Royal Caribbean International - Identification Document The birth certificate contains details about you that could be used to steal your identity more readily than the passport. ALL PERSONS traveling by land and sea outside of the United States are required to present a passport book/card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. Of course, if you are traveling internationally, U.S. citizens will need a passport. Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz. I traveled internationally on a cruise with Royal with a passport that had five months left because the year when I renewed I had a lot of travel and that was the best window. "Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Application processing takes 12 to 14 months,according to the Department of Homeland Security. Citizens of the United States dont require passports on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship. Additionally, there must be a destination to a foreign location to qualify as a closed-loop cruise. 6 Secure .gov websites use HTTPS I made an error. Simply put, having a passport makes traveling significantly easier and simpler. The good news was they were able to fly out the next day, but lost their Business Class seats that they had originally booked. For a closed loop cruise, a birth certificate and a government issued ID are the only forms of documentation required. And as stated, I'm not going to try to justify what RCCL does or doesn't do, and I'm not going to discuss what Joe or Mary got away with 5 years ago. For closed Western Caribbean locales in Mexico like Yucatn and Cozumel deliver exciting attractions, from ancient Mayan ruins to flamingo lagoons, and activities like swimming with dolphins, dune buggy rides, sailing, snorkeling, diving and zip lining. For those on the Visa Waiver Program, you can use the I-94W (your immigration stamp received when first entering the United States) when you re-enter at disembarkment. Passport Not Required. Corporate legalese v boots on the ground, real life, local best practices. Routine wait times are 10 to 13 weeks, and that doesnt include mailing times, according to the State Department. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Boarding closed loop tomorrow with ID+birth certificate, but lost ID today! A Birth Certificate and DL are acceptable. And I'm talking about RCCL's policy, not any other company unless it is RCCL, or country. Dont take chances that might ruin the vacation of a lifetime. For this reason, Alaskan itineraries include visits somewhere in Canada, and there arent a lot of Hawaii cruises. What Is a Closed Loop Cruise? Things You Need To Know About Passport Expiration For Minors, required to carry the following 2 pieces of identification, Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise With Tropical Buffet, Royal Caribbean Cruises Southern Caribbean. In neither state was I able to walk out with it. The Department has been working with states to enhance their drivers licenses and identification documents to comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), effective June 1, 2009. I'm not Joe or Mary but an actual person here on CC, so please read my comment above. Mexican citizens, including children, are required to present a passport with visa, or a Border Crossing Card. If you can cruise with a birth certificate they are not going to turn away a valid passport on those itineraries. Look on pretty much every TA's invoice and you will see the same thing. It's interesting how different states handle it differently. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. They dont need to go to another location. It is critical to understand the proper documentation needed for a cruise, as no refunds are provided for guests who fail to bring proper documentation. Citizens of the United States dont require passport s on closed-loop cruises departing from American ports. If not, just leave blank, How to make the most of your time on a Royal Caribbean cruise, First time cruisers: comparing Royal Caribbean's Oasis class to Voyager class. Have a plan in case you have to remain overseas longer than expected. It also includes: Passports can be used as your form of identification but the fact that they arent mandatory is why closed-loop cruises are popular. What if I dont have the required documents when I travel to or return to the United States? Customs and Border Protection saysU.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises can enter or depart a country on the cruise with proof of citizenship, but some destination countries "may require" a passport. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a You cannot paste images directly. If you're concerned about the cost of the passport, see if the places you're travelling to accept the passport card instead of the book. 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. Any non-U.S. citizen must present a passport for each cruise they take, including a closed-loop cruise. Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Want to take a short cruise to an exotic island without the hassle? Medications that are legally prescribed in the United States are not always legal abroad. As long as you're on a closed-loop cruise, youll be able to skip the passport in favor of other government-issued IDs. The concern without having a passport is if an emergency occurs, only an official passport will allow you to easily and quickly fly from a foreign port to another port and/or back home. LockA locked padlock Plenty of cruisers make these sailings without a passport and without any trouble using just their driving license and birth certificate. Bring enough cash to cover your stay. And yes, RCCL will allow you to cruise on U.S. Homeport "closed loop" itineraries with just a Birth Certificate and DL (Government ID). But, I try. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection indicates that citizens can enter the U.S. using a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate. Its the passengers responsibility to check with the appropriate government agencies and their cruise line to determine what documentation is required. I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). February 16, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. WebRoyal Caribbean International - Identification Document What is a post-cruise address? On a closed-loop cruise, adults do not necessarily need a passport but you will need proof of identity in the form of a valid government-issued photo ID card AND proof of citizenship . Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. So, just answer me this, does RCCL, by policy, require that U.S. Citizens using a Passport as a cruise document, have at least 6 months validity beyond return to the U.S? The island does not require a passport among U.S. citizens. ", Small island, big opportunities:This idyllic Caribbean hideaway isn't just for the rich and famous. Sure, policies are ignored, or whatever, but am I going to bet thousands of dollars on it? garywatson, April 23 in Royal Caribbean International. However, it is recommended that you take it with you since you may need it at foreign ports or in case of an emergency. There are only a very few countries that actually have that requirement but because of that everyone involved in travel lists recommending that your passport be valid for 6 months as a CYA. Paste as plain text instead, Ive read several posts on different sites stating the call centers for cruise lines are not very educated and give wrong information, so in all honesty I would trust someone who has actually traveled to these ports vs. calling and talking to a rep. You won't need your passport at these ports. RCCL lists Columbia as one of them. For U.S. citizens, you can enjoy traveling without a passport requirement. What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via air? I always advise people to call the cruise line and confirm documentation with them. I've used my passport before for employment to satisfy both requirements in one document rather than the usual social security card and drivers license. At the time I was looking it definitely stated recommended as we knew that my wife's passport expired. One option is to take a closed-loop cruise a round-trip sailing that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port. Experience lighthouses, lobster bakes and craggy sea cliffs in Portland, Maine, and enjoy a trip to Saint John, a beautiful city on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. Most closed loop cruises from the US do not visit any countries that require a passport, much less 6 month post travel validity, or is waived for cruise passengers. For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov. WebMexican citizens, including children, are required to present a passport with visa, or a Border Crossing Card. Cruise Ship Passengers - United States Department of State Are you looking to cruise without a passport? Traveling past that date for over 30 days is not permitted. Although there are some situations where passports are not strictly necessary, it is better to be safe than sorry. There is also a rule called the Six Month Passport Validity Rule. It was an amazing adventure, on the forrest portion we were climbing up a trail and all of a sudden we heard some screaming coming from the group about a tenth of a mile behind us. You cant cruise just anywhere on a closed-loop sailing, but the choices are more interesting than you might expect. Worth Reading: What Is a Transatlantic Cruise? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Perhaps Pennsylvania uses a different verification of address but not everyone in the US can walk out with a Real ID licence. Cruise The birth certificate can be original, photocopy, or certified copy. A stop in the charming fishing village of Halifax, Nova Scotia offers beautiful gardens, more delicious seafood and double-decker bus tours. For cruise passengers driving to their port, their vehicle will be available when they disembark. By We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. This will be our first cruise, Your cruise carrier website should list all the required documentation. Do Kids Need a Passport to Go Many first timer cruisers want to know if you need a passport to take a cruise, and the answer depends on a few factors. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Passports do have an additional cost to them (especially for children), but we feel the advantages of having a passport far outweigh the cost and work required to get one. Learn more about U.S. citizens passport validation cruise requirements. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason (e.g., for an emergency evacuation, you will need a passport book to fly back to the United States. Even for non us citizens it is not required. Some countries may require mandatory quarantine on arrival if a case of COVID-19 is identified aboard your cruise ship. The cruise ship will have procedures in place for handling a crime onboard. Are There any Cruise Requirements for Passports? | Royal We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Not all cruises have the same passport requirements. Royal Caribbean emphasizes that Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Be aware you can not fly internationally without a passport so if something happened mid-cruise and you needed to fly home, you couldn't. The Caribbean makes a popular destination for travelers considering a tropical cruise. The passport card is an option the United States government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. From Caribbean destinations to closed-loop travel, here are the spots Americans can go without a passport. Lawful permanent residents must continue to present a valid Permanent Resident Card. Believe me, this isn't the first time I've had this discussion on the very subject and it's been in a few cruise social media sites going back for more than a couple of years.
royal caribbean closed loop cruise passport requirements
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