passport requirements for closed loop cruises

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Places to Cruise Without a Passport

By Carnival Cruise Line

The Bahamas

New England and Canada

• The Caribbean

Baja, Mexico

As luck would have it, you’ve suddenly got a few open days in your schedule and a yearning to travel somewhere exotic. Don’t let your lack of a passport stop you. Consider a cruise . If you take closed loop cruises (meaning your trip begins and ends at a U.S. port), you can sail to a variety of dreamy destinations as a U.S. citizen without a passport.

For “closed-loop” cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide:

• A boarding pass
• A government photo I.D. if 16 years of age or older
• And a certified birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization

Starting and ending in Seattle or San Francisco, an Alaskan cruise takes you to charming waterfront cities and villages like Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. In Alaska, also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, you can see spectacular, icy glaciers by boat or seaplane, watch for whales and try your hand at dog sledding.

A stop in Victoria, British Columbia offers a whole new set of adventures. Visit castles, take a ride on a horse-drawn trolley, stroll through beautiful Butchart Gardens or get your fill of shopping and dining downtown. When you arrive back in Seattle or San Francisco, take time to explore those cities for even more vacation fun.

You can cruise to The Bahamas from a number of U.S. ports along the Atlantic Coast. Located just southeast of Miami in the Atlantic Ocean, The Bahamas offers an ideal island getaway. With soft-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and pastel-colored British colonial architecture , the Bahamian capital of Nassau makes a popular port of call for cruisers. In Freeport , you can shop till you drop at the Port Lucaya Marketplace or kayak through the mangroves at Lucayan National Park. At the south end of the island of Eleuthera, Princess Cays offers island resort living at its finest.

If you’re looking for cruises that don’t require a passport, take a round trip sail to Bermuda from New York City , Baltimore , Charleston or one of two Florida ports of call. As Britain’s oldest colony, Bermuda offers wonderful historic attractions and plenty of opportunities for fun in the sun. Pink-sand beaches, beautiful blue waters and colorful coral reefs deliver the perfect recipe for sunning, swimming, sailing and snorkeling. Cap off a day of adventure in Bermuda with a sunset rum-tasting cruise .

If you’re looking for a different kind of cruise, explore parts of New England and Canada with New York City as an exciting starting and ending point. Spend a day soaking up history in Boston, Massachusetts, and tour the Charles River aboard an amphibious duck vehicle. Experience lighthouses, lobster bakes and craggy sea cliffs in Portland, Maine, and enjoy a trip to Saint John, a beautiful city on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. A stop in the charming fishing village of Halifax, Nova Scotia offers beautiful gardens, more delicious seafood and double-decker bus tours . After you pull into port in the Big Apple, make sure to see a Broadway show, visit the Empire State Building and take a stroll through Central Park.

The Caribbean  

The Caribbean makes a popular destination for travelers considering a tropical cruise. For an easy round trip, you can begin and end in a number of U.S. cities including New York City, Galveston , Mobile , New Orleans and Tampa .

Western Caribbean locales in Mexico like Yucatán and Cozumel deliver exciting attractions, from ancient Mayan ruins to flamingo lagoons, and activities like swimming with dolphins, dune buggy rides, sailing, snorkeling, diving and zip lining.

In the Eastern Caribbean, find dream destinations like Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos archipelago. In Amber Cove, you can tour the Dominican outback, soak up the sun on Coconut Cove Beach, or ride the Waterfalls of Rio de Damajagua . On Grand Turk, enjoy swimming with stingrays, riding horses along the coast, or touring the island by ATV. The opportunities for adventure on a Caribbean cruise are endless.

When it comes to domestic cruises, nothing beats a trip to Hawaii . Explore beautiful spots spread across Maui , Kauai and the Big Island, and drink in the natural beauty only Hawaii delivers. On this exciting trip, you can deep sea fish for marlin, explore forest caves and waterfalls, soak up the sun on a black-sand beach and attend a traditional luau. U.S. departure ports for enjoyable Hawaiian cruises include San Francisco , San Diego , Long Beach and Honolulu .

Depart from the Californian cities of San Francisco, San Diego or Long Beach for a quick but memorable cruise to the Baja Peninsula in northern Mexico . Along the way, stop by Catalina Island for a day packed full of outdoor enjoyment . Kayak in and out of secret coves, zip line through the trees or try parasailing. In Ensenada , the “Cinderella of the Pacific,” you can ride horses along mountain trails, tour the wine country, shop for souvenirs and taste the local tequila.

When traveling outside of the U.S. a passport is always recommended, but cruises are the exception to the rule. As long as you book a closed loop cruise, you can travel to certain destinations without a passport. Because international cruises in Europe and Asia require air travel, these vacations also demand a passport. When embarking on adventures by sea that don’t require a passport, make sure you have the proper cruise documentation.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by  ship  and destination.

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Closed Loop Cruise: Passport Requirements & Destinations

Got a few free days and looking to go on a trip, but don’t have a passport? Don’t worry, you still have plenty of options! If you passport has expired, or you never got a passport in the first place, you are still able to visit several foreign countries as a U.S. citizen. The answer to your “problem” is a closed loop cruise.

These types of cruises allow you, as an American, to sail to amazing destinations without a passport. Below, we take a look at what closed loop cruises are and tell you exactly which places you can visit on a closed loop cruise.

What Is a Closed Loop Cruise?

First things first, though—what is a closed loop cruise? The answer is right there, in the name. Closed loop cruises have “closed” itineraries, meaning that they start and end in the same U.S. port. On the way, however you may visit some other destinations, whether within the United States or in other countries. All closed loop cruises are round-trip cruises from the same port in the United States.

Places You Can Go on a Closed Loop Cruise (Without a Passport)

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.

Explore the rugged coasts of Alaska on a closed loop cruise from cities like Seattle and San Francisco . Visit the historic coastal towns of Skagway, Sitka and Juneau, and see iconic wildlife, from orcas and whales to brown bears and bald eagles.

Cruise around the Hawaiian Islands and soak up that glorious tropical sunshine. See waterfalls and rainbows, enjoy amazing Polynesian food and hit the waves on a surfboard. Cruises to Hawaii start in most major West Coast cities, such as San Diego , Los Angeles and Seattle.

New England and Eastern Canada

Discover the rocky coasts of New England and eastern Canada on a closed loop cruise from Boston or New York City. Indulge in world-class seafood, see beautiful lighthouses, visit seaside villages and explore important historic sites.

One of the most accessible tropical islands from the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda is a popular destination for closed loop cruises. You can visit this gorgeous, historic island on round-trip cruises from Boston and other East Coast ports. Swim with dolphins , visit the Royal Navy Dockyard or scuba dive to a shipwreck.

The Bahamas

Blessed with near-perpetual sunshine and stunning beaches, the Bahamas are one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations. As a Caribbean island nation, it’s an excellent place to visit without a passport on closed loop cruises. Departure ports include Baltimore , Charleston, Jacksonville, Miami and other southeastern U.S. cities.

The Caribbean

Comprised of the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean Island, the greater Caribbean region is home to some of the greatest beach destination on the planet. Go on a closed loop cruise from Florida and visit such stunning islands as St. Lucia, Barbados, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Martinique and Bonaire. Remember, however, that some of these island nations may require you to have a passport to enter.

Whether it’s a Baja California cruise from San Diego or L.A., or a cruise to Cozumel from the East Coast, Mexico is a great closed loop cruise destination. Discover ancient temples and architecture, sample classic Mexican cuisine, sunbathe on amazing beaches and partake in endless outdoor adventures. Check out the best time to cruise to Mexico here .

So, for example, you can board a cruise ship in Miami, Florida , stop at least one foreign port in places like Mexico, the Bahamas or the Caribbean, and return to the port of Miami afterwards. This is a closed loop cruise. As a U.S. citizen, you will not need a valid passport to leave and re-enter the United States this way.

If, however, you depart from Miami, sail through the Panama Canal , visiting a foreign port on the way, and disembark in Los Angeles, you have not been on a closed loop cruise, even though both your departure and arrival ports are in the United States. These kinds of one-way cruises require all passengers to have a valid passport.

Good to know: Maritime laws state that cruise ships not sailing under the American flag must stop in at least one port of call outside the United States. Great examples of this include a stop in Canada on Alaska cruises , a stop in Bermuda on a round-trip from Boston, or a stop in Cozumel from Fort Lauderdale.

Remember: The start and end point of your cruise must be the same U.S. port.

Do I Need a Passport on a Closed Loop Cruise?

American citizens do not need a passport to go on a closed loop cruise. They can leave and re-enter their own country without a passport. However, it is important to know that another proof of citizenship will be required instead.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Information Center , other valid proofs of citizenship you can use to go on closed loop cruises besides a passport are:

• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL);
• Government-issued birth certificate; or
• Government-issued certificate of naturalization

If you’re 16 or older, you will also need a valid government-issued driver’s license or picture ID that contains your photo, name and date of birth.

U.S. citizens younger than 16 may use an original, notarized or certified copy of their birth certificate to go on a closed loop cruise. They do not need other documents to leave and re-enter the USA.

Note, however, that this does not necessarily mean that the countries on your itinerary, especially in the Caribbean, won’t still require you to have a passport to enter. If that’s the case, your cruise line might already require you to have a passport to board the ship—even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not.

If you aren’t sure, please ask your cruise line about this in advance. A closed loop cruise refers only to U.S. immigration regulations and passport requirements for U.S. citizens. It does not reflect those of the destinations on the closed loop cruise.

How Do I Know If My Cruise Is Closed Loop?

This is pretty straightforward. As we’ve mentioned above, a closed loop cruise is a cruise that departs from and returns to the same port in the United States. It’s really that simple.

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GETTING ONBOARD

Required travel documents.

GETTING ONBOARD WITH

THE RIGHT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

It’s your responsibility to ensure you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries your cruise visits. We’ll require government-issued identification to board. And government authorities may require you to have a visa or meet other requirements.

Select your departure port below to find out exactly what you need. But be aware – government requirements may change.

Don't Get Caught Without The Right Travel Doc

Passports are Best A passport is the best ID document for travel. Make sure yours doesn't expire for 6 months after your cruise ends. Learn more

Caution: Birth Certificates U.S. Citizens can cruise with a U.S. birth certificate on most sailings from the U.S. But your birth certificate needs to meet the requirements. Learn more

Names Must Match If you've had a name change, and the name used across your documents does not match, you will need to take an extra step. Learn more

Cruising With Kids That Aren't Yours When a minor (age 17 and under) travels without their legal guardian, an accompanying adult must present a notarized form signed by the child's guardian. Learn more

Visas May Be Required Some countries require an entry visa or electronic visa based on your nationality. Learn more

Don't Pack Your Docs Please keep all travel documents on your person at the terminal; you’ll need to present them at check-in.

Select where you're sailing from

Popular homeports:, full list of all homeports:, travel document requirements for sailings from u.s. homeports (excluding honoulu, hawaii & seward, alaska).

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from the U.S. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents

Note: U.S. Cruises that visit Colombia or Panama If your sailing visits Colombia or Panama, see your protocols here .

In order to sail, a guest must meet the requirements of ONE of the check boxes below.

All documents must be original – no photocopies. Your name must match across documents. What if I had a name change?

• U.S. Passport Book OR U.S. Passport Card
• Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. Learn why a passport is best.
• Passports must be valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends
• Read more about passport requirements.
• U.S. Birth Certificate AND Valid Government Issued ID (State ID Card, Driver’s License OR Military ID)
• Original U.S. State Certified Birth Certificate or a certified copy; or an original Consular Birth Abroad Certificate from the U.S. State Department.
• Read more about birth certificate requirements.
• Guests age 15 and under are NOT required to have a photo ID, just the birth certificate.
• Permanent Resident Card (Alien Resident Card "ARC" OR Green Card) AND Valid Passport from Country of Citizenship
• Guests must bring their physical Permanent Resident Card and it must be original – no photocopies.
• Passports must be valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends.
• Guests age 16 and older whose ARC has no photo must present a valid government issued photo ID
• Barbados & Martinique require ARC guests to provide a valid passport.
• Any additional requirements are the responsibility of the guest.
• U.S. Naturalization Certificate AND Valid Government Issued ID (State ID Card, Driver’s License OR Military ID)
• Original U.S. Naturalization Certificate or a certified copy.
• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) that is not expired
• Enhanced Driver's Licenses are only available from the following states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington State.
• An Enhanced Driver’s License is different from a REAL ID compliant id. An EDL will have a flag on the front.
• U.S. Passport Book
• Visa may be required based on Passport Country of Origin. Learn More

Additionally, visas or travel permits may be required to enter some countries.

• Electronic Travel Authorization will be required based on disembarkation port.
• Learn more about visa requirements.

Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens

• Canadian Passport Book – Required if traveling to the U.S. by air
• Enhanced Driver's Licenses are only available from the following Provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
• Guests age 14 and under may present a passport as noted above OR one of the documents below:
• Original Naturalization Certificate OR Original Valid Canadian Citizenship Card OR Original Birth Certificate Issued by Canada.
• Read more about birth certificate requirements

In order to sail, a guest must meet the requirements below.

• Canadian Passport Book

Accepted Identification for Other Nationalities

• Valid Passport from Country of Citizenship

Additionally, visas or travel permits may be required to enter some countries. Please check requirements for your own nationality. Common visas are noted below.

• The United States may require a Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or Visa depending on nationality.
• Please check requirements for your own nationality .
• Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) is required for Chinese Nationals.
• Sailings with a Canadian Port of Call (ex. Alaska sailings) may require a Canadian Visitor’s Visa.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Australian homeports

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Australia. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens

• U.S. Passport Book AND Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
• All visitors are required to get an Australian ETA to travel to Australia.
• Read more about passport requirements

Additionally, visas or travel permits may be required to enter some countries. Please check requirements for your own nationality.

• New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)
• All visitors are required to get a NZeTA to travel to New Zealand.

Accepted Identification for U.K. Citizens

• Passport Book

Accepted Identification for Australian Citizens

• Australian Passport Book
• Australian Driver's License OR Government-issued, laminated photo ID
• Cruise itinerary must call only on Australian ports of call.
• If an itinerary leaves Australia, then guests must use a Passport.
• Guests age 17 and under may present one of the documents below:
• Medicare Card - Can be used as the only identification for children when all guests share the same last name.
• Original (or Certified) Birth Certificate - If the parent's name differs from the child.

* Sailings that originate and end in ports within Australia that do not include a visit to an overseas port outside of Australia. (Note that Queensland cruises that include Willis Island are considered domestic cruises) . If an itinerary leaves Australia, then guests must use a Passport.

• Passport Book AND Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
• For Transpacific sailings, the United States may require a Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or Visa depending on nationality.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Canadian homeports

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Canada. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents

• U.S. Passport Book - If traveling to Canada by air
• U.S. Passport Card - Can be used if traveling to Canada by ground/car or by sea
• U.S. Birth Certificate AND Valid Government Issued ID (State ID Card, Driver’s License OR Military ID) - Can be used if traveling to Canada by ground/car or by sea
• Permanent Resident Card (Alien Resident Card "ARC" OR Green Card) AND Valid Passport from Country of Citizenship - If traveling to Canada by air, ground/car or by sea
• Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your cruise ends.
• Guests age 16 and older whose ARC has no photo must present a valid government issued photo ID.
• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) that is not expired - Can be used if traveling to Canada by ground/car or by sea

Accepted Identification for Canadian Citizens & Permanent Residents

• Canadian Permanent Resident Card AND Valid Passport from Country of Citizenship
• Guests age 14 and under may also present either:
• Canada may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or Visa depending on nationality.

Travel document requirements for sailings from European homeports (excluding Southampton, England; Haifa, Israel & Istanbul, Turkey)

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Europe. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter European Union countries.

• Traveling to Europe
• Coming Soon - All visitors will soon be required to get an European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to travel to Europe.
• Sailings that have a European Union Port of Call
• For Transatlantic sailings, the United States may require a Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or Visa depending on nationality.

Accepted Identification for European Citizens

• Guests are responsible for any requirements a country may have.
• Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. Learn why a passport is best
• EU Government ID
• Cruise itinerary must call only on countries within the Schengen Region .
• EU Government ID must be valid at least 3 months after your cruise ends.
• A Multi-Entry Schengen Visa may be required
• Coming Soon - European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
• Some nationalities will soon be required to get an European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to travel to Europe.
• A Schengen Visa may be required
• European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)
• Coming Soon - Some nationalities will soon be required to get an European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to travel to Europe.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Dubai

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Dubai. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• U.K. Passport Book

Travel document requirements for sailings from Central & South American homeports

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Central and South America. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• Australian citizens cruising to and from Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile require additional documentation.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Singapore

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Singapore. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• U.S. Passport Book AND Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC)
• All visitors are required to get an Singapore Arrival Card to travel to Singapore.

Accepted Identification for Singaporean Citizens

• Singaporean Passport Book
• Passport Book AND Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC)

Travel document requirements for sailings from Japanese homeports

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Japan. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Accepted Identification for Japanese Citizens

• Japanese Passport Book

Travel document requirements for sailings from Chinese homeports

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from China. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Accepted Identification for Chinese Citizens

• Chinese Passport Book

Travel document requirements for sailings from Istanbul, Turkey

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Istanbul, Turkey. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• U.S. Passport Book AND Turkish Visa
• All visitors are required to get a Turkish Visa to travel to Turkey.
• Passport Book AND Turkish Visa

Travel document requirements for sailings from Haifa, Israel

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Haifa, Israel. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• All visitors will soon be required to get an European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to travel to Europe.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Seward, Alaska

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from the Seward. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• Canada may require a Visa depending on nationality.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Southampton, England

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from Southampton. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter the U.K. and European Union countries.

• Entering the U.K.
• Coming Soon - All visitors will soon be required to get an U.K. Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to the U.K.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii

Here are the current requirements for our guests sailing from the Honolulu. Booked guests will be provided the latest full details prior to sailing. Please select the citizenship options below to learn the right requirements:

• Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

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Closed-Loop Cruises: Everything You Need to Know

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: April 30th, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Have you ever found yourself with a few days to spare and an overwhelming desire to escape to the balmy Caribbean, or on an Alaskan adventure, then realized that you don’t have a passport, or your passport has expired? As a U.S. citizen, you can take advantage of the convenience of what’s called a closed-loop cruise—with no passport required.

What is a closed-loop cruise?

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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 .

These cruises have to meet certain criteria to qualify. Every voyage on a ship that’s not U.S. flagged, departing from and returning to a U.S. port must, according to maritime law, visit one foreign port of call. This is why you’ll find Alaska cruises stopping in Vancouver, or Western Caribbean cruises calling in at Cancun.

To qualify as closed-loop cruises, the places these itineraries can include must be contiguous territories of the United States. That includes Mexico and Canada, because both share land borders with the U.S., and several of the islands of the Caribbean .

Do I need a passport for a closed-loop cruise?

Key West, Florida

In most cases, you don’t need a passport for a closed-loop cruise. This is one of the reasons why these itineraries are so popular. You can, of course, use your passport or passport card as an ID if you have one. But in the case of closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens are allowed to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship.

According to U.S. Customs & Border Protection, this includes an Enhanced Driver’s License, which is a state-issued driver’s license that provides proof of identity and U.S. citizenship; a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where the person was born) or passport; and if 16 or older, a government-issued driver’s license or picture ID denoting photo, name, and date of birth.

The Enhanced Driver’s License allows you to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico , and the Caribbean and is valid at land and sea border crossings but not airports.

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.

Falmouth, Jamaica

There are different rules if you’re a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the U.S. While the U.S. government does not require you to have a passport, destinations on the itinerary may have different rules, so it’s always advisable to check.

If you are an LPR, you’ll need your I-551, or Green Card, to re-enter the U.S. And if you’re not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. LPR, you’ll need a passport regardless of whether you’re on a closed-loop cruise or not.

If you do choose to take advantage of this opportunity to travel without a passport, there are a couple of warnings to bear in mind. Say, for example, something goes wrong and you have to return to the U.S. by air. In this case, you’d need a passport to board a flight.

Also, if you miss the ship in one of the ports, you’ll have to make your own way home or to catch up with the cruise, which could be difficult without a passport. If you book an excursion through Celebrity Cruises, that won’t happen, since the ship is guaranteed to wait for you.

What are some of the best closed-loop cruise itineraries?

Fort lauderdale to perfect day at cococay.

CocoCay, Bahamas

Sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale to the sunny Bahamas on a getaway that includes the award-winning private island of CocoCay. Depending on the itinerary, you’ll also have time in either Nassau, Bimini, or Key West.

Historic Nassau combines fascinating colonial-era architecture, like the limestone-carved Queen’s Staircase and the candy-pink Parliament Building, with dreamy beaches and a thriving culinary scene.

Join a rum tasting at John Watling’s Distillery, shop for locally made trinkets in the Straw Market, and relax on the long, sandy sweep of Cable Beach.

S.S. Sapona shipwreck in Bimini, Bahamas

Tiny Bimini is surrounded by the clearest seas imaginable. Join a tour to swim among reef sharks, or go snorkeling over the wreck of the S.S. Sapona, now colonized by marine life and thriving as a colorful reef.

CocoCay is for many the highlight of a cruise to the Bahamas. Fly down Devil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America, or kick back on the adults-only Hideaway Beach, where a DJ spins tunes all day and the cocktails flow.

Elevate your experience with a private overwater cabana with a slide to propel you straight into the crystal-clear water.

Boston to Maine & Canada

Fort Williams Park, Maine

Sail round-trip from Boston in the late summer and early fall, just as the trees are beginning to take on their brilliant autumn colors.

You’ll cruise the coast of Maine, calling at pretty Rockland, its rugged coast inviting exploration on foot or on two wheels. As this is the self-styled “lobster capital of the world”, you don’t want to miss the chance to enjoy a lobster roll here.

Across the border in Canada , you’ll visit Halifax, famed for its maritime history and iconic Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, as well as Sydney on rugged Cape Breton Island.

Québec City, Canada

Our cruises to Maine and Canada also spend a night in beautiful Québec City on the St. Lawrence River. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the cobblestone streets and restaurants of the Old Town, established 400 years ago.

Don’t miss the outstanding Musée de la Civilisation and the famous Château Frontenac. While you’re here, remember to try poutine, the local specialty, which is French fries drenched in gravy and cheese curds.

Seattle to Alaska, the Inside Passage, and Dawes Glacier

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

Spend seven nights exploring the wild beauty of Alaska on the innovative Celebrity Edge. It’s the perfect ship for such dazzling scenery, with its abundance of outside space and the thrilling Magic Carpet, offering uninterrupted views of Alaska’s forested shores and jagged mountains.

You’ll visit pretty Ketchikan, from where you could join a bear-spotting tour, try kayaking, join an expedition to fish for king crab, or just explore the colorful town.

Next, there’s a full day slowly cruising the 30-mile Endicott Arm Fjord, past tumbling waterfalls and chunks of floating ice that have broken off the magnificent Dawes Glacier, a 600-foot tall wall of blue-white ice. The spectacle of this vast river of ice meeting the sea is a highlight of the day.

Mendenhall Lake in Juneau, Alaska

You’ll also visit Juneau , the perfect spot for whale-watching, hiking, and thrilling flightseeing trips over snow-covered mountains. In Skagway, you’ll have the chance to ride the spectacular White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, heading high over rugged passes, following the trail of hardy prospectors from the Gold Rush days.

As the ship heads back to Seattle, there’s a day on board to relax as the ship threads its way through the narrow channels of the Inside Passage , between forested islands and rock-strewn beaches, with great opportunities for spotting whales and bears from your vantage point on deck.

There’s also a call at historic Victoria on Canada’s Vancouver Island, where you can experience a pleasing blend of elegant, British colonial architecture, cool shops, and craft breweries before you return to Seattle.

Browse Alaska Cruises on Celebrity Edge

Fort Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

You’ll find a wide choice of itineraries and ships sailing from Fort Lauderdale to the islands of the Eastern Caribbean on itineraries ranging from seven to 10 nights.

Islands you could visit include pretty St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands , fringed by exquisite beaches. Across the water is Tortola, the epicenter of the British Virgin Islands, famed as a paradise for sailing and watersports.

Grand Case, St. Maarten

St. Maarten , shared by France and The Netherlands, gives you a taste of two cultures, although the beaches are exceptional whichever side of the island you favor. Head to pretty Grand Case for fine French-Caribbean dining, or browse the duty-free shops of Philipsburg on the Dutch side.

At Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, the culture bears Spanish influences in the language and architecture. Venture into the island’s interior to explore the rainforest in a 4×4, or to visit a coffee plantation to learn how coffee is produced.

Bridgetown is decidedly British in influence, with fine Georgian architecture and one of the Caribbean’s most famous cricket grounds, The Oval. In Barbados , go sailing, snorkeling, or even surfing on the island’s wilder Atlantic coast, or head to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve to observe green monkeys.

You’ll find fascinating history on St. Kitts, too, if you can tear yourself away from its gorgeous beaches. One of the best day trips here is a ride on the vintage St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which snakes around the coast and acrossthe lush countryside, following the route once used to transport sugar cane to Basseterre, the capital.

Beach in Antigua

Everywhere in the Caribbean has spectacular beaches, but perhaps nowhere more so than Antigua , which boasts 365, so you’ll have plenty of choice. Dickenson Bay is one of the liveliest, with soft golden sand, while dreamy Ffryes Beach is the archetypal Caribbean paradise, with sugary sand and coconut palms.

If your itinerary includes St. Lucia , meanwhile, one of the best ways to admire the mountainous coastline, dominated by the twin peaks of the Pitons, is by boat. Join a sailing trip from Rodney Bay and take in spectacular views, the breeze in your face and an iced rum punch in hand.

Cape Liberty to Bermuda

Jobson’s Cove Beach, Bermuda

Charge your champagne glass and raise a toast to Lady Liberty on this seven-night voyage from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to chic Bermuda and back.

