It may come as a surprise to some travelers that passports are a key requirement for most cruises. No, you’re not flying into another country and going through a traditional immigration checkpoint, but the fact remains that you’re still entering another country, even if it’s just for the afternoon, and that means you need the right travel documentation. For most of our cruises, Virgin Voyages Sailors must have a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months after the voyage end date, in case of medical emergencies or any other unforeseen event. But that doesn’t mean all cruises require a passport. A 2023 YouGov survey found that 52% of Americans don’t have a passport, and while we’d highly recommend starting the application or renewal process, we want those Sailors to be able to cruise too. That’s why we offer closed-loop cruises that remain within US borders, or only voyage to countries that don’t require a passport. Here’s everything you need to know about taking a cruise to another country.
Travel documents accepted in place of a passport
Sometimes you want to take a last-minute cruise, and don’t have enough time to apply for or renew your passport. Sometimes you just don’t have the lead time to get all your international documents in order. We understand this. That’s why we offer closed-loop cruises, to ports around the US and countries like Canada that don’t require a passport. You will, however, still need to provide valid documentation in the form of a US Passport Card or a Trusted Traveler Card.
Exception to our Passport Requirement for Closed-Loop Cruises
In lieu of a passport, we accept either of the following options for our closed-loop cruises:
- Original valid U.S. Passport Card - A Passport Card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport with no visa pages. It serves as proof of your US citizenship and identity, and is usable by US citizens traveling by land and sea through Canada, Mexico, and islands in the Caribbean. It is not, however, valid for international travel by air.
- Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST) - Trusted Traveler Cards can also be used as a form of valid ID. These programs, like NEXUS and FAST, involve security screening procedures typically intended to expedite your airport experience. Your Trusted Traveler Program membership, however, can also be used as a form of ID for closed-loop cruise travel.
We also accept one of the following combinations of documents:
- Original or copy of your state-issued birth certificate AND a physical government-issued photo ID
- Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not acceptable
- Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable
- Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND a physical government-issued photo ID
- Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical government-issued photo ID
Passport-free cruising with our smart wearable band
The best part about cruising with Virgin Voyages is that you don’t need to bring your personal documents with you whenever you leave your cabin. Thanks to The Band, our smart wearable wristband, your relevant personal details are all stored in one convenient place. These sustainable bands can be used to make onboard purchases, access your room, and streamline the boarding and disembarking process. Since they produce a photo of each Sailor upon scanning, they’re unique to you. That means even if you lose it, your personal security won’t be compromised.
Where The Band really comes in handy is during our embarkation and disembarkation process, particularly on closed-loop cruises beginning and ending in the US. US citizens will be able to board and leave the ship completely hassle-free, without needing to dig through your bags for personal IDs, passports, and other documents, simply by flashing your wristband. So spend less time worrying about your travel docs, and more time figuring out the important things, like what to wear on your cruise, what Shore Things to book, and where to eat every night.
U.S. Cruise Ports with Closed-Loop Cruises to other Countries:
- Florida:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Miami
- Port Canaveral
- Tampa
- Galveston, Texas
- Mobile, Alabama
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- New York City, New York
- Los Angeles, California
- Seattle, Washington
Popular countries to cruise to that do not require passports
Perhaps surprisingly, not all countries require a US passport to travel there. There are plenty of popular cruise ports you can visit even if you’ve been remiss about your passport renewal, relieving you of the hassle and expense of expediting your documents. Virgin Voyages is known for its closed-loop cruises to convenient destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, and Bermuda. These are some of the top destinations to consider if you’re looking into closed-loop cruises.
Destinations that do not require a passport when traveling by cruise
(Note that international cruise ports change their travel requirements periodically, so be sure to check before traveling).
- U.S. (Alaska, Hawaii, New England)
- The Bahamas (Bimini, Nassau)
- Bermuda (Kings Wharf)
- Canada (Saint John, Halifax)
- Mexico (Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, Costa Maya)
- The Caribbean (Aruba, Puerto Plata, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St. Maarten, San Juan)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, Tortola)
Cruises from (Miami) U.S. to the Caribbean and Mexico
Miami is the cruise capital of the country, and that’s not exactly surprising given how many beautiful Caribbean ports are easily accessible from the Magic City. From short jaunts to Key West to longer trips to Grand Turk, these are the top closed loop cruises you can take from Miami.
- 4 Night Cruise from Miami to Key West and Bimini
- 5 Night Cruise from Miami to Costa Maya and Bimini
- 5 Night Cruise from Miami to Grand Turk and Bimini
- 5 Night Cruise from Miami to Cozumel and Bimini
- 5 Night Cruise from Miami to Puerto Plata and Bimini
- 7 Night Cruise from Miami to Ocho Rios, George Town, and Bimini
- 8 Night Cruise from Miami to Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Croix, and Bimini
- 9 Night Cruise from Miami to Grand Turk, St. John’s, Basseterre, San Juan, and Bimini
Cruise from (New York City) U.S. to Bermuda & Canada
One of the best options for cruise passengers without passports is sailing from New York City. It might not sound like a traditional cruise embarkation port, but you can actually visit some of North America’s most beautiful ports from NYC, including Bermuda and the Canadian coast. Here are a few NYC cruises to keep in mind.
- 5 Night Cruise from New York City to Kings Wharf
- 8 Night Cruise from New York City to Boston, Eastport, Saint John, Halifax
Cruise from (Los Angeles) U.S. to Mexico
While cruises from Miami are a great way to visit the east coast of Mexico, cruises from Los Angeles are perfect for exploring the west coast, from Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta. These are the LA to Mexico cruises to keep on your radar.
Plan ahead for a hassle-free cruise vacation
Even though a passport isn’t required for all cruise destinations, it’s still a good idea to have your passport up to date, so you have as many travel options as possible. Be sure to book your cruises early to allow plenty of time for your passport application, or any administrative delays that might occur. It’s also a good idea to carry a government-issued photo ID and birth certificate while cruising to another country without a passport, in case of emergency while onshore. Wherever you decide to cruise – whether it’s a far-flung international destination or a closed-loop US cruise – just make sure to check each port’s entry requirements before you book.
