. Here, you can sit at the circular piano-themed bar around the piano or lounge away from the action in comfy seating. When I stopped by one evening after a comedy show, I was pleased to find a close-knit group of patrons sitting around a friendly pianist with an informal style.

Across from the piano bar is Bar Blue. This bar never seemed too lively, but its blue theming was attractive.

The Ivory Club bar on Deck 4 has a neat ambience and an attractive long bar. It's not the right vibe for everyone — it felt too dark and old-school for my tastes — so check out this bar early on to see if it's a space you'll want to frequent.

You can also buy beer by the ounce at the pour-your-own-beer station in the Red Sail Restaurant on Deck 9.

Carnival offers a Cheers drink package (you'll find discounts if you purchase ahead of time) that includes sodas, spirits (including cocktails), beer and wines by the glass that carry a $20 or lower menu price. Considering the length of my cruise and the fact that you can only purchase a package for both passengers in a cabin for the entire cruise, I figured we'd be better off buying drinks a la carte. You can also purchase a soda package for your entire cruise.

Carnival Glory activities

Carnival Glory has two pools, both on Deck 9. The primary pool midship is where activities happen, DJs play and movies are shown. Most guests relax around the primary pool on sea days.

Meanwhile, the secondary pool at the back of the ship has a quieter vibe and can be covered in poor weather. You'll find two hot tubs and dining options at each pool.

Above the primary pool are two waterslides that drop from Deck 14 to Deck 10. The slides are fun, but I found picking up much speed on either slide difficult. You'll also find some kid-friendly smaller slides on Deck 10. You do not have to pay to use the waterslides.

The included Serenity adults-only retreat is near the front of the ship on decks 12 and 14. This area has a small bar, two hot tubs, plenty of padded chairs and cabanas available on a first-come, first-served basis.

On decks 11 and 12, you'll find a sports deck with a basketball hoop, a pickleball court and a nine-hole miniature golf course. The sports court and its activities don't cost extra. However, the pickleball court was almost always in use, and the miniature golf course was difficult to enjoy at sea since the light foam balls would often move on their own due to the wind or the ship's movement. The area closes daily at 5:30 p.m., even when the sun sets hours later.

Surrounding the sports deck is a walking track on Deck 11. I was surprised by how many people walked or jogged on this track on calm days during my cruise. A free-to-use cornhole game and shuffleboard court are often set up next to the track during the day.

Many people on my cruise seemed to spend time in the casino on Deck 5. The casino offers slots, table games, poker and blackjack.

Nonsmokers will be happy to know that a decent part of the casino is now designated as nonsmoking. So, while some parts of the casino allow you to smoke when seated and actively playing, nonsmokers can avoid sitting directly next to smokers while they play. Although I could faintly smell smoke from the nonsmoking slots area, I wouldn't say the area was smoky, and my clothing didn't smell of cigarette smoke after I spent a few hours playing slots.

Groups could often be found chatting and playing card games along the Deck 5 indoor promenade that extends from the nightclub to the casino. I enjoyed looking at the large map of our cruising route in this area.

You can borrow books from the Deck 4 library during your sailing. Groups frequently use the room for informal meetups, so don't expect to use it as a quiet space.

Families and gamers might enjoy the pay-to-play video arcade on Deck 5. This area was refreshed recently, so the games are mostly modern and new.

You'll often find special activities such as dancing, karaoke and even a silent disco in the evenings. I loved going to the silent disco one evening in the nightclub as two DJs battled to see who could maintain the most listeners.

At the spa and salon on Deck 11, you can purchase a variety of massages, hair services and fitness classes. The spa sometimes offers promotions on port days and a progressive discount when you purchase multiple treatments.

Guests can use the fitness center, found within the spa area, free of charge. The fitness center offers a workout area and gender-segregated locker rooms with showers, saunas and steam rooms.

Related: Cloud 9 Spa, Carnival Cruise Line's spa and fitness facility: What you need to know

If you have children between 2 and 17, you'll likely be interested in the kids and teen activities on board. Kids 11 and under can use the Camp Ocean facilities, where they might be split into three groups based on age: Penguins for ages 2 to 5, Stingrays for ages 6 to 8 and Sharks for ages 9 to 11. The Camp Ocean area was recently refreshed with a new video wall for the Space Cruisers program. Most activities are included, but some carry costs, such as Night Owls late-night group babysitting from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Kids ages 12 to 14 can chill in Circle C, while 15- to 17-year-olds can hang out in Club O2. A staff member offers activities in these spaces, but they're mostly areas for teenagers to gather.