As your ship, Celebrity Eclipse or Celebrity Silhouette edges out of port, you’ll have magnificent views of the Manhattan skyline as you sail right past the Statue of Liberty and then out under the iconic Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, setting a course southeast to balmy Bermuda .

Here, on this enchanted island where the sand is pink and the policemen wear knee-length shorts, you’ll have two and a half days to explore, which means two overnight stays .

Railway Trail, Bermuda

There’s plenty to do, from snorkeling to golf, exploring the shops and galleries in Hamilton, the pastel-hued capital, and visiting the island’s forts. Hike the historic Railway Trail, consisting of 18 miles of scenic pathway following the course of an old railroad line.

Set sail on a catamaran trip at sunset, or join a pub crawl of Hamilton’s bars after dark. One of the most unique things to do in Bermuda is to sample a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, the powerful local specialty made of dark rum with ginger beer and a slice of lime.

Browse Bermuda Cruise Itineraries

Fort Lauderdale to Southern Caribbean

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sail to the sun-drenched Southern Caribbean on a round-trip cruise from Fort Lauderdale of 8, 10, or 11 nights. You’ll sail either on Celebrity Eclipse, perfect for this setting with its lush Lawn Club, or the new Celebrity Ascent, with magnificent outdoor spaces in which to soak up the sunshine.

Ports of call, depending on your itinerary, include vibrant Puerto Rico, where an afternoon and evening in port mean you’ll see two faces of charismatic San Juan .

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.

Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts

You’ll find plenty of military history at St. Kitts , like the rugged Brimstone Hill Fortress, a massive compound built by the British in 1690. This tiny island packs a real punch, with an enormous variety of things to do.

Some of the best things to do in St. Kitts include trundling through the sugarcane fields on a scenic train journey, or hiking Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano at the island’s center.

Learn how to make your own gourmet truffles at a chocolate workshop. Visit neighboring Nevis to see the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the U.S.

In St. Thomas , you’ll find it impossible to resist exploring the crystal-clear water via snorkeling, kayaking, or sailboat. For an afternoon basking on the gorgeous Honeymoon Beach, the lush, low-key island of St. John is an easy hop across the water.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Some itineraries include Tortola in the British Virgin Islands . Take a boat trip to sleepy Virgin Gorda and splash around at The Baths, where giant tumbled boulders conceal shady caves and shallow lagoons.

In Barbados, bask on the beautiful beaches of the Platinum Coast, where you can swim among wild sea turtles. Or explore Bridgetown, which is packed with high-end shops and art galleries.

Antigua, too, is famed for its beaches, like the wide sweep of Dickenson Bay. For history buffs, visit Nelson’s Dockyard, built in the early 18th century and beautifully preserved.

If your cruise takes you to St. Lucia, prepare to be awed by the twin peaks of the Pitons, ancient volcanic plugs draped in lush rainforest. From Soufriere, you can explore bubbling sulfur springs and wallow in a natural mud pool with healing properties.

Adventure lovers should pick an itinerary that includes Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Here, you can swim in natural rock pools at the 27 Waterfalls, or fly over the forest on a zipline. For a more serene activity, join a kayaking trip through a manatee reserve, looking out for these gentle mammals.

Browse Southern Caribbean itineraries

Celebrity Apex

Start planning your closed-loop cruise today and browse cruise itineraries on our website.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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You asked: Do I need a passport for my cruise?

By The Way Concierge digs into the (surprisingly) complicated rules for travel by sea.

Traveling has always come with complications. Our By The Way Concierge column will take your travel dilemmas to the experts to help you navigate the unexpected. Want to see your question answered? Submit it here .

We’re going on a very short cruise from California to Mexico this spring. Do we need passports for our kids, even if we don’t get off the ship? — Ben, Springfield, Va.

There’s a difference between what you need and what is a good idea to have.

Let’s begin with the first: On most cruise lines and for most itineraries, a voyage that starts and ends at the same U.S. port and stays in the Western Hemisphere will not require any American citizen — child or adult — to have a passport.

These are called closed-loop cruises, and they only need proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection . For people under 16, a birth certificate will suffice. Popular cruise lines including Carnival , Royal Caribbean and Norwegian detail their requirements and any exceptions online.

A sailing that leaves from one U.S. port and ends at another — or starts in the United States and ends at a foreign destination — would not be classified as a closed-loop cruise. Everyone, including kids, would need a passport in that case.

There are some caveats, warns Teresa Tennant, senior vice president of the travel planning company Cruise Specialists . Some cruise companies, including Holland America Line and Princess Cruises , say that all members of a party must have a passport if minors are traveling with only one adult.

Some other cruise lines, such as the luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises, require a passport for all sailings.

“It’s important to always check with the cruise line, because they can set their own rules that are actually above and beyond,” Tennant said.

Customs and Border Protection also urges travelers to check with their cruise company, travel agent and destination to confirm what’s required to enter foreign countries on an itinerary.

Whether or not you are required to have a passport, cruise lines and experts say it’s smart to have one before setting sail. The task isn’t quite as onerous as it used to be, now that wait times have returned to pre-pandemic norms of six to eight weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for the expedited process.

Cruise lines say they strongly recommend that passengers opt for the passport over other forms of identification.

“A passport is the hassle-free, gold standard for traveling between countries,” Royal Caribbean says on its website. “Boarding and disembarking through customs with a passport is usually faster than other types of ID documents.”

The U.S. State Department says travelers might need their passport “in the event of an unexpected medical evacuation or if the ship docks at an alternate port.” Travelers would also need their passports if they showed up late in a foreign port and the ship left without them — which has happened to some U.S. passengers recently.

“You should bring your passport even if your cruise says you won’t need it,” the State Department says on its information page for cruise ship passengers.

Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the news and review site Cruise Critic , said in an email that it would be much more difficult to get home without a passport if someone had to leave the ship.

“In such a case, you might have to rely on help from a U.S. embassy or consulate to return, which can take time,” she said.

Have a travel dilemma for By The Way Concierge? Send it to us here .

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What Is A Closed-Loop Cruise And Do You Need To Pack Your Passport?

Travel by train, vehicle, or airplane has its perks, but adventurers looking for time on the waves often choose to cruise instead. Luxury and fun on the high seas continue to be something that increasingly appeals to travelers worldwide. It's projected that by 2028, the global cruise market will become an industry worth over $15 billion.

Some of this market growth can be attributed to the cruise industry's commitment to customized sailing. Travelers have more options than ever when it comes to themed cruises designed to focus on health, adventure, or family fun. Travelers can also enjoy a variety related to the type of cruise they book with ocean cruises, river cruises, and casual, and luxury experiences alike all readily available.

Over 30 million passengers globally choose to cruise each year. While the Caribbean and the Bahamas top the list of popular destinations, the Mediterranean follows closely behind, as well as Alaska, Australasia, and mainland Europe.

There are currently more than 2,000 ports worldwide for travelers to explore. However, before boarding a ship with international destinations on the itinerary, it's likely the right identification is required. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs recommends all travelers departing from the U.S. have a passport book in hand.

The exception to this rule is the closed-loop cruise. Ships within this category must satisfy strict regulations to achieve closed-loop status. Once they do, it's a cruise option that can be a viable solution for those who aren't passport holders.

A route to cruising passport-free

U.S. Customs and Border Protection defines a closed-loop cruise as one that both begins and ends at the same U.S. port. As long as these cruises return to the place they started, they can cruise to destinations such as islands and territories that are within proximity to the continental United States. These destinations often include Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

There are some real advantages for travelers booking a closed-loop cruise. Because these cruises start and end at the same port, those flying in to board their ship can easily book round-trip flights. Passengers driving in will find that options to park directly at the point of departure can make the trip that much more convenient.

Additionally, U.S. travelers on closed-loop cruises won't typically have to worry about having a passport to enjoy the experience. Instead, U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows U.S. citizens 16 and older to enter and leave the country using alternative proof of citizenship. Approved forms of identification include a birth certificate or a government-issued photo ID, with additional documentation requirements in place for travelers 16 and under.

Closed-loop cruise considerations to keep in mind

Exploring Alaska, Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Caribbean , or the Bahamas on a closed-loop cruise can be thrilling. It can also be a convenient option when passport-free travel is a priority. That said, there are always important exceptions to consider when it comes to passport requirements and a closed-loop cruise is no different.

A prime example would be if a closed-loop cruise stops at a port of entry on the island of Martinique. This destination requires all U.S. citizens to hold a valid passport to enter the country. Passengers without a passport would be required to stay onboard the ship at this point in the cruise which could put a damper on the fun if it's something unexpected.

Another consideration to keep in mind is that it is cruise line policy to depart on time at all times. Passengers who don't keep track of the ship schedule while exploring ports of call face the real possibility of being left behind. When this happens, passengers are responsible for flying themselves home or to the next port of call. Unlike closed-loop cruises, airlines do require passports for international travel, which can prove to be a difficult scenario for those cruising without this form of identification.

For those without a passport, a closed-loop cruise can be a great option. Simply make sure to double-check your itinerary and the U.S. Department of State website before departure. This will ensure setting sail is as stress-free as it should be.

Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Do you need a passport for a cruise? The answer is both yes and no.

Whether you need a passport depends on numerous factors, including where you embark and disembark the ship, where you're sailing to and which line you're cruising with. There's no definitive answer -- and it can be confusing.

If you're planning a cruise and have questions about where you can travel without a passport, here's everything you need to know before you go.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Where can I cruise without a passport?

If you're a U.S. citizen and don't have a passport, you actually have quite a few cruise options.

You may be surprised to learn that U.S. citizens don't need a passport to sail on "closed-loop" cruises with lines like Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line , Carnival Cruise Line , Princess Cruises and others.

These voyages sail round trip from U.S. ports to destinations in North America such as the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Central America, Alaska and Hawaii. They depart from such home ports as Miami, Seattle, Los Angeles, Galveston, Texas and New York City.

Related: Eastern vs. Western Caribbean cruises: Which itinerary will I like more?

The rules also apply to Caribbean islands that are U.S. territories. For instance, you won't need a passport to fly to and cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico , or St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

However, if you embark in one U.S. port and disembark in another, it's not the same as a closed-loop sailing. For example, a Panama Canal cruise that begins in Miami and ends in San Diego will require a passport. Longer cruises, like grand voyages, that sail round trip from the U.S. but visit countries outside North and Central America, will also require a passport.

Any cruises where you need to fly to or from a foreign country, including Canada, will necessitate a passport.

Are there exceptions for needing a passport on a closed-loop cruise?

Yes. Even if you're on a closed-loop sailing, certain islands in the Caribbean – Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados and others -- require a passport for entry. It's your responsibility (not your cruise line's) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go.

If you don't have a passport and your ship stops at one of these islands, you'll have to stay on board. If you want to cruise without a passport, choose itineraries where you know you can get off the ship and enjoy your day in port.

To make things even more confusing, you can get off the ship in port in Vancouver, British Columbia during an Alaska cruise without a passport, but to cross over into the Canadian province by rail, you'll need one. You can visit Alaska on a round-trip Seattle cruise without a passport. But if you wish to book a rail journey excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which takes you from Alaska into Canada, choose the shorter White Pass Summit tour; you'll need a passport for the longer trips.

There are also exceptions when you're traveling with children. Princess Cruises and Holland America require that at least one parent carry a passport, even if you're on a closed-loop sailing. Some lines always require a passport for all travelers, no matter the itinerary, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Azamara , Windstar Cruises , Silversea Cruises , Oceania Cruises and Seabourn .

What type of ID do you need to carry for a closed-loop cruise if you don't have a passport?

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency states that if you're cruising without a passport, you'll need proof of identity and U.S. citizenship in the form of a state-issued birth certificate. It also requires a government-issued driver's license or a photo ID with your name and date of birth.

Another option is a passport card , which is a photo ID issued by the government that proves your citizenship and permits border crossings by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. (This card cannot be used for international air travel and therefore costs less than the traditional passport book.)

An enhanced driver's license is another alternative that you can use for land and sea port crossings, but not for international flights.

If you don't have a passport, these documents may also be sufficient to show customs officials in some Caribbean islands. For example, if you disembark in St. Maarten (on the Dutch side) and then take a boat over to Anguilla on an excursion, you will need a passport, a certified birth certificate and photo ID, a passport card or an enhanced driver's license. St. Maarten doesn't require the documents, but Anguilla does.

It's best to check the requirements not just for each island that you'll be sailing to, but also to additional destinations you may visit on a port call. They may require different documentation for entry.

If you are cruising with kids under age 16 on a closed-loop cruise, you'll need to bring a certified copy of their original birth certificate for identification. They do not need a photo ID.

No matter which documents you bring, it's a smart idea to take copies of them (either paper ones or photos on your phone) when you leave the ship, in case something happens while you're ashore. Always carry some type of photo identification, like a driver's license, when you head into port.

What happens in case of an emergency if I don't have a passport?

If you had an emergency and were forced to disembark due to illness or other reason in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, the Bahamas, Bermuda or Canada you would need a passport to return home by plane. On the rare occasion of a ship evacuation or a diversion to another country to disembark, a passport would also be essential for getting home.

Related: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

If you find yourself without a passport but in need of one, you would need to contact and locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and request an emergency limited validity passport in order to fly home. The process requires explaining your urgent situation, completing an application, and showing your travel documents, photo identification and proof of citizenship.

You will also need to have a passport size photo taken and pay the required fees. While this type of passport can be issued within as little as a day, it could take up to a week to receive it.

Bottom line

Cruise lines recommend that every passenger have a passport when traveling, even on closed-loop cruises when one isn't strictly necessary. It's the best way to prove your identification and citizenship and is an essential item if you unexpectedly get stranded abroad. It's also less cumbersome than carrying the required documents and papers with you wherever you go.

There's no better time to apply for a passport than now. It can take eight to 11 weeks (expedited wait times are five to seven weeks) for a routine passport to be issued, so you always want to plan ahead.

The cost for a first-time passport holder is $165, plus the photo fee; the steep fee alone is why many Americans choose to go without one. The good news is that an adult passport is valid for 10 years – and you can travel to most places in the world with just a passport and no visa.

While it is possible to cruise without a passport, it's worth the peace of mind to know that you can get off the ship and do what you want to do while on vacation and then be able to get home again should anything unexpected happen. However, if you don't have a passport, or don't wish to get one, you can still cruise — you're just limited to North American cruises sailing round trip from U.S. departure ports.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Guide to Cruise Passport Policies for U.S. Travelers

• Laura Soper

Embarking on a cruise is an exhilarating experience, a perfect way to combine international travel, daily entertainment, and opportunities for relaxation—without having to worry about the logistics and challenges of air and land travel.

Cruises offer a unique opportunity for travelers to experience multiple destinations all in a single vacation. However, this also means adhering to the diverse entry and exit regulations of each country visited.

For U.S. citizens, there are specific passport and travel document policies tied to both the cruise line and destination that must be adhered to for a smooth vacation. Our guide aims to explain these requirements, preparing you for potential emergencies and ensuring you’re well-equipped for cruise travel.

We’ll also spotlight the most sought-after cruise lines among American travelers , delving into what sets each one apart, their distinctive offerings, and the travel documents you’ll need for a hassle-free voyage.

In this guide, we will explore all these detailed elements of cruise travel to make sure you understand exactly what you need to know for your upcoming vacation on the seas.

Table of Contents

Do you need a passport for a cruise.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a set answer to this question. Whether you need a passport for a cruise can be both yes and no —it largely depends on the specifics of your cruise .

If you’re embarking on a closed-loop cruise, which starts and ends at the same U.S. port, U.S. citizens might not need a passport. However, for cruises that begin or end in foreign ports, a passport is typically required.

The cruise line you’re traveling with may also have its own documentation requirements, which can include a passport book or passport card regardless of the itinerary.

Furthermore, even if your cruise doesn’t require a passport, the international destinations you visit might. Some countries mandate a passport for entry, regardless of how you arrive—land, air, or sea.

So, while a passport may not always be necessary for a cruise, it’s a good idea to carry one for maximum flexibility.

Always check with your cruise line and the countries on your itinerary to understand the specific requirements.

Let’s get into the details of the different types of cruises and the general travel requirements to help you better understand the travel documents you will need for your voyage.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Travel Documentation

The need for a passport during cruise travel is primarily determined by the nature of the cruise— specifically, whether it’s a closed-loop or open-loop cruise.

Closed-Loop Cruises

A closed-loop cruise starts and ends at the same U.S. port. For instance, a week-long cruise around the Western Caribbean & Perfect Day , which begins and ends in Miami, Florida, is a closed-loop cruise. It visits several countries like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, and Grand Cayman, but returns to the original U.S. port.

Passport books are typically not required for closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens can usually exit and enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license); however, every cruise line has a strict set of required travel documents that guests must present and carry during their voyage. For specific travel requirements, it is always best to check with the cruise line.

Open-Loop Cruises

On the other hand, open-loop cruises always require a valid U.S. passport for American travelers. Open-loop cruises start in one U.S. port and conclude in a different U.S. port. An example would be a 16-day Panama Canal cruise that sets sail from Seattle and ends its journey in New Orleans.  Open-loop cruises require guests to present and carry a valid passport book with (typically) at least 6 months of validity remaining after the last date of their cruise.

Popular Cruise Lines and Their Passport Policies

Setting sail on a cruise is an exciting getaway, offering an abundance of memorable experiences and opportunities for serene relaxation against stunning ocean views. As you plan your voyage, a top priority must be to acquaint yourself with the necessary travel documents and passport rules of the leading cruise lines .

Each cruise line has specific guidelines to ensure guests can enjoy a smooth, enjoyable journey and make the most of their travel itineraries.

Below, we outline the passport rules for American citizens and required travel documents for the most popular cruise lines.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line , often hailed as “America’s Cruise Line,” is a leading figure in the world of cruising. Established in 1972, it has since evolved into the most favored cruise line globally. The company boasts a fleet of 26 ships, each offering unforgettable vacation experiences.

Carnival Cruise Lines currently offers 13 cruise destinations for guests to choose from. Each cruise is packed with a wide array of entertainment choices , from stage shows and live music to deck parties and casinos , ensuring fun-filled days and nights. 

Travel Requirements

The cruise type determines the travel document requirements for American travelers:

• Open-loop cruises: These cruises start at one U.S. port and finish at a different one. Guests must present and carry a passport book that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of their cruise.
• a boarding pass, and
• a government-issued photo ID if they are 16 years or older (such as a driver’s license)

There are some exceptions to these general rules. Some cruises might include stops at foreign ports that require a valid passport book to leave the ship. Also, if a cruise starts or ends in a foreign country, including Canada, or if it starts and ends at different U.S. ports, a valid passport book is always required .

Please note that if the cruise includes a visit to Colombia or Greenland, a passport book that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of travel is required .

• an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) , 
• a government-issued birth certificate, or
• a valid passport book

Passport Requirements and Validity for American Citizens and Children

Carnival Cruise Line strongly advises having a valid passport book while traveling . A passport book is not only the most reliable form of identification but if guests unexpectedly need to fly to or from the U.S. during their cruise, not having a passport book could cause big problems and delays.

• Do you need a passport in a hurry? Expedite your passport in as little as 24-48 hours !

Visa Requirements

Requirements for travel visas depend on your cruise destinations. All guests are responsible for obtaining appropriate visas to cruise. Check with the embassy or consular offices of the destination countries for more information.

• Need a travel visa ? Find out how to get your travel visa— fast!

It’s always a good idea to check with Carnival Cruise Line or your travel agency for the most up-to-date information. For more information on travel requirements for Carnival Cruise Lines, visit the What travel documents do I need to bring? page for a complete explanation.

Royal Caribbean International

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean International is a leading cruise line brand and a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group. Based in Miami, it’s the largest cruise line by revenue and the second-largest by passenger count.

The company boasts a fleet of 28 ships, including the world’s five largest cruise vessels. Royal Caribbean Cruises journeys to over 300 destinations in more than 60 countries across 6 continents . They provide a plethora of onboard activities , top-notch dining options , captivating entertainment , and luxurious accommodations that are tailored to both adults and families .

For American travelers, the following travel documents are required:

• Open-loop cruises: These cruises start and end at different U.S. ports, oftentimes these cruises embark or disembark in a foreign country. For these cruises, guests must present and carry a passport book that is valid for at least 6 months after the day the cruise ends.
• a government-issued birth certificate, and
• a laminated government-issued picture ID (such as a driver’s license)

While U.S. citizens aren’t currently required to have passports on closed-loop cruises, Royal Caribbean International highly recommends travelers carry a valid passport book as it is the most reliable form of identification. Additionally, if an unforeseen situation arises where guests have to take a flight to or from the U.S. during their cruise, not possessing a valid passport book could result in substantial delays and challenges.

• Do you need a passport fast? Expedite your passport in as little as 24-48 hours !

Guests are responsible for figuring out and getting all required travel visas before their cruise starts. Travelers should reach out to the embassy or consular services of each country they’ll visit on their cruise to understand specific visa requirements, details, forms, and fees. 

• Need a travel visa for your cruise? Visit our guide to getting your travel visa expedited .

These requirements may change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check with Royal Caribbean or your travel agency for the most up-to-date information. For more in-depth information regarding required travel documents for getting on board Royal Caribbean International, see the Getting Onboard with The Right Travel Documents page.

Norwegian Cruise Line

For over half a century, Norwegian Cruise Line has been a trailblazer in the global cruise industry. It operates three brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Together, these brands boast a fleet of 28 ships with nearly 60,000 berths, offering travel itineraries to more than 490 destinations across the globe.

Aboard their ships, guests are treated to a diverse array of dining options , both complementary and specialty. Entertainment includes a variety of live music and comedy to Broadway-style shows .

Accommodations cater to all types of travelers. Their Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises , in particular, are renowned for their luxury .

For American travelers taking cruises aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line, the travel requirements vary depending on the type of cruise:

• Open-Loop Cruises: For these cruises, passport books must be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of travel.
• U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable), 
• a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization, and
• a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license)

Children under 16: U.S. or Canadian children under 16 are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings. Instead of a passport book, they can use:

• a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate, 
• a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or 
• a Certificate of Naturalization as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S. by land or by sea

Even though passports aren’t currently required for U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends traveling with a valid passport book . This is because a passport book is the most reliable form of identification. Also, if travelers need to fly to or from the U.S. unexpectedly during their cruise, they may face significant delays and complications without a valid passport book.

• Visit our expert guides to learn how to get a new passport or passport renewal quickly.

Regarding travel visas , each traveler must check with the embassy or consulate offices for travel visa requirements and get the necessary visas. This applies to all countries they plan to visit on their journey, including any countries they might stop at during connecting flights.

• Visit our guide to expediting travel visas and get your passport in time for your cruise.

Please note that these requirements can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest information on the Norwegian Cruise Line’s website before your trip.

Princess Cruises

Established in 1965, Princess Cruises , a prominent name in the cruise industry, began its journey with a single ship heading to Mexico. Today, it boasts a fleet of 15 state-of-the-art ships, offering a variety of onboard amenities and top-notch service, serving millions of passengers annually. 

Princess Cruises provides a global experience, covering over 100 countries across all seven continents , including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It offers a wide range of travel itineraries, from a week to over 3 months , visiting more than 380 ports and including over 100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in their destinations.

For U.S. citizens traveling aboard Princess Cruises, travel requirements vary depending on the type of cruise:

• Open-Loop Cruises: A valid passport book is required for all international itineraries , including Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Europe, India, Central and South America, Panama Canal (partial and full transit), Caribbean (any sailings that visit Martinique or Guadeloupe), South Pacific & Tahiti, and World Cruises. The passport’s required validity is based on the destination; however, it is strongly advised to carry a passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining after the date of return.
• a Permanent Resident Card (ARC/I-55 card), 
• a temporary ARC/I-55 card, and 
• a valid government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license), or
• a passport book with an “ARC” stamp
• U.S. passport card , 
• U.S.-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) , 
• U.S.-issued Identification Card (issued to minors and non-drivers) 

In all cases, traveling with a valid passport book is highly recommended , as unexpected situations may arise requiring you to leave the ship. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your travel and contain blank pages for endorsements and visas. Princess Cruises also recommends carrying a second government-issued photo ID while in port.

• Expedite a new passport application or a passport renewal in less than a week !

If needed, U.S. citizens can find travel visa requirements in the ‘Notices’ section of their Travel Summary . Visas can be acquired directly from the embassy or consulate of the countries to be visited. The requirements for visas and other documents can differ based on the destination and may change without any advance notice. Guests should double-check the visa requirements with the consulate 14 to 30 days before the cruise starts .

• Expediting travel visas can ensure you get the travel documents you need in time for your cruise.

Travel requirements are subject to change. It is imperative to check for the most current information by visiting Princess Cruises’ FAQs: Travel Document Requirements page before your trip.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line , a branch of The Walt Disney Company, has been providing unique oceanic journeys since 1996. It boasts a fleet of 6 luxury liners, each offering state-of-the-art amenities , exceptional service , and exclusive Disney activities . The fleet, which includes Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and the latest addition, Disney Treasure, provides a range of onboard experiences from thrilling water slides and themed dining to Broadway-style shows and children’s clubs making it the most popular cruise line for families and Disney fans alike.

The cruise line operates in over 100 countries across all 7 continents , with voyages ranging from 2 to 15 nights . It is acclaimed for its meticulous attention to detail , playful character interactions , and creative dining experiences.

American citizens traveling aboard Disney Cruise Lines must follow the travel requirements outlined by their specific type of cruise:

• Open-Loop Cruises: For all international itineraries, U.S. citizens must have a valid passport book with at least 6 months of validity remaining after the end of the trip.
• a valid U.S. passport book, 
• a U.S. passport card , or
• a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST).

U.S. citizens aged 15 and younger can travel with:

• a valid U.S. Passport ,
• U.S. Passport Card , 
• a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST), or
• a state-issued birth certificate, and
• Domestic Cruises: The same rules as closed-loop cruises apply.

In all cases, Disney Cruise Line recommends guests carry a valid passport book during their voyage. A passport is not just a dependable means of identification, but it’s also crucial in case guests need to unexpectedly travel by air to or from the U.S. during their cruise. The absence of a passport could lead to significant issues and delays. Passport books should be valid for at least 3 months or 6 months after the end of the cruise , depending on the destination countries’ requirements. Disney Cruise Lines also suggests travelers carry a second government-issued photo ID while in port.

• Do you need passports soon? You can expedite your passport and passports for children and be ready for travel in a week or less!

As for travel visas , it is the guest’s responsibility to identify and obtain all the necessary travel visas before embarking on the cruise.

• Our guide to expediting travel visas can ensure your whole family is ready for their Disney cruise.

It’s important to remember that these requirements may vary, so it’s recommended to verify the most recent information on the Disney Cruise Line’s website or consult with the relevant authorities or travel agent before your journey.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line , founded in 1873, operates 11 ships offering over 500 cruises to 470+ ports in 98 countries . Their cruises range from short trips to 128-day voyages , covering all continents . They’re known for their quality service , excellent food , elegant decor, and diverse entertainment . Their ships feature modern amenities like high-tech shows and extensive art collections . Holland America Line is lauded for catering to multi-generational groups making it an ideal cruise line for families .

The travel requirements for American citizens aboard Holland America Line depend on the type of cruise and the destination countries: 

• Open-Loop Cruises: Valid passport books are mandatory for cruises that start in one U.S. port and end in another. Passport books must have at least 6 months of validity remaining after the end date of the cruise.

For Holland America cruises that stop at islands in the French West Indies, a valid passport book is required, regardless of the departure port.

• proof of citizenship (e.g.,  an original or certified copy of a government-issued birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID)
• a valid passport book, or 
• a passport card  
• a standard government-issued photo ID (such as a valid driver’s license)
• Real ID, 
• permanent resident card, or

U.S. citizens under 16 are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings. Instead of a passport, children can use an original or certified copy of a U.S. state-issued birth certificate . However, when minors are traveling with only one adult, Holland America requires all passengers to have a valid passport book .

Regardless of cruise type, Holland America strongly advises all guests to carry a passport book that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of their travel date . This is because passengers who need to fly to or from the U.S. unexpectedly during their cruise will likely face significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the U.S. if they do not have a valid passport.

• Departing soon? Expedite your new passport application or passport renewal today.

Travel visa requirements differ based on the destination. It is the individual guest’s responsibility to confirm travel visa requirements with the destination’s embassy or consulate .

• Our expert guide to expediting travel visas has all the information you need to get your visa in time for your trip.

Please remember that these are general guidelines and specific requirements may change based on the exact cruise itinerary. Always check the most recent information before your trip. For more detailed information, you can visit the Holland America Line’s official website’s Identification Requirements page .

Regardless of your chosen cruise line, the key to a smooth and hassle-free voyage lies in understanding and compliance with the travel document requirements and U.S. passport policies of your chosen cruise line . It’s evident that all cruise lines strongly advise guests to carry a valid passport during their voyage , as passports are the most dependable form of identification. They are also necessary for entry into destination countries and in case you need to fly back to the United States . By being well-prepared and knowledgeable about these specific guidelines, you can ensure a smooth sailing experience on your ocean adventure.

Preparing for Your Cruise: Passport Tips and Best Practices

Taking a cruise abroad is an unforgettable experience and an amazing way to see the world. To help you better prepare for your voyage, here are a few passport tips and best practices to follow when planning your international cruise .

First-Time Passport Applicants

If you’re new to the passport application process, we can help! Our guide on How to Obtain a U.S. Passport offers essential step-by-step instructions on the entire process from filling out the right application form and gathering your supporting documents to choosing the right passport service and finding the best passport application acceptance location that fits your needs. 

Need your new passport in a hurry? We can help with that too! Our instructions on How to Expedite a New Passport Application: A Complete Guide is a comprehensive manual on everything you need to know and do to get your new passport—fast! 

Currently, routine passport processing is about 6 to 8 weeks , expedited processing takes about 2 to 3 weeks and rushed expedited processing is possible within 14 days .

Visit our page, How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport? , for the most up-to-date application processing times.

Don’t miss out on making the most of your cruise’s travel itinerary, get your passport book now and get excited to explore the world!  

U.S. Passport Expiration Requirements for Cruises

When a valid U.S. passport book is required, the validity of the passport book is recommended with either 3 months or 6 months (most common) of validity remaining beyond the last day of the cruise. 

• What does that mean? It means that the expiration date on your passport book must be at least 3 or 6 months past the last day of your cruise. 
• 3-Month Rule – Country Requirements & More
• 6-Month Rule for U.S. Passports

If your passport book does not meet this requirement, you may be denied boarding or entry into certain countries, even if your cruise ship is your primary means of travel. Furthermore, you could be denied entry when returning to the United States if you had to return by air. Therefore, it’s crucial to check your passport’s expiration date well in advance of your cruise departure date.

Travel Requirements for Cruises with Kids

Children are not permitted to travel alone on a cruise. Cruise line policies vary, but generally, children (under 18 years old) must be accompanied by an approved adult (21 years or older) within the same travel group . To verify age requirements and rules for minors, check the age policies of the cruise line you are traveling with.

If you’re an adult traveling with a minor (under 16 years old)—by land, air, or sea—you must be able to prove that you are the parent or legal guardian of the child. Otherwise, you must present and carry a notarized minor travel consent form that has been signed by the minor’s parents or legal guardians . For more information, see our Free Minor Travel Consent Form page. 

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection , some countries require a notarized consent letter for children traveling without both parents or a legal guardian . It’s important to check the specific requirements of the destination country by contacting its embassy or consulate in the U.S.

In some cases, children aboard international cruises are required to have a valid passport book . If your child needs a U.S. passport, follow our complete guide on how to get a passport for a minor in just 3 steps .

Need a child’s passport sooner? Find out how to expedite your child’s passport . 

Taking a Cruise As A Group Getaway

International cruises are a wonderful getaway for families and groups of friends. Many cruises have such a wide array of activities and experiences—not to mention unforgettable destinations—that there’s always something for everyone in your party to enjoy. 

While traveling abroad with a group can create lasting memories, organizing such trips can be challenging—especially when everyone needs passports. The passport process can be complex and time-consuming. In our experience, the easiest and most convenient solution is to hire a passport expediting service .  

Passport expediters are professionals who specialize in speeding up the passport application process . They help group travelers get their passports quickly and efficiently, making them a valuable resource for those traveling on short notice or those who wish to avoid the complexities of the passport process. A reliable passport courier can manage the logistical challenges and multiple appointments required for obtaining numerous passports on a tight schedule. A credible passport expeditor can make planning a group cruise a lot smoother and less stressful.

The Benefits Of Carrying A Passport On A Cruise

Passport book requirements vary on the type of cruise you take; however carrying a passport while cruising, even when it’s not explicitly required, provides several advantages:

• Simplified Travel: A passport book, being a globally accepted travel document, streamlines the process of getting on and off the cruise ship. It’s a straightforward way to prove your identity and citizenship, making the embarkation and disembarkation procedures smoother and faster.
• Quicker Customs Clearance: When it comes to going through customs, having a passport book can speed up the process. Customs officials are familiar with passport books, and having one can expedite your passage through these checkpoints compared to using other, multiple forms of identification.
• Prepared for Emergencies: Unforeseen situations or emergencies can happen. An urgent situation might necessitate disembarking in a foreign country and flying back home. In such scenarios, having a valid passport book is required. Other forms of identification and even a passport card cannot take the place of a valid US passport book. It’s the most reliable form of identification for international travel and is mandatory for international airline travel.
• Greater Flexibility: Some countries mandate a passport for entry, regardless of whether you’re arriving by air or sea. Possessing a passport book offers you the freedom and flexibility to explore all the international stops on your cruise itinerary without worrying about entry requirements.

While some cruises may not mandate a passport, it’s always smart planning to carry one. A valid passport acts as your ticket to a hassle-free and enjoyable cruising experience.

Passport Policies for Cruises – FAQs

Q: Do infants and children need passports for cruises?

A: The requirements for travel documents for minors, including infants, largely depend on the type of travel and the cruise line’s specific age policies and travel document requirements.  

For closed-loop cruises, guests of all ages do not typically need a passport to travel. However, valid passports are required for open-loop cruises and international cruises that stop at ports outside the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Some cruise lines, like Holland America and Princess Cruises, require any minor traveling with only one adult to carry a valid passport. Please check with your specific cruise line to confirm travel documents and age requirements for infants and children.

If you need to obtain a passport for an infant, see our guide: How To Get A Passport For An Infant: A Complete Guide To Baby Passports .

Q: What are the risks of cruising without a passport?

A: Cruising without a passport, while sometimes possible, carries several risks. 

• Traveling without a passport can limit your options ; you may not be able to explore certain ports that require a passport.
• Some countries mandate a passport for disembarkation , even for cruise ship passengers. 
• If you miss your cruise due to unexpected events like flight delays, a passport may be needed to join the ship at the next port, or else you could miss your entire vacation.
• In emergencies that necessitate a return home by air, a passport is required , and without it, you could be stranded abroad.

Therefore, even if a cruise doesn’t require a passport, it’s advisable to have one to avoid these potential issues.

Q: How does the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative affect cruise travelers?

A: The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) impacts cruise travelers, especially those from the U.S. The WHTI requires all travelers to present a valid passport or other approved document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. American citizens can use various approved documents like the U.S. Passport, Passport Card , or Enhanced Driver’s License .

For closed-loop cruises (those starting and ending at the same U.S. port), U.S. citizens can enter the U.S. with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, a passport may still be needed to enter the countries visited during the cruise.

The WHTI aims to bolster border security while making entry into the U.S. more efficient for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers. It’s always advisable to check the specific requirements of your cruise line and the countries you’ll be visiting.

Q: Can I use a passport card instead of a passport book for my cruise?

A: While a passport card can be used for some cruises and in some travel situations, it has limitations:

• Travel Restrictions: Passport cards are valid only for land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. They’re not valid for international air travel or entry into many foreign countries.
• Cruise Type: U.S. citizens can use a passport card for closed-loop cruises (those starting and ending at the same U.S. port). But it’s not usable for cruises from international homeports.
• Emergency Situations: In emergencies requiring a flight home from a foreign port, a passport card isn’t enough. A passport book is mandatory to fly internationally.

Always check your cruise line’s specific travel document requirements for more information on whether a passport card is an acceptable form of identification for your specific cruise.

Q: What is the best way to get a passport for a cruise in 3 weeks?

A: To get a passport in 3 weeks, we highly recommend that you expedite the process . 

Traditional expedited service can take up to 3 weeks —not including mailing times. To skip potential postal service delays, you could make an appointment with a local passport application acceptance center ; however, this option may not get you a passport in 3 weeks. 

Rushed expedited service is a better choice when you have a tight schedule. Rushed service can be completed within 14 days —also not including mailing times. Again, to avoid potential delays with the postal service, you could make an appointment at the nearest Regional Passport Agency .

If neither of these two choices fits your short timeline, we recommend using a trusted professional passport expeditor to get your new passport in as few as 24 to 48 hours . A professional expeditor can easily navigate the passport application process on your behalf and make sure that you get your new passport in time for your trip. 

Q: Do I need a passport for a cruise to Mexico?

A: While a passport book or a passport card is generally required for travel beyond Mexico’s border and for sea travel, there are exceptions. U.S. citizens entering Mexico by sea for short visits to port towns may not need a passport but should have one if traveling beyond these towns.

For closed-loop cruises (starting and ending at the same U.S. port), a passport isn’t required to re-enter the U.S. However, a passport might still be needed depending on the cruise’s other stops and the cruise line’s requirements.

Always check with your specific cruise line for travel document requirements. Find further information on traveling to Mexico by land, air, or sea: Mexico Entry Requirements – Required Travel Documents for Travel to Mexico .

Still have questions? We’re here to help! Contact us for support in preparing for your next voyage!

About the Author: For over 20 years, the U.S. Passport Service Guide team has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers with their travel document questions and shared advice about how to make traveling abroad simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

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Consider downloading this  Cruise Ship Travel Tips PDF  to take with you while you travel.  

Special Notes for Cuba Travel: 

• Ensure shore excursions and purchases comply with  U.S. regulations . 
• U.S. credit and debit cards do NOT work in  Cuba . Bring enough cash to cover your stay. This includes payment for hotels, restaurants, taxis, souvenir shops, etc. 

Before your cruise: 

• Make sure you review the latest  CDC guidance on cruise ship travel . 
• Read our  Traveler’s Checklist  . 
• Check our  country information pages for the countries you will be visiting to learn about important health and safety precautions to take. Write down the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in case of an emergency. 
• Always carry your passport book with you in case of an emergency. You may need your passport in the event of an unexpected medical evacuation or if the ship docks at an alternate port. You should bring your passport even if your cruise says you won’t need it. 
• Apply early for your  passport , or make sure your current one will be valid at least six months beyond your travel dates and has two or more blank pages. Your cruise company may also require you to have a passport even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or foreign port of entry does not. 
• Have the right foreign visas for all stops on your cruise, if required, even if you do not plan to disembark in those locations. 
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . You will get important safety and security info. Follow us @TravelGov on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram for travel and security information. 
• Make sure you have medical and emergency evacuation insurance that will cover your trip. Consider buying supplemental insurance. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas. 
• You may also need other insurance for unexpected travel expenses when abroad. Check with your cruise line or travel agency to see if they provide such coverage. You can also check with your health or homeowner’s insurance providers and credit card companies, which sometimes provide this coverage overseas. If not, consider buying supplemental insurance.
• Have a contingency plan for returning home if you must remain in a foreign country longer than expected. Make color copies of your passport photo page, foreign visas, and itinerary. Leave one copy with a trusted family member or friend and carry one separately from your actual documents. Make sure to take a photo of your travel documents with your phone to have electronic copies as well.

Medication and vaccination requirements: 

• Check with your doctor to make sure that traveling abroad to your destinations is  medically safe  for you and whether you need any vaccinations and/or assistive devices on your trip.  
• Check with the foreign country's embassy in the United States. They can tell you whether your medications are legal in each country you visit. Also, find out if there are limits or special instructions for bringing them in. For some medications, you may need a letter from your doctor. Carrying it in the prescription bottle might not be enough “proof.” Remember, you are required to follow the local laws of the countries you visit, including with respect to medications, even if those laws differ from the laws of the United States.
• Ensure you have enough of your  prescription medications  to last beyond your trip dates, in case of possible delays. Some countries may not have equivalents of your prescription and over-the-counter medications. 
• Carry a written copy of all your prescriptions with you in case a country requires it, or you need to replace your medications. 

Ask Your Cruise Line: 

• What their procedures are in case of emergency. 
• How family members can contact you in an emergency, such as cell or satellite phone coverage and/or an e-mail address for emergencies. 
• What types of medical services your ship can provide, such as basic or urgent care, hospitalization, dialysis, etc. 
• Check your cruise line’s prohibited items list when considering what to take with you. 

During Your Cruise: 

• Remain vigilant and exercise normal precautions aboard a cruise ship and on shore, as you would whenever traveling abroad. 
• Limit your alcohol intake.  
• Ensure cabin safety and make sure the door and balcony are properly locked at all times.  
• Consider storing your travel documents and other valuables in a secure spot, such as a safe in your room or the ship’s safe. 
• Talk to the security personnel on board if you are the victim of a crime. The cruise ship should have procedures in place for handling a crime onboard. 
• Follow local laws and customs. If you break the law, you may be arrested and prosecuted.
• If you are the  victim of a crime on shore , report it to local authorities, the nearest  U.S. embassy or consulate , and to cruise ship security personnel. 
• If you lose your passport, report it right away to the nearest  U.S. embassy or consulate . Make plans to get a new passport as soon as possible.  
• Follow  CDC guidance  after you disembark.

Other Things to Keep in Mind:

Check our travelers page to learn more about specific issues you might face abroad. These include special considerations for older travelers, those with disabilities, women, and LGBTQI+ travelers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I heard you can use a passport card for a cruise, is that true.

You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at seaports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. However, if you cannot return on the cruise ship for any reason, you will need a passport book to fly back to the United States. 

Unexpected circumstances that can make it important you have a passport book include:

• Illness or Injury – Depending on how severe your illness or injury is, you may have to be admitted to a local hospital overseas. If you cannot be discharged before the cruise ship is scheduled to depart, the cruise ship may leave without you. In this case, you would need a U.S. passport to fly home upon clearance from your doctor. 
• Damage to cruise ship – Occasionally cruise ships are damaged or have mechanical issues that cannot be fixed during your trip. In these cases, you might need to go ashore in a country which requires a passport and/or you would need a U.S passport book to fly home.

Your cruise company also may require you to have a passport, even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the foreign country’s border agency does not. 

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Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

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Medications that are legally prescribed in the United States are not always legal abroad. Check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate about local laws regarding your prescribed medicines.

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On These Cruises, You Don’t Need a Passport

There are plenty of wonderful sailings you can take that don’t require a passport, including to foreign countries..

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Sail to Bermuda on a closed-loop cruise from the East Coast and a passport isn’t mandatory.

Courtesy of Unsplash

If you get the urge to cruise and your passport has expired , or you have made a last-minute decision to take the kids and they don’t have passports , you may be wondering, do I need a passport to go on a cruise? In select destinations, you do not need a passport to go on a cruise. Whether you should cruise without a passport is another matter (there are some risks that we’ll get into below).

To cruise without a passport, you need to stay in the Western Hemisphere and sail from the United States on a “closed-loop” itinerary , which means you leave from and come back to the same U.S. port. The rules for sea travel were established under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative . Cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Canada, New England, Mexico, Bermuda, and Hawai‘i all fit these criteria.

Keep in mind the “closed-loop” bit. If your ship is not returning to the same port—for instance, if you are eyeing a one-way Panama Canal sailing from Los Angeles to Miami—you do need a passport. You will also be limited on some Caribbean itineraries, as select islands such as St. Bart’s and Martinique do require a passport, which means your cruise line will require a passport before you board the ship.

If there is a passport requirement, each person needs to have one, including infants and toddlers.

All cruises everywhere else in the world that sail in destinations outside the United States require a passport.

What I.D. you’ll need instead of a passport

If you are on a closed-loop cruise that begins and ends in the U.S. and visits Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, all you need to do is prove you are a U.S. citizen , and this applies to everyone in your party. Options here, in lieu of a passport, include an Enhanced Driver’s License , which is a state-issued driver’s license that provides proof of U.S. citizenship (currently available only to residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington); a government-issued birth certificate; or an official Certificate of Naturalization . Note that the birth certificate can’t be the cute one with the baby’s footprints issued by the hospital; it needs to be issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where the child was born.

If you are age 16 and up, and without a passport, you will also need to present a photo I.D. such as a state-issued I.D. or driver’s license. The photo I.D. must include your photo, name, and date of birth.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides a detailed description of the requirements . If you have any questions, check with your travel agent or cruise line. You don’t want to be turned away at the pier for lack of proper identification.

The risks of not bringing a passport on an international sailing

Even on closed-loop sailings in North America, cruise lines typically strongly recommend that you have a passport. The reason: While you’re in a Caribbean country, Canada, or Mexico, you could encounter issues if for any reason you need to cut your trip short and fly home. Passports are required to fly back to the U.S.

This point should be top-of-mind especially because of COVID-19 and any other medical emergency that would require the trip to be altered or a medical evacuation. You’ll also be glad you have a passport if you encounter other unforeseen circumstances such as a family emergency or a sailing cut short due to bad weather or technical issues.

If you don’t have a passport, you will also run into problems should you miss boarding your ship at the correct time and need to fly home or to the next port of call.

Passport cards, a form of government I.D. that is cheaper than a passport book, can get you on the ship but are valid for entering the USA by land and sea only. They don’t work for air travel.

Where you can cruise without a passport

You can cruise Alaska either on closed-loop sailings from Seattle that stop in Canada along the way, or fly to Alaska and take a cruise that remains within the state.

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

See a glacier calve, spot whales, and explore wilderness towns on “closed-loop” sailings from Seattle on lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line , Celebrity Cruises , Holland America Line , and Princess . The sailings visit Canada for a day, but no passport is required.

For small-ship fans, other options include sailings that do not leave Alaska, such as those of UnCruise Adventures , Lindblad Expeditions , and Alaska Native–owned Alaskan Dream Cruises .

Kick back on the beach at Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay in the Bahamas.

Photo by Peter Hansen/Unsplash

Quick three- to five-day hops to the Bahamas bring you to white-sand beaches and cruise lines’ private islands at an affordable price, with no passport required. If you are on a longer cruise that visits other Caribbean islands, you’ll want to check with your cruise line about any passport requirements.

Among the many options are Disney Cruise Line sailings from Port Canaveral (near Orlando) that visit Disney’s private island Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, and Miami that head to the extravagant waterpark at the line’s private island CocoCay. Virgin Voyages’ ships are limited to age 18 and up and bring you to Virgin’s classy Beach Club at Bimini. For a fancy small ship, check out sailings on the 298-passenger Evrima , the first yacht from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sailing to the Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.

Closed-loop cruises from New York City, Boston, Baltimore, and Port Canaveral from lines such as MSC Cruises , Norwegian , Celebrity , and Royal Caribbean head to the famous pink-sand beaches and golf courses of Bermuda. In October, Disney does sailings from New York that add the bonus of Halloween activities with special spooky movies and “ghoulish treats” for passengers of all ages. Other lines sailing to Bermuda on closed-loop itineraries include the foodie-focused upscale brand Oceania Cruises , also from New York.

Caribbean cruises to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico are a safe bet for those who don’t have a passport.

Photo by Ethan Jameson/Unsplash

Year-round Caribbean cruises are ideal vacations for sun-seekers looking for blue skies, powdery sand, and time spent relaxing under swaying palm trees. Round-trip itineraries that don’t require a passport embark from ports that include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa in Florida; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; and Galveston, Texas, on all the big ship lines, including Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships , the largest in the world.

You won’t run into any passport requirements on tried-and-true routes from U.S. ports such as those that visit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John—which are all part of the United States. You can also fly in to embark on cruises from these destinations.

However, when looking at small ships and larger ships on more expansive routes, keep in mind some islands—including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Bart’s—do require a passport.

Head up the Eastern seaboard for dramatic shoreline views.

Photo by Julie Haider/Unsplash

New England and Canada

If your calling card is lobsters, rugged coastline, whale-spotting, colonial history, or fall colors, all are accessible on itineraries that sail round-trip from Boston, New York, and Bayonne, New Jersey, on lines that include Celebrity , Norwegian , and Royal Caribbean .

On one-way sailings, such as between Montreal and Boston on Holland America Line , you will need a passport to fly to or from Canada.

Get a view of Kaua‘i’s stunning landscapes from the vantage point of the sea on any number of Hawai‘i cruises.

Photo by Braden Jarvis/Unsplash

There are two ways to cruise to the volcanoes, tropical forests, whales, and surfing beaches of Hawai‘i without a passport. One is on a cruise where you fly in and spend your entire vacation in and around the islands. The other is a long slog, closed-loop sailing from a California port or Seattle, with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, and several days at sea getting to and from Hawai‘i.

The only big ship line with the fly-in option is Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,186-passenger Pride of America , which is U.S.-flagged, a requirement for operating to and from a U.S. port without stopping in another country. (Foreign-flagged lines are not allowed to sail between U.S. ports without visiting another country under the Jones Act.) You can do a week on the ship from Honolulu and visit five Hawaiian Islands.

For a one-week small ship experience, book UnCruise Adventures , from Moloka‘i to the Big Island, stopping on the island of Lāna‘i and Maui. If cruising from California, with most sailings 14 nights or longer, your choices expand to such lines as Holland America , Celebrity , Viking Cruises , and Seabourn .

Sail down to Cabo from California.

Photo by Victor Hughes/Unsplash

No passport is required on western Caribbean closed-loop itineraries from the United States, offered by all the major cruise lines from Florida ports, New Orleans, Galveston, and elsewhere to places such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progresso. Belize and Honduras, which are sometimes included on these itineraries, also waive their passport requirements for cruise ship passengers.

You can also cruise to the Mexican Riviera—destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán—without a passport. These round-trip sailings typically embark from Los Angles, Long Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco. If your cruise also visits other countries, you may be required to have a passport on hand—usually the cruise lines will ask to see it but you likely won’t need it on shore. Lines doing the sailings include Princess , Holland America , Disney , Norwegian , Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean .

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Know Before You Go

What you need to know before you go on a Holland America Line cruise

View all  Frequently Asked Questions

Download Navigator® Your Essential Cruise Companion!

The  Holland America Line Navigator  App is your indispensable tool for cruise planning, embarkation, managing your onboard experience and booking shore excursions.

Download the app before your cruise, log in, and immediately start using Navigator.

Once you’ve completed Online Check-In at  www.hollandamerica.com , retrieve your digital boarding pass via the app to expedite embarkation at the pier. You can also complete your health assessment and book shore excursions prior to your cruise.

General Information

Identification requirements.

Immigration Questionnaire & Online Check-In:  Each individual guest is required to complete the questionnaire in Online Check-In to obtain Express Docs. Please go to our website at hollandamerica.com and complete the Online Check-In process prior to your sail date. After you complete the Online Check-In, your Express Docs including your Boarding Pass will be issued. Please do not forget to print them out prior to leaving home.

