Closed Loop Cruise: Passport Requirements & Destinations

Table Of Content

• You’re our first priority.Every time.
• Visa Requirements for Turkey
• Visa Requirements for Nicaragua
• Visa Requirements for Chile
• Visa Requirements for Vanuatu
• Can you cruise without a passport?

To qualify as closed-loop cruises, the places these itineraries can include must be contiguous territories of the United States. That includes Mexico and Canada, because both share land borders with the U.S., and several of the islands of the Caribbean. As we’ve mentioned above, a closed loop cruise is a cruise that departs from and returns to the same port in the United States. Whether it’s a Baja California cruise from San Diego or L.A., or a cruise to Cozumel from the East Coast, Mexico is a great closed loop cruise destination. Discover ancient temples and architecture, sample classic Mexican cuisine, sunbathe on amazing beaches and partake in endless outdoor adventures.

Destinations You Can Visit Without a Passport on Major Cruises - Business Insider

Destinations You Can Visit Without a Passport on Major Cruises.

Posted: Wed, 19 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

You’re our first priority.Every time.

22 Amazing Places to Travel Without a Passport - Los Angeles Times

22 Amazing Places to Travel Without a Passport.

Posted: Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:09:59 GMT [source]

Imagine embarking on a fantastic voyage where you can discover new places, savor delicious cuisine, and enjoy thrilling activities, all without worrying about passport hassles. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, we've got all the information you need. San Francisco cruises are a minimum of 10 days due to the extra distance in sailing from California.

Visa Requirements for Turkey

Passport holders from the following countries will receive a visa on arrival at no cost to go ashore. Passport holders from China and India are eligible for a visa voucher in lieu of a visa provided by an approved travel agency only. The visa voucher must be valid for the duration of the stay in Reunion Island. Passport holders from the below countries do not require a visa to visit the Philippines.

Visa Requirements for Nicaragua

Even though closed loop cruises can’t take you wherever you want to go, the destination choices may be more diverse than you’d expect. From the beaches of the Bahamas to the wilderness of Alaska, these are the greatest place you can visit on a closed loop cruise without a passport. For U.S. citizens, you can enjoy traveling without a passport requirement.

Bruce has written about the travel industry for over three decades, focusing on ocean and river cruising in recent years. Currently Senior Editor for TravelPulse Canada, Bruce is also a travel communications consultant and contributor to the popular CruiseRadio.net. Below is a list of some of the locations you can visit on a closed-loop cruise. Travel agents can book your transfers, excursions, flights, and more. The cost may be slightly higher than booking yourself, but you’ll feel less stressed by leaving it to the experts. Book through your local travel agent if you want to let a professional handle all the details.

Seeing this part of the country by ship is one of the most convenient and beautiful ways to get around. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. A typical closed-loop cruise might depart from Miami, Florida, and sail to the Caribbean and Bermuda before returning to Miami. Mexico cruises most frequently depart from Los Angeles (San Pedro and Long Beach), San Francisco and San Diego.

Having a passport is generally recommended for international travel and emergencies. These kinds of one-way cruises require all passengers to have a valid passport. Should you not be a citizen of the United States or a lawful permanent resident, you will need to provide the necessary paperwork, which may include a passport. Passports are required for all cruises, even closed-loop sailings, for non-citizens of the United States.

Can you cruise without a passport?

Passport holders from all other countries not mentioned below will require a visa prior to the cruise issued by an Irish embassy or consulate. Guests without a valid visa will be denied boarding on embarkation day. It is not an option to remain onboard in Irish ports without a visa. A Schengen visa or United Kingdom visa is not valid for travel to Ireland. Passport holders not mentioned in the below category will require a visa on arrival to go ashore in Gambia. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already possess a Gambia visa.

