Can you go on a cruise with a green card? What US permanent residents need to know about travel documents

Table Of Content

• Help! I’m stuck in a $6,079 international roaming charge disaster
• Can I cruise from the US with just a green card?
• Travel document requirements for sailings from Seward, Alaska
• Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to Alaska?
• Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens
• Princess Cruises

This requirement applies to air travelers 18 years of age and older. Yes, a passport is required for Royal Caribbean cruises departing from foreign ports. If you’re a citizen of the United States, you’ll also need a valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification to board the ship.

Help! I’m stuck in a $6,079 international roaming charge disaster

If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82. Even though Hawaii is a U.S. state, all of our cruise itineraries require you to travel with a U.S. passport book or card. If you are cruising to Mexico on a closed-loop cruise, (a journey that starts and ends at the same U.S. port), you can enter without a passport and show a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate instead. No matter which documents you bring, it's a smart idea to take copies of them (either paper ones or photos on your phone) when you leave the ship, in case something happens while you're ashore. Always carry some type of photo identification, like a driver's license, when you head into port.

Can I cruise from the US with just a green card?

Simply search for your city name plus “passport” in Google to find companies in your area that offer expedited service. Once you have all your documentation, then you’ll need to submit it in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility. You can take photos at tons of places, from grocery stores to drug stores to many mail centers. Once you decide which type of passport you’d like, you’ll need to gather the appropriate documents.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Seward, Alaska

They provide a plethora of onboard activities, top-notch dining options, captivating entertainment, and luxurious accommodations that are tailored to both adults and families. In addition to offering different levels of travel flexibility, price is also a major difference between a U.S. passport book and passport card. As a result of Dwayne’s inquiry, Daniel received a final word from Princess Cruises. It reiterated that it’s always the passenger’s responsibility to know and possess proper travel documents. The U.S. passport card is not valid to use for international flights.

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Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to Alaska?

That being said, we always recommend bringing a valid passport book on your cruise. If you don’t make it back to your cruise ship on time after visiting a port, or if a family emergency requires you to fly back home from one of your cruise destinations, a passport card won’t allow you to travel on a plane. In case there are any unforeseen inconveniences, a passport book will always work as a valid travel document via air, land, and sea. While international travel flexibility and cost are both important differences between a passport book and card, there are similarities.

These include special considerations for older travelers, those with disabilities, women, and LGBTQI+ travelers. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. The decision of which passport option to choose will depend on how and where you intend to travel. If you're a U.S. citizen and don't have a passport, you actually have quite a few cruise options.

In that case, you'll wind up having both (and spending more cash). In fact, doing so would mean spending more money than is necessary. A U.S. passport book provides all of the benefits as a passport card, but also works as identification to enter nearly every other country on Earth (not just those in North America and the Caribbean). You can save time at the U.S.-Mexico border by using Ready Lanes that read the U.S. passport card’s Radio Frequency Identification technology. If you're renewing both your passport book and passport card, you must provide both documents.

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Both passport cards and books are valid for the same length of time (10 years for adults, 5 years for children) and can be used in lieu of other state-issued IDs. A passport card is an acceptable form of documentation when you're returning to the U.S. after travel within the countries that are included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. If you're deciding whether to get a passport card vs. a passport book, and you can't bear to wade through the fine print, the safer choice is always to get the passport book. A passport book will serve as acceptable proof of identification and citizenship at any cruise port, airport or border crossing. It’s your responsibility to ensure you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries your cruise visits.

For starters, you can certainly enjoy a domestic cruise, meaning one that does not leave the country where you are a citizen. A passport card is a smaller alternative to a standard passport book. While it may seem more convenient, it is only designed for land and sea travel between specific countries, like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and various Caribbean nations.

In order to sail, a guest must meet the requirements of ONE of the check boxes below. I'm a travel writer and content creator who loves to explore new places. I've been to over 20 countries, and I'm always on the lookout for my next great adventure.

Our guide aims to explain these requirements, preparing you for potential emergencies and ensuring you’re well-equipped for cruise travel. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using the same application. When completing your form, let us know if you would like to apply for one or both documents.

