What documents will I need to travel?
Before leaving home:
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Caution: The requirements described below are required by government regulations and policies. They are subject to change without notice. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. These appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas, inoculation certificate and family legal documents are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries.
Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country and may be subject to fines. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.
Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their cruise vacation.
Domestic Travel
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) when fully implemented on June 1, 2009 will require all travelers to and from United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean basin and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other Department of Homeland Security approved document that establishes the bearer’s identity and citizenship in order to enter or reenter the United States unless otherwise noted below.. For more information on this program visit: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative website
WHTI Complaint Documents
A valid Passport is already a requirement for international travel and for entering the United States by air. The only exception is that the Nexus card can be used for air travel if the airport has a kiosk that accepts it.
Cruise Travel
Open-Loop Sailings
Effective upon entering the United States on or after June 1, 2009, an open-jaw cruise (voyages that begin in one U.S. Port and end in another U.S. Port) will require a valid Passport or other WHTI compliant document for entry or reentry into the United States.
Closed-Loop Sailings
Effective upon entering the United States on or after June 1, 2009 only a valid Passport or other WHTI compliant document will be accepted for entry or re-entry into the United States.
U.S. and Canadian citizens on closed-loop cruises, (voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port) unless otherwise noted in ‘Closed-Loop Sailing Exceptions’ below, will be able to enter or depart the U.S. with a valid Passport, U.S. Passport Card, U. S. or Provincial Enhanced Driver’s License, Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card.
In the absence of any of the documents listed above, guests will be required to present BOTH an identification and citizenship document from each of the lists below in order to embark our vessel.
Closed-Loop Identification Documents *
- Laminated driver’s license or identification card issued by a federal, state, provincial, country, territory or municipal authority.
- U.S. or Canadian military identification card.
All identification documents must have a photo, name and date of birth.
Closed-Loop Citizenship Documents
U.S. or Canadian birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory, or municipal authority U.S. Consular report of birth aboard
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
- U.S. Citizenship Identification Card
- Canadian Citizenship Card
U.S. and Canadian citizen children under the age of 16 will be expected to present a birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal authority, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Closed-Loop Sailing Exceptions
U.S. and Canadian citizens on closed-loop cruises (voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port) that make port calls in places other than Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean basin or Mexico will require a valid Passport or other approval WHTI complaint document in order to embark our vessel.
Sea Travel Only (Through May 31, 2009)
For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean basin and Mexico, a Passport (valid or expired), valid U.S. Passport Card or State or Provincial Enhanced Drivers License is highly recommended.
In the absence of a Passport, U.S. Passport Card or State or Provincial Enhanced Drivers License (when available - this secure drivers license will denote identity and citizenship) or any other Department of Home Land Security approved Identification / Citizenship document(s), a birth certificate (original or certified copy), plus a laminated picture ID card including photo, name and date of birth issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.
U.S. and Canadian citizen children ages 16 and under will be expected to present a birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal authority.
Note:
Baptismal paper and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable.
A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.
For U.S. Naturalized citizens, in the absence of a passport, Naturalization papers (either original or notarized copy) plus a laminated picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.
International Travel
A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
For additional passport information, visit U.S. Department of State website
Our Recommendation
We strongly recommend that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship’s departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them.
For additional passport information visit U.S. Department of State website
Non-U.S. Citizens
You will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. If you live in the U.S., you will also need the original copy of your Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green Card") and any other documentation the countries on your itinerary require due to your alien status.
Canadian Landed Immigrants
All Canadian Landed Immigrants (inclusive of those who are citizens of the British Commonwealth countries) who reside in Canada must have valid passports and US visas. Also required is the original copy of your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) formally the IMM 1000 or with respect to any country on the itinerary any other travel documentation required because of alien status. Visas
Please contact the Embassy (Consular Services) of each country on your sailing itinerary or the visa service of your choice for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality.
Visa Waiver Program
This is a pre-travel authorization program for U.S. bound travelers from Visa Waiver Countries This U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is mandatory, and all travelers, regardless of age, from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required to complete an online application similar to the I-94W and obtain an ESTA approval prior to boarding a carrier by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.
A third party, such as a relative or travel agent will be permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveler. The DHS recommends that an ESTA approval be obtained as soon as a VWP traveler begins to plan a trip to the United States, and no later than 72 hours before departure. Should the information you provided change after receiving your approval, updating your application online is easy.
ESTA will determine almost immediately in many cases if an individual is eligible for VWP travel. Possible website responses include: Authorization Approved, Travel Not Approved or Authorization Pending. In the event that an ESTA applicant is denied authorization to travel to the United States under VWP he or she will be referred to U.S. Department of State website for information on how to apply for a visa to travel to the United States.
Applicants who receive an Authorization Pending response will need to check the Web site for updates within 72 hours to receive a final response. An approved ESTA travel authorization is:
- valid for up to two years or until the travelers passport expires, whichever comes first
- valid for multiple entries into the U.S be it for business or pleasure.; and
- not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry. ESTA approval only authorizes a traveler to board a carrier for travel to the U.S. under VWP. In all cases, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers make admissibility determinations at U.S. ports of entry. (For additional information, please visit "Know Before You Go" at CBP.gov website
Guest who apply electronically will be required to present their ESTA authorization approval receipt in order to board the vessel on applicable voyages. Countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program
| Andorra | Iceland | Norway |
| Australia | Ireland | Portugal |
| Austria | Italy | San Marino |
| Belgium | Japan | Singapore |
| Brunei | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Czech Republic | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Denmark | Lithuania | Spain |
| Estonia | Luxembourg | South Korea |
| Finland | Malta | Sweden |
| France | Monaco | Switzerland |
| Germany | The Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Hungary | New Zealand |
Travelers from the VWP countries seeking to enter the United States will also be required to have in their possession a passport.
For passport requirements for Visa Waiver Program applicants visit: CBP.gov website
Inoculation / Health
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure they are medically fit for travel. As such, we remind you to check with your physician at least 4 to 6 weeks before sailing to make sure you are up to date with any required immunizations or vaccines you may need (including but not limited to certification of yellow fever vaccination) to ensure you will be permitted to visit each of the exciting destinations and tours on your itinerary.
For further information, you may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveler’s Health website or toll-free at 1.800.232.4636.
Family Legal Documents:
Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child’s valid passport and visa (if required) and the child’s birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child’s valid passport and visa (if required) or the child’s birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child’s parents. The notarized letter from the child’s parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
Click here for more information on Passport and Visa Requirements