You'll find the schedule of daily activities — some paid and some included — in the Carnival Hub app or a printed newsletter. Standard activities include bingo games, trivia and art auctions.

Shopping opportunities on Deck 5 include stores selling candy, liquor, cigarettes, jewelry, sundries and Carnival logowear.

Carnival Glory shows

Carnival Glory offers a variety of live music, theater productions, stand-up comedy and poolside, big-screen movies. Most days, you'll have the opportunity to watch at least one movie from the primary pool or the nearby seating areas. On my cruise, movies like "Barbie," "The Hunger Games" and "Wonka" played on the big screen.

The Amber Palace Theater hosts most evening performances, a mix of theater productions and live music. I attended one stand-up comedy show in the theater and was happy I could hear and see perfectly fine from some of the farthest seats. I stuck my head into the theater a few times, but although the evening performances seemed popular with other guests, I opted to spend my evenings in other venues.

A version of "Deal or No Deal," which you can watch for free but carries an extra cost to play, is also held in the Amber Palace on most Carnival Glory cruises.

You can also watch short 30-minute stand-up comedy skits at the Punchliner Comedy Club in the Ebony Cabaret Lounge on Deck 5. The first show I watched flopped hard, with enough cruisers leaving partway through the show that the comedian started to joke about how she counted the few laughs she got. The subsequent shows I watched by other comedians were much better.

Finally, live music is available throughout the ship. DJs play in the nightclub and poolside, while musicians often play or sing in the Colors Lobby in the evenings.

Related: Carnival cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Fun Ship style

Carnival Glory itineraries and pricing

After the one-way repositioning cruise I took from Barcelona to Port Canaveral, Carnival Glory will sail three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries from the Orlando-area port through at least April 2026.

The three-night cruises include one port of call, usually in a Bahamian destination like Nassau, Bimini or Celebration Key , Carnival's new private beach destination. Fares start at $338 per person for an inside cabin and $498 per person for a balcony room, based on double occupancy.

The four-night cruises usually stop in two ports and might visit Bimini, Nassau, Freeport, Princess Cays and Celebration Key, all in the Bahamas. Fares start at $355 per person for an inside cabin and $545 per person for a balcony room, based on double occupancy.

What to know before you go

Here's what you need to know before going on a Carnival Glory cruise.

Required documents

If you are a U.S. citizen, you'll need one of the following types of documentation to board your round-trip Carnival Glory cruise from Port Canaveral:

• U.S. passport (book or card; valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel)
• State-issued enhanced driver's license
• Certificate of U.S. Naturalization
• Native American Indian Card
• Birth certificate (issued by a government agency) accompanied by a physical government-issued photo ID (only acceptable for U.S.-born citizens)

Although many types of documentation are acceptable, having a passport book is best. If you aren't a U.S. citizen or are unsure whether your documentation is eligible, check out Carnival's full list of travel documents .

Your cruise ticket's first and last name should match those on your travel identification. If you change your name shortly before your cruise, you might want to book using the name on your ID instead of the name you're currently using.

Related: What documents do you need for a cruise? From passports to printouts, here's what to take

You can prepay gratuities of $16 per person, per day ($18 per person, per day if you book a suite) when you book or anytime before sailing.

If you don't prepay your gratuities, they'll be added to your account on the second-to-last day of the cruise. If you want to change nonprepaid gratuities, visit the Guest Services desk while on board. Children under age 2 don't need to pay gratuities.

You'll also see an automatic service charge of 18% on beverage purchases, spa services, a la carte dining and restaurants that charge a cover charge.

Related: Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

You can choose from three Wi-Fi packages on Carnival Glory, with pricing as follows if you book before your sailing:

• Social : $15.30 per person, per day; only provides access to select social media sites
• Value : $19.55 per person, per day; doesn't support Wi-Fi calling, music streaming or video streaming
• Premium : $21.25 per person, per day; supports video calling and is up to three times faster than the Value plan

These prices are for one device at a time. You'll pay up to 15% more than the listed prices if you buy a Wi-Fi package on board.