Please Note:

• Guests arriving at embarkation without complete and accurate documentation may not join the voyage and will not be entitled to a refund.
• Please complete the Online Check-In process at  hollandamerica.com   72 hours  prior to your sail date. Guests who wait to check in at the terminal risk being unable to sail even if they arrive at the terminal before the vessel leaves. You will be responsible for all costs you incur to join the vessel at the next port.
• If for some reason you have not completed your Online Check-in process at least 3 days prior to departure, you will still be able to print your Express Docs, including the boarding pass, up to the departure date. Guests who have not completed the required check-in prior to departure time are subject to denied boarding.

U.S. government security regulations require us to submit certain guest information to law enforcement authorities at least 60 minutes prior to departure. To meet this requirement, we must have the necessary information in our records at least 90 minutes prior to departure. If we do not have your information by this deadline, you will be unable to sail. Guests are urged to complete the Online Check-in process before leaving home. Guests who wait to check in at the terminal risk being unable to sail even if they arrive at the terminal before the vessel leaves. You will be responsible for all costs you incur to join the vessel at the next port .

PERSONAL TRAVEL IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Holland America Line highly recommends that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Having a passport will enable you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event you miss your scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if you need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.

Immigration and administrative rules may require the vessel to collect and safeguard guest passports and guests to complete landing cards prior to some ports of call. Further information will be provided on board.

PLEASE NOTE : It is your sole responsibility to obtain and have available the proper travel documents that are necessary for your travel, including all costs related to arrangements to obtain entry to countries you visit and re-entry to your destination country.

Boarding may be denied or fines may be levied against those guests without proper documentation. Payment of any fines levied is the responsibility of the individual guest.

For U.S. and Canadian Citizens Travel by Land or Sea:

Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. For voyages that are scheduled to end outside the U.S., a passport that is valid for six months beyond the completion date of your travel is required.

Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents are required for cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 16 and above may present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant documents:

• Passport (recommended travel document) (valid for travel by air, land and sea)
• Passport Card (valid for land and sea border crossings only)
• State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – (valid for land and sea border crossings only, not valid on Yukon Cruisetours due to air travel included in the Journey)
• Other documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security

For a list of approved documents visit:

travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/checklist.html

The EDL driver’s license, or non-driver photo identification, is offered in the U.S. states of Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington and in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, to applicants that can prove identity and citizenship. Please note the EDL is not the same as an Enhanced (or Endorsed) Commercial Driver’s License.

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises : U.S. citizens on cruises in the Western Hemisphere that originate and terminate in the same U.S. port are required to have proof of citizenship such as a valid U.S. passport or a government issued birth certificate combined with a government issued photo I.D. Other approved proof of citizenship documents such as a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or certificate of naturalization along with a government-issued photo ID are also acceptable. A passport is still the preferred document.  PLEASE NOTE  –WHTI-compliant documents are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign countries, including some countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Birth certificates from Puerto Rico issued prior to  July 1, 2010 are not valid forms of proof of citizenship that is accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  Guests from Puerto Rico either need to present a WHTI-compliant document or a government- issued photo identification with a validated birth certificate issued after July 1, 2010.

Children : U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 traveling on a closed-loop cruise (a cruise in the Western Hemisphere which originates and ends in the same U.S. port) will be able to present their government issued birth certificate or other proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card to sail. Birth certificates can be an original or certified copy.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENT WHEN MINORS TRAVEL WITH ONE ADULT ON VOYAGES GOVERNED BY U.S. WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (“WHTI”) (includes travel within BERMUDA, CANADA, CARIBBEAN, MEXICO, UNITED STATES)

When minors are traveling with only one adult 21 years of age or older, Holland America Line requires that all guests must  be in possession of a valid passport. Holland America Line has implemented this requirement so that you all remain together should an emergency arise that requires one or more in your party to be disembarked in a non-U.S. port. Holland America Line cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with only a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate.

NOTE:  If you are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor  child traveling with you, you must present an original letter signed by at least one of the child’s parents. The letter from the child’s parent must provide contact information and authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise.

For more information regarding passports and WHTI compliant documents, please visit  travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/checklist.html  or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY at 1-888-874-7793.

Travel by Air:  Passports are required for all international air travel to and from the United States, regardless of age or citizenship. This includes air travel to and from Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico.

For Non-U.S./Non-Canadian Citizens:  For Non-U.S./Non-Canadian Citizens: You must have and carry a passport valid for six months beyond the duration of your travel. Please carefully verify the existing identification requirements for your particular travel situation, including all destinations. In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously been admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a Green Card. Resident aliens not in possession of this must obtain one at the nearest office of the U.S. Immigration Service. Note that while a passport for a Green Card holder is not required to return to the U.S., your destination country requirements may be different. Please verify your documentation requirements prior to sailing, but we highly recommend Green Card holders travel with their passport as an extra precaution.

Please Note:  To allow us to expedite immigration clearances in the various countries you will be asked to surrender your passport to our staff upon check-in. Some clearances will require face to face inspections, details will be communicated to you onboard.

Rest assured that your passport will be fully secured by our staff. Regardless, it is always good practice, when traveling, to make copies of your passport pages before departing.

Certain countries require that you obtain official authorization (called a visa) before entering the country, and some countries require that you obtain a visa regardless of whether you plan to go ashore in that particular port or not. Usually there is a fee required.

Guests are responsible for verifying and obtaining any necessary travel documents for entry and exit to the countries visited, as these requirements vary depending on the specific port and nationality of the traveler. This includes payment of all costs related to arrangements to obtain entry to the countries you visit. Boarding may be denied or fines levied against those guests arriving at the pier without the proper documentation, and those guests will not be eligible for a refund . Payment of any fines levied is the responsibility of the individual guest. Please note that fees and visa requirements are subject to change without notice. Tourist/visa requirements are determined by passport nationality, not by country of residence.

Visa Service Information:

Don’t put your travel plans at risk; Holland America Line recommends guests utilize a visa service to secure your required documentation. We have partnered with CIBTvisas as a service to assist with the collection of necessary documents. CIBTvisas also provides a concierge service should you wish to have a dedicated Concierge Specialist manage the entire process from start to finish while providing the expertise necessary to ensure your request is approved as quickly as possible. Our dedicated section on the CIBTvisas website can be found at  www.cibtvisas.com/hollandamericaline .

You may reach CIBTvisas by phone at:

• U.S. and Canadian residents: 866 935 8472
• Netherlands residents: 0800-2524632 
• Germany residents: 8003202233 
• Australia residents: 1300964164
• United Kingdom residents: 0800 1218239
• Belgium residents: 0902 150 45
• Singapore residents: 6603 1096
• Spain residents: 902 113 829
• Switzerland residents: 41 (0) 22 884 18 70
• France residents: 0144107272

Residents of all other countries should contact the nearest representative embassy or consulate for proper information.

Visa Waiver Program Requirements:  The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, when they meet all requirements. ALL VWP travelers to the U.S. will be required to have an approved electronic travel authorization via Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Travelers who have not obtained approval through ESTA should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the U.S. If you reside in the UK please visit  cibtvisas.co.uk/hollandamerica.

Countries participating in the VWP are: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

For more details please go to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Waiver Program page.

Schengen Visa Holders : New requirements pertaining to proof of medical insurance coverage have been adopted for all Schengen visa holders. This requirement does not apply to U.S. or Canadian citizens. All guests should keep themselves advised of changes in government requirements. If you have questions about visa requirements, call CIBTvisas at 1-866-935-8472. You may also choose to send an email message to:  [email protected]  or visit their website at  https://cibtvisas.com/hollandamericaline .

Cruise Documents: Holland America Line Express Docs Eco- friendly Cruise Documents

Preparing for your Holland America Line cruise is now easier, faster and more convenient than ever. With Express Docs, your cruise documents are available up to 15 days before your cruise departure date, and you can print part – or all – of your Express Docs when it’s most convenient for you, 24/7. This includes your boarding pass, itinerary, any applicable vouchers, and if you booked air with Holland America Line, air travel information. Your information is encrypted, secure, easily updated and ready to email or print for yourself, family and friends as often as you wish. No more waiting for printed cruise documents.

What’s more, since our eco-friendly cruise documents are delivered electronically, they help save paper and conserve precious fossil fuels.

Visit  hollandamerica.com  for more information.

To learn more about Holland America Line’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation in all of our operations, visit  hollandamerica.com/sustainability .

Do I Need Vaccines to take a Cruise

Vaccination requirements change frequently. These requirements are established by the countries you are visiting and not by Holland America Line. For this reason, you should contact your local physician, Health Department and/or travel medicine clinic to discuss vaccination requirements for all countries on your itinerary.

Mosquito-borne Illnesses:  Malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and Chikungunya are found in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Guests should always travel with appropriate clothing and mosquito repellent with DEET or Picaridin to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. In addition, please check with your primary care provider or local travel medicine clinic to see what, if any, vaccinations or other measures are recommended for your specific itinerary. Be certain to bring along a record of all your vaccinations. Check with your health care provider at least six to eight weeks prior to departure, as vaccination requirements and recommendations may change.

Yellow Fever:  Many Yellow Fever immunization requirements are based on traveling from one “infected” or “endemic” country to another. It is also a good idea to bring along a record of your immunizations, as requirements for immunizations may change.

Emergency Phone Numbers

At some point in your travels you may experience an emergency. With this in mind, the following emergency phone numbers are available for your use: 1-800-628-4771. Holland America Line representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to assist you in any way they can, including assistance with travel delays and contacting loved ones.

The numbers are for emergency use only; please do not call unless you are experiencing an emergency of a critical nature. For information concerning airline delays, please see the Arrival Advice / Airline Delays section below.

Guests Under 21

Guests under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone who is at least 21 years old; one adult chaperone is required for every five people under the age of 21. Alcoholic beverages will not be served to guests under age 21.  However, effective on voyages commencing July 1. 2016 and thereafter, the legal drinking age onboard will be 18 for voyages which depart from and return to Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan, and the legal drinking age onboard will be 20 for voyages which depart from and return to Japan.  Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days.

For voyages that depart from and return to Australia and/or New Zealand, these policies and the legal drinking age apply to guests 18 years or over. Minors under the age of 18 traveling to foreign countries must be accompanied by a parents or guardian.

Changing Your Itinerary

With very limited exceptions (such as some Panama Canal cruises), U.S. law prohibits persons from beginning their cruise in one U.S. port and ending it in a different U.S. port. For this reason, voyages originating and ending in the same U.S. port will not allow embarkation or disembarkation in an alternate U.S. port. Please note that this is a U.S. government regulation over which Holland America Line has no control.

Customs Information

In order to make returning home as smooth and easy as possible, please take note of the following tips. For more information, consult your Customs Agency. Guests returning to the United States can also check the official website of U.S. Customs at  cbp.gov/ .

Registering Your Valuables:  We strongly recommend that you register your valuables with Customs before leaving home. This should be done well in advance of travel at a Customs office near your home. Items that should be registered generally include those not manufactured in your country. If you cannot prove that you owned an item prior to departure, Customs officials may charge you duty to bring it back into your country. Customs pays particular attention to cameras (including special lenses and video equipment), binoculars, radios, laptop computers, foreign-made watches and other similar appliances. Customs officials will not be available at the ship during check-in to register valuables.

Transportation of Currency:  You may take as much currency or as many monetary instruments as you wish on your trip. However, if you take out or bring into the United States more than US$10,000, you are required by law to file a report with the U.S. Customs Service.

Also Canadian residents need to declare if you take out or bring into the country more than CAD10,000. Please remember that many other countries have a similar policy when going ashore and you will be subject to their currency allowances at the current exchange rate. Any additional information concerning currency restrictions, please contact the customs agency in their country.

Customs Allowance:  Each U.S. resident is usually allowed a duty free exemption of US$800; it may be more or less depending upon your itinerary and recent travel outside the country. An additional US$1,000 worth of articles may be brought in and taxed at a reduced flat duty rate. After an absence of seven days or more, Canadian citizens may bring back to Canada up to CAD750 worth of duty-free merchandise, which may include a maximum of 40 ounces of liquor or wine and 200 cigarettes. Guests who are neither U.S. nor Canadian citizens should check with the Customs agency in their country for allowance information before departing. Additional information concerning Customs matters will be provided during your cruise.

Tobacco & Alcohol

• A traveler may include up to 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes (one carton) in the US$800 exemption from duty. Additional cigars and cigarettes may be brought into the country, but they will be subject to duty and taxes. Cigarettes may also be subject to a tax imposed by state and local authorities. Bidis — essentially flavored cigarettes — are not generally permitted entry.
• Generally, one liter of alcohol per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older, although travelers coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands or other Caribbean countries are entitled to more. Additional quantities may be entered, although they will be subject to duty and IRS taxes.

Guests with Disabilities

Holland America Line does not discriminate against persons on the basis of disability. We seek, to the extent feasible, to accommodate guests with disabilities. For more specific information regarding the following categories, please visit the “Accessible Cruising” section of our website at hollandamerica.com: Stateroom Information; Mobility Equipment; Ship Transfer Options; Shoreside Mobility, including Airports and/or Train Stations and Land Tours and/or Shore Excursions; Service Animals; Blind or Low Vision; Deaf or Hard of Hearing; Oxygen; Food Allergy Information; Children with Special Needs; and Wheelchair Accessible Route Maps. Holland America Line offers a limited number of staterooms designed to be wheelchair- and scooter-accessible. For the safety of all guests and crew, scooters and other mobility equipment need to be securely stored and charged in the guest’s stateroom and not in hallways or elevator lobbies. Scooters left in these areas could restrict people needing to travel through these areas in an emergency, particularly other guests using mobility aids, since they would have no way of getting by a scooter left in a hallway. For this reason, Holland America Line has size and weight guidelines for scooters. For your safety as well as the safety of fellow guests and crew, guests using powered mobility devices should exercise caution by utilizing reduced speed settings on their mobility device while on board and in terminal facilities. If you plan on bringing a scooter on the ship, please contact:

Guest Accessibility Department

Phone: 1-800-547-8493 (locally at 1-206-626-7044)

TTY: 1-800-254-8669

Email:  [email protected]

Certain ship transfer operations (e.g., during tendering and at the gangways) may not be fully accessible to wheelchairs or scooters. When a ship is unable to dock, guests are taken ashore on smaller boats called tenders. Some guests with limited mobility may find it difficult to embark or disembark the ship at certain times while at dock or while tendering due to steep gangways and steps, particularly during low or high tide. Also, please note that scooters and wheelchairs weighing more than 100 pounds without the battery are not allowed to be transferred from the ship to tender and/or from tender to shore. For persons not capable of walking on their own, the use of a wheelchair will be the primary mobility assistance aid for getting on and off the ship. Situations may occur in which guests with limited mobility may not be able to go ashore at the time they desire or are unable to go ashore at all in certain ports. For the safety of all concerned, the Captain shall make the final determination regarding whether or not it is advisable to provide assistance to guests with mobility limitations or to carry their mobility assistance device (e.g., wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc.), taking into account all appropriate matters including, but not limited to, weather conditions, ship’s location, weight of the guest or his or her mobility device, etc. While every effort is made to assist guests, we are unable to provide crew members who can spend all or most of their time working with a single guest in order to address ongoing special needs. Guests who require that level of care will need to travel with a companion who is able to provide the assistance necessary. Certain third-party transfer and tour facilities may not be fully accessible to guests with disabilities. Although we endeavor to make sure these companies comply with legal requirements, we cannot guarantee all are able to provide facilities that are accessible to persons with disabilities. For detailed, up-to-date information on accessibility issues involving tours, we strongly recommend contacting our Shore Excursions Department prior to embarkation at 1-888-425-9376 (locally at 1-206-626-7320) or visiting the Shore Excursions Office on board. Due to the limited number of lift-equipped vehicles in foreign locations, guests may incur additional costs for transportation related to packages. For information on alternative transportation arrangements and associated costs, please contact our Guest Accessibility Department.

It is essential that we be notified of any special medical, physical or other requirements you may have (including whether you intend to bring a scooter with you) as soon as possible, preferably at the time of booking, so that we may make our best effort to accommodate you. Guests who are unable to care for their own basic needs (e.g., dressing, eating and attending safety drills) MUST have a capable traveling companion. In limited situations (either on board or ashore), we may find it necessary to ask an individual to make alternate travel arrangements, such as if an individual with a disability is unable to satisfy certain specified safety and other criteria, even when provided with appropriate auxiliary aids and services. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care unless an individual is hospitalized in the ship’s Medical Center.

Wheelchairs:  Holland America Line has a limited supply of wheelchairs on board. In order to accommodate our guests, wheelchairs are reserved exclusively for embarkation and disembarkation assistance in the pier facility and in emergency situations. Holland America Line is not able to provide complimentary wheelchair assistance other than for the purposes listed above. If you require the regular use of a wheelchair, we recommend that you bring your own wheelchair with you. You may also make advance rental arrangements prior to departure and have a wheelchair delivered directly to the ship. For additional details on the prearranged rental program, please refer to the contact information below for Special Needs at Sea or ScootAround.

Embarkation/Disembarkation — Wheelchair Assistance:  Guests requiring assistance with embarkation and disembarkation procedures on board do not need to request this assistance in advance; however, due to high demand in some ports, there can be a wait for assistance. For embarkation procedures, please advise the Shore Operations staff upon arrival of your need for assistance boarding the ship. Assistance is only available once embarkation has begun, typically not before 11:30 a.m. For disembarkation procedures, please contact Guest Services once on  board to advise them of your need for assistance. Guest Services staff will provide you with details on the times and meeting location where staff will be available to assist you in disembarking the ship.  

Oxygen:  Guests needing continuous or intermittent oxygen for chronic conditions must make their own arrangements prior to travel. Please contact us or your travel advisor for more information. The following companies have been approved for all oxygen and/or oxygen equipment being delivered to a Holland America Line ship:

Special Needs at Sea

Phone: 1-800-513-4515 (locally at 1-954-585-0575)

Email:  [email protected]  Website: specialneedsatsea.com

ScootAround

Phone: 1-877-478-7827 (locally at 1-780-986-6404))

Email : [email protected]  Website:  http://www.scootaround.com

Oxygen and/or oxygen equipment deliveries will NOT be accepted from any other company.  You are welcome, however, to bring your own oxygen and/or oxygen equipment from your home. Please note that our staff and crew are not permitted to handle your oxygen and/ or oxygen equipment during the embarkation and disembarkation process, thus you must be able to handle your supplies if you bring your own. Please contact the Guest Accessibility Department prior to sailing if you will require oxygen while on your cruise. If you require additional information on the ship’s facilities or ability to accommodate your needs, please feel free to contact the Guest Accessibility Department.

Please Note:  Some airlines have restrictions concerning traveling with oxygen and oxygen containers. It is the traveler’s responsibility to be familiar with and comply with the regulations of the airline on which he/she is traveling.

For information regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s Screening Tips for Persons with Disabilities, please visit the Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions section of their website.

With the exception of qualified service animals for guests with disabilities, animals or pets are not allowed on board our ships. If you plan to bring a service animal, you must call our Guest Accessibility Department. You will need to provide health certificate documentation for the animal in your ports of call.

Please Note:  Your itinerary may include ports of call that have very specific and strict requirements that need to be met prior to your service animal being allowed off the ship. Please be sure you understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call. The best places to obtain specific information on required documentation and immunizations for your service animal are the U.S. Department of Agriculture, local customs offices in the specific ports and your service animal’s veterinarian. All documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not by Holland America Line.

Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages Brought Onboard

Revised Policy effective June 1st, 2021

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use except as follows:

Guests may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.

Wine purchased during company-sponsored shore excursions that visit local wineries are exempt from the on-board corkage fee (offer limited to one bottle of wine per person).

Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom.  Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding. 

All checked and carry-on luggage will be scanned and any prohibited items, including alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages will be removed, confiscated, and discarded.  If Your luggage is locked, the lock may be removed by security or, alternatively, the luggage will be held by security until you can be present for an inspection and any items in question further identified and/or surrendered.  Holland America Line shall not be responsible for any loss, cost, disappointment or damage of any kind as a result of any luggage lock removal, alcoholic/nonalcoholic items, or other prohibited items removed and discarded in violation of the policy. You agree to surrender alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop, or at ports of call, to Holland America Line, which will be delivered to your stateroom just prior to disembarking the voyage. Any wine or champagne supplied by the Holland America Line to you is not subject to a corkage fee.  Purified or distilled water in factory-sealed containers (including plastic containers) for use in conjunction with medical device(s) are allowed in checked luggage and must be packed with the device(s). Distilled/purified water in factory-sealed containers (including plastic containers) for the reconstitution of infant formula is allowed in checked luggage for staterooms with infant bookings. Limitations apply. Allowances are subject to change without notice and remain subject to situational assessments by both security and the vessel.

An 18% Service Charge is automatically applied to all Beverage Purchases, Bar Retail Items, Specialty Restaurant Cover Charges and all For Purchase A La Carte Menu Items. Local Sales Taxes Applied where required.

Cruise Preparation

Baggage policies & packing advice.

Baggage Insurance : Although we try to handle your bags carefully while they are in our possession, please be aware that Holland America Line cannot guarantee there will be no loss of, or damage to, your baggage or belongings. If Holland America Line, due to any cause whatsoever, is liable for loss of, damage to or delay of your property, the amount of Holland America Line's liability will not exceed US$250 per bag, per guest up to a maximum of two bags per guest for sailings 14 days or less, or up to a maximum of three bags per guest for sailings 15 days or longer. Holland America Line's baggage policy is further detailed in the baggage section of your Cruise Contract.  Additional coverage is available with the purchase of a Holland America Line Standard or Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan. Your travel advisor can provide you with additional information if you are interested in this option.

Restrictions:  Airlines, limousines and other transfer vehicles have baggage allowance policies which may limit the amount and/or weight of baggage you may take with you and/or impose baggage charges. You are responsible for complying with the policies. Please keep this in mind when packing.

Luggage Tag Information:  Holland America Line is pleased to introduce new Holland America Line’s Express Docs cruise documents, along with new luggage tags. Please see the following important information about your luggage tags.

Printable luggage tags  are available at the Online Check-In start page. You may select to print as many as you need for your vacation.

The new luggage tags will be available for you at the airport on the day of sailing and the pier prior to your final check in, too. At the airport, please find Holland America Line representatives outside of the customs area or/and at the baggage carousel. The representatives will help you with luggage tags. Also, luggage tags will be located near the entrance to the pier area where you will be checking in your luggage. The luggage tags are clearly marked with your ship name. Please attach a tag to each piece of luggage you will be checking on the cruise. There is a space on the tag for you to print the following information;  Name, Stateroom Number,  and  Sailing Date .

Please Note:  For security reasons, baggage without tags or owner identification may not be loaded on the ship. If you should have questions or need assistance, Holland America Line representatives at the pier will be happy to assist you.

Packing Advice:  We also suggest that you consider placing articles in clear plastic bags inside your baggage to minimize handling by airport security screeners. Pack shoes on top of other contents in your baggage to expedite the screening process. Finally, make sure that you label the inside of your carry-on and checked baggage with your name and contact information. Bear in mind that the screening process for any point of embarkation is similar to that at an airport. As such, all weapons and dangerous devices are prohibited and may result in denied boarding. For complete, updated information regarding travel, please check the official website of the Transportation Security Administration at  tsa.gov .

Please Note:  Firearms, explosives, fireworks, other weapons and knives or sharp blades over two and half inches long and illegal drugs of any kind are prohibited without exception. For safety reasons drones and any other remote controlled aerial devices/ toys are not allowed on board our ship. Extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed on board when used with proper caution. However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark. For additional information regarding prohibited items please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of hollandamerica.com.

Important:  Do not pack your passport, medications, Express Docs or electronic airline tickets in your checked baggage. (Remember that checked baggage might not be accessible at all times.) Keep these items close at hand in your purse or jacket pocket. We also strongly suggest that you carry or otherwise keep with you important items such as perishables, cash, credit or debit cards, jewelry, gold, silver or similar valuables, securities, financial instruments, records or other valuable or business documents, laptop computers, cellular telephones, cameras, or other video or electronic equipment, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, scooters, binoculars, film, videotape, computer disks, audio disks, tapes or CDs. During the voyage, a safe to store your valuables and important documents is available in your stateroom.

Holland America Line assumes no responsibility for the items listed above. If Holland America Line, due to any cause whatsoever, is liable for loss of, damage to or delay of your property, the amount of Holland America Line’s liability will not exceedUS$250 per bag, per guest up to a maximum of two bags per guest for sailings 14 days or less, or up to a maximum of three bags per guest for sailings 15 days or longer.  Holland America Line's baggage policy is further detailed in the baggage section of your Cruise Contract. Additional coverage is available with the purchase of a Holland America Line Standard or Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan.

Medication:  Your prescription medication should be kept close at hand in your purse or carry-on bag rather than in your checked baggage. In the event of unexpected travel delays and emergencies, pack enough prescription medication for at least 2 weeks beyond the length of your travel itinerary. Keep it with you at all times and if possible, leave all medication in its original container, and carry a list of the prescription names, dosage amounts and times taken for all medications. Holland America Line will assist in filling prescriptions. However, please note that additional charges will apply and that not all medications are available in all countries or ports of call.

Please Note:  Persons in possession of illegal drugs are subject to immediate disembarkation and reporting to law enforcement authorities. This could result in legal proceedings. Please keep in mind that the drug laws in many countries can be very restrictive and the penalties severe.

For these purposes, marijuana, even if prescribed for medicinal purposes, is considered an illegal drug as it is prohibited both under U.S. law as well as the laws of all or most of the countries that the ship visits. Prescription Marinol, which is used by some as an alternative to marijuana, is permitted.

Mobility Equipment: The safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority. For this reason:

Scooters and other mobility equipment are required to be securely stored and charged in the guest’s stateroom when not in use and may not be stored in hallways or elevator lobbies.

Scooters and other mobility equipment stored in hallways or elevator lobbies are a safety hazard and will be removed immediately.

Guests using mobility aids should select a stateroom that will meet their needs and allow for appropriate storage of their mobility equipment. Most doorways in non-accessible staterooms will not allow for adequate storage of moderate or larger size scooters.

For safety reasons, Holland America Line has also devised recommended size guidelines for the electric mobility equipment used on our ships.

For detailed information regarding mobility equipment please refer to the GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES section of this document or visit the Accessible Cruising section of our website at  hollandamerica.com.

Daytime  dress is casual. Shirts/cover-ups and footwear are always required indoors. Most evenings  smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool and beachwear, distressed jeans and tank tops are not permitted in table service restaurants. On Dressy Nights  we take it up a notch and recommend slacks, skirts, dresses, blouses, collared shirts and jackets. Jeans, shorts and T-shirts are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants. On Grand Voyages when suggested attire is  Formal , suits or dresses are recommended.

Electrical Appliances

Electrical Appliances:  ** All staterooms are equipped with standard 110 AC and 220 AC outlets. Guests with pre- or post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters and/or adapters for their hotel stay. All staterooms are equipped with hair dryers. Electrical devices such as small fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/ adaptors, and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed onboard when used with proper caution. If such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark. For safety reasons, travel irons, and electric water heaters/kettles may not be used in your stateroom. You may order hot water from our complimentary In-Room Dining service 24 hours a day. Also, full laundry and valet services are available on all of our ships.

City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages

Let the vacation begin the moment you arrive in a new country. Or let it continue, as you disembark from the ship and journey inland. A seamless transition is what our pre- and post-cruise hotels and tours are all about. We’ve arranged all the details – from luggage handling to transportation, City Stays to expert tour guides – so you are free to immerse yourself in places and experiences that justly rank among travel’s greatest highlights.

If you have not already purchased your City Stays & Pre/Post Overland Packages, Holland America Line can assist you. Visit  hollandamerica.com   for more information. Have your travel advisor call World Cruise Reservations at 1-800-522-3399 or 1-206-626-7353 to add services to your itinerary.

Preparing For Your Flight

Since arrival and departure times are subject to last minute changes by the airlines, we recommend that you call your airline(s) 24 hours before your initial flight departure (72 hours for international flights) to verify all of the flight numbers, and departure and arrival times shown on your ticket. Plan to be at the airline counter at least two hours before flight time for domestic flights and three hours before flight time for international flights.

Please verify the spelling of your full name and date of birth to make sure it matches the identification document that you will be presenting at the airport, for example your passport or driver's license.  You  do not  need to include any suffixes on your airline ticket. Flight options can be managed by logging into your cruise profile at  www.hollandamerica.com .

Flight options include:

• Changes to your already confirmed flights (change fees and differences in fare may apply)
• Seat assignment requests
• Meal restrictions/requests
• Mobility requirements
• TSA information
• Frequent flyer information

Some flight options can also be managed directly with the airline by visiting their website and using your airline locator to access your flight details.

Guests are responsible for arranging special air travel related service requests such as, advance seat assignments, in-flight meal requests, wheelchairs and any other airline services. Holland America Line and its onboard staff are not able to confirm flights from on board our vessels.

Bon Voyage Gifts & Gift Packages

If you would like to send a bon voyage gift to one of your fellow guests or set up your own private bon voyage toast, we invite you to do so. Holland America Line also offers a variety of gift packages for guests celebrating a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or other special event. To purchase a gift for a guest, please visit our  Buy a Gift for a Guest page  or contact our Ship Services Department at:

Holland America Line Ship Services Department

450 Third Avenue West Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: 1-800-541-1576

Fax: 1-800-207-3547

Email:  [email protected]

Gift Order  items include a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, clothing, casino chips and flowers at very reasonable prices. Packages such as “Renewal of Vows,” “Happy Anniversary,” “Romantic Voyage” and “Just for Us” include a variety of services and mementos to commemorate your special occasion. Gift orders must be prepaid and received two weeks in advance of sailing. Some last-minute gift orders may be charged to your Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card, VISA®, American Express®, MasterCard® or Discover® card up to two working days before sailing.

Holland America Line Rewards VISA® Card:  Use your new Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card and you’ll be on your next dream vacation before you know it. Earn Holland America Points on qualifying purchases you make and DOUBLE Holland America points for any Holland America Line purchases. To learn more and apply for the Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card,  please visit  hollandamericavisa.com

Make your wedding dreams a reality. Choose from a wedding on board one of our ships or at a land destination. Then sail away  for your romantic honeymoon! For more information contact Royal Ocean Events at 1-888-475-5511 or 1-604-940-1181. Or please visit  royalwed.com.

As You Wish® Dining

Our As You Wish dining lets you select the venue and style that suits you. Choose from a festive multi-course affair, a quick casual dinner for two or an intimate meal in the privacy of your stateroom.

*All restaurants onboard will be open with some temporary modifications to Open Dining and Classic Pre-Set Dining times due to the current health and safety protocols.

Dining Venues

The Elegant Dining Room:

• A luxurious dining experience in a room graced with fine art and antiques.
• Multi-course menus feature offerings from classic preparations and regionally inspired cuisine to vegetarian options.
• Choose traditional pre-set seating and dining times or a flexible open schedule — the choice is yours to make prior to departure for your cruise.

Flexible Open Dining:  Open dining times are 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The same gracious service and sophisticated exquisite dining experience is featured, as it is in pre-set dining. If you choose the flexible, open-seating program in the Dining Room, you may make reservations by calling the dining reservation number on board or simply come to the Dining Room during dining hours.

Classic Pre-Set Dining:  The traditional pre-set dining times are 5:00pm and 7:30pm in the Dining Room. You may request seating time, table size and indicate with whom you wish to dine. All such requests should be made before sailing through your travel advisor. Requests will be confirmed or waitlisted at the time of booking. Table number and table size are on request only, and will be assigned by the Maitre d' on board. The status of your seating request will be listed on your Cruise Contract. Your seating assignment will be noted on your guest card upon boarding.

Please Note:  You may choose either flexible/open dining or classic pre-set dining in the Dining Room, at the time of booking.

The Pinnacle Grill Experience:

• Intimate dining featuring Double R Ranch Beef and fresh seafood.
• Luxurious appointments.

Other Delightful Dining Options:

• The Lido with fresh, cooked-to-order specialties for breakfast and lunch.
• Made-to-order entrées and casual dinner in the Lido
• Dive In featuring hamburgers and hot dogs.
• Complimentary 24-hour Room Service.
• Classic High Tea once per cruise.
• Late-night snack each night.
• On the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam: Tamarind, for exotic Pan-Asian cuisine
• Canaletto, featuring classic Italian cuisine in a relaxed setting

Special Diets and Meals:  Kosher, Passover Seder dinner, salt-free, fat-free, baby food, diabetic and other special dietary needs can be accommodated only with advance notification. For special meal arrangements, please contact the Ship Services Department at 1-800-541-1576 (or email: [email protected]) at least 90 days prior to departure.

For Kosher meal request, please complete  click here  to download a Kosher meal request form for voyages that are not in Europe. For all Europe voyages, please  click here  to download the Europe Voyages Kosher meal request. REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS PRIOR TO SAIL DATE.

While we try to fulfill all requests, it may not always be feasible. Holland America Line reserves the right to substitute products when specified brands are not available. An additional charge may be applied. Reconfirm any special requests with the Maitre d after you board.

Kosher meals are prepared off the ship in a kosher kitchen, frozen and brought to the table sealed in their original containers. There is no kosher kitchen on board, nor do we have kosher dishes, utensils, pots or pans on the ship. Cooking facilities onboard are not considered kosher.

Last-Minute Check List

To ensure peace of mind while you are away, we offer this last-minute checklist of things to do before you go.

• Be sure to bring proper  proof of citizenship, picture ID, visas (if applicable) and proof of any applicable immunizations. For more information, see the IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS section.
• Verify that your identification and travel documents, medication, jewelry, camera, film, cash and other valuables with you in a carry- on bag and will be available at all times.
• Please print out Express Docs including Boarding Pass prior to your sail date.
• Shore Excursions are available for purchase online until three days prior to the sailing.
• Download the Holland America Line Navigator App  and upload your photo to expedite embarkation at the pier. 
• Bring your travel and health insurance information and have it handy at all times. In the event of unexpected travel delays and emergencies, pack enough prescription medication for at least 2 weeks beyond the length of your travel itinerary. Keep it with you at all times and if possible, leave all medication in its original container, and carry a list of the prescription names, dosage amounts and times taken for all medications. It is also a good idea to bring your prescription for eye glasses or contacts. 
• Both casual and dressy attire will be essential during your cruise. For more detailed information, please see the PACKING ADVICE AND CLOTHING sections.
• Leave copies of your passport, electronic airline tickets, traveler checks and any credit cards you plan to use with a family member or trusted friend.
• Inform your bank or credit card company that you are traveling abroad to avoid any challenges with using your credit card on the cruise
• Distribute your ship phone number to friends and relatives.
• Place a card with your name and address inside your baggage, as well as on the outside.
• Have the post office hold your mail. Also, stop your newspaper delivery or have a friend or neighbor take them in for you.

Arrival Advice

Arrival instructions.

The following information should be used as a guideline only. For specific arrival instructions applicable to your itinerary, please consult your Travel Documents.

City Stays and Pre/Post Overland Packages: If you have purchased a Holland America Line hotel or overland tour packages, you will find information in your Express Docs. Be sure to keep your Express Docs on your person or in your carry-on bag so you can access them easily.

Arriving by Air: Holland America Line representatives will be stationed in the airport baggage claim area or outside the customs area (depending on local customs regulations), to greet guests and assist those who are eligible to be transferred to the pier. You will recognize our representatives by their Holland America signs. If you do not see our representatives, please have one paged. Please note: This service is available only on days of sailing. Please refer to Express Docs for more specific information regarding your arrival airport.

Ground transfers may be purchased between select major airports and the ship and from ship to select major airports on the day of embarkation and disembarkation only, as well as airport to hotel and hotel to airport in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Transfers are available to Flight Ease® guests and to guests who have independent flight plans. For more information see our  transfers FAQ .

Guests with independent flight plans, who have purchased transfers on the day of embarkation through Holland America Line, must advise us of your air schedule at least 14 days prior to arrival to receive the transfer service.

Airport Taxes

Some countries impose an arrival or departure tax, which cannot be included on an airline ticket. In most cases this is paid by each guest upon check-in and may have to be paid in the local currency.

Airline Delays

From time to time guests encounter transportation delays in getting to their cruise ship. If it is your day of sailing and this happens to you, please follow these guidelines:

• Advise your airline at the earliest opportunity that you are a cruise guest destined for a sailing that day. Working directly with the carrier is important, as the airlines are usually able to arrange alternative flights.
• If you believe a delay will cause you to arrive in the port of embarkation less than two hours before the ship’s scheduled departure or if you are concerned for any reason that the ship may leave before you arrive, our representatives may be able to advise you of arrangements to minimize disruptions in your vacation plans.

Ask the airline to immediately advise our Travel Services Department, or call us yourself at 1-800-628-4771. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. These numbers are provided for emergency use only; please do not call unless it is your day of departure and you are experiencing a delay. All other questions and concerns regarding air arrangements should be directed to your travel advisor. For further information on our relationship with airlines, please refer to your Cruise Contract.

Note: If you have purchased air transportation independently from Holland America Line, you will be responsible for any and all expenses incurred when joining the ship in progress.

Transfer Policy & Information

For guests who have made independent flight plans and purchased any of Holland America Line’s transfers, you must advise Holland America Line of your air schedule at least 14 days prior to arrival. If Holland America Line does not receive the flight information, you will not receive the transfer and will be ineligible for reimbursement of this service.

Airport/Ship Transfers:  Transfers from the port city airport to the ship on the day of embarkation, and from the ship to the port city airport, on the day of disembarkation are available for purchase. To purchase transfers, please have your travel advisor call Holland America Line at 1-877-724-5425.

Note: Ground transfers may be purchased between select major airports and the ship and from ship to select major airports on the day of embarkation and disembarkation only, as well as airport to hotel and hotel to airport in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Airport/Hotel Transfers:  Transfers from the airport to your hotel and hotel to ship are provided to all guests who have purchased a Holland America Line hotel package. Hotel to ship transfer details will be available in your Hotel Welcome Letter provided upon check-in at your hotel.

Accessible Transfer Requirements:  If you require a lift for boarding the transfer vehicle, please contact us or have your travel advisor advise our Guest Accessibility Department (please see contact information in the GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES section) as soon as possible, so we can arrange a special transfer. Reconfirm any special transfer requirements for disembarkation with the on board. In cities of embarkation and/or disembarkation outside the United States, wheelchair-lift vehicles may not be available. Please call the Guest Accessibility Department for detailed information.

Boarding Procedures

We strongly encourage you to complete the  check-in process  at our website at  hollandamerica.com  and to  download the Holland America Line Navigator App . Go to the Navigator App and upload a photo.After you have completed the Online Check-in process, please print a Boarding Pass or access your electronic boarding pass on Navigator. Upon arrival at the pier, you will need to present your Boarding Pass, have your passport and applicable visas verified and your picture taken if you have not uploaded a photo on Navigator. Your stateroom keycard will be delivered to your stateroom.

Please Note:  This online procedure must be completed prior to your sail date.

If you completed the Online Check-in , please have the following documents ready to present at check-in:

• Express Docs including your Boarding Pass
• Proper proof of citizenship
• Applicable Visas

U.S. government security regulations require us to submit certain guest information to law enforcement authorities at least 60 minutes prior to departure. To meet this requirement, we must have the necessary information in our records at least 90 minutes before departure. If we do not have your information by this deadline, you will be unable to sail. Guests are urged to complete the Online Check-in process before leaving home. Guests who wait to check in at the terminal risk being unable to sail even if they arrive at the terminal before the vessel leaves. You will be responsible for all costs you incur to join the vessel at the next port.

Ship Identification Card:  Upon completion of check-in you will receive a ship identification card. This ship ID card serves as your identification for security procedures when embarking and disembarking the ship, and for making purchases on board. It is also your access card to your stateroom.

Please Note:  Please have your ship ID card and a valid picture identification issued by an official government agency ready and available whenever getting on or off the ship, as you will need to scan your ship ID card at the gangway for boarding. Also, although not required at the ship gangway, you may be required to present a valid picture ID to pass through terminal security.

Embarkation Time:  Boarding begins at 12:00 pm. All guests must be checked in at least 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time.

To allow us to expedite immigration clearances in the various countries you will be asked to surrender your passport to our staff upon check-in. Some clearances will require face to face inspections, details will be communicated to you onboard. Rest assured that your passport will be fully secured by our staff.

Regardless, it is always good practice, when traveling, to make copies of your passport pages before departing.

Our embarkation procedures are smooth and easy—you carry nothing but your hand baggage, and everything is beautifully organized. Although embarkation may begin as early as 11:30am, our previous sailing guests will have just disembarked and we will still be in the process of preparing the ship for your cruise. We anticipate that your stateroom will be ready at approximately 1:00pm. Therefore, you are welcome to make yourself at home in the bar, lounge or pool areas. Your baggage will arrive in your stateroom later that afternoon. The Lido Market embarkation buffet and the Pool Grill will open at 11:30am.

Please Note:  There are restrictions on consuming alcoholic beverages brought on board the ship; please refer to the ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BROUGHT ON BOARD section.

Visitor Policy

In today’s era of heightened security, Holland America Line has implemented a “no visitor” policy. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Friends may easily arrange to send a bon voyage gift directly to your stateroom, or you may throw a party of your own for fellow guests. For more information please see the BON VOYAGE GIFTS & GIFT PACKAGES section.

Shipboard Life

Activities on board.

What will you do today? There are so many choices on your Holland America Line cruise. You may choose to participate in as many (or as few) activities as you wish. You can check the Happenings on Board via  Navigator  to view a complete schedule of shipboard activities to help plan your day. The choices are endless. You can learn about your itinerary’s ports of call with our Explorations Central™ programming, watch a live cooking demonstration, challenge yourself with a game of trivia or join a pickleball tournament!

You may wish to sunbathe, swim or simply find a quiet spot and do nothing at all. In the evening you’ll find a wide variety of music and entertainment, award winning production shows, theme nights, movies and more! There’s never a dull moment on your Holland America Line cruises.

Holland America Line Navigator

Manage your cruise with our free app! Login to your account before you ever step onboard to get prepared for your journey. Once you get onboard you can check out what's happening on board, explore and book shore excursions for your entire voyage, browse dinner menus and book dining, keep in touch with traveling companions on board with chat, see account details including your onboard statement and more. 

No internet purchase required to download or use on board. If downloading or using off ship, your regular carrier rates may apply.

Shore Excursions

Holland America Line offers a wide range of award-winning shore excursions, providing priceless experiences at destinations around the world. Professional, local guides and independent tour operators that meet our high standards lead each tour. Our shore excursions provide you worry-free experiences that guarantee your return to the ship and maximize your time ashore. 

Our dedicated shore excursion Reservation Agents and onboard staff offer expert support. Call us toll-free at 1-888-425-9376 or 206-626-7320. In Australia, call us toll free at 1-800-260-639. Shore excursion Reservation Agents are available Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Pacific), and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). You may also find more information on our tours and shore excursion programs on hollandamerica.com. Please log in to purchase your shore excursions. 

Tours purchased through Holland America Line are also backed by our Best Price Guarantee. Find a better price on any tour we offer and we'll refund you 110 percent of the price difference in the form of an onboard credit.

You may find more information on our tours and shore excursion programs on hollandamerica.com. Please log in to purchase your shore excursions. Tours are available for purchase up to three days before sailing.

The Collections of Holland America Line

Whether you are interested in a cooking class with a local chef, a private car complete with driver and guide, or a chance to encounter wildlife up close, Holland America Line offers a shore excursion designed for you. The Collections of Holland America Line represent tours of a particular focus, available only in select ports.  

• Medallion Collection:  Whether you are interested in a cooking class with a local chef, a private car complete with driver and guide, or a chance to encounter wildlife up close, Holland America Line offers a shore excursion designed for you. The Collections of Holland America Line represent tours of a particular focus, available only in select ports.
• Encore Collection:  Designed especially for repeat guests, our Encore Collection lets you discover what lies beyond the well-known attractions you’ve already seen.
• World Wonders Collection:  Natural treasures, architectural marvels, technical wonders—tours in this collection have a common element: the ability to inspire.
• Signature Collection:  Whether you travel by car or minivan, boat or plane, you choose the companions and sights that suit you on exclusive options designed for independent-minded travelers.
• Cruise with Purpose®:  Your footprint will be light and your soul enriched on our innovative Cruise with Purpose shore excursions. These tours focus simply on improving our planet one voyage at a time.

Our Commitment to the Environment

At Holland America Line, cruising is our passion. We are equally passionate about protecting and preserving the pristine destinations that we visit. For many years we have emphasized environmental stewardship and conservation in our operations. We believe that safeguarding our guests, crew, ships, and the environment is the right thing to do and essential to the success of our business.

Our ships are as environmentally sound as they are beautiful. We welcome you to learn more about our commitment to protecting the environment by reviewing our sustainability report at www.hollandamerica.com. Here are just a few of our environmental efforts:

Environmental Management System:   All of our ships are ISO 14001 certified by LRQA, North America.

Environmental Officers:   Stationed on board every ship to provide environmental training and oversee shipboard compliance with environmental requirements.

Reducing waste:  Our waste management approach focuses on reducing the volume and toxicity of waste we generate. We have gone to great lengths to remove hazardous chemicals from our operations including dry cleaning, medical and photographic chemicals, and cleaning supplies. Whenever possible, we reuse existing materials and equipment, and we recycle many materials where recycling infrastructure is available at our ports of call. We donate reusable goods from our ships to nonprofit organizations and working with port authorities to identify additional vendors who are capable of recycling cruise ship waste.

Conserving Water and Reducing Waste Water Discharges:   We make the most of our water. Conserving water results in less energy spent making water, thus saving fuel. The more efficient we can be with our water use, the less wastewater is generated, treated and discharged when we’re done using it — saving energy and limiting discharges.

To accomplish these initiatives, we use low-flow systems for toilets and showers in the staterooms, which conserves the amount of water used on board and therefore the quantity of wastewater treated and discharged.

Environmental Awards

Our activities to protect the environment have not gone unnoticed. Holland America Line has recently won the following environmental honors:

Green Gateway Award: Port of Seattle’s Green Gateway Partners Award program, 2010–2016, and the Technology Innovator Award in 2015

Blue Circle Award:  Port Metro Vancouver’s EcoAction program for commitment to sustainability, 2010–2014

Porthole Cruise Magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards:

Most Eco-Friendly Line, 2014

Guest Invitation to Environmental Excellence

We invite and encourage all of our guests to assist us as we work to protect the environment, both on board and while ashore. You can make a difference in the following ways:

• Towel Reuse Option:   Similar to many fine hotels, you can obtain fresh towels simply by leaving the used ones on the floor. To reuse your towel, simply hang it on the bathroom door or towel rack. Reusing your towels will reduce energy, water and detergent consumption required for daily washings.
• Turn Off Stateroom Lights and TV When Not in Use:   As when ashore, energy conservation goes a long way to helping us protect the environment.
• Water Conservation:   Just as when ashore, water conservation is an important environmental initiative. Please help us reduce water use.

Kids Club Youth Program

Holland America Line’s youth activities program Kids Club offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17.

A dedicated team of youth professionals invite kids and teens to join their friends in arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties.

Program Highlights

Kids : Painting Picassos, parachute playtime, songs and stories along with theme parties “Cosmic Cruisers”, “Dino-Mite Night” and “Ships Ahoy Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure” keep our junior cruisers ages 3 - 6 years entertained.

Tweens : Nukeball, Xbox Tournaments, and Olympic relay races along with theme parties “Brave the Night”, “Mysterious Spy Night” and “Country Carnival” ensure that guests ages 7 - 12 years look forward to each day at Kids Club.

Teens : Mocktail Parties, karaoke contests, trivia contests, jewelry designs, video games, staff vs. teens volleyball tournaments; together with themed events “Face Your Fears”, “Casino Games for Prizes” and “TV Game Show Night” allow teens 13 - 17 to attend events in a relaxed environment allowing them to comfortably make friends while having fun.

Program Registration

(Required for kids and tweens ages 3 – 12)

Kids’ Program (ages 3 – 6) : All children participating in the youth program must be completely toilet trained and pull–up free. Youth Staff cannot assist in the washroom in any way. Children ages 3 - 6 years old have a sign in and out policy. A password will be selected by the parent/guardian of the child. The password will need to be disclosed to the youth staff upon pick up of the child. The minimum age to participate in Kids Club is three years. No exceptions will be made.

Tweens’ Program (ages 7 – 12) : Tweens ages 7 - 12 years old have a sign in and out policy. A password will be selected by the parent/guardian of the child. The password will need to be disclosed to the youth staff upon pick up of the child.

Teens’ Program (ages 13 – 17) : There are no registration or sign in/out procedures for teen programming.

Please note that each program features age specific activities and events and children are required to participate in the program designed for their age.

Children must meet minimum age requirements for each age group, at the time of sailing to participate in programming. No exceptions will be made.

Services on Board

Holland America Line ships have all the amenities and services you expect to find in a fine resort — as our valued guests, we don’t want you to lack a thing.

Beauty Salon/Spa:  The Greenhouse Spa & Salon is our premier, luxury day spa. The Greenhouse Spa combines the best of the most distinctive and luxurious spas on sea and land integrated with proven home spa programs and exclusive products that enhance life and promote well-being. All professional services are available from 8:00am until 10:00pm. Appointments are strongly suggested, particularly for Dressy Nights. Appointments may be made in advance on our web site at  hollandamerica.com  or once on board.

Salon Services                   

• Hairstyling
• Manicures & Pedicures
• Facial treatments
• Teeth whitening
• Man’s grooming

Spa Services

• Aroma stone massage
• Thermal suite and hydro pool
• Aromatherapy treatments
• Seaweed wrap or float
• Slimming treatments
• Acupuncture   

Fitness Center:  To help you stay in shape, all Holland America Line ships are equipped with a fitness center that offers both aerobic and strength-training equipment. In addition, a professional Fitness Instructor is available to instruct you in proper techniques of using the equipment. Hours are from 6:00am until 9:00pm. Personal training and specialty classes such as yoga and Pilates are available for a nominal fee. Please note that minimum age for guests using the fitness center is 16.

Swimming:  Swimming pools are available on board all of our ships, and there are plenty of deck chairs and beach towels available for your use on deck. Should you need anything—a refreshing beverage or a lap blanket — an attentive deck steward will be nearby to assist you. Beach Towels to take ashore will be available upon arrival at the Gangway.

Please Note:  Children wearing any type of diaper, including swimming diapers, or who are not toilet trained are not allowed into the swimming pool and whirlpool areas.

Shops On Board:  A world-class shopping experience is just steps away. All Holland America Line ships offer a variety of wonderful merchandise from around the world. The Signature Shops on board offer a great selection of fine jewelry, watches, fragrances, premium liquor, exclusive Holland America souvenirs and more all at tax and duty free savings. Each item is authentic and many are branded with designer names you have come to trust. Our knowledgeable specialists will gladly answer all your questions and are dedicated to providing you with excellent service.

Port Shopping Ambassador Program:  Your cruise vacation would not be complete without experiencing some of the world’s best duty-free shopping. On selected cruises you’ll find Holland America Line’s Port Shopping Ambassador Program. It is designed to assist you in finding the finest treasures in the ports of call at savings of 20-60% below U.S. prices. Each recommended merchant was selected on the basis of price, selection, reputation, quality, service and a commitment to shopping satisfaction. Therefore, you can shop with confidence knowing these merchants are committed to stand behind your purchases.

Check your daily When & Where program or the Navigator app for location and times of the Port Shopping Ambassador’s Talk. Important Customs information and shopping maps will be provided at the talk. Also, be sure to enjoy the Compass book located in your stateroom.

