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Know before you go: travel documents

Passport and ID requirements catch more travelers off guard than anything else. Here's what you need to know before your trip.

Passport requirements for international travel

  • Any cruise or trip that involves flying internationally, or a cruise that isn't a round-trip "closed-loop" sailing from a U.S. port, requires a valid U.S. passport book.
  • We recommend your passport be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date — many countries require this for entry, even if the U.S. doesn't require it for re-entry.
  • For "closed-loop" cruises — round trips that depart and return to the same U.S. port — U.S. citizens can technically travel with a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship (an original or certified birth certificate, or a U.S. passport card).
  • Even so, the U.S. State Department strongly recommends every cruise passenger carry a passport book, not just a card. Some cruise lines require one regardless of the itinerary — always check your specific cruise line's policy.
  • The passport book matters most in an emergency: if you can't reboard the ship and need to fly home from a foreign port (due to illness, a missed ship, or a mechanical issue), a passport card or birth certificate won't get you on a flight — only a passport book will.
  • New passports and renewals can take several weeks to months depending on demand, so apply as early as possible. We're happy to point you to current processing times when you're planning your trip.
Bottom line: we always recommend traveling with a valid U.S. passport book, even on closed-loop cruises where it isn't strictly required — it's the only document that guarantees you can fly home in an emergency.

Birth certificates for cruises

  • If you're using a birth certificate instead of a passport for a closed-loop cruise, it must be an original or a certified copy issued by the state or county vital records office — with a raised or embossed seal.
  • A hospital-issued "souvenir" birth certificate, a photocopy, or a laminated certificate is not accepted.
  • You'll also need a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) alongside the birth certificate if you're 16 or older.
  • If you don't have a certified copy, you can typically request one from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born — we recommend doing this well ahead of your cruise, as processing can take time.
  • Traveling with a child? Bring the child's certified birth certificate, and if only one parent or a non-parent guardian is traveling with the child, a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s) is strongly recommended — ask us for current guidance for your specific situation.

Other things worth knowing

  • Names on all travel documents and your booking must match exactly — double check spelling against your passport or ID before you book.
  • Some destinations require a visa or travel authorization separate from your passport — always confirm requirements for every country on your itinerary, not just your first stop.
  • Keep digital and physical copies of your key documents separate from the originals in case anything is lost.

This page is general guidance and can change — always confirm current requirements with your cruise line and the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov) before you travel. We're happy to help you double-check anything before you go.

Not sure what documents you need?

Tell us your itinerary and we'll help you confirm exactly what to bring.

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