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It allows U.S. citizens to go on closed-loop cruises without needing a valid passport. For those unfamiliar with the term, we discuss what a closed-loop cruise is. 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.
Are Passports Required for These Cruises?
If travelers get stuck at a port of call, there will be “a lot of red tape you have to get through” to make it home without one, Daly said. Elevate your experience on board by choosing The Retreat, where you’ll luxuriate in a beautiful suite and have access to an exclusive lounge and the exceptional Luminae at the Retreat restaurant. Bask by the shimmering pool, join a yoga or meditation class in the Fitness Center, or indulge in a blissful treatment in the Spa. In Bimini, you could relax on a pristine beach in an exclusive resort and swim in the warm, crystal-clear water. If you prefer a more active day, you could hand-feed wild stingrays, swim among reef sharks, or snorkel over the wreck of the Sapona, now colonized by tropical fish.
Explore More
Indulge in world-class seafood, see beautiful lighthouses, visit seaside villages and explore important historic sites. If you’re bringing a birth certificate for proof of citizenship, it must be issued by the Vital Records Department of the state in which you were born. More often than not, even a short 3-night cruise to The Bahamas will allow you to explore more than one destination. If you're afraid of getting seasick, this could be a good option, as you will not have to worry about any days at sea. Instead, you'll just have to bring your birth certificate and valid photo ID. Other short cruises include Bimini and CocoCay, or a different combination of Key West and Nassau.
You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises - USA TODAY
You don't have to wait for a passport to travel: What to know about closed-loop cruises.
Posted: Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Top 7 Most Thrilling Things to do at Perfect Day At CocoCay
We provide expert advice, insightful reviews, and comprehensive guides to help seasoned and novice cruisers create their ideal sea journeys. Whether you desire adventure, luxury, or exploration, High Seas Cruising is your compass to unforgettable cruise vacations. For lawful permanent residents, it’s important to note that a valid green card is necessary for reentry into the U.S. If you’re planning a Bahamas cruise, you must ensure your green card’s validity before departure.
When it comes to beaches, Nassau has everything you’d expect from a tropical island. Sail south from Fort Lauderdale to Key West before heading to Nassau, a laid-back port with everything from powdery beaches to handmade crafts and couture shopping. Nap in a hammock on Blue Lagoon Island or catch thrills at Atlantis, where you can stroll through tunnels in Predator Lagoon. If you're taking the whole family on a Bahamas vacation, we've got some travel hacks for families to make your kid-friendly trip easier. Explore all the restaurants on the Perfect Day at CocoCay island and discover all the complimentary dining venues that offers loads of food and drink favorites that will fuel you up in between adventures. Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day At CocoCay top 4 insider travel tips uncovers free things to do, places to go and thrills you can share with friends.
Explore the chunky fortress, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and the brightly colored streets of Old San Juan, or visit the Bacardi distillery to learn about and sample the famous rum. A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that departs and ends in the same U.S. port, for example, Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale, or round-trip to Alaska from Seattle. Closed loop cruises are a specific category of cruise that makes it a bit easier to cruise.
German Cruise Port Welcomes Over 1.2 Million Cruise Passengers
Customs and Borders Protection (CBP), rules established by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative require that U.S. citizens who are traveling abroad hold a valid passport—unless they are on a closed-loop cruise. Those sailing on a closed-loop cruise can enter or leave the country with an alternative proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued driver’s license or birth certificate. Though most foreign travel requires that you have a valid passport to come back home, cruising makes it easier to enjoy your vacation without worrying about this paperwork. If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you’ll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.
Canada and New England
Be aware of the specific entry regulations for your ports of call during the cruise. Remember, Visa Waiver Program exceptions might not apply in all situations, so it’s wise to verify this information. Some countries in the Bahamas also require Lawful Permanent Residents to have a passport. You’re about to embark on an exciting journey, but first, let’s talk about the necessary travel documents you’ll need.
Are U.S. Territories Eligible As U.S. Ports?
Throughout the ship, casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers. In main and specialty dining, we ask guests to refrain from wearing swimsuits, see-through coverups or robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts, and baseball caps. Traveling with a toddler is easy when you book a cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Even though closed loop cruises can’t take you wherever you want to go, the destination choices may be more diverse than you’d expect. From the beaches of the Bahamas to the wilderness of Alaska, these are the greatest place you can visit on a closed loop cruise without a passport. Customs and Border Protection, you’ll still need to provide some proof of U.S. citizenship. This can take the form of an Enhanced Driver’s License, a passport or a government-issued birth certificate. Additionally, you’ll need to bring a government-issued ID with your photo, name and date of birth. This is because the majority of cruises that you’ll find taking off from the U.S. and heading down to the Bahamas operate on a closed loop.
Different documentation is acceptable for minors under 16, including an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. Voter registration cards and Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. As a U.S. citizen, you can take advantage of the convenience of what’s called a closed-loop cruise—with no passport required. Specifically, on a closed-loop cruise, U.S. citizens were required to have only a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.
Can you go on a cruise with a green card? What US permanent residents need to know about travel documents - The Points Guy
Can you go on a cruise with a green card? What US permanent residents need to know about travel documents.
Posted: Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruises from mainstream lines sailing from Europe, the United States, and Australia do closed-loop cruises more frequently. A good example of this is a repositioning cruise from Miami to San Diego. During different seasons, cruises will often sail one-way routes from one port to another in order to reposition their ships. Citizens will require a passport or documentation specific to the status they’re seeking when entering the U.S., though there are some exceptions for those traveling to the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program. For those who are unfamiliar with cruising or the Caribbean, the Bahamas is a frequent destination for these behemoth ships.
Whether you enjoy absorbing yourself into a new culture or have snorkeling and parasailing in mind, you’ll find plenty to do — and a cruise to The Bahamas maximizes your enjoyment of your vacation. When more than half the fun is getting there, your vacation starts the minute you step aboard ship. There are many perks for passengers and cruise lines that offer closed-loop cruises. What is a closed loop cruise can simply be phrased as any cruise ship debarking from and returning to the same point. To qualify, the ship must return to the exact same port they left from.
As a U.S. citizen, having a passport for a Bahamas cruise is not always necessary. American citizens can use alternative travel documents instead of a travel passport on closed-loop cruises. Cruise from Fort Lauderdale on the fabulous Celebrity Edge, one of the most innovative and impressive ships afloat, bound for the Bahamas and the warm, blue waters of the Caribbean. Luxury and premium cruise lines such as Silversea, Oceania, Cunard, or Regent Seven Seas also offer closed-loop cruises. However, their fleet of ships is usually limited, with fewer options for itineraries. Pre-Covid, we had booked three back-to-back cruises, all sailing from Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
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