For closed-loop cruises (starting and ending at the same U.S. port), a passport isn’t required to re-enter the U.S. However, a passport might still be needed depending on the cruise’s other stops and the cruise line’s requirements. While traveling abroad with a group can create lasting memories, organizing such trips can be challenging—especially when everyone needs passports. In our experience, the easiest and most convenient solution is to hire a passport expediting service. Princess Cruises provides a global experience, covering over 100 countries across all seven continents, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

You may be surprised to learn that U.S. citizens don't need a passport to sail on "closed-loop" cruises with lines like Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and others. Whether you should get a passport card or book is a separate question to whether you need one. If your cruise goes beyond the 90-day admission time, you will need to apply for a new admission period.

International cruises are a wonderful getaway for families and groups of friends. Many cruises have such a wide array of activities and experiences—not to mention unforgettable destinations—that there’s always something for everyone in your party to enjoy. Currently, routine passport processing is about 6 to 8 weeks, expedited processing takes about 2 to 3 weeks and rushed expedited processing is possible within 14 days. Taking a cruise abroad is an unforgettable experience and an amazing way to see the world. To help you better prepare for your voyage, here are a few passport tips and best practices to follow when planning your international cruise. Established in 1965, Princess Cruises, a prominent name in the cruise industry, began its journey with a single ship heading to Mexico.

If you were born in the United States, contact the county, city, or state where you were born and ask for a certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority. Scrambling for a temporary passport can create mounds of paperwork and plenty of headaches, and the time it takes to process is never guaranteed. Isolated incidents have left passengers stranded for longer than anticipated.

Guide to Cruise Passport Policies for U S. Travelers

Table Of Content

• Does Royal Caribbean keep your passport during the cruise?
• Delta vs. Air France: The Best One For International Travels
• Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens
• Can I cruise from the US with just a green card?
• Who is responsible when a passenger does not have the required ID for travel?
• Travel document requirements for sailings from Central & South American homeports

Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. We strongly suggest that guests visit 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. Even though passports aren’t currently required for U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends traveling with a valid passport book.

Does Royal Caribbean keep your passport during the cruise?

Therefore, even if a cruise doesn’t require a passport, it’s advisable to have one to avoid these potential issues. The need for a passport during cruise travel is primarily determined by the nature of the cruise— specifically, whether it’s a closed-loop or open-loop cruise. Without fail, each month, our team receives several requests for assistance from cruisers who have found themselves without the correct documentation for entry to their intended destination. Lauderdale just hours before the scheduled embarkation of the ship.

Delta vs. Air France: The Best One For International Travels

Instead of providing a passport, you can show proof of identification (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (a birth certificate) to board your cruise. You'll need two documents instead of one, but you're more likely to have these already. Passport cards are not accepted identification for air travel, and you cannot use them to fly internationally. If you have to fly between your cruise homeport and the U.S. – including flights to or from Canada for an Alaska or Canada/New England cruise – you cannot use a passport card as your sole identification. To enter another country by air, you will need a passport from your country of citizenship and potentially some travel visas. If your passport book does not meet this requirement, you may be denied boarding or entry into certain countries, even if your cruise ship is your primary means of travel.

Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens

Europe and Transatlantic CruisesU.S Permanent Residents 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. The first step on our forms is to select if you want a passport book, passport card, or both documents. While the book is valid for entering most countries by any means of travel (air, sea, or land), the passport card is only valid for only return to the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. Children under 16 can also travel to the Bahamas on a cruise with an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship.

Can I cruise from the US with just a green card?

A passport card costs $65 for adults and $50 for children under age 16. Additionally, some cruise lines might require permanent residents to carry a passport regardless of itinerary, so make sure you check the policy of the line you intend to sail. It's generally a good idea, especially if something goes wrong on your vacation and you have to disembark early and fly home.

Holland America Line

Learn the rules and consequences of traveling with an expired passport. Our comprehensive guide shares the steps to take if you find yourself in this situation. Rushed expedited service is a better choice when you have a tight schedule. Rushed service can be completed within 14 days—also not including mailing times. Again, to avoid potential delays with the postal service, you could make an appointment at the nearest Regional Passport Agency.

