| Going on a cruise is a wonderful vacation experience | | | | pretty obvious because a cruise starting in another |
| that you will never forget. One of the great things | | | | country often requires international air travel. There |
| about most cruises is that nearly everything is taken | | | | are never exceptions for the need of a passport |
| care of; there is no need to worry about anything. | | | | when it comes to air travel. Passports are also now |
| Still, cruise travel can be quite different from normal | | | | required for all border crossings, so a passport is |
| travel and certain things need to be taken into | | | | necessary for any cruise departing from an |
| consideration. One common cruise question is, "Do | | | | international port. |
| you need passports for cruises?" | | | | Currently, many cruise lines offer what are called |
| The best indicator of the necessity of passports for | | | | "closed loop voyages." Usually, a closed loop voyage |
| a cruise is whether or not the cruise is international. | | | | refers to a cruise that starts and ends in the same |
| In short, passports are needed for international travel | | | | port. However, in terms of the legal implications, a |
| and are not needed for domestic travel. Passports | | | | closed loop voyage can refer to any cruise that |
| are never mandatory for domestic travel, but | | | | starts and ends in the same country. Closed loop |
| passport laws can vary for different types of | | | | voyages have a unique set of passport laws. |
| international travel. | | | | Passports are generally not required for closed loop |
| First, it is important to stay up to date on passport | | | | cruises. In place of passports for cruises deemed |
| law. As of June 1st, 2009, passports are required for | | | | closed loop, adult passengers are only required to |
| all border countries. This is applicable to air, land and | | | | bring a valid driver's license and birth certificate. |
| sea travel. However, there are different laws that | | | | Closed loop voyage passport and document |
| relate specifically to cruise ships. | | | | exemption laws only pertain to travel from a U.S port |
| Obviously, passports are required for any cruise that | | | | to ports in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Virgin |
| has an international final destination. This also applies | | | | Islands, and select Caribbean Islands. Anyone unsure |
| to all border countries. For example, a passport would | | | | of the passport requirements for closed loop cruises |
| be necessary for a one-way cruise from Miami to | | | | to certain Caribbean Islands should consult with the |
| Cancun, although round-trip cruises have different | | | | cruise company, their travel agency or the State |
| laws. | | | | Department website. Anyone that has a passport |
| Additionally, any cruise that starts in another country | | | | would be wise to bring it along just in case. |
| would require the use of a passport. This should be | | | | |