It is not an option to detain a guest onboard in New Zealand ports if they do not have the required visa. For cruises that begin in Sydney, we will check for the NZeTA confirmation email from every guest at check in so please print or have the confirmation email available on your phone. Anyone who has not yet applied can do so at the pier, but will not be boarded if they do not receive approval before the ship sails. Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Martinique before the cruise. A valid Schengen visa, United States visa or a Canadian visa is accepted to go ashore in Martinique. Any guest without the visa is required to remain onboard while the ship is in Martinique ports.

That won’t occur if you reserve an excursion with Celebrity Cruises, as the ship will wait for you. Cruises that depart from the United States and are round-trip must fulfill certain requirements. In many cases, travelers can sail without a passport on round-trip voyages from the U.S. There are also other ocean going options such as cruises through New England. Take an in depth cruise of Maine and the state’s beautiful harbors or cruise from Boston throughout greater New England.

Below, we take a look at what closed loop cruises are and tell you exactly which places you can visit on a closed loop cruise. Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for South Africa issued from an embassy or consulate prior to the cruise. Passport holders not mentioned below will require a visa for South Africa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

Passport holders from all other nationalities not mentioned above are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival. The visa cost is $99 and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already posses a visa for Fiji. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative U S. Customs and Border Protection

Table Of Content

• The risks of not bringing a passport on a closed-loop cruise
• Closed-Loop Cruises
• Visa Requirements for Cambodia
• What Countries Can You Visit?
• Visa Requirements for Philippines
• Celebrity Blog
• Visa Requirements for Samoa

If you live within driving distance of the cruise port, you can have your car waiting when you disembark. As a company in a foreign country, this enables them to have a more cost-effective operation and offer lower prices to customers. To have reduced regulations impacting their operations, virtually all cruise companies have their ships registered in tax havens such as the Bahamas.

The risks of not bringing a passport on a closed-loop cruise

If that’s the case, your cruise line might already require you to have a passport to board the ship—even if U.S. If you miss your ship at a port, you will need to find a way to catch up to the cruise or return home. Also, it is advisable to always travel with some form of identification. It is recommended that passports are taken with you on the cruise as you may need them at a foreign port of call.

Closed-Loop Cruises

Where Can I Travel Without a U.S. Passport? - AFAR Media

Where Can I Travel Without a U.S. Passport?.

Posted: Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Say, for example, something goes wrong and you have to return to the U.S. by air. A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that departs and ends in the same U.S. port, for example, Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, or round-trip to Alaska from Seattle. It is recommended that everyone applies for the NZeTA at least 72 hours prior to travel, as it can take up to 72 hours for the visa to be approved for certain individuals.

Visa Requirements for Cambodia

Trundle through the sugarcane fields on a scenic train journey, or hike Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano at the island’s center. Learn how to make your own gourmet truffles at a chocolate workshop. Visit neighboring Nevis and see the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the U.S. If you do choose to take advantage of this opportunity to travel without a passport, there are a couple of warnings to bear in mind.

What Countries Can You Visit?

Travelers love New England because it experiences four seasons and is rich in history. This region is served primarily by American Cruise Lines (ACL), with smaller ships carrying less than 200 passengers. The Caribbean is a perfect January cruise for anyone wanting to escape the winter cold. Most Caribbean itineraries sailing out of Florida and Texas are continuous loops because they depart from and return to the same port. Since these cruises stay within the Western Hemisphere, this provides a broad list of available countries.

Visa Requirements for Philippines

Your cruise must end before the 90-day period for admission has passed. Those sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean don’t need to be concerned with fulfilling this requirement. It has already been taken care of, including stops at foreign locations. Chinese (People’s Republic of China) Passport holder must obtain Taiwan Entry & Exit Permit before boarding cruise, on-line entry permit is not available. Have a valid visa or long-term pass issued by Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or United States of America.

Luxury and premium cruise lines such as Silversea, Oceania, Cunard, or Regent Seven Seas also offer closed-loop cruises. However, their fleet of ships is usually limited, with fewer options for itineraries. As a closed-loop cruise, you would not need a passport according to WHTI requirements. However, you would benefit by having a passport in case some countries require one.

It is not guaranteed that the option will be given for guests to purchase a visa upon arrival to Nicaragua. All other nationalities not mentioned above require a visa for Namibia before the cruise from an embassy or consulate. These restricted nationalities must hold a resident card from a European country, a Schengen visa issued by French authorities or a valid visa from the United States. Guests without a visa will be detained onboard and unable to go ashore while the ship is in Guadeloupe. However, it is preferable to have a passport with you (in the event you need medical care and have to stay in the country, for example).

Are U.S. Territories Eligible As U.S. Ports?

Comprised of the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean Island, the greater Caribbean region is home to some of the greatest beach destination on the planet. Go on a closed loop cruise from Florida and visit such stunning islands as St. Lucia, Barbados, the U.S. Remember, however, that some of these island nations may require you to have a passport to enter.

Explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers or the Mississippi by luxury ships. There are several options in the Midwest and East Coast, such as the Cumberland, Ohio & Tennessee Rivers. Citizens must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Every voyage on a ship that’s not U.S. flagged, departing from and returning to a U.S. port must, according to maritime law, visit one foreign port of call. This is why you’ll find Alaska cruises stopping in Vancouver, or Western Caribbean cruises calling in at Cancun. If you’re 16 or older, you will also need a valid government-issued driver’s license or picture ID that contains your photo, name and date of birth.

U.S. citizens on closed loop cruises have two options for providing documentation to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean for sea border crossings at the end of their trip. They can present a passport, passport card or Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) and only need to show one document. Those sailing on a closed-loop cruise can enter or leave the country with an alternative proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued driver’s license or birth certificate. Valid passports are required to board the ship for all Panama Canal sailings. No passport cards, birth certificates or other form of proof of US citizenship will be accepted.

Travel insurance safeguards you against disruptions such as trip cancellations or delays due to unexpected circumstances like severe weather or medical emergencies, ensuring you don't bear the financial burden. Additionally, travel insurance is indispensable for covering unexpected medical expenses while at sea or in foreign ports, offering peace of mind in case of illness, injury, or emergency evacuations. In essence, it's your safety net, ensuring your cruise remains a memorable and worry-free experience, even when traveling without a passport. An enhanced driver’s license is a low-cost travel document that indicates both your identity and citizenship. Although a passport is not required, you should still plan on bringing other government-issued photo IDs and proof of citizenship. Specifically, on a closed-loop cruise, U.S. citizens were required to have only a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

Please refer to this website for the most updated visa policies to visit Japan by cruise ship. Anyone who requires a Japanese visa and is unable to present one at check in on embarkation day will be denied boarding. It must be done through a Japanese embassy or consulate prior to sailing. Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Greenland from an embassy or consulate before the cruise. Visas on arrival are not available, therefore any guest who does not have a valid visa before the cruise will be detained onboard while the ship is in Greenland ports. Please note Schengen visa is not sufficient for entry into Greenland.

You can't cruise just anywhere on a closed-loop sailing, but the choices are more interesting than you might expect. Below, we've compiled a list of seven places to visit without a passport, from scenic Alaska to the beachy Caribbean. Note that entry requirements and policies can change, so we recommend verifying the specific documentation requirements with Royal Caribbean or consulting with your travel agent before booking your cruise. Below is a list of some of the most popular cruise lines that offer passport-free cruising.

They may, however, demand a photo ID and a Permanent Resident Card from a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) (also known as a green card or I-551). There are a few things to be aware of if you decide to take advantage of this chance to travel without a passport. For instance, let’s say something goes wrong and you have to take a plane back to the United States. They can be used to re-enter the United States at land, sea, and air border crossings, but not at airports. The cruise must start and conclude in the United States to be eligible for closed-loop classification.

For many people without or in between passport applications, it can be disappointing to have to ignore last-minute deals. That’s no longer the case when you take advantage of cruises you can go on without a passport. They also make vacation planning easier for passengers who book round-trip flights.