Raquel Molina
April 29, 2024
Are you a U.S. citizen going on a cruise soon and not quite sure if a passport will be required? Have you heard conflicting information regarding certain destinations or unfamiliar terms such as “closed loop”? Passport requirements can be a little tricky but the answers to the following frequently asked questions will help you ensure that you are prepared so that your cruising won’t be denied.
What is a “Closed Loop” Cruise?
A cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port is considered a closed loop cruise and a passport is usually not required for cruisers on this type of voyage. An example of a closed loop cruise would be one that begins in New Orleans, stops in Cozumel and then ends back in New Orleans. By contrast, an open loop cruise is one that begins in one U.S. port and ends in another. For example, a cruise beginning in New Orleans, stopping in Cozumel and ending in Miami would be an open loop cruise. Please note that there are some exemptions to the closed loop rule such as:
Closed loop cruises with ports of call in Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Barts and Trinidad and Tobago may require a passport for U.S. cruisers so be sure to check with your cruise line or travel agent to make sure you have the documents that you need. Also, be sure to determine if excursions at your ports of call will require a passport. On my recent cruise to Alaska, one of the excursions in Skagway included a brief border crossing into Canada and therefore a passport was required.
My grandchild is 10 years old. Will they need a passport to cruise?
While it is true that cruisers 15 years and younger will not need a passport to cruise if the cruise is closed loop, they will need an original, notarized or certified copy of their government issued birth certificate, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a U.S. Certificate of Naturalization. Newborns can cruise with a hospital issued birth certificate if their official birth certificate has not yet arrived.
Cruisers 16 and older without a passport will need either an enhanced driver’s license, or a government issued birth certificate AND a government issued driver’s license, or picture i.d. including physical descriptors, name and date of birth. If the cruise is open loop, a passport is required – no matter the age.
Keep in mind that international air travel requires a passport so even if air travel is not part of your cruise itinerary, a passport may be needed should an emergency occur requiring you to fly from an international port.
Can I Take My Minor Grandchild on a Cruise Without Their Parents or Legal Guardian?
The short answer is yes, but there are things you will have to put in place prior to doing so. Most cruise lines will require you to present an original, notarized letter signed by the child’s parents or legal guardian authorizing you to travel with the child. The specifics of the letter are specific to each cruise line so be sure to check with the cruise line or your travel agent to be sure that you have what you need to travel with a minor child.
My Passport doesn’t expire until a month after my cruise, why won’t the cruise line let me use it to cruise?
As a rule, most foreign countries require that your U.S. passport not expire for at least six months from the date your trip ends. There are a few exceptions but most cruise lines will enforce the six month expiration policy. So if your cruise ends on May 15th your passport would need to be valid at least through November 16 of the same year. Also, be sure that your passport book has at least two blank pages available for stamps.
I am a Senior Citizen, can I get a discount on passport application fees?
AARP offers their members exclusive discounts on passport processing. For more information check out their website at ww.aarp.org. Currently the U.S. passport book fees are as follows:
- 16+ first time applicant: $130 ($35 acceptance fee)
- 16+ renewal: $130
- -16 first time or renewal: $130 ($35 acceptance fee)
I am recently married/divorced and my current name is different from the one on my passport. Will this present a problem when boarding?
As long as you can provide documentation showing your name progression your name change should not present a problem. To be sure, please verify with your cruise line or travel agent to be sure you will have what you need to board. However, it would be best to update your passport as soon as possible with your current legal name.
In my opinion, leaving the United States without a valid passport is a risk that I’d rather not take. Even on a closed loop cruise, situations can arise that can be further complicated by not having a passport. Be sure to apply for your passport or renewal well in advance of your trip. The general rule of thumb is to renew your passport about nine months prior to its expiration.
Your Accessible Cruising Specialist 