Photo Gallery:  Your Image Creators are located at your Photo Gallery and are pleased to present for you many rich and varied photographs capturing your cruise. We welcome you to consult with your Image Creators for all your photographic needs. We offer a fully digital service bringing you the latest in high quality, photographic products such as Joe Craig Black Label Art Photography, an exclusive portrait service for Holland America Line’s guests that redefines cruise photography — sittings are limited so please book early.

Art Auctions:  Picture yourself in a friendly bidding war for an unusual etching or winning a free work of art just for attending! Experience the thrill of bidding on great works of art including fine art, animation, and sports memorabilia. Registration is free and there is no obligation to bid. Complimentary champagne will be served at the auctions.

Casino:  A wonderful world of chance, skill and luck awaits you in our Casino. A gamut of games from sizzling slots with huge progressive jackpots to a parade of poker games is there for your enjoyment. Our friendly international staff will teach you how to play, entertain you in a tournament or patiently wait while you decide whether to hold or fold. The Casino is not open in port and certain restricted waters and you must be 18 or over to play.

Future Cruise Consultant:

Benefits of Booking On Board

The best time to book your next cruise is while cruising with Holland America Line. Book your next Holland America Line cruise while on board and receive Double Onboard Spending Credit up to US$500 per person, good for your next Holland America Line Cruise.

Future Cruise Deposit Program (FCD)

Unsure of your next cruise? You can still take advantage of this exclusive onboard offer without confirming a specific itinerary! Plus you will receive a reduced deposit and up to US$100 per person in Shipboard Credit with our Future Cruise Deposit program.

Limited time offer, Savings for Onboard Bookings Only

Book on board and you can reserve your next cruise at a reduced deposit of only US$100, US$300 or US$1,000 per person and receive a shipboard credit of up to US$500.00 per person. (If you choose to take advantage of Holland America’s cruise Cancellation Protection this payment will be due prior to the cancellation period.) No additional deposits will be due until final payment. The reduced deposit applies to sailings of 3 days or longer. Should you need to cancel your reservation, your reduced deposit will be applicable to another Holland America Line cruise within the next four years.

Please Note:  This offer is not applicable for Grand World Voyage, Grand Voyages or segments thereof. Please speak to the Future Cruise Consultant regarding other amenities for these voyages.

Book the Stateroom or Suite You Want

When you book on board, you have a much better opportunity of receiving the stateroom or suite that best suits your traveling style; this includes preferred accommodations on our most popular and unique itineraries. That’s because your Future Cruise Consultant has immediate access to Holland America Line’s reservation system and can view all availabilities on all sailings.

The time to reserve your desired stateroom, suite and dining preference is now. Your booking will be credited to, and finalized by, your preferred travel advisor.

We appreciate the relationship you have with your travel advisor and want to assure you they will be credited for bookings made onboard, just let us know. In addition, Holland America Line will honor any pricing or amenities that your travel advisor extends in addition to your onboard offers. To book, or for more information, simply visit your Future Cruise Consultant.

Guests can also enjoy fresh pastries and their favorite espresso drink provided by Torrefazione Italia. Additional highlights include: Internet stations, travel-related crossword puzzles and large jigsaw puzzle tables.

Religious Services:  In order to serve the spiritual needs of our guests, we provide the following services. Times and locations can be found listed in Navigator and the When & Where program.

• Catholic:  Mass is held daily.
• Interdenominational:  Each Sunday an interdenominational service is led by the congregation. A minister is on board during Grand Voyages and Legendary Voyages.
• Jewish:  A Sabbath Eve service is held each week. Anyone wishing to volunteer to lead this service should contact Guest Services. A rabbi is on board during Grand Voyages and Legendary Voyages.

Religious services may not be able to be held on embarkation/disembarkation day. Please contact Guest Services for more details.

Stateroom:  Your stateroom is furnished with a ship-to-shore telephone which enables you to easily call anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day (inquire with Guest Services for the latest pricing).

No-host mini-bars can be found in every stateroom onboard  Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam  and  Zuiderdam  and in the verandah stateroom category and higher for all other ships. Holland America Line does not recommend storing medication in any mini-bar. Please contact the ship’s Medical Center for any medication requiring refrigeration.

You’ll also find ample closet space, a safe in which to store your valuables and important documents, and a flat-screen television for viewing movies and onboard features. (BBC World News, ESPN, Fox News and MSNBC are available, subject to satellite transmission.)

Laundry:  For your comfort and convenience we offer full laundry and dry cleaning service on each ship in the Holland America Line fleet. In your stateroom you will find laundry bags and price lists conveniently located in your closet.

Please Note:  For safety reasons, travel irons, and electric water heaters/kettles may not be used in your stateroom.

Shipboard Meals

In addition to breakfast, lunch and a multi-course dinner, you can enjoy afternoon tea, hearty salads, comfort classics, global cuisine, an ice cream bar, hot hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hours, and the traditional late-night snack. Try the Dive In, located on the Lido Deck, featuring hamburgers and hot dogs. Complimentary In-Room Dining is available 24 hours a day. Casual dining is available in the Lido Market every night. Adjacent the Lido Market area, Canaletto restaurant serves classic Italian cuisine with tableside service for dinners. Luxury dining options in the Pinnacle Grill and Rudi's Sel De Mer, featuring the highest quality meat and fish, is available on all ships. Reservations may be made on board by contacting the restaurant manager. There is a nominal restaurant charge for the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Nami Sushi and Tamarind (available on  Eurodam,   Nieuw Amsterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and the upcoming  Rotterdam ). Dining venues vary by ship.

Medical Facilities & Services

Each Holland America Line ship has an onboard Medical Center staffed by licensed physicians and critical care nurses. While not a full-service hospital, the Medical Center is well equipped to handle most emergencies, as well as routine medical procedures.

A customary fee will be charged for services and medications dispensed. Motion sickness medications are available for purchase onboard. If you become ill or injured during the voyage and your diagnostic and/or care requirements exceed the capabilities of the Medical Center, you will be transferred to medical facilities ashore. Please note that Medicare and many health insurance plans DO NOT cover the cost of medical care at sea, in foreign countries, or for air evacuation. For this reason, guests are encouraged to obtain travel medical insurance prior to travel.

If you have a chronic medical condition, please bring a recent report from your physician. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care, unless you are hospitalized in the Medical Center. You must be able to care for yourself. If you are unable to function independently with respect to eating, dressing or attending the ship’s safety briefings, you must bring a caregiver with you. Due to the limited medical facilities on board, we will not accept reservations for infants 6 months or younger for non- Transocean sailings, 12 months or younger for Transocean sailings at time cruise commences or women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant at the time their cruise with Holland America Line concludes. If you are pregnant, please provide a medical note from your physician stating the expected due date and confirming your medical fitness to travel.

Keep medication close at hand in your purse or in a carry-on bag In the event of unexpected travel delays and emergencies, please bring additional prescription medication for at least 2 weeks beyond the length of your travel itinerary along with a list of the prescription names, dosage amounts and times taken for all medications, because it may not be available on board or in the ports of call.

In addition to twice daily routine doctor’s hours, medical services are available 24 hours a day. Please dial 911 in an emergency. Unless otherwise posted, the Medical Center hours are as follows:

• Port Day: 8:00am - 10:00am | 4:30pm - 6:30pm
• Sea Day: 9:00am - 12:00nn | 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Embarkation/Disembarkation Day: 8:00am - 9:00am | 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Infants & Pregnancy:  Because of the limited medical facilities, infants 6 months or younger at the time the cruise commences and women who will be 24 or more weeks pregnant during the course of their travel are not permitted to participate in the cruise. If you are pregnant, please provide a medical note from your physician stating your expected due date and medical fitness to travel. 

Travel Well®:  International travelers can take a number of simple steps to avoid potential health problems before and during travel while preserving their health and wellness during travel. In order to Travel Well®, international travelers should contact their physicians, local health departments, or a travel medicine clinic at least six to eight weeks before departure to receive current health information on the countries they plan to visit, to obtain vaccinations and preventative medications as indicated, and to address any other special needs. Washing hands frequently with soap and water will greatly reduce the risk of contracting illness and infections while traveling. In the absence of running water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to protect your health. This is especially important before and after meals, or whenever you are in contact with common surfaces (e.g. railings, buttons, door handles, countertops, faucets, etc.), after handling money and pens, and after using the restroom. Travelers’ diarrhea (TD) is the most common illness to affect travelers. Each year between 20%–50% of international travelers (an estimated 10 million people) develop diarrhea. The onset of TD usually occurs within the first week of travel but may occur at any time even after returning home. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to plan ahead and pack some anti-diarrheal medication with your other medications.

There are high-risk destinations such as developing countries of Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where chlorinated tap water is not available or where hygiene and sanitation are poor. Travelers should be cautioned that only the following may be safe to drink: hot brewed beverages, such as tea and coffee, made with boiled water; or canned or bottled beverages, including water, carbonated mineral water and soft drinks. Other consumables of concern may include ice made from local water, fresh uncooked salad greens or raw vegetables and sliced fruit that have been washed in local water, as well as dairy products such as milk, cream or ice cream products that have not been pasteurized.

Uncompromizing Commitment to Safety

We have a great responsibility to safeguard the well-being of people and the oceans we sail upon. Ongoing training and adherence to rigorous standards are vital to preserving and protecting our guests, our employees and the environment.

Safety:  For 140 years, the safety and security of our guests has been our highest priority. Every decision we make starts with that basic rule. Safety begins with the design of our ships.

Then we hire the right people, make sure they receive ongoing training, conduct drills and exercises to practice that training, and perform regular audits and inspections of our operations. We work within a comprehensive regulatory system in which multiple governmental authorities oversee every safety aspect of our operations. For more information about our safety and security procedures when you board the ship, see the “From the Captain” booklet in your stateroom.

Environment:  When it comes to protecting the environment in which we sail, our commitment is second to none. We ask that you refrain from pouring or discarding anything overboard, and that you dispose of solid waste in the appropriate containers indicated on board. We ask that you take the same simple efforts to conserve water and energy as you would at home, and that you refrain from introducing foreign objects or liquids to the toilets.

Together we can make a tremendous difference!

Safety Essentials

Upon embarkation, please make sure you watch the Safety Video on your stateroom/suite TV. The videos can be seen on the stateroom TV guest channel for 24 hours after departure. In addition to watching the Safety Video, please read the Safety information located on the back of your stateroom/suite door. It provides information on what to do in case of an emergency, as well as the routes to your Muster Station. We strongly suggest you take the opportunity to visit your Muster Station and familiarize yourself with the route. It also shows you how to correctly put on your lifejacket. Please practice wearing your life jacket. Special life jackets are available for children and infants. If these have not yet been provided, please ask your Stateroom Steward.

Smoking Policy

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking.  No smoking of any kind will be permitted on any stateroom verandah. Designated Smoking Areas

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam

• Sea View Bar area
• Oak Room ( Noordam  only, including cigar and pipe smoking)

Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam

• Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players only and only when outside of 12NM from the Netherlands

Volendam, Zaandam

• Sports Deck, outside Crow's Nest

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed. Electronic cigarettes are not permitted in staterooms or in other public areas of the ship other than designated smoking areas. Any guest who smokes inside staterooms or on verandahs in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation and will risk being removed from the ship for repeated violations. Holland America Line reserves the right at any time to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible.

Communication at Sea

Telephone: At some point in your travels you may experience an emergency. With this in mind, the following emergency phone numbers are available for your use. Representatives are on hand to assist you in any way they can, including assistance with travel delays and contacting loved ones. During our regular business hours, please call: 1-800-426-0327. Representatives are available from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Pacific Time). Outside of these hours and during holidays, please call 1-800-628-4771 or 1-206-626-7382*. *This number is for emergency use only; please do not call unless you are experiencing an emergency of a critical nature. Additionally, you can call the ship directly from the shore. We recommend that you use this for the most critical emergencies only: Connecting to a Holland America Line vessel at sea is simple by using  Ship Dial Service . A credit card is required for all inbound phone calls to a ship. The rate is US$7.95 per minute and billing begins at the time specified. Please have the ship’s name, your party’s name and stateroom number before you call. Instructions:

• Dial 1-800-993-5483 (US). From outside the U.S. access 1-321- 837-6106.
• Listen to the announcement
• Listen to the menu and select the number that corresponds to the ship you are calling.
• If you receive a busy signal or message, please hang up quickly and try your call again.

Email and Internet: Guests can send and receive electronic mail (email) in real time via satellite link 24 hours a day (satellite conditions permitting). Internet is accessible from the comfort of workstations on board or from a personal laptop. If you use a personal email provider, make sure to bring your user id and password and email recipient addresses with you. Holland America Line Connect: Stay in touch with family and friends via satellite internet through Holland America Line Connect. Simply register through Holland America Line Navigator™, select “Paid Internet” and choose between a Voyage and a Daily plan. (Voyage plans cover your entire cruise and are available at a discounted rate. If you purchased a Daily plan and would like to upgrade to a Voyage plan, just return to Paid Internet and make your selection.). Want to read your email, catch up on the latest news and check your finances? Purchase a Surf plan, part of the Have It All fare. To use messaging and basic video apps, such as YouTube, Skype and Vimeo, choose the Premium plan. To stream from your content streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime, Max and others, choose the Stream plan. Please contact Ship Services for further information. Mail: While onboard a Grand Voyage or Legendary Voyage, letters and postcards may be mailed from the ship while in various ports of call. Guests may buy stamps in port or purchase them from the Guest Services by charging their shipboard account. All mail is subject to local postal office procedures and rates in the port mailed. Mail is provided to the Port one hour before sailing. Mobile Phones: Holland America Line, through an agreement with Wireless Maritime Service, proudly offers an advanced roaming network onboard all Holland America ships allowing you to make and receive calls, send and receive text messages and access emails and surf the web while at sea using your own mobile phone and telephone number. The Wireless Maritime Service system is available for use when the ship is in international waters. When user’s phones pick the shipboard signal, their phone will usually display “cellularatsea”, “Ship Roam” or “901-18”. Depending on the handset and the carrier the user may be required to select “Roam” on the handset. For frequently asked questions about cell phone service on board, please go to www.wmsatsea.com. For questions about your service or about billing, please contact your home network customer service. AT&T Mobile Packages: Guests with AT&T service may choose from a selection of packages offering discounted rates for international calls, texts and data while on board. Choose from options for calling only, calling and messaging or calling, messaging and data. For complete details on plans and full terms and conditions, please visit www.att.com/cruiseships. To add a package, call 1-800-335-4685 or 1-916-843-4685 (A free call from AT&T wireless phone, including while onboard the ship).

Shipboard Account

All onboard purchases and services are charged to your account by using your stateroom keycard. Cash is not accepted for individual transactions, e.g. bars, the shops, spa, shore excursions. Cash is accepted in our casinos.

Registering a credit or debit card(s) (Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, and Discover®) as part of your pre-cruise check-in process activates your keycard. The day you board, Holland America Line places an initial hold on your credit or debit card for $30 per person per cruise day  Once you’ve spent the initial hold amount, we will authorize your card for the total of your onboard purchases to date plus an additional $30 per person per day for the remainder of your cruise. Please note that there may be multiple authorizations throughout your cruise, and that some banks may keep the hold in place for up to 30 days.

If you do not want to use a credit or debit card, on the day of boarding, you will need to visit Guest Services and deposit $30 cash per person per cruise day. Any excess deposit will be refunded to you at the end of the cruise. Traveler’s checks may be cashed at Guest Services. Personal checks are not accepted on board.

You may bring a pre-paid Gift/Rewards Card to pay for your onboard charges. Please bring the prepaid Gift card (with the Visa/Mastercard/American Express and Discover logo) to Guest Services for processing and do not register it online. The card can only be settled for the amount of the pre-paid Gift Card. We cannot process refunds on these cards.

At the end of your cruise, you will be able to retrieve a final statement from Navigator, and your card will be charged only for the actual amount of your purchases. Refunds for purchases of onboard products and services will be credited to your onboard account whether purchased prior to or during your cruise. The final amount billed may take up to 24-hours following disembarkation. For questions about how long the hold remains in effect or how your available credit is affected, please contact your card issuer.

Applies to all guests 18 years of age and over.

Please Note:  There is not an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) available on board.

Currency Exchange

For your convenience, foreign currency exchange services are available at Guest Services. The U.S. dollar is the only currency accepted on board Holland America Line ships. We will accept U.S. traveler’s checks. In most ports of call, you may easily exchange U.S. dollars into the local currency. Banks, airports and major hotels often offer this service. In many countries, you can also use your ATM card to obtain local currency. Most locations will accept major credit cards, and some will accept U.S. dollars. If you choose to use U.S. dollars, Holland America Line recommends that you carry smaller denominations such as ones, fives, tens and twenties.

Cash Advance:  Cash advances are available at the Guest Services. All cash advances are subject to restrictions. A 3% service fee will be added to your onboard account for all cash advances.

Is There A Crew Appreciation Charge (Gratuity/Tip)?

Crew Appreciation is a daily (adjustable) amount added to your onboard account and pooled in order to recognize the many team members throughout our fleet who contribute to the guest experience. For all sailings departing prior to February 14, 2024 as well as the 2024 Grand World Voyage and the 2024 Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage, the daily Crew Appreciation is $16.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $17.50* per guest per day for suite guests. For sailings departing on or after February 14, 2024, the daily Crew Appreciation is $17.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $19.00* per guest per day for suite guests. The Crew Appreciation charge is paid to Holland America Line team members and represents an important part of their compensation. An 18% service charge is automatically applied to all beverage purchases, bar retail items, specialty restaurant cover charges, all for-purchase a la carte menu items, and all Spa & Salon services. Local sales taxes are applied where required.

*The charges are subject to change without notice.

Luggage Services

For your convenience Holland America Line has partnered with two luggage transport services for your convenience. Luggage Direct and Luggage Forward® two different services offering a variety of services with the sole purpose of easing your travel! By taking the handling of your luggage out of the equation you will proceed much quicker through the check-in process and save a considerable amount of time.

1.  Luggage Forward:  Luggage Forward is a worldwide door-to- door service allowing you to have your bags picked up at your home and delivered to your stateroom. Upon disembarkation, your bags are delivered directly back home.

Luggage Forward offers:

• International service
• Ability to bypass unpredictable checked baggage fees
• No risk of airlines losing luggage
• Full money back plus $500 on-time guarantee

Book online at  luggageforward.com/hollandamerica   or call Luggage Forward directly. From the U.S. dial 1-877-466-2247, from the UK dial +44-2033-754769 or +1-617-482-1100 if calling from any other location.

2.  Luggage Direct: Luggage Direct offers you the opportunity to receive your airline boarding passes and check your luggage in to your flight while still onboard your Holland America Line ship. Our TSA-approved partners will take your luggage directly from the ship and deliver it to your outbound aircraft. You will claim your luggage when you arrive at your final airport destination.

If you want to make your trip home even easier, sign up for Bags VIP luggage delivery and eliminate having to deal with your luggage completely. (See section for Bags VIP Luggage Delivery below for details.)

Luggage Direct offers:

• Ability to enjoy your final hours in port at your leisure without having to stand in line at the airport.
• Avoid lines at disembarkation as you are invited to be the first to disembark
• No need to locate your luggage or wait for a porters assistance in the terminal
• Avoid lines at the airport – with boarding pass in hand and no luggage to check you can proceed directly to Security.
• Fort Lauderdale

For more information, or to sign up go to  maketraveleasier.com/Holland   or call 1-877-847-0045 to speak to one of our customer service representatives.

Please note the following general information about Luggage Direct:

• Cost is US$25.00 per person (subject to change)
• Airline-assessed baggage fees will be applied to guest’s onboard account when applicable as per your airlines rules.
• Guests may check no more than 3 pieces of luggage per person.
• Upgrade requests, seat assignment changes, and flight changes cannot be accommodated onboard.

Restrictions for each homeport city include participating airlines, earliest and latest flight times, and citizenship requirements.

Disembarkation

Disembarkation procedures.

In order to coordinate transfers and luggage handling with post- cruise arrangements, a disembarkation form will be distributed to guests for whom we have no disembarkation information or guests for whom we have no flight schedule. Please fill out the form and return it to the Guest Services as soon as possible.

We will provide disembarkation information shortly before the end of your cruise, which will outline important procedures regarding customs formalities, luggage handling, travel arrangements, disembarkation and other information.

Please Note:  For those without pre-arrangements we recommend purchasing a transfer onboard before disembarking. In many ports taxi lines can be long and distances to private transportation can be lengthy.

On the last night of your cruise you will need to place your baggage outside your stateroom before you retire. Please do not place your baggage over the emergency floor lighting. Please make sure that the appropriate baggage tags are affixed to your baggage, because the tags include your departing flight information.

As previously mentioned in the BAGGAGE POLICIES & PACKING ADVICE section,  you should not place valuables in your tagged luggage . Holland America Line recommends that each guest keep all personal identification, electronic airline tickets, customs forms, medications and other important items along with the clothes and shoes he or she intends to wear the last day.  Place them in a carry-on bag or keep them with you so you can access them easily. Please remember that important items such as perishables, cash, credit or debit cards, jewelry, gold, silver or similar valuables, securities, financial instruments, records or other valuable or business documents, laptop computers, cellular telephones, cameras, or other video or electronic equipment, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, scooters, binoculars, film, videotape, computer disks, audio disks, tapes or CDs should not be placed in the baggage you placed outside your stateroom. Also, you will need your ship card when you disembark. You should have it available at the gangway when disembarking so please  DO NOT  pack it in your tagged luggage.

On the morning of disembarkation, guests with no credit card payment need to settle their onboard account on the morning of disembarkation. Promotional credits are nonrefundable. Cash deposits can be made on the last day of the cruise.

The ship’s estimated arrival time at the port of disembarkation is shown on your cruise itinerary. Generally, the ship is subject to certain government procedural requirements upon arrival. Once completed, all guests will be allowed to disembark.

Disembarkation is usually completed within two to four hours after the ship’s arrival. All guests are required to disembark the ship at this time. Outbound flights should be scheduled with plenty of time for transfers from the ship to the airport. The amount of time you allow to transfer from the ship to the airport will depend on the disembarkation port.

Please Note:  Please read the LUGGAGE DIRECT SERVICE section, for more detailed information. The Luggage Direct Service is the most relaxing and hassle free disembarkation Holland America Line offers.

Still have questions? Visit our  Frequently Asked Questions .

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What is a Closed Loop Cruise?

The process of going on a cruise brings along with it a wide variety of different implications that many people don’t think about. When you go on a cruise, you are typically doing so through various types of international waters worldwide. As a result, the United States Customs and Border Patrol will treat the voyage the same way you would if you traveled internationally by plane, for example – and you will have to go through the same process.

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What is a Closed-Loop Cruise?

A very specific type of cruise, however, is a “closed-loop voyage.” It has several benefits that frequent travelers and cruise fans want to know about. As the name suggests, a closed-loop voyage or cruise begins and ends in the United States. As a result, the process is much more straightforward if you are traveling internationally via cruise ship and are staying in one place for a long period.

Closed Loop Cruise Orginates and Ends in the US

The official definition of a closed-loop voyage originates and ends in the United States. However, it can visit contiguous territories or islands that are adjacent to the continental US at any time.

However, it’s important to note that for a cruise to be “closed-loop,” it must begin and end in the same port. Leaving the East Coast and returning to the West would not meet those requirements.

Related: Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico? [2023]

Do You Need a Passport for a Closed Loop Cruise?

Are you planning a closed-loop cruise and wondering whether or not you need a passport? The answer to that depends on a few factors. Generally, you do not need a passport if you are a US citizen and the cruise departs and returns to the same US port.

However, if the cruise stops at foreign ports, you may need a passport to enter those countries. Additionally, some cruise lines may require a passport as a form of identification for boarding, even if it is not technically needed for the itinerary. It’s always best to check with your cruise line and the countries you visit to confirm their passport requirements.

Contiguous Territories: What is the Contiguous Rule?

To understand the significance of closed-loop voyages. You must first understand exactly what contiguous territories and adjacent islands are. There is a special rule called the contiguous territory exception that applies to travel between the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.

This allows individuals to enter and exit the U.S. without needing to get a new visa stamp. These countries share a physical land boundary with the United States – in the case of the US, the two contiguous territories would be Mexico to the south and Canada to the north.

What are the Adjacent Islands to the United States?

The definition of adjacent islands is much broader and features various locations. Adjacent islands include the British Virgin Islands, Cuba, the Cayman Islands , Haiti, Trinidad, Tobago , Jamaica , Miquelon,  and more.

Any islands that border the Caribbean Sea are called adjacent islands by the US Customs and Border Patrol.

Do Closed Loop Voyages Impact Electronic Travel Authorization?

Electronic Travel Authorization , also called ESTA, is a process that a person must go through to make sure that they are eligible to travel to their destination under the Visa Waiver Program in the United States.

The authorization does not determine who enters the US. Instead, it determines whether a person can travel from the U.S. through various means to their destination of choice.

One of the major benefits of closed-loop voyages is that the US Customs and Border Patrol has determined that. So, as long as the cruise in question meets all of the requirements and definitions of a closed-loop, Electronic Travel Authorization is not necessary for any passenger on board.

A large part of this decision came about due to the fact that these cruises begin and end in the continental US.

Related Read: Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?

In conclusion, a closed-loop cruise provides a fantastic opportunity to explore the Caribbean or other areas near U.S. shores without dealing with visas and passports. There are so many unique places to discover and experience when stepping on board a closed-loop cruise vessel.

With so many options available, there’s something for everyone onboard these unique vessels. There is no better way to experience cruising than aboard a closed-loop cruise.

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Requirements And Information

• Required Documentation
• Domestic Airline Travel ID Requirements for US Citizens
• Cruising and/or flying through Canada
• Visa Requirements

Travel Documentation Resources

Age requirements for travel, travel sanctions and regulations, required travel documentation and information for cruise holidays, required travel documentation.