Unlike the drink packages, you can purchase Wi-Fi for just one passenger in your cabin. You can also log out of your Wi-Fi package on one device and log in on another.

I bought a Premium Wi-Fi package for my cruise and found the speeds were fast enough to do Zoom video calls for work without lag and upload photos. However, I recommend downloading videos and music before your cruise so you don't need Wi-Fi for entertainment.

Related: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea

Carry-on drinks policy

On embarkation day and while in port, each passenger can bring up to 12 cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages of 12 ounces each or less on board with them in their carry-on luggage. Bottles are not permitted. Each passenger can also bring one 750-milliliter bottle of wine or Champagne in their carry-on luggage during embarkation day.

However, if you want to drink the wine or Champagne you brought on board in the main dining room, a specialty restaurant or a bar, you'll need to pay a $15 corkage fee per bottle.

Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide

Smoking policy

You can only smoke in designated areas on Carnival Glory. These areas include parts of the casino when seated and actively playing and designated areas on the starboard sides of decks 3 and 10. You can smoke cigarettes, including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers, in all these areas, but cigar and tobacco pipes are only allowed in designated outdoor areas.

Smoking in other areas, including your cabin or balcony, isn't allowed.

Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide

On Carnival Glory, you can do self-service laundry in laundromats located on cabin decks. Wash and dry cycles are about 30 minutes each and cost $3.50 each when charged to your Sail & Sign card. Interestingly, the laundromat closest to my cabin offered three washers and six dryers. So, while there was occasionally a wait for a washer, finding a dryer was never an issue.

Bring your own detergent and dryer sheets, or you can purchase packets of detergent and fabric softener from a vending machine in the laundromat for $2 per packet.

You can also use the cruise line's laundry service and pay per item. The price list is in your cabin. You might also be able to get an entire bag of laundry done for $15. Ask your cabin attendant to see if you're eligible.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

We found a variety of three-prong 110-volt North American grounded outlets and 220-volt European outlets throughout the ship. In our cabin, both of these outlets were available at the desk. The nightstands on each side of the bed were also powered, offering a three-prong North American outlet, a USB-A outlet and a USB-C outlet.

Carnival allows passengers to bring and use power strips, multiplug box outlets and extension cords, although surge protectors aren't allowed.

Related: Packing for a cruise? These items aren't allowed on board

The currency on board Carnival Glory is the dollar. The cruise ship mostly operates on a cashless basis, and you will use your cruise card to pay for purchases on board. Your final onboard bill will be charged to the credit card (or against the cash deposit) you gave when you checked in for your sailing.

Drinking age

The minimum drinking age on Carnival ships departing the U.S. is 21.

The ship does not have a daytime dress code, although you'll need to meet minimum dress code guidelines for some evening dining options. In particular, you'll usually need to follow one of these two dress codes to dine at the steakhouse or the main dining room:

• Cruise causal : On cruise casual evenings, you should wear longer dress shorts, pants (including jeans), collared polo shirts, sundresses, skirts, blouses and capri pants. You should avoid sleeveless shirts (women can wear sleeveless blouses and dresses), cutoff jeans, T-shirts and gym shorts.
• Cruise elegant : On cruise elegant evenings, you should wear suits, dress slacks, sports coats, dress shirts, cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses.

Consider bringing comfortable clothing for the rest of the day, a swimsuit for the pool and a cover-up to wear indoors.

Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes

Bottom line

Carnival Glory isn't the newest or biggest ship, but I enjoyed the dining options, had fun at the comedy club, played on the waterslides, got in a few rounds of miniature golf and generally had an enjoyable time. Most guests who didn't spend much of their cruise working remotely like I did didn't seem bored, even on a 14-night sailing.

The upcoming itineraries on Carnival Glory are much shorter three- and four-night cruises, so you'll need to pick and choose which activities and restaurants are right for you. I highly recommend trying my favorite dining options — the main dining room, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina — early in your cruise, so you learn quickly whether you want to go back or try a new venue. Do a walk around the ship within the first 24 hours, focusing on decks 3, 4, 5, 9 and 10, to get the lay of the land and determine where you want to spend your limited time on board.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin