Canada And New England
A cruise through New England and southeast Canada is a slow-paced alternative to a beach-centric voyage. Stops might include Bar Harbor, Halifax, Charlottetown and other charming ports. As you sail along the Atlantic coast, youll have opportunities to visit quaint coastal towns, take in sweeping views from craggy cliffs and feast on locally-caught lobster.
Canada and New England cruises are popular in the autumn when travelers can treat their eyes to an explosion of fall colors. However, this region is also worth visiting in the summer.
For example, you can immerse yourself in nautical history and view artifacts from the Titanic at the in Halifax. From Gaspé, Quebec, you can take an excursion to Bonaventure Island, an impressive sanctuary for gannets, auks, gulls and other seabirds. To excite your palate, make sure your itinerary includes Montreal, where youll find a thriving culinary scene. Try iconic poutine or smoked brisket while youre there. Want to feel as if youve been transported to France during your cruise? Head to Quebec City one of the oldest cities in North America.
Regarding passport requirements, as long as you begin and end your journey at the same U.S. port, you wont need a passport for a Canada and New England cruise.
Do Kids Need A Passport For Cruises
If children under the age of 16 are traveling internationally by air, they will need a valid U.S. passport.
If they are traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by sea on a cruise, they can travel with a U.S. passport, passport card, trusted traveler card, or an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, or other organization with adult supervision.
In addition, be sure to review other requirements for children, such as a signed and notarized letter from a missing parent if the child isnt traveling with both parents, or a written letter of consent if the child is traveling as part of a group without an adult that is 21 or older.
Which Cruises Do Require A Passport
If a cruise begins at one port and ends in another port, even if theyre both in the United States, passengers are required to have a valid passport. Similarly, if a cruise starts or finishes in a foreign port, travelers must come prepared with a current passport.
Certain Caribbean nations require cruise passengers to have a valid passport in order to enter: Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Martin, and Trinidad & Tobago.4 If you dont have a passport, you still can sail on a cruise that calls on these islands youll just have to stay on the ship while its in port.
Of course, a valid passport is required for any cruise touring Europe, traveling across the Atlantic Ocean, or originating in another country. You wont even make it onto the plane that will get you there without a valid passport.
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Fly Fishing License Requirements
Alaska residents age 18 and older and non-residents age 16 and older must purchase and possess a sport fishing license to participate in Alaska sport and personal use fisheries a king salmon stamp is also required if you plan to fish them. These laws apply to both fresh and marine waters your guide will advise you on the most current catch-and-release regulations.
You can purchase an Alaska fishing license online before your trip at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game theyre also available at many outdoor stores and other retailers in Alaska, or aboard your cruise ship.
Why You May Need A Passport For An Alaskan Cruise
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__Q: My 85-year-old parents, who are Chinese nationals, were not allowed to board the Carnival Legend for a seven-day trip to Alaska. They did not have Canadian visas. I planned the trip for months aiming to give my mother a big birthday celebration. She and my father flew in from China. My brother and his daughter flew in from Australia.
My parents blamed themselves for not understanding the visa requirement due to the language barrier. I felt I let them down because this might be their last opportunity to visit Alaska, and their last trip to the U.S. due to their frailty. Carnival did not offer assistance or compassion. I am hopeful that our experience can help others avoid the same fate. Ling Z., Medfield, MA__
A: Ive read many letters over the years from readers denied boarding on cruise ships because they did not have proper documentation, often for only one of the countries the ship would visit. Most prevalent are trips to Alaska that commence in Seattle. Why? Because while all those cruises make at least one stop in Canada, passengers often dont read all the details and assume, since its an Alaska cruise, that they only need paperwork for the United States.
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Where Else Can I Cruise Without A Passport
There are a few U.S. territories and other destinations that allow passport-free entry for U.S. citizens.
- Puerto Rico is a United States Commonwealth, and all U.S. citizens can travel there and to its surrounding islands, Vieques and Culebra, without a passport.
- Also in the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory thats fair game for passport-less American citizens. You can visit St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John just not the neighboring British Virgin Islands.
- In the Pacific, some cruises visit Guam, where, although U.S. citizens are required to possess a U.S. passport, on a case-by-case basis, photo I.D. and proof of citizenship may be accepted.3
- Cruises to Alaska and Hawaii dont require passports, because both are U.S. states. However, if your Alaskan cruise begins or ends in Canada, youd need your passport.
Take note: Just because you dont need a passport to visit these destinations doesnt mean you wont need any official documentation. Make sure you have a government-issued photo ID, naturalization paperwork, and/or birth certificate.
Can You Go On A Cruise With An Expired Passport
No. An expired passport is not a valid travel document.
However, your passport may officially expire earlier than you think. Infrequent travelers, take note: Many countries require that your passport be valid for six months after the date you arrive in that country. If your cruise takes place in August, you will be traveling for just a week or two, and your passport expires in October of the same year, you might think its acceptable documentation. It isnt.
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Visa Requirements For Egypt
Passport holders from the following countries require a visa to visit Egyptian ports. This visa must be obtained in advance. Egyptian authorities have the right to refuse guests from the below nationalities from going ashore, even if the visa is obtained. Anyone from these countries who does not possess an Egyptian visa must remain onboard in Egyptian ports.
India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Maldives , Palestine, Philippines, Sri Lanka
Holland America Line Passport Requirements For Cruises
Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the United States by air, land or sea.
Regarding Holland America Line to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, there is a notable exception to this US passport rule, pertaining to land and sea crossings for US Citizens.
US Citizens on closed-loop cruises and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate and a laminated government issued picture ID , Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.
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Do You Need A Passport To Go On A Cruise
The rules regarding whether U.S. citizens need a passport for their cruises are a bit confusing. You might be driving to an American homeport but visiting foreign countries on your trip — do you need a passport to cruise or not? While it’s more obvious what to do when an international flight is involved, you might be surprised to know that certain U.S.-based sailings don’t require a passport. But just because you don’t need a passport doesn’t mean you should leave without one.
Let us clear up some of the mystery about when you do and don’t need a passport to go on a cruise — and what happens in an emergency if you’re traveling without one.
Do You Need A Visa To Travel To Jamaica
All foreign travelers must present proof of citizenship in order to lawfully set foot on Jamaican soil. This requirement applies to all entry methods, including cruise lines. Although a visa is not required, citizens of the United States traveling to Jamaica via cruise line must present proof of citizenship along with additional
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Why Everyone Should Get A Passport
Regardless of what the minimum requirements are for travel, we highly recommend everyone get a passport. Passports do have an additional cost to them , but we feel the advantages of having a passport far outweigh the cost and work required to get one.
Simply put, having a passport makes traveling significantly easier and simpler. Having a passport on a cruise means not just an easier embarkation and disembarkation process, but it protects you against an unexpected situation that may occur during the course of a cruise, such as:
- Fly out of the United States to meet a ship at the next available port should they miss the scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port
- Entering the U.S. at the end of a cruise
- Needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship’s departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.
Certainly many guests will cruise without a passport and likely not run into any issues. 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.
Get The Latest Information About A Passport Or Travel Visa For Your Cruise :
Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the United States by air, land or sea.
Regarding cruises to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, there is a notable exception to this US passport rule, pertaining to land and sea crossings for US Citizens:
US Citizens on closed-loop cruises and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate and a laminated government issued picture ID , Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.
However ALL major cruise lines STRONGLY recommend that all guests travel with a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end of the cruise for the following reasons :
NON-US Citizens, US Citizens on open-loop cruses and passengers on cruises that stop at ports in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antartica ALL require a valid passport, and in some cases a visa as well as a copy of your Alien Registration Card .
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Places To Cruise Without A Passport
Did you know it’s possible to cruise without a passport? Many people don’t know that as a U.S. Citizen, you can take advantage of the benefits of no-passport cruises for itineraries that begin and end at a U.S. Port.
This way, you can take advantage of those amazing last-minute cruise deals. You’ll also have shorter travel times than if you’re vacationing abroad, and a no-passport-required cruise is great for first-time cruisers that don’t want to go too far from home. So where can you go? Read on for a list of pretty incredible options.
Travel Agents For Cruises To Alaska
For additional questions on traveling to Alaska, please use our cost saving travel agent services. Our travel agents can assist you in planning and booking your next vacation. Not only can our travel agents provide you with great cruise specials, they can also provide you with valuable reviews and feedback that will make your travels to Alaska enjoyable! Contact a travel agent directly by calling 1-800-683-0206.
Cruise Planners travel agent is merely a selling agent and makes no warranty expressed or implied. Each Cruise Planners is Independently Owned and Operated. Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has a tremendous reputation for quality, service, and very competitive pricing for ALL of your travel needs. Cruise Planners travel advisors will help you discover exciting adventures around the world. To learn more about Cruise Planners and the executive team,
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If There’s No Passport Required What Documents Do I Need
Even though you’ll be sailing on a no-passport-required cruise, you’re still required to carry the following 2 pieces of identification:
Proof of Citizenship AND Government-issued photo ID
- State certified U.S. birth certificate
- Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
- Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
- U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad
WHTI -compliant documents
*A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID.
Although you do not need a passport to visit these destinations as a U.S. citizen, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:
- If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship.
- You unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air.
- If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours.
When You Do Need A Passport
Many countries outside of North America do require a passport and visas are even required where they apply. This includes countries in Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
International sailings , U.S. citizens require a valid Passport and the corresponding visa required for entry and exit from the country.
For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov.
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Cruises To Alaska From Seattle Or San Francisco
For a round-trip cruise to Alaska from Seattle or even San Francisco, youd think you dont need a passport, right? Wrong. In order to return to a US port, your ship needs to stop in a foreign portin this case, in Canada. Either north or southbound, your ship will stop somewhere in Canada. In order to enter Canada, set foot on Canadian soil and then re-board your ship, you must have a passport book.
When a cruise ship cruises the Inside Passage to Alaska departs from a US port, the ship mustMUST stop in a foreign-flagged port before returning to the US. Why?
First of all, almost every large cruise ship that departs from a US port was built and flagged in a foreign country. Cruise lines erroneously site the reason for stopping in for example, Vancouver or Ensenada, as the Jones Act of 1920. This Act states that only vessels built, crewed and flagged in the US may carry cargo between US ports. It was a protectionist Act aimed at preventing foreign-flagged ships from moving their goods between US ports. But thats not actually the reason.
Do You Need A Passport For Alaska
On a closed-loop cruise one that begins and ends in a US port technically you dont need a passport book. For example, a Caribbean cruise round-trip from Miami. All you need for this type of cruise is a government-issued photo ID and a birth certificate with a raised seal. But is that a smart decision? IMO, no. Heres why
If your ship breaks down in a foreign port or if you have a medical emergency, to fly home to the USA asap, you need a passport book for re-entry. Plain and simple. Without a passport, youd have to get in contact with the local US embassy or consulate and apply for an emergency passport. This can take days, especially if it happens over a weekend.
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Do You Need A Passport For A Cruise
Many first timer cruisers want to know if you need a passport to take a cruise, and the answer depends on a few factors.
There is also a fine line in answering this question that goes beyond the word “need” and essentially talks about if you “should” get a passport. More on that coming up!
The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to. 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. Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean’s Travel Documentation page for specifics.