No, as long as you’re traveling round-trip to the same US port.
Cruises that are leaving from and returning to the same US port (closed loop cruises) do NOT require passengers to have a passport. If your cruise departs from a different country or returns in a different port you do need a passport for passengers over the age of 16.
Below is a breakdown of the most common scenarios:
| Departing from | Returning to | Do you need a passport |
|---|---|---|
| A US port (Example: Fort Lauderdale, FL) | The same US port (Example: Fort Lauderdale, FL) | No |
| A non-US port (Example: Barcelona, Spain) | The same non-US port (Example: Barcelona, Spain) | Yes |
| A non-US port (Example: Vancouver, British Columbia) | A US port (Example: Seward, Alaska) | Yes |
| A US port (Example: Seward, Alaska) | A non-US port (Example: Vancouver, British Columbia) | Yes |
| A US port (Example: Fort Lauderdale, FL) | A different US port (Example: San Diego, CA) | Yes |
Closed Loop Cruises Exemption
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 us to ensure you have the appropriate documents for the stops you’ll be making on your cruise.
Please visit the the U.S. Passports & International Travel website for more information.