If you are a United States citizen without a passport and you have a vacation coming up, don’t worry! Many regular cruisers journey to other countries without ever having to use a passport. There are multiple options available for this.
One of the most popular passport-free cruise options is taking a closed-loop cruise. Closed-loop cruises are round-trip journeys that depart from and return to the same port in the United States, and the only required documents are a driver’s license or government-issued Identity Document and a birth certificate.
While the choices for closed-loop cruises are limited, there are still many amazing destinations to choose from. Keep reading for our list of the best cruise destinations to visit without a passport.
Keep in mind that while these cruises may not require a passport, some ports (like Guadeloupe and Martinique) do not allow cruisers to enter their country without a valid passport. It’s recommended you research the ports of call thoroughly to determine whether you will need a passport on your cruise. Alternatively, you can stay onboard the ship instead of joining shore excursions.
Passport-free Destinations
Alaska
Alaskan cruises are ideal for anyone looking to surround themselves with nature and spend some time in the great outdoors. From sparkling glaciers to breathtaking mountain views, there’s no shortage of stunning photo opportunities. Guests can also try their hand at wildlife spotting, including moose, bald eagles, and whales. There are many fun activities, like cuddling up to some sled dog puppies, going on a train ride, or enjoying fresh crab and salmon while out on shore excursions.
The only ports that provide closed-loop voyages to Alaska are San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles. You will need a valid passport for entry into Canada if you depart from other ports like Victoria or Vancouver. The same can be said for one-way cruises from Vancouver to Alaska, or vice versa.
The Bahamas
Many of the cruises to the Bahamas are short and affordable and sail from Florida. These cruises include everything from water sports and casinos to lovely beaches and spending time at the Atlantis resort.
There are a number of ports in the Gulf Coast and East Coast that offer round-trip cruises in the Bahamas, including Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Cape Liberty in Bayonne, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Manhattan in New York, Norfolk, Miami, and Port Canaveral in Orlando.
Bermuda
If you’re looking for a location you can easily explore in a short amount of time, while the ship is in port, the Bahamas is an ideal passport-free cruise option. The island is fairly small, and many of the itineraries include overnight stays. This means you’ll have enough time to walk around town, stop at local restaurants, and explore the nightlife scene.
Passengers based in the East Coast can set sail from several ports, including Boston, Manhattan in New York, Cape Liberty in Bayonne, and Baltimore. Now and then there are also cruise lines that depart from Charleston, Norfolk, Miami, and Port Canaveral in Orlando.
The Caribbean
Known for its excellent beaches, sunbathing spots, shopping opportunities, rich heritage, and variety of adventurous activities, the Caribbean is one of the most popular options for passengers without passports. It has various departure ports and itinerary options for closed-loop cruises and includes everything from swimming under waterfalls to ziplining.
There are three sub-regions within the Caribbean, namely:
Eastern Caribbean
Includes:
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands
- French West Indies
- Dominican Republic
- St. Kitts
- Grand Turk
- St. Lucia
- Antigua
Southern Caribbean
Includes:
- ABC Islands
- Grenada
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- French West Indies
- Dominican Republic
- Barbados
- St. Barts
- Grand Turk
- Antigua
- San Juan
- Dominica
- St. Kitts
- St. Vincent
- Bequia
Western Caribbean
Includes:
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Honduras
- Jamaica
There is a wide variety of departure ports in the U.S., including Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Baltimore, Cape Liberty in Bayonne, Manhattan in New York, Charleston, Port, Canaveral in Orlando, Galveston, Miami, New Orleans, and Tampa. There are also some occasional once-off, closed-loop Caribbean cruises from Norfolk and Los Angeles.
New England and Canada
If you’re looking for the perfect cruise to take during the autumn months, you’d be delighted by New England and Canada cruises. These voyages are known for their friendly locals, rich maritime history, and stunning views of changing leaves. Visitors can enjoy fresh lobster in Bar Harbor or spend some time at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia.
