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It may seem surprising that you can cross the U.S. border to visit a foreign country and not need this document. But it is true. Closed-loop cruises are the key to unlocking this secret. These cruises leave from the U.S., travel to other countries, and then return to the U.S. ports of entry. This loophole […]


It may seem surprising that you can cross the U.S. border to visit a foreign country and not need this document. But it is true. Closed-loop cruises are the key to unlocking this secret. These cruises leave from the U.S., travel to other countries, and then return to the U.S. ports of entry.


This loophole is the result the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which allows travel between North American countries via cruise ships. Passengers will not need a passport. Instead, they must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and proof that they are citizens (a birth certificate or certificate proving U.S. naturalization will suffice).


This piece of advice can help you make international travel on these cruises without a passport a possibility. No more waiting for renewals or first applications.


Six cruises are available that do not require a passport.


Places to Cruise Without a Passport


1. Alaska-Canada


You’re thinking. Alaska is a U.S. State. True. However, Alaskan cruises may sometimes stop in British Columbia’s Victoria. You can still visit the U.S. if the cruise you choose ends and begins in the U.S.


Alaska is a popular destination because of its stunning scenery, glacier-filled landscapes and outdoor adventures such as dog-sledding or helicopter rides over the mountains. This is the best way to see this area of the country.


There are also Alaskan cruises that depart from Vancouver, British Columbia. However, you cannot cross the border to Canada from the U.S. by land without two forms of government identification: an enhanced driver’s license (currently only available to residents of Michigan and Minnesota), New York, Vermont, Vermont, and Washington, and a U.S. Birth Certificate.


It is possible to travel one-way from Vancouver, Canada with these documents. However, a passport is required to cross the border.

An example is the Royal Caribbean’s seven night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas. It departs from Vancouver, and disembarks at Seward, Alaska.


2. The Bahamas


The Bahamas, a Caribbean country of islands, is a popular destination for cruises. It is easy to find a great deal because of its close proximity to the U.S. There are usually shorter three-night cruises that depart from Florida. It is also an option for cruises that do not require passports.

It can be frustrating for many who don’t have or aren’t in possession of a passport to have to turn down last-minute offers. This is no longer true when you can take advantage of cruises that you can travel on without a passport.

Many ports, such as Nassau and Freeport, offer excellent shopping, dining, and watersports activities. A day pass to mega resorts such as Baha Mar or Atlantis is another popular option. Both of these resorts welcome cruise passengers for the day.

Three-day Carnival Conquest cruises depart Miami for the Bahamas and return to Miami. For this closed-loop sailing, U.S. passengers do not need a passport.


3. Bermuda


The majority of cruises to Bermuda are closed-loop sailings departing from the United States port. There are a few transatlantic flights. You can travel to the British territory without needing a passport.


Bermuda is home to beautiful golf courses, historical forts, and great dining. To give passengers the opportunity to explore, many cruises stop here for an overnight stay.

The Celebrity Cruise Line’s Celebrity Summit or Celebrity Eclipse sails that do not require passports. They depart from a U.S. Port, travel to Bermuda for a few days, and then return to the U.S.


4. U.S. Northeast-Canada


Cruises departing New England from parts of Canada are an excellent option if you’re interested in culture and history.


Closed loop cruises that leave and end in the U.S. do not require a passport. However, there are stops in Canadian ports. One-way sailings, like Alaskan cruises can still be arranged if you have an enhanced driver’s licence and drive over the U.S.-Canada border.

These cruises trade sunscreen for rain jackets and palm trees, from urban destinations such as Boston and Halifax, to scenic destinations such as Bar Harbor, Maine and Saint John, New Brunswick. Because of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, this itinerary on Celebrity’s Celebrity Summit ships doesn’t require a passport.


5. Other Caribbean islands


There are many options for visiting Caribbean islands.


U.S. The coast is lined with cruise ports, including those that take you to places like:


    • Fort Lauderdale.


    • Port Canaveral.


  • Galveston, Texas.


  • Mobile, Alabama.


  • New Orleans.


A passport is not required if your cruise leaves and returns from a U.S. port.


There are many cruises departing from these locations that visit various islands in the region.


  • Curacao.


  • Grand Cayman.


  • St. Maarten.


You can also visit historic sites and explore water sports, and wander through the center of some islands to discover the diversity that makes the Caribbean such a beautiful region.


You might be hesitant about using this benefit, or perhaps some members of your group have a passport. If so, you could consider a cruise to U.S. islands territories. These include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas and St. Croix) and St. John. These island paradise destinations can be reached by ship or plane.

Carnival offers many Caribbean cruises, including sailings that leave and return to U.S. ports such as New Orleans, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Norfolk. These sailings are not open-loop and don’t require passports.


6. Mexico


There are cruises available from the U.S. to Mexico, with their glittering beaches and historic landmarks as well as incredible cuisine.


These cruises don’t require passports as long as you return to the U.S. from the port where the ship is departing. You can visit these ports without a passport:


  • Cabo San Lucas.


  • Puerto Vallarta.

The four-night voyage aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas takes you to Cozumel, before you return to Texas.


Do you need a passport to go on a cruise?

Yes. Yes. This is good news for people whose passports have expired or for families that have not had the chance to renew their passports.


It’s easy to travel to many different places on a cruise. You can return to a place that you have discovered, or plan another trip with a passport.


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