Do you need a passport for a cruise?

[@nichtsistkostenlos6565]

I want to get the most value out of my drinks package on my next cruise, so I'm going to come back to this video after I get on the boat and take a drink every time he says "passport".

[@pianointhedesert]

This made me laugh SO HARD! 🤣🤣🤣

[@1292tank]

Get a passport people it makes life easier 😀🌊 think about how much travel you can do!

[@Masterchief68]

The simple answer is “YES”!!! Get a passport, it will make your life and cruising so much simpler.

[@sarahphillips295]

Whether a passport is required to board or not, don’t leave your home country without one. The risk is not even worth it. Look up the horror stories (and there are plenty) of people who had an emergency happen either to them or a member of their travel party and were stranded in a foreign country. Just getting to the nearest consulate or embassy is very likely going to cost more than the passport would have. Add in food and lodging and the cheap could come out very expensive.

[@stellahayes7895]

we r going on a 5 days Eastern Caribbean cruise and we are leaving port from Miami and will return to Miami so do we need a passport

[@sarahphillips295]

@@stellahayes7895 Most of the time when you're leaving from and returning to the same U.S. port and sailing to the Caribbean a passport is not required to board the ship. This is always sailing specific though because there are a few countries in the Caribbean that require a passport to enter. Check with the cruise line to see what documentation is required for your specific sailing.

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@stellahayes7895 and ID in terms of identity question ?

[@AxelQC]

No, but yes. You can cruise without one, but it's not a great idea. Since they are good for 10 years, you are far better off getting one.

[@sekh35]

An enhanced driver’s license will work as well. It’s essentially the same as a passport card, but only issued by New York, Vermont, Minnesota, Washington and Michigan

[@Larant88]

Nope, we have them in Virginia as well.

[@sekh35]

@@Larant88 pretty sure it is not, you may be thinking of a real ID, because the states listed were the only ones when I wrote this a year ago

[@waynebrowne1063]

Just get a dang passport, people! It’ll just make things so much easier for you. There is no downside to getting one.

[@SandcastleGirl]

Thank you! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@TeaWithTay]

@@theyluvdooley1922 typically 6-8 weeks is standard time frame . You can pay an extra $40 to get it faster which would be between 4-6 weeks

[@MR3DDev]

Spoken like someone from a country that is easy to get a passport from. Where I come from there is no place to renew my passport.

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@MR3DDev i am worried of the customs

[@MR3DDev]

@@lexkanyima2195 Which customs? you are allowed to enter the US with just your green card, is on the USCIS website in their rules

[@soniacattley1186]

If you are Australian doing an Australian only cruise (including Willis Island) no passport is required. An Australian driver's licence or 18+ card.

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

A passport is an essential

[@brandigant2587]

Your blogs are so helpful, thank you for this one in particular.

[@metalmilitia89]

I did the White Pass Train Ride that DID go into Canada, and we did not have to provide our passports, even though we still had them on anyway. Since we did not get off of the train, they said that no passport was necessary. This was this past July 2022.

[@starlightzz1480]

What about from Miami to the bahamas???

[@Davidsavage8008]

I don't want to fly , I just want to be on the ocean for a few nights to a week. Don't need to leave the ship.

[@mweihanli9613]

Matt, I love all the information you share. It is so helpful. Is there some where i can contact you with individual questions?

[@benbellino3596]

Mistake at 7:09 but I know what you meant.

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

Lasts 10 years for adults and 5 for the kiddies. But what if I left the passport in my cabin and the had them margaritas?

[@mk.xo29]

Always bring your passport and ID with you when you get off at a port.

[@enchantingodin]

I keep seeing conflicting info about Barbados. Everything I've read on my cruise line (NCL) and the state department website show it's not required under the WHTI. I know this is over a year old, but would you mind sharing your source for them requiring a passport please?

[@810Jones]

Okay but help me out here. What about just for cococay and Nassau ports. Is a passport needed to enter at these stops specifically?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

As I said in the video, not NEEDED if you're an American sailing from a US port, but you're best off with one

[@eloisafrometa88]

One of my kids doesn’t have a raised seal but it’s the government issued birth certificate. Do you think that will cause an issue?

[@kupalface]

Confusing. So I spoke to royal Caribbean yesterday. They said if you have a passport that’s going to expire with in 6 month of the cruise sailing. It won’t work…. It’s still a valid passport and it says online passport it’s ok… but never stated the 6mos window…Sucks cause it won’t be expedited on time of sailing.

[@SameOlHim]

I officially have a passport now! YES!!!

[@oscarfairley6600]

If you traveling outside the country, get a passport.

[@marissamiller5964]

Hey can you do a video of the documentations you need and the process you need to do to bring a child that isn’t yours with you on the cruise

[@enriquesinghjr]

US citizen... boards Royal Caribbean in Galveston... itinerary includes Mexican destinations... cruise at the end returns to Galveston... do you need a passport or not? (I think no).

[@AmeliaLove7]

Did you ever find out if you need passport ?

[@coast2coastcards]

When you go to port, should you take your passport with you, or would a copy of it suffice??

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

I always take the passport with me. A photocopy of a passport is like a photocopy of cash: not acceptable for use

[@caseytcat888]

I always leave my passport safely locked in the cabin safe. If anything happens, the ship's authorities can always get it. If you take it ashore and it gets stolen, it would be very complicated.

[@wendytabon3029]

I take my drivers license or my State Employee ID onshore if passport is not required

[@RACERMIMI1320]

what about to Ensenada Mexico?

[@timcapell]

This guy could easily be an auto auctioneer

[@ninanguyen9646]

My passport not arrive ontime can I use my New York enhanced driver license for closed loop cruise ?

