Top Places to Cruise Without a Passport NCL Travel Blog

Table Of Content

• I’m so happy you’re here!
• No Passport Needed: Tropical U.S. Destinations
• Are there any cruises where a passport is mandatory?
• Cruises to the Caribbean Without a Passport
• Check Out Coastal Fall Foliage
• Card Type
• There are plenty of wonderful sailings you can take that don’t require a passport, including to foreign countries.

This state is absolutely enormous, with much of it unreachable and yet to be explored. However, with regular flights to Anchorage and many cruises visiting the likes of Juneau and Skagway, we have plenty of beauty and culture to explore. No US passport is necessary to visit the 50th state and its many tropical places. Enter the vibrant Latin American country by land or sea without a passport from the United States. British Overseas Territory and archipelago south of the Bahamas with beautiful beaches.

I’m so happy you’re here!

The long-cruise options consist of 14- to 18-night round-trip sailings from San Diego, LA (Long Beach and San Pedro) and San Francisco. You won't need a passport for these closed-loop sailings, but you do need to be prepared for multiple days at sea as you cross the Pacific from California to Hawaii. Additionally, if you choose to go the passport card route, you’ll find it quite limiting. If you have any future plans of traveling internationally, paying the extra cost for a passport book is worth your time. When most travelers think of cruises in sunny, sandy locales, they think of the Caribbean or South Pacific. However, Hawaii is right there, and since it’s a U.S. state, there’s no worry about passports.

No Passport Needed: Tropical U.S. Destinations

Embarking on a no-passport cruise is like finding a golden ticket inside your chocolate bar — it’s all about serendipity and convenience. These cruises eliminate the hassle of passport renewal and are perfect for last-minute travel plans, when time is tight, and governmental red tape is a no-go. If you don't have a passport and your ship stops at one of these islands, you'll have to stay on board.

Are there any cruises where a passport is mandatory?

Stepping onto a cruise ship is like entering a different world—a floating city brimming with entertainment, relaxation, and discovery. Reach out to your cruise line ahead of time if you have any dietary restrictions or special requirements. They’re usually accommodating and will ensure you have a comfortable experience. So, you’ve got your destination and cruise line sorted, but as any seasoned traveler will tell you, the key to a flawless vacation often lies in the preparation. Ensenada, located on the Baja California Peninsula, offers travelers a delightful mix of Mexican culture, adventure, and relaxation. Even on a short cruise, make sure to check out the ship’s itinerary and plan ahead.

How flexible are the departure and return times?

From West Coast ports, destinations along the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez include Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Manzanillo, Loreto, La Paz, Guaymas, and Topolobampo. The good news is that you can cruise to quite a few popular destinations without a passport, including Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, and New England. Just be sure that your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port, and double check your identification and proof of citizenship documents. Cruise lines recommend that every passenger have a passport when traveling, even on closed-loop cruises when one isn't strictly necessary. It's the best way to prove your identification and citizenship and is an essential item if you unexpectedly get stranded abroad. It's also less cumbersome than carrying the required documents and papers with you wherever you go.

The territory’s capital city and largest community, Charlotte Amalie, overlooks a large protected harbor with two bustling cruise terminals and a large airport. Puerto Rico is among the best places to visit without a passport from the US. The Latin American island is the largest US territory, with flights landing in San Juan daily from most major airport hubs in the United States. Key West’s largest public beach is lined with palms for a Caribbean feel and offers spectacular sunsets. The gorgeous, crescent-shaped Magens Bay has the go-to beach and clear blue water that’s perfect for taking a tropical dip. For even better views, trek up Skyline Drive to the highest point on the island, where you can see the entire bay and neighboring islands on the horizon.

While many cruises destined for Alaska will require a passport because they port in Canada, you can find cruises that are closed in the United States. Princess is one of the most popular cruise company options for an Alaskan cruise and they have closed cruises from Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. You likely know that you are able to travel to any of the 50 states without a passport, but a lot of people don't consider taking a cruise to one – especially one as chilly as Alaska. Traveling to the United States' most northern state via cruise comes with some complications compared to flying there, as you must make sure to select the correct route when traveling without a valid passport. Customs and Border Protection, is an enhanced driver's license or both your state-issued driver's license and your birth certificate.

