Cruises That Do Not Require a Passport
Passport Rules for Cruises on a Closed Loop Itinerary
Jun 3, 2009
As of June 1, 2009, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was fully implemented, enforcing stricter passport requirements. But there is one loophole for cruise passengers. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean state on their website that U.S. citizens on closed loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the United States with just a birth certificate (original or certified copy) and a laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and birth date. Here’s what cruise passengers need to know.
What is a Closed Loop Cruise?
A closed loop cruise is one that begins and ends at the same port in the United States. Initially, the definition of closed loop came from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), but this term has been refined for cruising. Closed loop cruises are defined as U.S. based cruises with itineraries that both originate and terminate in the United States. But these cruises must be returning from contiguous territories or adjacent islands.
- What are Contiguous Territories? – Countries that share a border with the United States are considered contiguous territories, such as Canada and Mexico. For example, an Alaska cruise that sails roundtrip out of Seattle would not require passengers to present a passport, because it visits only Alaska and Canada (a contiguous territory). The same rule applies for a Mexican Riviera cruise that departs from Los Angeles and finishes in Los Angeles.
- Which are Considered Adjacent Islands? – Most of the Caribbean islands are considered adjacent by definition. A more comprehensive list can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. Basically, a Caribbean cruise that originates and terminates in the same U.S. port, such as Miami, is not required to present a passport if the cruise is returning from any of these adjacent islands.
- A passport or other approved document is required for cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port. For example, if a cruise starts in Seattle and ends in Seward, Alaska, a passport is required.
- A passport is required for cruises that begin or end in a foreign port. For example, if an Alaska cruise begins or ends in Vancouver, a passport is required.
- A passport is required for all cruises where an international flight needs to be taken since all international air travel requires a passport.
- A passport is also required if the cruise itinerary visits ports that are not contiguous territories such as Costa Rica, Belize or Panama (neither of these share a border with the U.S.). This rule also applies even when the port of embarkation and disembarkation are the same U.S. port, in the case of some Panama Canal cruises.