The embarkation points that serve Canadian and New England cruises are Manhattan in New York, Cape Liberty in Bayonne, Baltimore, and Boston.
If you’re sailing on a one-way cruise to places like Quebec and Montreal in Canada, keep in mind that you will need a passport to conclude your journey unless you have Canadian citizenship.
Hawaii
Hawaii forms part of America, making it an ideal location for an exotic passport-free getaway. Visitors can enjoy things like hula dancing, surfing, great food, volcanic vistas, and beaches with fascinating black sand. When going on a closed-loop cruise to Hawaii, passengers often need to fly to Honolulu first. While this won’t necessarily require a passport, the airfare can get expensive.
There are also some closed-loop cruises setting sail from the West Coast, but they include stops at foreign ports which require passwords, and a big chunk of the cruise is spent at sea.
The only cruise ships based in Hawaii are Pride of America (Norwegian Cruise Line), which offers round-trip cruises from Honolulu, and Safari Explorer (UnCruise Adventures), which offers cruises from the Big Island to Molokai and vice versa. Other ports with closed-loop itineraries include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Mexico
If you’re from the West Coast, Mexican Riviera voyages can be an excellent passport-free cruise option for you. Mexico offers a rich culture, fascinating heritage, delicious food, and exciting activities. It is also typically a more affordable vacation destination than Hawaii.
Cruises to Mexico most often depart from San Diego, Long Beach and San Pedro in Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Puerto Rico
Located in the Caribbean, passengers with U.S. citizenship, or those who are legal permanent residents in the U.S., do not need passports to enter Puerto Rico. It is about a thousand miles southeast of Florida and includes some of the world’s best beaches. Passengers traveling to Puerto Rico on a cruise ship can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, water sports, or taking a kayak to the glowing waters of Mosquito Bay.
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Carnival Cruise line all offer cruises from the USA to Puerto Rico.
American Samoa
Another great destination for travelers without a passport is American Samoa. It is made up of several smaller islands and forms part of U.S. territory. Visitors typically enter through Honolulu in Hawaii, and it is an excellent cruise destination if you want to some breathtaking sights.
Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity cruises all offer itineraries to American Samoa.
Guam
The only requirements for U.S. citizens to enter the island of Guam are a valid ID document and/or proof of citizenship. It is one of the most populous Mariana Islands, making it a fun summer vacation destination. It has an excellent climate and world-renowned beaches (like Ypao Beach Park). It also has a rich history and cultural heritage, and visitors who enjoy snorkeling can stop by some of the sunken warships from World War I and II.
Holland America offers cruises to Guam.
Cruising Without A Passport FAQs
Can I cruise to Europe without a passport?
At the moment, U.S. citizens need valid passports to travel to Europe. Note that in some cases, you may also need additional documentation when you arrive, like a visa. Visas can take many months to acquire, so be sure to schedule your visa appointments long before you plan to begin cruising.
Are there any Celebrity Cruises that don’t require a passport?
Celebrity Cruises offer passport-free sailings from Fort Lauderdale to Mexico, the Bahamas, Key West, Belize, Puerto Rico, and Grand Cayman. They also offer similar sailings from Seattle to Alaska, from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, and from Cape Liberty to Bermuda.
Are there any Princess Cruises that don’t require a passport?
Princess Cruises provide passport-free sailings from San Francisco or Seattle to Alaska, from New York to Canada and New England, From Fort Lauderdale or New York to the Caribbean, and from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Mexico and Hawaii.
At what age do children need passports for travel?
Children traveling inside the U.S. do not need to present passports. However, for travel outside the U.S., all minors need passports, including infants.
When do I need to renew my passport?
In most cases, your passport needs to be valid for at least six months before you can travel. This means that you will need to get your new passport at least six months before your cruise date.
What does a new passport cost?
As of 2022, a new U.S. passport for an adult costs one hundred and thirty USD and is valid for air travel as well as traveling by land. Keep in mind that the prices may vary from year to year, so be sure to check prices on an official government site while you plan your cruise budget.