Who is responsible when a passenger does not have the required ID for travel?

You should have at least one blank page for each country you’re visiting. If you don’t have enough pages left for stamps, you’ll need to renew your passport before your trip. You’ll also want to double check when your passport expires, as many countries require a passport to be valid for six months after the date of your planned departure.

Cruise Ship Passengers

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency states that if you're cruising without a passport, you'll need proof of identity and U.S. citizenship in the form of a state-issued birth certificate. It also requires a government-issued driver's license or a photo ID with your name and date of birth. You might also want to have a passport on hand for certain excursions. If you're considering any such day trips, you'll want to have a passport on hand.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Central & South American homeports

One of the greatest things about cruising is that it offers a chance for international travel, without many of the headaches. There’s no need to learn another language (English is spoken in ports). Your cruise company also may require you to have a passport, even if U.S.

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Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, sports team, or other organization with adult supervision. A U.S. passport book is a government-issued document that allows U.S. citizens to travel internationally by air, land, and sea. It's best to check the requirements not just for each island that you'll be sailing to, but also to additional destinations you may visit on a port call. Even if you're on a closed-loop sailing, certain islands in the Caribbean – Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados and others -- require a passport for entry. It's your responsibility (not your cruise line's) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go.

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Though you can cruise without a passport and still get home if you get stranded in port, the hassle of obtaining a temporary passport on top of making arrangements for last-minute travel is rarely worth it. In our minds, investing around a dollar per month for 10 years of security is a steal. If an emergency arises, only an official passport will allow you to fly home quickly from a foreign port. If you end up stranded in another country because of unforeseen circumstances, you do still have options, but it will take more time and effort to get home with only a birth certificate and photo ID. The answer to all of these questions for U.S. citizens is no -- as long as you’re taking a closed-loop cruise. Closed-loop cruises travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda but start and end at the same U.S. homeport.

Visas can be acquired directly from the embassy or consulate of the countries to be visited. The requirements for visas and other documents can differ based on the destination and may change without any advance notice. Guests should double-check the visa requirements with the consulate 14 to 30 days before the cruise starts. On the other hand, open-loop cruises always require a valid U.S. passport for American travelers. Open-loop cruises start in one U.S. port and conclude in a different U.S. port. An example would be a 16-day Panama Canal cruise that sets sail from Seattle and ends its journey in New Orleans.

Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, or other organization with adult supervision. If you find yourself without a passport but in need of one, you would need to contact and locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and request an emergency limited validity passport in order to fly home. The process requires explaining your urgent situation, completing an application, and showing your travel documents, photo identification and proof of citizenship.

You can also get both the passport book and card for an extra fee. The obvious reasons for having a passport are if you are not sailing on a closed-loop cruise or heading to a port that requires it. Even though Alaska is part of the United States, most cruise itineraries will require you to travel with a U.S. passport. A valid U.S. passport book is mandatory even if you’re flying to or from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean from the United States.

Additionally, visas or travel permits may be required to enter some countries. Passport expediters are professionals who specialize in speeding up the passport application process. They help group travelers get their passports quickly and efficiently, making them a valuable resource for those traveling on short notice or those who wish to avoid the complexities of the passport process. A reliable passport courier can manage the logistical challenges and multiple appointments required for obtaining numerous passports on a tight schedule. A credible passport expeditor can make planning a group cruise a lot smoother and less stressful. Customs and Border Protection, some countries require a notarized consent letter for children traveling without both parents or a legal guardian.

For more information, check out the links to visitor-submitted questions below. This is followed by a Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization if they are traveling as a U.S. citizen to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, or Bermuda. Also, you might be wondering if Royal Up is worthwhile if you’re thinking about upgrading your stateroom on a Royal Caribbean trip. Using the Royal Up program, visitors can place a bid to be upgraded to a cabin of a higher category. Disney Cruise Line, a branch of The Walt Disney Company, has been providing unique oceanic journeys since 1996. It boasts a fleet of 6 luxury liners, each offering state-of-the-art amenities, exceptional service, and exclusive Disney activities.