[@thekiziahshow9649]

Yes

[@NancyGstt]

And then when a passport needs to be renewed before you travel to Europe but you have a few Caribbean cruises planned in the mean time you have to use your birth certificate while you wait for your passport to return. arg, I hate that

[@theyluvdooley1922]

I’ve been waiting on my passport for 3 months and my cruise is in two weeks… so could I use my birth certificate?

[@krysalex6848]

First minors do one parent need written notarized permission from the other parent in order to sail with their children if one parent is not going?

[@belle0ftheball_]

Hi! Any videos about getting a passport stamped at a cruise port? Which ports do this and which ones are harder to get?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

It’s pretty much impossible for cruise guests

[@ape4amc636]

What about a woman who's name on the birth cert is different than the driver license?

[@boondockmutiny9955]

Cruise on RC from LA to Mexico closed loop. I have a Washington state enhanced ID that’s valid for boarder crossing by land or sea from Mexico/Canada/Caribbean. Do I still need a passport?

[@eloisafrometa88]

Also I’m a single mom taking my kids on the cruise by myself. Both kids have my last name but do I need something from their dad that says it’s okay for me to take them on a closed loop sailing?

[@jhenf.9987]

Hi Matt, question. I’m a Jamaican citizen. I’m flying to Rome to get a cruise that begins and ends there. I’ve already gotten the Schengen visa. The cruise however stops in Turkey. Would I need to get the e-visa? I’m thinking that I wouldn’t need it since I’ll be using the ship card to get on or off the ship anyways. I’ll still bring my passport anyways but just wondering if I’ll have an issue to get off.

[@jcox8418]

So my wife and I have always cruised with our original passports. We have a cruise that we booked on short notice that leaves in just about 3 months. We checked our passports and noticed my wife's expires in about 6 months. Will this be an issue, cruising with a passport that expires 3 months after boarding? I've read that cruise lines require expiration dates to be 6 months out.

[@michellebradshaw2764]

I Would Like To Know Do You Do Any Round Trips To Any Of The Clear Blue Fresh Water Rivers? Does It Have Any Shallow Rivers You Know Of Near A Waterfalls? I’ve Already Been To Dunns River Falls! I’m Talking The River That’s Used For Rafting! I Would Like To Go Swimming In A River & A Lagoon? Do You Travel To An Authentic Reggae Night Clubs? Do you know if there’s an adult only All inclusive Resort near Frenchman’s Cove? What Are Your Time Limits For Any Type Of Excursions? Do You Know Which Beaches That Have Sand Bars? It’s Where You Take The Catamaran Out To The Middle Of Ocean Where The Water Is Clear Blue & It’s 5 or 6 Feet Deep? I’m Not Talking About 15 Feet Deep Where They Stop For Snorkeling! I’ve Been On A Party Cruise That Stops At A Sand Bar For Us To Go Swimming In Montego Bay. I Spent 10 Days On Vacation In Ocho Rios & Everyone Acted Like They Never Heard Of A Sand Bar That’s Similar To A Swimmingpool In The Ocean! They Told Me They Only Knew About Pelican Bar Out In The Ocean.

[@arvinarjona5589]

Hello Matt, Thanks for all of the information, do nyou know if it is still okay to travel with 5 months left on your passport if Port Caneveral, Naussa, and Coco Cay are the only ports on your itinerary?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

Yes

[@bojangles5200]

My family of three have an unexpected week off in May so we booked a very last minute 4 night cruise only going to Labadee… The representative we booked with on the phone insisted we only need our birth certificates and ID’s… Now after watching this I’m not sure if we should cancel the cruise or not? (We don’t have enough time to get the passports at this point)

[@michaelhorgan9525]

If the cruise is a closed loop, then you are fine. Closed loop means it departs and arrives at a US port. Enjoy Labadee and your cruise.

[@FeliceCavaliere]

I have the same problem lol

[@mtkonlinefitness8257]

Were you able to travel with ID and birth certificate or did you have to cancel?

[@sopranosurfer]

Have a question for everyone/anyone that can help. I am cruising on a one way trip from Los Angeles to Vancouver in May. My passport expires at the end of October. The question i have is, am i good without renewing or do i have to have at least 6 months validity left on my passport. (internet is mixed and I'm reading some say 3 months, some say 6 months) I'm just confirming if I'm safe to NOT renew my passport till after my trip and if i will be fine flying out of Canada (looks like either Air Canada or United) that i wont have any issues booking or getting on the plane?

[@jessicamclain8855]

So I was reading that we need a birth certificate. Do we need both for a cruise

[@viraisha21]

Thats what I also want to know. Im a non-U.S citizen. I want to know what documentation is needed to cruise?

[@septembercosmetics]

Quick i want to do the freedom of the sea trip for my birthday to the Bahamas. Leaves and arrives in Miami. Do we need our passport?

[@RoyalCaribbeanBlog]

www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/08/20/do-you-need-passport-cruise

[@kennyking1965]

We were set to cruise December 22 circle the Caribbean on Princess. We booked this 18 months in advance as it was canceled last year. Our planner assured us a passport wasn't required. We tried to board and were turned away. Stranded in Florida at the cruise port.

[@baskin283]

That’s so messed up!

[@dianabaskin1944]

Did they say why you were turned away? I have the card and am hoping that is enough.

[@kennyking1965]

We've since applied for a passport. I wouldn't want to go through that again. We were told at the cruise port it was required. We never made it past that security check point. At this point our luggage was on its way onto the ship. :(

[@Stitchwolf]

I have a question, if you go to the private island of Royal do you need a passport or no?

[@lissettea4641]

Only US citizens on closed loop cruises meaning if you leave from a US port and return to a US port a passport is not required.