If your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port -- for example, sailing roundtrip Miami to Miami -- then you are embarking on what is considered a closed loop cruise, according to the WHTI. If you begin your cruise in one U.S. port (e.g. San Diego) and end your cruise in a different U.S. port (say, Fort Lauderdale), it will not count as a closed loop. You might have heard the term "closed loop cruise" in reference to a sailing and wondered what it meant.
Don't Get Caught Without The Right Travel Doc
Being able to travel without a passport encourages international exploration. The goal was to improve and strengthen border protection for the United States. However, an additional goal was to make the process of entering the U.S. more efficient and convenient. "We're truly sorry for the impact that this has on your vacation plans," Royal Caribbean said in a statement to guests booked on the now cancelled cruise. Anthem of the Seas was to sail through the Suez Canal as part of a repositioning from Southampton, UK to her new homeport in Singapore.
Places You Can Go on a Closed Loop Cruise (Without a Passport)
REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. While U.S. Customs recommend an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) as a passport alternative, very few states offer this form of government-issued ID. As we mentioned, adults must have two ID forms to board a cruise if they don't have a passport.
Accepted Identification for Chinese Citizens
Wow, who would've thought it would take this long for a simple renewal! We just need it back by Sep 29th when we depart for Barcelona - 5 months after my submission. And he's giving up over a year of usage by submitting it early. Too bad the Passport doesn't use the same expiration date and extend it 10 years, like Global Entry does (but that's linked to one's birthday and renewable every 5 yrs).
What Is A Closed-Loop Cruise: ID, Tips, Best Itineraries
Set sail on a catamaran trip at sunset, or join a pub crawl of Hamilton’s bars after dark. One of the most unique things to do in Bermuda is to sample a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, the powerful local specialty made of dark rum with ginger beer and a slice of lime. There’s plenty to do, from snorkeling to golf, exploring the shops and galleries in Hamilton, the pastel-hued capital, and visiting the island’s forts.
This site focuses on small-format cruises and ship-within-a-ship concepts on large cruise ships, including special cruise experiences you can enjoy during your next vacation. It’s important to check the itinerary for your trip because there are a few places, even on a closed-loop cruise, that do require a passport to disembark. This is particularly common in the Caribbean in nations including Guadeloupe, the island of Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados, and others. Most Disney Cruises in the United States set sail from the East Coast, with the most popular ports being Port Canaveral and Miami. However, there is often a west coast cruise itinerary each year, like from San Diego. A valid passport from your nation of residence is required if you’re not a U.S. citizen or a LPR of the United States of America.
Travel document requirements for sailings from Canadian homeports
Royal Caribbean begins skipping scheduled stops in Skagway, Alaska - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean begins skipping scheduled stops in Skagway, Alaska.
Posted: Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
You’ll have one more day at sea to soak up the tropical sun on deck and enjoy the many features of the ship. Lounge at the Magic Carpet with a cocktail; this multipurpose platform is cantilevered over the side of the ship, with water on three sides, so you’ll feel as though you are flying. Or relax in the leafy serenity of Eden, or dine al fresco in the lovely Rooftop Garden Grill. This cruise also visits the beach paradise of Cozumel, for all manner of watersports, shopping, and sizzling Mexican cuisine. At Cabo San Lucas, there’s more whale-watching along the wild, rocky coast, or watersports ranging from kayaking to snorkeling.
Travel Documentation Requirements
These types of cruises are becoming more common with cruise lines. It provides simpler logistics for a cruise line by using the same port. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was launched in 2009 by the United States government. This was implemented to clarify what documents guests require for traveling on a cruise ship.
The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise - Cruise Critic
The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
I’m hoping someone has traveled to these ports without a passport and can comment with their outcome. Passport cards have another benefit when flying domestically if your state doesn't participate in enhanced drivers licenses or real ID. Passport cards are accepted when flying in place of a state DL Real ID. I've never cruised without a passport so have no experience using a birth certificate.
The Jones Act and Passenger Vessel Services Act were established over 100 years ago in 1886. These two acts of maritime law restrict cruise ships that are NOT U.S.-built, owned, and documented. The only restrictions are that the cruise ship must remain within the Western Hemisphere and return to the same cruise port they departed from. Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter the U.K. Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter European Union countries. MSC Cruises cancelled three sailings in April to avoid the Red Sea.
In order to sail, a guest must meet the requirements of ONE of the check boxes below. Guests booked on the October 14, 2024 sailing of Anthem of the Seas were informed by Royal Caribbean that they have decided to cancel a Middle East cruise because of concerns for the ship's safety. While the deadline has been pushed around a bit October 2020 is looming and carrying a passport card solves any ambiguity over the matter. Thanks @twangster - that's exactly what we have, Passport Cards. I'm under the understanding they are as good as a passport book with the exception of not being able to use them as ID for flying......
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. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.
While it does have to do with the ports on the itinerary -- forming a complete loop, if you will -- it's a bit more complicated than that. The port of Civitavecchia in Rome, Italy, also offers a number of return trip cruises. These itineraries include stops in Greece, Turkey, and Italy.
Yes, permanent residents or U.S. citizens residing in any U.S. Territories can sail in a closed-loop cruise from their ports of call. However, passports may be unnecessary for millions of Americans born and raised in states such as Florida, California, or Texas. They could drive to the nearest cruise port, take a closed-loop cruise, and see another part of the world.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a comprehensive list and details the criteria for taking a cruise without a passport, including what constitutes a government-issued photo ID. The second acceptable piece of identification must be a government-issued ID with your photo, full name, and date of birth. For example, this can be a government-issued birth certificate. However, most cruises that would be round-trip from a U.S. port to these destinations would not qualify as a closed loop. These cruises would likely include ports beyond the Western Hemisphere. Pre-Covid, we had booked three back-to-back cruises, all sailing from Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
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