Table Of Content
If you are taking a cruise that embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, even Canada, you need to have your passport. If your trip begins and ends in a different US port you might need your passport as well. Certain shore excursions that cross a sea border or a land border to a foreign country, like the White Pass or Yukon Railway train rides in Alaska or small day trips to the Caribbean will also require a US passport. For some individual ports you might need a visa as well depending on your passport country of origin, and it is important that you check these requirements before you head out on your cruise. When traveling outside of the U.S. a passport is always recommended, but cruises are the exception to the rule.
What other documents do I need to go on a cruise?
You will need to provide health certificate documentation for the animal in your ports of call. When minors are traveling with only one adult 21 years of age or older, Holland America Line requires that all guests must be in possession of a valid passport. Holland America Line has implemented this requirement so that you all remain together should an emergency arise that requires one or more in your party to be disembarked in a non-U.S.
International Cruises
While most cruise lines will accept a copy of your birth certificate, it has to be an official copy issued by a local health and vital statistics department. To help you understand your passport requirements, we will cover different types of cruises and whether you need a passport to board them. That said, passport requirements can differ depending on where your cruise departs from and its itinerary. This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about passport regulations for cruises. While a cruise can offer a wonderful mixture of relaxation and adventure, you must ensure that your packing list contains everything you need.
What if I forget to pack my passport for a cruise where it is required?
4 Caribbean Islands That Don’t Require a U.S. Passport - AFAR Media
4 Caribbean Islands That Don’t Require a U.S. Passport.
Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you choose to use U.S. dollars, Holland America Line recommends that you carry smaller denominations such as ones, fives, tens and twenties. All checked and carry-on luggage will be scanned and any prohibited items, including alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages will be removed, confiscated, and discarded. If Your luggage is locked, the lock may be removed by security or, alternatively, the luggage will be held by security until you can be present for an inspection and any items in question further identified and/or surrendered. You agree to surrender alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop, or at ports of call, to Holland America Line, which will be delivered to your stateroom just prior to disembarking the voyage. Any wine or champagne supplied by the Holland America Line to you is not subject to a corkage fee.
For example, any time you cross a land or sea border into a foreign country, you’ll need a passport, whether it's riding Alaska's White Pass and Yukon Railway or taking day trips to smaller Caribbean islands. Additionally, it's a good idea to check entry requirements of all individual ports in your itinerary, as you might need a visa as well. So while you don't need a passport of passport card to cruise to Alaska from Seatlle or other U.S. ports, you will need this idenfitication as the cruise must stop in Canada on its way. Without these required documents, you will not be able to board your cruise or get back into the United States. For your convenience, foreign currency exchange services are available at Guest Services.
If you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, including Canada, you will always need your passport for the cruise (in some cases a passport card will suffice). You'll also need a passport for a cruise that begins and ends in different U.S. ports. However, if you don't have a passport, or don't wish to get one, you can still cruise — you're just limited to North American cruises sailing round trip from U.S. departure ports. Restrictions for each homeport city include participating airlines, earliest and latest flight times, and citizenship requirements.
As You Wish® Dining
If you’re looking for a Bahamas cruise, you’ll want to be aware of the documentation requirements for your trip. If you board in Miami, make a few ports of call, sail through the Panama Canal and end in San Diego, you’ll need to bring your passport. Citizens will require a passport or documentation specific to the status they’re seeking when entering the U.S., though there are some exceptions for those traveling to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program. It’s important to note that this documentation is only valid for reentry to the United States through a sea or land border crossing — it won’t work for air travel. The U.S. Department of State provides smooth sailing with a handy Traveler’s Checklist of things to do for your next cruise, as well as passport recommendations and requirements. 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.
For example, a Panama Canal cruise that leaves from Miami and ends in Los Angeles will require a passport. U.S. and Canadian citizens under 16 (or under 19 if traveling with a school, religious group or other youth groups) only need to present a birth certificate or another proof of citizenship. No, photocopies are not considered valid forms of identification for any cruise, domestic or international. If you are worried about losing your passport or other important documents, it is advised that you secure them in your cabin safe box as soon as you make it there. You will be rejected if you forget your passport and it is required to board the ship. Unfortunately, you would also be ineligible for a refund, as bringing your passport is your responsibility.
10 tasks to start doing now to be ahead of everyone else for your cruise next year - Cruise Blog
10 tasks to start doing now to be ahead of everyone else for your cruise next year.
Posted: Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You Need a Passport for Cruises To and From Foreign Ports
For starters, you need to determine if your cruise is departing from and returning to your home country. You also need to know if the cruise itinerary will involve making stops in other countries along the voyage. If you’re ready to stop the stress and uncertainty of knowing whether or not you need a passport to go on a cruise, it’s time to get started. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.
Some flight options can also be managed directly with the airline by visiting their website and using your airline locator to access your flight details. For safety reasons, Holland America Line has also devised recommended size guidelines for the electric mobility equipment used on our ships. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Check the individual terms and conditions of your cruise company before leaving on your trip. If you do not have the correct identification, then this may delay or prevent you from beginning your journey.
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. However, there are some caveats you'll need to know about ID requirements. 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. 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.
Ongoing training and adherence to rigorous standards are vital to preserving and protecting our guests, our employees and the environment. Holland America Line’s youth activities program Kids Club offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17. To accomplish these initiatives, we use low-flow systems for toilets and showers in the staterooms, which conserves the amount of water used on board and therefore the quantity of wastewater treated and discharged.
Holland America Line cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with only a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate. Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. For voyages that are scheduled to end outside the U.S., a passport that is valid for six months beyond the completion date of your travel is required.
On the morning of disembarkation, guests with no credit card payment need to settle their onboard account on the morning of disembarkation. Book on board and you can reserve your next cruise at a reduced deposit of only US$100, US$300 or US$1,000 per person and receive a shipboard credit of up to US$500.00 per person. (If you choose to take advantage of Holland America’s cruise Cancellation Protection this payment will be due prior to the cancellation period.) No additional deposits will be due until final payment. Should you need to cancel your reservation, your reduced deposit will be applicable to another Holland America Line cruise within the next four years.
