You do not need a passport for a closed loop cruise that starts and ends in the United States, even if you’re getting off in other countries. We did one without passports last year. It’s still a good idea to have a passport because if you have any kind of medical emergency in another country and can’t get back on the boat, you will need to wait for the US Embassy in whatever country you’re visiting to issue you a passport so you can go back to the United States. I’m told by a friend in the state department it happens not infrequently.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs who responded, are you speaking as someone who has actually been on a Southern Caribbean cruise out of FL or San Juan? Because it sounds like you're speculating.

I need facts from people who actually KNOW. Thanks

I left and returned from Miami. I had to show my passport for me and the kids before they would let us onto the ship.

Let me correct that for you, you CHOSE to show passports. You could have just used DL and BCs.

Or the itinerary included an island that requires passports.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs who responded, are you speaking as someone who has actually been on a Southern Caribbean cruise out of FL or San Juan? Because it sounds like you're speculating.

I need facts from people who actually KNOW. Thanks

I left and returned from Miami. I had to show my passport for me and the kids before they would let us onto the ship.

Let me correct that for you, you CHOSE to show passports. You could have just used DL and BCs.

Anonymous wrote:Fact: You need a passport to leave the US and enter another country.

It used to be that you could enter Mexico and Canada with only a birth certificate or even driver’s license, but those days are long gone.

Wrong, not on cruises. Recommended but not required. See above.
Just don't get stranded. We had a customs officer chide us for not having passports for our kids on our first cruise for this reason.

You have to show ID, it doesn't have to be a passport. From Carnival's website:

Regarding Carnival Cruises to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, there is a notable exception to this US passport rule, pertaining to land and sea crossings for US Citizens.

US Citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port) and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate (raised seal and signature) and a laminated government issued picture ID (typically, driver's license), Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.

As an addendum to my post about CBP--I would always take a passport just as an emergency backup. If you get stranded, or sick, or injured--I'd want all my documentation to be able tog et home from another country as easily as possible.

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs who responded, are you speaking as someone who has actually been on a Southern Caribbean cruise out of FL or San Juan? Because it sounds like you're speculating.

I need facts from people who actually KNOW. Thanks

I left and returned from Miami. I had to show my passport for me and the kids before they would let us onto the ship.

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs who responded, are you speaking as someone who has actually been on a Southern Caribbean cruise out of FL or San Juan? Because it sounds like you're speculating.

I need facts from people who actually KNOW. Thanks

OP do you not own a passport, or your passport is expired and you don't want to go to the expense of renewing it? I'm a former consular officer. This is what we did. When I speculate, I imagine that even a closed-loop U.S. territory-only cruise could be re-routed. Or that airlifts happen, etc. Do you not have enough time to get a passport before the cruise departs?

Is Customs and Border Control definitive enough?

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's license, picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth.

HOWEVER, it is possible that one or more of the Caribbean Islands on your itinerary, does require you to have a passport to enter their country. In that case, it is very possible that the cruise line will require you to have a passport to board, even if it is not a U.S. requirement.

Fact: You need a passport to leave the US and enter another country.

It used to be that you could enter Mexico and Canada with only a birth certificate or even driver’s license, but those days are long gone.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, because you’re getting off the ship (or have the potential to get off the ship) on other islands, which happen to be entirely different countries.

I mean, really? It doesn’t matter where you start and end. It matters where you go.

Wow, wrong wrong wrong

For the PPs who responded, are you speaking as someone who has actually been on a Southern Caribbean cruise out of FL or San Juan? Because it sounds like you're speculating.

I need facts from people who actually KNOW. Thanks

yes

Yes, because you’re getting off the ship (or have the potential to get off the ship) on other islands, which happen to be entirely different countries.

I mean, really? It doesn’t matter where you start and end. It matters where you go.

I read that closed loops cruises from the US don't require a passport. But someone mentioned they needed one for a cruise from San Juan. But SJ is part of the US, so that doesn't make sense, unless their cruise didn't end in PR.

Anyone know the definitive answer?

Thank you