On June 1, 2009, the U.S.
government implemented the full requirements of the land
and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most
U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land
ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other
travel document approved by the Department of Homeland
Security.
Exception
For Closed Loop Cruises
(cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.)
Although our recommendation is to
obtain a passport when sailing on any cruise in the event
that you have to fly home for an emergency, the
government has made an exception for closed loop cruises.
Cruises that visit Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada or
Mexico that depart and return to the same U.S. Port do
not require a passport at this time.
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that
begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able
to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship,
such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo
ID. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to
present either an original or a copy of his or her birth
certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by
Department of State, or a Certificate of
Naturalization issued by
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services.
Please be aware that you may
still be required to present a passport when you dock at a
foreign port, depending on the islands or countries that
your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line
to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops
youll be making on your cruise.