Card Type

A cruise to the Panama Canal is a journey through one of the modern world’s most impressive engineering feats. For travelers without a passport, there’s an option to embark on a round-trip cruise from Florida that avoids making port in Colombia, adhering to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Whether it’s for a short break or a longer voyage, these cruises offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and sightseeing along America’s stunning Pacific coastline. Seattle, known for its coffee culture and markets, and Astoria, with its adventure-rich history, provide distinct experiences. West Coast cruises are ideal for those looking for a quick getaway or for first-time cruisers wanting a taste of the Californian lifestyle and the broader West Coast. These cruises typically meander along California’s stunning coastline, allowing you to experience the iconic beauty of places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

What happens if you forget to pack your passport for a cruise to Canada - The Points Guy

What happens if you forget to pack your passport for a cruise to Canada.

Posted: Sun, 19 Jan 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]

While this type of passport can be issued within as little as a day, it could take up to a week to receive it. To make things even more confusing, you can get off the ship in port in Vancouver, British Columbia during an Alaska cruise without a passport, but to cross over into the Canadian province by rail, you'll need one. You can visit Alaska on a round-trip Seattle cruise without a passport. But if you wish to book a rail journey excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which takes you from Alaska into Canada, choose the shorter White Pass Summit tour; you'll need a passport for the longer trips. For instance, you won't need a passport to fly to and cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas in the U.S. These voyages sail round trip from U.S. ports to destinations in North America such as the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Central America, Alaska and Hawaii.

Here are eight destinations that you can cruise to without a passport (and don’t forget to renew your passport so you’ll always be ready to travel). Whether it’s the allure of tropical beaches, the rich history, or the thrill of new adventures, each destination offers something unique for every traveler on a 3-day cruise with no passport. If the name alone doesn’t have you packing your bags, we don’t know what will.

Canada is a touch larger than the United States, which means that it's a massive country – the second largest in the world – with different cultures and norms throughout. If you are traveling to Canada via cruise, though, chances are you are heading to its eastern coastline. A number of cruises make use of Halifax, the capital of Canada's Nova Scotia, and the maritime town is a great place to get some grub and do some shopping. Halifax is known for its involvement with the Titanic, as it sent out recovery ships during the incident and a number of departed passengers are buried in the city. Whether you're grabbing a lobster roll or exploring a lighthouse, Canada has plenty to offer cruise-goers. It's possible to cruise the length of the United States' western coast.

Sail aboard some of our newest ships, including Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy. You’ll be living on island time in no time with the Bahamas' close proximity to the US mainland! You can sail from Port Canaveral or Miami on a 3-, 4- or 7-day cruise on board the newly refurbished Norwegian Sky. This way, you can take advantage of those amazing last-minute cruise deals. You'll also have shorter travel times than if you're vacationing abroad, and a no-passport-required cruise is great for first-time cruisers that don't want to go too far from home. Los Angeles and Norfolk also offer occasional one-off, closed-loop sailings to the Caribbean.

If you’re ready to discover your new favorite place, we’ll take you through the ten best cruises you can enjoy without a passport. U.S. citizens booked on those sailings can leave and enter the country with proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and – if 16 or older – a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. All of the above considered, you should always check with your cruise line regarding what documents you may need for an upcoming cruise.

That is cheaper than a passport book, can get you on the ship but are valid for entering the USA by land and sea only. If your ship is not returning to the same port—for instance, if you are eyeing a one-way Panama Canal sailing from Los Angeles to Miami—you do need a passport. You will also be limited on some Caribbean itineraries, as select islands such as St. Bart’s and Martinique do require a passport, which means your cruise line will require a passport before you board the ship. Make flying the skies as effortless as cruising without a passport, and get ready to set sail with Next Vacay. While the world is your oyster with a passport, you aren’t stuck at home if you don’t have one, and these amazing cruises prove it. From the glittering seas and sandy shores of the Caribbean to the diverse destinations of the Pacific and one-of-a-kind cruises in the Atlantic, a pretty big part of the world awaits discovery.

Only two cruise ships per day are even allowed to enter Glacier Bay – and the Alaska Explorer from Holland America is one of them. As we've shown, you have plenty of options for where to cruise without a passport, and many travelers do so without incident. However, anything from engine trouble on your cruise ship to bad weather or an accident in port might necessitate a flight home from a foreign country. This would put you in an awkward position if you didn't have a passport.