Carefully read the documentation that each guest must present at the pier prior to boarding. Travel to some destinations may require special visas and travel authorizations before the cruise. If travelling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different visa or travel requirements, whilst we attempt to provide you with most up to date information below, we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be travelling to throughout your journey to familiarise yourself with their requirements. Please visit Norwegian Cruise Line global visa support centre for additional visa requirements for your cruise by clicking here .

For vaccination requirement details, please visit Sail Safe .

For country specific requirements, please visit Cruise Travel Requirements by Country .

Travel Visa Requirements

Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with VisaCentral to provide our guests with comprehensive, accurate information regarding travel visas. Some of VisaCentral’s guest travel services include visa application kits and assistance with obtaining other visas where required. Visit the Global Visa Support Centre on the VisaCentral ( http://visacentral.com/Norwegian-cruise-line-splash?login=103407 ) page for assistance with visa applications.

United States Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) - for Citizens of Visa Waiver Programme Countries (VWP) Entering the United States Per the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) requirements, all VWP travellers must obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States. This can be done by completing the online application on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. However, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel. Passport holders from the below countries with biometric passports are eligible to participate in the US Visa Waiver Programme: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom All passport holders from the above countries must be able to present a valid ESTA or US Visa before boarding a cruise that starts, visits, or ends in the United States. Any person unable to do so will be denied boarding.

Schengen Visas - for Entry to the European Union for Applicable Nationalities The Schengen Agreement (effective March 26, 1995) is an agreement between several member states of the European Union (EU) to remove immigration controls for travel within their collective territories. This creates a "borderless" region known as the Schengen Area , which changes the procedures for entering, connecting or travelling between any of the Schengen States. Click here for more information.

There are four types of Schengen visas; Type C is the one typically needed by passengers, which can be issued by any one of the Schengen states and is valid for all the others. Due to the type of itineraries in Europe, The Schengen Agreement maintains that certain nationalities require a visa to enter the EU zone. Guests who are not US, Canadian, or European nationals are strongly encouraged to contact the nearest EU-member country embassy to determine if a Schengen visa is necessary.

Some European itineraries require a Multiple Entry Schengen visa because the ship leaves and re-enters the Schengen Zone.

Asia, Australia and South America Itineraries For sailings that visit Asia, Australia, and South America, a specific visa may be required for entry. Some must be obtained in advance; some can be obtained onboard; some will be handled by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Please visit Visa Central for support with obtaining these required visas.

Visas must be obtained in advance of departure if your cruise is visiting any of the destinations listed below.

Visas for the following countries will be obtained for U.S. and Canadian passport holders with the help of the cruise line while you are onboard. Costs may be associated with the processing of arrival visas. Any fees related to securing these visas will be charged to your onboard account."

• Cuba ( click here for more info)

Contact VisaCentral for more information or for assistance with obtaining any visas that are required in advance of your cruise.

Visa Requirements for American Samoa

All guests of any nationality are welcome to go ashore whilst in transit in American Samoa ports, there are no visa requirements before or during the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Angola

In transit guests visiting as a port of call do not require a visa before or during the cruise.

Passport holders from the below listed countries between the ages of 9 months and 60 years are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate , without it guests will be detained onboard.

Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Congo Republic, Cote d’ Ivory, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French-Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Venezuela

Visa Requirements for Argentina

Passport holders from the below listed countries do not require a visa for Argentina. Passport holders from all other countries not mentioned below will require a visa prior to the cruise issued by an Argentinean embassy or consulate. Guests without a valid visa will be denied boarding on embarkation day. It is not an option to remain onboard in Argentinean ports without a visa.

Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia Republic, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mónaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Perú, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts And Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa (Ex Samoa Occidental), Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia Rep., Somalía, South Sudan, Sudan Rep., Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, and Vatican City

The below nationalities may be eligible for AVE Electronic Travel Authorisation if they meet certain requirements:

Albania, Angola, Antigua And Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, China, Dem. Rep. Congo, Congo, Rep. Pop., Côte D`Ivoire (Costa De Marfil), Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Rep, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall, Islands, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Níger, Oman, Palau, Papúa New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Saint Vincent And The Grenadines, Salomon Islands, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Republic Serbia, Seychelles, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, and Zambia.

If the above nationals do not have a valid AVE Electronic Travel Authorisation they will require a visa issued by an Argentinean embassy or consulate prior to the cruise or be denied boarding on embarkation day.

Under the MERCOSUR agreement the following nationalities may travel with a Cedula or National ID that is valid and in good condition:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Visa Requirements for Australia

Anyone who does not carry a passport from Australia or New Zealand must have an Australian visa to go on any cruise that calls to an Australian port or they cannot sail.

Passport holders from the following countries are eligible to apply for the ETA via the app on their own. Third parties, like Visa Central cannot assist with the app set up as it has to be done on the mobile phone the applicant takes with them on the trip.

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Vatican City.

The Australia Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is only available via an APP on your mobile device. This was introduced by the Government of Australia following the pandemic. The APP can be found in Apple APP store, ANDROID, or where you normally find APPS for your device. Here are some instructions on the APP for Australia ETA:

• Once you download the app be sure to have your passport with you when you start the eVisa application process.
• The App requires that the physical passport is scanned. The Passport Chip and Info Page scan line is read in real-time.
• In addition to providing a scan of passport you will need to take a photo and answer a series of questions.
• Cost is $20 paid on the APP. Fee is set by Australia government and subject to change
• APP validity is typically multi entry, one-year validity with stay of up to 3 months. Please note, visa validity is always at the discretion of the Consulate.

All other nationalities not mentioned above must apply for a visitor visa that can be applied for using this link https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/visit

• The cost for the visa is up to AUD150
• The stay is granted for up to 12 months

Visa Requirements for Bahrain

Visa requirements for bermuda.

Based on Bermuda's immigration regulations, some passengers may require a visa to visit the country. Effective March 1st, 2014, guests who require a visa for Bermuda may enter Bermuda visa-free as long as they have a valid multiple-entry U.S. visa or U.S. Residence Card.

Learn More About Visas

Visa Requirements for Brazil

*Starting April 10th, 2024, passport holders from Australia, Canada, Japan, and United States will require an eVisa to enter Brazil. The eVisa must be obtained in advance and will take up to 5 working days to process. The application process is done online and can be found on this website https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/ .

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Brazil from an embassy or consulate before the cruise:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Australia*, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada*, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands, Côte 'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan*, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States*, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Under the MERCOSUR agreement the following nationalities may travel with a Cedula or National ID that is valid and in good condition on sailings that remain in South America:

Visa Requirements for Brunei Darussalam

All foreign passengers must hold a passport with remaining validity of at least 6 months as of the date of entry.

All passengers are required to fill out and submit an Electronic Arrival Declaration Form for Brunei before embarking on any cruise that visits Brunei Darussalam.

Brunei Electronic Declaration (imm.gov.bn)

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to go ashore in Brunei:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Laos, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, The Principality of Liechtenstein, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

Passport holders from the below countries will be charged $20 per person for a Brunei visa upon arrival into ports in Brunei Darussalam. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already possess a Brunei visa. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard. The cost of the visa will not be waived for guests who remain onboard.

Australia, Bahrain, China, Kuwait, Qatar, Taiwan

Passport holders from all other counties must have a visa for Brunei from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Cambodia

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to visit Cambodia:

Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

Passport holders from the below countries will be charged $30 per person for a Cambodian visa upon arrival into Cambodian ports. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already possess a Cambodian visa. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard. The cost of the visa will not be waived for guests who remain onboard in Cambodian ports.

Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Dem Rep of Congo, Rep of Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Passport holders from the below countries and any countries not mentioned above require a visa from a Cambodian embassy or consulate.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan

Please note that electronic visas "e-visas" obtained online are only valid to enter Cambodia by air or land. These visas cannot be used to enter Cambodia by sea onboard cruise ships.

Visa Requirements for Canada

Click here for more information on Cruising and/or flying through Canada.

Visa Requirements for Cape Verde

Visa requirements for chile.

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Chile before the cruise. To apply for a Chilean visa please visit https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/Solicitudes/visa.aspx . Guests without a visa for Chile will be denied boarding on embarkation day. It is not an option to remain onboard whilst the ship is in Chilean ports:

Afghanistan, Angola, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, China, Comoros Islands, Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, East Timor, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mozambique, Myanmar, Morocco, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papa New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Visa Requirements for Colombia

Passports are required for all sailings that visit Cartagena as a port of call.

Canadian passport holders that embark or disembark in Cartagena will be charged a fee of CAD $85 by local immigration authorities. This fee does not apply to in transit guests visiting as a port of call.

Visa Requirements for Dominican Republic

Guests that are in transit and visiting Dominican Republic as a port of call only, do not require a visa to go ashore.

The following requirements are for guests that are embarking the ship in La Romana, Dominican Republic only.

• All foreign and Dominican passengers entering or leaving Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the free electronic entry and exit form, which combines the Traveller's Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration, and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms. The form is available in different languages and can be accessed through the following link: https://eticket.migracion.gob.do . It must be complete up to 72 hours before the flight. This form is not required for transit guests.
• Passport holders from the below countries are required to pay for a tourist card at the port of embarkation at La Romana under the following circumstances. If a guest flies into the Dominican Republic, and is in the country for over 24 hours when they board the ship, they will have to purchase a tourist card from authorities at the cruise terminal. The cost is $20 USD or 20 Euros which has to be paid in cash. They only accept these two currencies. If a guest is disembarking in La Romana and remaining in the Dominican Republic for more than 24 hours, they need to purchase a tourist card from authorities in the cruise terminal for $10 USD or 10 Euros cash. They only accept these two currencies. American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba*, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadalupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Hawaii, Ireland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Marshall Islands, Salomon Islands, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauricio, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau Island, Panama, Papa New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, San Marino, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Scotland, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Thailand, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, United Arab Emirates, US Virgin Islands, Vatican City, Vanuatu, Venezuela.
• Passport holders from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Peru, Uruguay do not require a visa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.
• Passport holders from Cuba and Haiti must be a valid United States Green Card holder to be eligible for the tourist card. Without a valid Green Card, those nationalities will require a visa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.
• Passport holders from all other nationalities not mentioned in the above categories, will require a visa to enter Dominican Republic from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Ecuador

All foreign passengers must hold a passport with remaining validity of at least 6 months as of the date of departure.

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Ecuador from an embassy or consulate before embarking a cruise visiting Ecuador.

Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, , Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Kenia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Chad, Republic of Congo, Republic of Guinea Bissau, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

Passport holders from all other counties may visit Ecuador as port of call without a visa.

Visa Requirements for Egypt

Israeli passport holders require a visa for Egypt before the cruise.

No other nationalities require a visa to visit Egyptian ports by sea on a cruise ship. Some nationalities, such as Canadians, require a visa to fly to Egypt, but do not require a visa if entering Egypt by sea.

Visa Requirements for Faroe Islands

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Faroe Islands from an embassy or consulate before the cruise. Visas on arrival are not available, therefore any guest who does not have a valid visa before the cruise will be detained onboard whilst the ship is in Faroe Islands' ports. Please note Schengen visa is not sufficient for entry into Faroe Islands. Entry requires a visa specifically for Faroe Islands if the nationality is on the visa-required list below.

Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina*, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia*, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova*, Mongolia, Montenegro*, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia*, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan (citizens with a passport issued which contains an identity card number are exempt from the visa requirement), Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine*, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

*Only biometric passport holders are exempt from the visa requirement.

Visa Requirements for Falkland Islands

In transit guests visiting as a port of call do not require a visa for Falkland Islands before or during the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Fiji

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for Fiji:

Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Germany, Micronesia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Vatican, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Marshall Islands, Romania, Russia, Samoa, Serbia, Slovakia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom & Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Passport holders from all other nationalities not mentioned above are eligible to apply for a visa on arrival. The visa cost is $99 and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already posses a visa for Fiji. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard. The cost of the visa will not be waived for guests who remain onboard in Fiji ports.

Visa Requirements for French Polynesia

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to go ashore in French Polynesia ports. Passport holders from all other countries not listed below will require a visa for French Polynesia prior to the cruise.

Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Cyprus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, St. Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Marteen, St. Vincent and the grenadines, Salomon Islands, Western Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timon, Tonga, Tuvalu, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam

Visa Requirements for Gambia

Passport holders not mentioned in the below category will require a visa on arrival to go ashore in Gambia. Guests will be charged $150 USD per person for the visa. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already possess a Gambia visa. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard. The cost of the visa will not be waived for guests who remain onboard in Gambia ports.

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to go ashore in ports in Gambia:

Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.

Visa Requirements for Greenland

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Greenland from an embassy or consulate before the cruise. Visas on arrival are not available, therefore any guest who does not have a valid visa before the cruise will be detained onboard whilst the ship is in Greenland ports. Please note Schengen visa is not sufficient for entry into Greenland. Entry requires a visa specifically for Greenland if the nationality is on the visa-required list below.

Visa requirements for Guadeloupe

Passport holders from the following countries will require a visa to go ashore in Guadeloupe: Algeria, China, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Montenegro, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine.

These restricted nationalities must hold a resident card from a European country, a Schengen visa issued by French authorities or a valid visa from the United States. Guests without a visa will be detained onboard and unable to go ashore whilst the ship is in Guadeloupe.

Passport holders from all other nationalities not mentioned above do not require a visa to cruise.

Visa Requirements for Ireland

Passport holders from the below listed countries do not require a visa to go ashore in Irish ports. Passport holders from all other countries not mentioned below will require a visa prior to the cruise issued by an Irish embassy or consulate. Guests without a valid visa will be denied boarding on embarkation day. It is not an option to remain onboard in Irish ports without a visa. A Schengen visa or United Kingdom visa is not valid for travel to Ireland.

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City

Certain nationalities may be eligible for the visa waiver programme if they meet certain requirements, these include the following nationalities Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Montenegro, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, India, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Visa Requirements for Israel

Passport holders from the following countries will require a visa from an Israeli embassy or consulate before the cruise:

Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bahrain, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros Island, Congo, Cook Island, Cuba, Djibouti, Dubai, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirghizstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Laos, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Samoa, St. Thomas, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra ¬¬Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for Israel before or during the cruise:

Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antilles, Argentina, Austria, St. Kitts & Nevis, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Falkland, Finland, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Lesotho, Macau, Macedonia, Malta, Malawi, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname, Taiwan, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City.

Passport holders from the following countries are restricted from entering Israel. Guests from these countries are not allowed to go ashore and must remain onboard whilst the ship is in Israeli ports:

Aden, Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen.

Nationalities not mentioned in the above categories above must obtain a visa from an Israeli Embassy or Consulate prior to their cruise. Guests who do not possess the Israel visa must remain onboard in Israeli ports.

Visa Requirements for India

Anyone who does not hold a passport from India requires a visa to visit Indian ports. The visa can be an embassy-issued visa sticker or an electronic visa. Both types of visas must be obtained in advance, prior to the beginning of the cruise. Anyone who requires an Indian visa and is unable to present one at check in on embarkation day will be denied boarding. The e-Tourist Visa can be arranged online, please refer to this website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html to submit the application.

Visa Requirements for Indonesia

Passport holders from the below countries do not require a visa to visit Indonesia:

Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam

Passport holders from the below countries require an e-voa or an Electronic Visa upon Arrival for Indonesia. This visa is mandatory and can be applied for here starting 60 days prior to entry into Indonesia. This visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard and must be applied for and received prior to sailing. E-VOA must be printed to be considered valid.

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, and Vatican

Passport holders of the following countries require an Indonesian visa from an Indonesian embassy or consulate prior to sailing. Anyone who requires a visa for Indonesia and does not have one will be denied boarding on embarkation day.

Afghanistan, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen

Passport holders from all countries not listed above require an Indonesian E-visa arranged online at the below website or through an Indonesian embassy or consulate prior to sailing. Anyone who requires a visa for Indonesia and does not have one will be denied boarding on embarkation day. E-Visa must be printed to be considered valid.

https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/

Visa Requirements for Ivory Coast

In transit guests do not require a visa to go ashore before or during the cruise.

Guests over the age of 9 months and of any nationality are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate , without it guests will be denied boarding. A medical waiver will be accepted in lieu of the yellow fever vaccine.

Visa Requirements for Japan

Please refer to this website for the most updated visa policies to visit Japan by cruise ship. Anyone who requires a Japanese visa and is unable to present one at check in on embarkation day will be denied boarding. This visa cannot be arranged onboard the ship. It must be done through a Japanese embassy or consulate prior to sailing.

Click Here for More Information

Visa Requirements for Jordan

All guests of any nationality are welcome to go ashore whilst in transit in Jordan ports, there are no visa requirements before or during the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Kenya

Passport holders from the below countries will be charged $55 USD per person for a Mombasa visa upon arrival into ports in Kenya:

Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil. Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Egypt, El Salvador, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Guyana, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malagasy, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldovia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palau Pacific Isles, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, United kingdom, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

All guests of any nationality are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate , without it guests will be detained onboard. A medical waiver will be accepted in lieu of the yellow fever vaccine.

Visa Requirements for Madagascar

A visa is not required to visit Madagascar by cruise; this applies to all nationalities.

Visa Requirements for Malaysia

Israeli passport holders are prohibited from entering Malaysia and must remain onboard in all Malaysian ports.

All passengers are required to fill out and submit an Online Arrival Card for Malaysia before entering Malaysia by plane or ship starting 3 days prior to entry. Passengers should submit this form at the below website before embarkation where applicable: Malaysia Online Arrival Card (imigresen-online.imi.gov)

Passport holders from the below listed countries require a visa to embark or debark in Malaysia:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo Republic, Cote D'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, India, Liberia, Mali, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Western Sahara

Passport holders from the below listed countries and guests who have visited or passed through the below countries are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate in order to be given clearance to go ashore in Malaysian ports, without it guests will be detained onboard:

Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Colombia, Cameroon, Central Afrika Republic, Chad, Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Suriname, Somalia, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela, Zambia, Zaire, United Republic Of Tanzania

Visa Requirements for Martinique

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Martinique before the cruise. A valid Schengen visa, United States visa or a Canadian visa is accepted to go ashore in Martinique. Any guest without the visa is required to remain onboard whilst the ship is in Martinique ports.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Belarus, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Bhutan, Brunei, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia*, Madagascar, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldovia*, Mongolia, Montenegro*, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Papua-New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Serbia*, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine*, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

* Only biometric passport holders are exempt from the visa requirement.

Visa Requirements for Mauritius

If you are booked on a cruise that starts or ends in Mauritius, please read carefully the following visa requirements for your entry to Mauritius.

Passport holders from the below countries require a visa for Mauritius before the cruise from an embassy or consulate:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Laos, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian State, Saharawi Republic, Somalia, Yemen.

Passport holders from the below countries will require a visa for Mauritius. If you are booked on a cruise that begins in Mauritius, this visa can be obtained at the airport. If you are booked on a cruise that ends in Mauritius, this visa is eligible to purchase on arrival for $80 USD per person. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already possess a Mauritius visa.

Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Palau, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.

All other nationalities not mentioned in the above categories do not require a visa before or during the cruise.

Visa requirements for Morocco

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to go ashore in ports in Morocco:

Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgari, Burkina-Faso, Cote D’lvoire, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Mali, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Niger, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Portugal, Netherlands, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, St. Marteen, Senegal, Singapore, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of America.

Passport holders from countries not mentioned above will require a visa for Morocco from an embassy or consulate before the cruise. Guests without the visa must remain onboard whilst the ship is in Moroccan ports.

Visa Requirements for Mozambique

Passport holders from Canada, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Israel, United States of America, Russia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Netherland, United Kingdom, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Finland, Indonesia, Ireland, Singapore, Ghana, Senegal, German, France, Italy, China, Portugal and Ukraine will be charged $30 USD for the arrival visa.

All other passport holders from nationalities not mentioned above will be charged $90 USD for the arrival visa.

Visa Requirements for Namibia

Passport validity of 6 months is strictly enforced.

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to go ashore in ports in Namibia:

Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Finland France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

All other nationalities not mentioned above require a visa for Namibia before the cruise from an embassy or consulate. Guests without a visa may remain onboard with no penalty.

Passport holders from the below listed countries and guests who have visited or passed through the below countries are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate, without it guests will be detained onboard.

Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Congo Republic, Cote d’ Ivory, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French-Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Venezuela.

Visa Requirements for New Caledonia

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for New Caledonia:

Albania*, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia*, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominique Islands, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, France, Germany, Georgia*, Great Britain, Greece, Grenade, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova*, Monaco, Montenegro*, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Marianne Islands, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Salvador, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles Islands, Singapore, Solomon Island, South Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St. Christophe & Nieves, St. Marteen, Vatican City, St. Vincent, St. Lucie, Switzerland, Sweden, Timor Eastern, Tonga Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu Islands, Ukraine*, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu Islands, Venezuela. *Only holders of biometric passports do not require a visa

Passport holders from all nationalities not listed above require a visa for New Caledonia issued either, by a French embassy or a Schengen Visa issued by a French embassy, before the cruise. Guests without a valid visa will be detained onboard whilst the ship is in ports in New Caledonia.

Visa Requirements for New Zealand

All passengers debarking in New Zealand are required to download the New Zealand Travel Declaration App "NZTD" and fill out the privacy policy before embarkation. 24 hours before departing the last port before entering New Zealand, all guests will be required to fill out and submit the full travel declaration form on the "NZTD" app. Any guests unable to access the app may use the below website to fill out the and submit the New Zealand Travel Declaration.

New Zealand Travel Declaration Website

The government of New Zealand has recently launched an electronic visa called the NZeTA that will be required for all guests not holding New Zealand or Australian passports to obtain prior to their cruise.

The NZeTA visa will be available for purchase via New Zealand's immigration website, or their mobile app, called NZeTA. Guests will also have to pay what is called the International Visitor Conservation And Tourism Levy (IVL) which is done at the same time as the visa application.

NZeTA visa will cost 9 NZD if purchased via the mobile app, and will cost 12 NZD if purchased via the website. The IVL will cost 35 NZD, and price remains the same whether purchased through the mobile app or website. Therefore, total cost will be either 44 NZD or 47 NZD per person to get both the NZeTA and IVL.

WHO NEEDS THE NZeTA VISA?

All guests who do not hold passports from New Zealand or Australia require the NZeTA visa to enter New Zealand by sea (for cruises that start and end in Sydney).  Australian permanent residents who do not hold Australian passports also require the NZeTA.  All nationalities are eligible to enter New Zealand by sea on a ship with the NZeTA.  However, only the visa waiver countries can obtain an NZeTA visa to enter New Zealand by air (for cruises that start in Auckland). Guests from all nationalities that are not part of the visa waiver programme (except for New Zealand and Australian passport holders) must get a visitor visa to enter New Zealand by air.  This is a separate visa that is also obtained online.

All guests MUST have the NZeTA or visitor visa in order to take any cruise that visits New Zealand ports. It is not an option to detain a guest onboard in New Zealand ports if they do not have the required visa. For cruises that begin in Sydney, we will check for the NZeTA confirmation email from every guest at check in so please print or have the confirmation email available on your phone. Anyone who has not yet applied can do so at the pier, but will not be boarded if they do not receive approval before the ship sails.

Click here to view countries and territories that are visa waiver countries.

HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THE VISA:

It is recommended that everyone applies for the NZeTA at least 72 hours prior to travel, as it can take up to 72 hours for the visa to be approved for certain individuals. 

Guests who are flying into New Zealand (for cruises beginning in Auckland) who are not from visa waiver countries, must get a New Zealand visitor visa prior to travel. This visitor visa is now obtained online by all nationalities, and it takes an average of 14 working days to be processed. The visitor visa can also be used to enter New Zealand by sea, so if a guest already has a visitor visa and is entering New Zealand by sea, it is not necessary for them to also get an NZeTA.

More information on the NZeTA can be found at www.immigration.govt.nz/nzeta .

Visa Requirements for Nicaragua

Guests from the following countries require a visa to go ashore in Nicaraguan ports. If a guest does not have a visa, immigration in Nicaragua may allow the guest to go ashore if they purchase a visa for $64 USD. It is not guaranteed that the option will be given for guests to purchase a visa upon arrival to Nicaragua.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, China, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Yemen

Guests from the following countries must have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate in order to go ashore in Nicaraguan ports, unless they are permanent residents of another country, not mentioned below.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, and all African countries except Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia and Tanzania.

Visa Requirements for Norway

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to enter Norway. All other nationalities not mentioned below are required to hold a valid Schengen visa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise:

Albania (applies to holders of biometric passports), Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda (BDTC passports), Bosnia and Herzegovina (applies to holders of biometric passports), Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia (applies to holders of biometric passports), Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Korea (Republic of), Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro (applies to holders of biometric passport), Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia (applies to holders of biometric passports), Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, the Seychelles, Serbia (applies to holders of biometric passport), Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine (applies to holders of biometric passport), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States, and Venezuela

Do I Need a Visa for Norway? - UDI

Visa Requirements for Oman

Guests of all nationalities except for Israel will receive a visa upon arrival to Oman arranged by the shipboard team. If the ship is in Oman for only one day, the visa is free of charge. If the ship is in Oman for 48 hours or more, the visa cost is $29 per person, which will be charged automatically to all guests' onboard accounts. The visa cost will not be waived for guests who choose to remain onboard in Oman.

Visa Requirements for Peru

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for Peru:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cook Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, France, Germany, Granada, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Holly See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malta, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nauru, Niue, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Salomon Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Tongo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, and Vanuatu

Passport holders from all other counties must have a visa for Peru from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Philippines

All passengers are required to fill out and submit an Electronic Travel Declaration Form before entering the Philippines by Plane or Ship starting 6 days prior to entry into the Philippines. Passengers should submit this form at the below website before embarkation where applicable.

eTravel - Philippine One-Stop Electronic Travel Declaration System

Passport holders from the below countries do not require a visa to visit the Philippines.

Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d' Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (ROK), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Indian nationals with a valid Australian, Japanese, American, Canadian, Schengen, Singaporean or UK visa or permanent residence permit and Chinese nationals from mainland China with valid Australian, Japanese, Canadian, Schengen or US visa do not require a visa to visit the Philippines.

Passport holders from all countries not mentioned above require a visa obtained from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Qatar

Passport holders from the below countries will receive a visa on arrival. For guests arriving by ship, the cost for visa on arrival is $75 USD per person:

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Guyana, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Macau, Macedonia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Turkey, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela.

For all other nationalities not mentioned above a visa will be required for Qatar, please visit https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/practical-info/visas/visa-details for more information on how to apply for a visa.

Visa Requirements for Reunion Island

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa to visit Reunion Island before or during the cruise. All other nationalities not mentioned below will require a visa before the cruise from an embassy or consulate. Any guest without a visa for Reunion Island will be detained onboard:

Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Brunei, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenade, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, St. Kitts and Nevis, Vatican, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marina, Seychelles, South Africa, East Timor, Taiwan*, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Ukraine, United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu.

Passport holders from China and India are eligible for a visa voucher in lieu of a visa provided by an approved travel agency only. The visa voucher must be valid for the duration of the stay in Reunion Island. Please find the list of approved travel agencies attached.

Visa Requirements for Samoa

All guests of any nationality are welcome to go ashore in ports in Samoa, there are no visa requirements before or during the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Sao Tome

Passport holders from the below countries do not require a visa to go ashore in Sao Tome ports:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States.

All other nationalities not mentioned above will require a visa upon arrival, the cost of the visa is $50 USD per person. The ship will process the visa on your behalf and charge your onboard account.

Guests of any nationality over the age of 9 years old are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate , without it guests will be detained onboard. A medical waiver will be accepted in lieu of the yellow fever vaccine.

Visa Requirements for Saudi Arabia

If you are booked on a cruise that visits Saudi Arabia as port of call, please read carefully the following visa requirements to go ashore. Passport validity of 6 months is strictly enforced.

Passport holders from Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen and Syrian nationals are prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia and must remain onboard whilst the ship is in Saudi Arabian ports. These passport holders are not eligible to apply for e-visa or visa on arrival.

Passport holders from all nationalities not mentioned in the above category are required to apply for e-visa. Eligible guests must apply for the e-visa online before the cruise using this website https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/Account/LoginIndividuals . E-visa transit by sea, starts at just USD $25 and payment is taken online whilst completing your application. For comprehensive visa application guidelines, please refer to the attached document:

Passport holders from the following countries are eligible to purchase a visa on arrival at a cost of $128 USD per person. Guests holding a valid and used US, Schengen, or UK visas are eligible for a visa on arrival. We encourage all eligible guests to apply for the e-visa instead because the cost for the visa on arrival is significantly more expensive.

Australia, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for Saudi Arabia before or during the cruise:

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Guests without the visa may remain onboard with no penalty.

Visa Requirements for Senegal

Passport holders from the below countries will require a visa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise to go ashore. Guests without the visa must remain onboard.

Afghanistan, Albania, Antigua & Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bhutan, Chile, China, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Georgia, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Maldives, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sao Tome & Principe, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, Southern Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

Passport holders from the following countries will receive a visa on arrival at no cost to go ashore.

Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Gabon, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lesotho, Libya, Lichtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Switzerland, Suriname, Swaziland, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Passport holders from the following countries will not require a visa before or during the cruise to go ashore.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Canada, Cape-Verde, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Germany, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liberia, Malta, Mali, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Togo, Tunisia, United States of America, United Kingdom.

Passport holders not mentioned in the above categories will require a visa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

The yellow fever vaccine is no longer mandatory but it is recommended by the local health authorities to go ashore.

Visa Requirements for Seychelles

A visa is not required to visit Seychelles by cruise. This applies to all nationalities.

Visa Requirements for Singapore

All passengers are required to fill out and submit an Electronic Arrival Card before entering Singapore by Plane or Ship starting 3 days prior to entry. Passengers should submit this form at the below website before embarkation where applicable. ICA | SG Arrival Card

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa for Singapore from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Passport holders from China, Hong Kong, India, and Taiwan may be eligible to enter Singapore without a visa if they meet both the below conditions:

Have a valid onward air/ferry/cruise ticket departing Singapore within 96 hours.

Have a valid visa or long-term pass issued by Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or United States of America.

Passport holders from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Georgia, Turkmenistan and Ukraine may be eligible to enter Singapore visa free if they have a valid onward air ticket departing within 96 hours of entry. This only applies if departing Singapore by air, if departing Singapore by land or sea a visa from an embassy or consulate must be obtained before the cruise.

Passport holders from all nationalities not mentioned above do not require a visa to go to Singapore.

ICA | Check if You Need an Entry Visa

Visa Requirements for South Africa

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for South Africa issued from an embassy or consulate prior to the cruise. Passport holders not mentioned below will require a visa for South Africa from an embassy or consulate before the cruise. Any guest who requires a South African visa and does not have one will be denied boarding on embarkation day.

Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados. Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guyana, Henderson, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Qatar, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Passport holders from the below listed countries and guests who have visited or passed through the below countries are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate, without it guests will be denied boarding.

Visa Requirements for South Korea

Passport holders from the below countries may be eligible for the K-ETA Electronic Travel Authorisation programme if they meet certain requirements. The below nationalities must have a K-ETA or South Korean visa issued from an embassy or consulate before the cruise if embarking or disembarking in South Korea.

Albania, Andorra, Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia*, Austria*, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium*, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada*, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark*, Dominica, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland*, France*, Germany*, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong*, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy*, Jamaica, Japan*, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao*, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands*, New Caledonia, New Zealand*, Nicaragua, Norway*, Oman, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland*, Portugal, Qatar, Republic Of Serbia, Romania, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore*, Slovak, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain*, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Surinam, Sweden*, Switzerland, Taiwan*, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, U.A.E, United Kingdom*, United States*, Uruguay, and Venezuela

Passport holders from all other counties must have a visa for South Korea from an embassy or consulate before the cruise.

*South Korea has provided the below 22 countries with a temporary exemption from the K-ETA from April 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024.

Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States

Official Notice of K-ETA Exemption

Visa Requirements for Sri Lanka

All passengers are required to obtain an electronic ETA visa prior to arrival to Sri Lanka. This visa is free of charge and must be obtained online at least 48 hours in advance. Anyone who does not obtain the ETA visa in advance must remain onboard in Sri Lankan ports. This visa must be obtained using this link http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ and click on “Transit ETA” to complete application.

Visa Requirements for Taiwan

Please refer to this website for a list of countries that do not require a visa for Taiwan.

Passport holders from Hong Kong, Macau, UK overseas must obtain a Taiwan Entry & Exit permit. There are different documents required depending on the place of birth and/or residence.

Chinese (People’s Republic of China) Passport holder must obtain Taiwan Entry & Exit Permit before boarding cruise, on-line entry permit is not available.

The below documents are required to enter Taiwan:

• PRC Passport with validity at least 6 months after enter Taiwan
• PRC Travel pass to Taiwan
• Entry & Exit Permit Taiwan Republic of China

Passport holders from the following countries are eligible for an eVisa when they meet relevant criteria, by accessing this link eVisa Application (boca.gov.tw) :

Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Kiribati, Kuwait, Mauritius, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

All other nationalities not mentioned above require a visa before the cruise from an embassy or consulate, anyone without a visa for Taiwan will be denied boarding.

Visa Requirements for Tanzania

Passport holders from many countries will require an e-visa to go ashore in Tanzania. Guests must apply for the e-visa prior to embarkation. There is a 10 day approval process on the e-visa, approvals may be granted whilst on the ship in transit to Tanzania. Please visit https://immigration.go.tz/index.php/immigration-services/visa-information to apply for the e-visa online.

All guests of any nationality are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate , without it guests will be detained onboard. A medical waiver will be accepted in lieu of the yellow fever vaccine. A 10-day inoculation period is required for the vaccine to be valid.

Visa Requirements for Thailand

Passport holders from the following countries do not require a visa for Thailand:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA, Vietnam

Passports holders from the following countries can purchase a Thai visa on arrival onboard the ship for $80 USD per person. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests onboard the ship who do not already possess a Thai visa. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard. The cost of the visa will not be waived for guests who remain onboard in Thai ports.

Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu

Passport holders from all nationalities not listed in one of the above categories require a Thai visa issued by a Thai embassy or consulate prior to the cruise. Any guest who requires a Thai visa and does not have one will be denied boarding on embarkation day. Applications for Thai VISA can be done online or in person at the Thai embassy or consulate in the country of departure of the applicant.

Visa Requirements for Turkey

If you are booked on a cruise that starts or ends in Turkey, please read carefully the following visa requirements for your entry to Turkey. Passport validity of six months is strictly enforced.

Passport holders from the following countries are eligible to apply for an e-visa that must be applied for online before the cruise using this website https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ :

Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Canada, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Oman, St. Lucia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Zambia.

Passport holders from the following countries require a visa before the cruise from an embassy or consulate:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kiribati, Republic of Congo, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Palau Republic, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zaire, Zimbabwe.

Passport holders that are visa free and do not require a visa for Turkey before or during the cruise:

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom*, United States, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican, Venezuela.

For cruises that visit Turkey as a port of call, a visa is not required for any nationality. However, passport validity of 6 months is strictly enforced. Any guest whose passport will expire in less than six months must remain onboard in Turkish ports.

Visa Requirements for United Arab Emirates

Passport holders from the following countries will receive a visa upon arrival to the United Arab Emirates free of charge. Passport holders from all nationalities not listed below require a UAE visa before the cruise. Please visit https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/ for more information on how to apply for a visa. Any guest who requires a UAE visa and does not have one will be denied boarding on embarkation day.

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexican, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Russia, Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City.

Visa Requirements for United Kingdom

Passport holders from the below listed countries require a visa to go ashore in United kingdom ports. Guests from these countries that do not hold a United Kingdom Visa on embarkation day will be denied boarding. This visa must be arranged prior to your cruise through an embassy or consulate. A Schengen Visa or Irish Visa is not valid for travel to United Kingdom.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Zaire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome e Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkeminstan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Visa Requirements for Uruguay

All guests of any nationality are welcome to go ashore whilst in transit in Uruguay ports, there are no visa requirements before or during the cruise.

Visa Requirements for Vanuatu

Passport holders from the below listed countries do not a require a visa to go ashore in Vanuatu ports. Passport holders from all other countries not listed below will require a visa for Vanuatu prior to the cruise.

Argentina, Australia, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Botswana, Belize, Brazil, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cuba, China, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominica, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, India, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Namibia, Nigeria, Nauru, new Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Pakistan, Palau, Papa New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tanzania, Uruguay, Uganda, United States, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Vatican City, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Visa Requirements for Vietnam

Passport holders from the below listed countries do not require a visa for Vietnam. Passport holders from all other countries require a visa to go ashore in ports in Vietnam. The visa on arrival will be arranged by the onboard team. Guests will be charged $50 USD per person. This visa is mandatory and will be charged to the onboard account for all guests on the ship with the exception of the below passport holders. The visa is required for both guests who go ashore and guests who choose to remain onboard. The cost of the visa will not be waived for guests who remain onboard in Vietnamese ports.

Belarus, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and UK

Birth Certificates To obtain an original or state certified copy of a birth certificate, you can contact your hospital of birth or the Vital Statistics Department of the County where you were born.

Passports For more information on obtaining a passport, please visit the U.S. Passports & International Travel website, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative , or VisaCentral .

Government-issued Photo I.D.’s You can usually obtain a state-issued photo I.D. from your local driver's license/Division of Motor Vehicles office. Contact your local office or visit your state's DMV website for more information and instructions. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to access their list of State Departments of Motor Vehicles.-->

Electronic Travel Authorisation Per the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) requirements, all VWP travellers must obtain an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States. This can be done by completing the online application on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. However, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel. In most cases you will receive a response within seconds. Potential responses include:

• Authorisation Approved
• Travel Not Authorised : Travellers must obtain a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before travelling to the U.S.
• Authorisation Pending : Travellers should check the ESTA website for updates and final response.

An approved travel authorisation will be:

• Required for all VWP travellers prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States under the VWP.
• Valid unless revoked, for up to two (2) years or until the traveller's passport expires, whichever comes first;
• Valid for multiple entries but not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry.

Norwegian Cruise Line guests can contact VisaCentral for visa inquires or assistance with the visa application process. Norwegian Cruise Line guests receive discounted VisaCentral service fees. Be sure to access the VisaCentral website at http://visacentral.com/Norwegian-cruise-line-splash?login=103407 or calling (844) 834-5702 and reference account 75006 when calling to receive the discounted rates.

Note: These terms are effective at the time of boarding.

Travelling with Infants:

• At least six (6) months of age on the day of boarding
• At least twelve (12) months of age on the day of boarding if your cruise has 3 or more consecutive days at sea.

Travelling with Minors and Young Adults: Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy dictates that a minor or young adult must be accompanied in the same stateroom (or connecting stateroom) by a passenger 21 years of age or older at the time of boarding.

• Minors – an individual under the age of 18 on the day of embarkation/boarding.
• Young Adult – an individual between the ages of 18 and 20.

Note: Two people under the age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom if they are a married couple and provide proof of marriage to a Norwegian Cruise Line representative at the pier prior to boarding.

Travelling with Minors Unaccompanied by Parent or Legal Guardian*:

For passengers under the age of 18 travelling with an accompanying adult, who is not the minor's parent or legal guardian, a Parent/Guardian Consent Form that authorises the minor's travel and further authorises medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to a Norwegian representative at the pier during check-in. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied. Both living parents/legal guardians must sign and complete this form and attach a copy of his/her driver's license or other government issued identification. Minors of the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may be listed on the same form:

• Download and Complete the  Parental Consent Release form  (PDF)

Minors or the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may be listed on the same form

• Copy of both parents/legal guardians Driver’s License or other Government Issued ID

Adoptive parents, legal guardians or persons separated or divorced are advised to keep legal and other relevant documents available in order to clarify custody rights.

*If travelling to Canada, you’ll need the following document in addition to items #1 and 2 (Alaska, Pacific Coastal, and Canada/New England Itineraries):

Canadian entry requirements stipulate that a child under the age of 18 travelling alone, or with person(s) other than both parents , should be in possession of a letter (preferably notarised) from the parents or legal guardian containing:

• Authorisation for the child to travel with another person and to be outside the country;
• The name and a 24-hour contact telephone number of the parents or guardian;
• The destination and length of stay in Canada.

OFAC Sanctions/Regulations Please be advised that the United States Department of the Treasury through the Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') has issued a series of sanctions against these countries, certain nationals, and certain entities. These sanctions limit the ability of cruise lines to conduct business with these countries, their citizens, and any other entities designated by OFAC.

Sanctioned Countries are as follows: CRIMEA REGION OF UKRAINE, THE SO-CALLED “DONETSK PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF UKRAINE,” THE SO-CALLED “LUHANSK PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF UKRAINE,” CUBA, NORTH KOREA (DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA), SYRIA, OR IRAN.

High-Risk Countries are as follows: VENEZUELA, RUSSIA, OR BELARUS.

Accordingly, it is Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy that if you are a citizen or resident of one of these sanctioned or high-risk countries, Norwegian Cruise Line is entitled to cancel your booking and refuse boarding unless you can satisfy the following conditions:

• Proof of citizenship in a non-sanctioned country; OR
• Proof of residency** in a non-sanctioned country; AND
• Evidence that you are funding the cruise, including all onboard charges by providing a credit card from a bank associated with a non-sanctioned country and a non-sanctioned financial institution.

** This must be in the form of a valid passport, temporary or permanent resident card, or national ID card including personal information and photography. Russian passport holders may also present a valid US visa. Documentation, such as a rental agreement, showing address, will not be sufficient. Venezuelan passport holders are only required to provide a method of payment from a non-sanctioned country and a non-sanctioned financial institution.

You must be able to satisfy the above criteria to sail on board a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. Please note that Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right to cancel your booking and refuse boarding if there are any changes to the laws and regulations or other circumstances such that completing the booking would cause Norwegian Cruise Line to be in noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST

Travel Documents & Visas

It is the sole responsibility of the Guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents for the entire cruise vacation and have them available when necessary. Please check with your travel agent, government agency, Embassy or Consulate to ensure that you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries on your cruise. Guests without proper traveling documentation will be denied boarding. Travel restrictions for each destination country may vary according to a Guest's citizenship. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

IMPORTANT FOR USA CITIZENS, U.S. RESIDENTS AND CANADIAN CITIZENS

International and Transatlantic Sailings to or from the USA:

For all nationalities, passports are required with at least 6 months validity along with relevant visas (if applicable).

Domestic Cruises Only for United States Citizens:

U.S. Citizens need either a valid passport, Passport Card, or Proof of US Citizenship (in the form of an original or certified copy of a US birth Certificate* or an original naturalization certificate) along with an original, valid, unexpired, government issued photo ID**

Please more detailed travel requirements below

Domestic Cruises Only for United States Citizens, U.S. Residents and Canadian Citizens:

U.S. Citizens sailing on cruises departing and returning to the same U.S. port will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship such as a passport, US birth certificate or US naturalization certificate, along with a valid, un-expired government issued ID. Traveling with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the cruise ends, is preferred. This travel document will provide the best embarkation and disembarkation experience, while also providing guests the ability to travel by air to or from the United States, if needed.

We recommend contacting your travel agent or department agency for detailed travel documentation requirements. Without the proper documentation, you may be denied boarding and no refund will be issued. MSC Cruises USA is not responsible for advising guests of documentation required for travel.

As required by Customs Border Patrol (CBP), please note that U.S. and Canadian Citizens sailing on ANY Caribbean Sailings within the Western Hemisphere can travel with any of the below mentioned Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) complaint documents.

Adult U.S. Citizens (16 years and over):

• Required for itineraries visiting Martinique or Bermuda, include air travel to Canada or begin and end in different U.S. Ports
• American Passport Card
• Original or Certified Copy of Birth Certificate* along with a valid, unexpired, government issued photo ID**
• Original Certificate of Naturalization along with a valid, unexpired, government issued photo ID (copies will not be accepted)

Adult Canadian Citizens (16 years and over): 

• Valid Canadian Passport

US Permanent Residents:

• Valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Additionally, a passport from your home country is strongly recommended.

US and Canadian Citizen Children (under 16 years):

• Government Issued Birth Certificate*
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

* Baptismal papers and hospital birth certificates are not acceptable. Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010 are not acceptable

**Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.

We look forward to welcoming you on board MSC Cruises!

VISITING QATAR IMPORTANT TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

Important information for guests visiting sokhna (egypt).

The Port of Sokhna serves as the gateway to Cairo. Please, note that as a commercial port, local regulations prohibit cruise guests from walking independently within the port premises. As no taxis are available within the port area, you will only be able to disembark if you purchase a shore excursion. MSC Cruises offers a wide range of excursions from Sokhna that will take you to Cairo and other exciting destinations in the area. You can book your excursions on our website to secure a seat in your favorite tour while saving up to 20%. In case you choose to book an excursion with a third-party operator, we kindly ask you to ensure that they have obtained the necessary permit from local authorities to access the port. Without this permit, they will not be able to enter the port premises.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CRUISES CALLING IN THE UK

• Please note Guests must present  only valid passport with at least residual validity 3 months  at their arrival in the UK.
• EU ID Card is not accepted , even in case willing to remain on board during the call in the UK.
• Please check before embarking on Northern Europe cruises any visa requirements for UK.

IMPORTANT NOTE : Starting from 15th November 2023, Qatar Nationals must apply for an UK ETA. Starting from 22th Februrary 2024 also Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and Jordan Nationals must apply for the UK ETA visiting the webstite: https://www.etauk.uk/

For all the other nationalities further information will be following.

SAUDI ARABIA TRANSIT E-VISA APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please click here  for instructions on how to submit a request for the Transit e-visa by Sea

Important :   the  https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/  website is in Arabic, to access the English version please click on the letter E in the top left-hand corner. 

PASSENGERS BOARDING US CRUISES WHO HAVE VISITED CUBA SINCE 12th JANUARY 2021 SPECIFICATION

Please select your cruise destination to verify all the required documents WINTER 2023-2024

Please select your cruise destination to verify all the required documents SUMMER 2024

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MSC Cruises

8 Beautiful Places Where You Can Go Without a Passport

R ight now, there are unprecedented delays with the State Department issuing new passports and passport renewals , due to a bottleneck after pandemic shutdowns. With 500,000 weekly applications now rolling in, there's a huge backlog for passports. And if you're one of the unlucky Americans anxiously waiting for the State Department to catch up, you may be wondering what places you can travel to without a passport.

If you don't have a passport altogether, you're also not alone. In 2022, according to the State Department, there were 151,814,305 valid U.S. passports in circulation, while the U.S. population was 333,287,557—meaning approximately 55 percent of Americans don't have a passport.

Luckily, there are many exciting places in the U.S. that you can check off your travel bucket list without a passport or visa. America is home to adorably quirky small towns , beautiful national parks, and even gorgeous beaches —all reachable without a passport. And there are even U.S. islands and some territories, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, where you can visit without a passport.

It can get confusing, however, as there are also other U.S. territories, like Guam, where you do need a passport to visit. You may also have concerns about whether to bring a passport when it comes to closed-loop cruises, especially ones that dock in other countries like Canada and Mexico. After all, bringing a passport when you don't need it makes for just one more important thing you have to worry about losing. 

To help make your trip planning as stress-free as possible, we spoke with travel agents and citizenship advisors to better understand where exactly U.S. citizens can travel without a passport—and why it's smart to travel with one in certain circumstances.

READ THIS NEXT: 5 Things You Should Never Bring on a Cruise, Experts Warn .

Why Don't I Need a Passport to Travel to Certain Areas?

If you're traveling within the U.S. and certain territories, you may not need a passport, says Tonya Waite , travel agent and founder of Belle Vie Travel .

"This encompasses the familiar 50 states and the U.S. territories including destinations like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands," Waite explains. Travel to these areas is considered domestic travel, similar to a flight from New York to Chicago.

As far as closed-loop cruises go (cruises that depart from the U.S. to Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, and Mexico that end at the same port), Ilisa Oman , a travel agent at One World Family Travel , assures travelers that they don't need proof of passport because of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) . For this type of travel, a state-issued driver's license or ID is typically fine.

However, there are exceptions. Keep reading for specific identification requirements related to certain areas.

Where Can I Go Without a Passport?

U.s. territories.

With its stunning white sand beaches, snorkeling, and Danish colonial architecture, St. Thomas is beloved a Caribbean island. As a U.S. citizen, you don't need a passport to visit U.S. Virgin Islands, but you do need one to visit the British Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as Global Residence Index founder Mark Damsgaard notes, so you only need to present a government-issued ID with your photo.

Tropical paradise St. Croix also has pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and championship golf courses. And it's also another one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, you're not required to bring a passport when traveling to and from the island, Damsgaard says.

The smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John boasts the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, which offers scuba diving, hiking, and prehistoric archaeological sites. Damsgaard notes that because St. John is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you don't need a passport in order to travel there.

Northern Mariana Islands

The same rules apply to the Northern Mariana Islands, which consist of 14 tropical islands, with sandy shores and blue waters, and offer activities like windsurfing, cavern dives, and jungle treks. "U.S. citizens can visit the remote islands of the Northern Mariana Islands without a passport, but you need to have a government-issued proof of identification with you," Damsgaard explains.

Puerto Rico

An unincorporated U.S. territory, this Caribbean island features its sandy beaches, mountains, waterfalls , and the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. If you're a U.S. citizen traveling from anywhere within the U.S., then you don't need a passport, Damsgaard says. However, by May 2025, the Real ID Act will be in effect, he adds, "so if your state isn't compliant with this Act, you will need a passport to visit Puerto Rico."

You do need a passport to visit the westernmost territory of the U.S. "In general, Guam requires U.S. citizens to have a valid passport when entering the island," Damsgaard says. "On a case-by-case basis, you might only be required to have a valid proof of identification or citizenship." However, it's better to travel with one, just in case. And it is well worth it to explore its white-sand beaches, the culture of the local Chamorro people, and unique stone structures.

American Samoa

An unincorporated U.S. territory, American Samoa includes seven volcanic islands in the South Pacific. "The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not exercise jurisdiction over the islands," Damsgaard explains. So, you still need to have a passport when traveling to its islands.

Closed-Loop Cruise Destinations

The Bahamas

With 16 islands, the Bahamas feature both white and pink sand beaches, blue-green waters and coral reefs, and golf courses—making it a popular cruise destination. According to Nassau Paradise Island, an island in the Bahamas, those arriving to the Bahamas on a cruise ship that departs from U.S. soil may be able to provide WHTI documents instead of a passport. But travelers should confirm that before setting sail. Also, be careful of making sure your passport won't expire within six months of your departure.

The Central American country is home to unparalleled natural wonders, including hot springs, tropical rainforests, and one of the most important nesting spots for sea turtles. For cruises stopping in Costa Rica, as long as the cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port, you don't need a passport to travel there, per CostaRicaCruises.com. You will, however, have to show proof of U.S. citizenship, which can be done with a government-issued ID with a photo or a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Turks and Caicos

An archipelago of 40 coral islands, Turks and Caicos is renowned for its gorgeous white sand beaches and luxury resorts. According to Travel Visa Pro, closed-loop cruise passengers can use WHTI documents in replace of a passport.

The British Virgin Islands

Part of a volcanic archipelago, the British Virgin Islands incorporates about 60 islands of varying sizes. If your cruise docks at the British Virgin Islands (BVIs), you will need to present a passport to enjoy the islands.

Cruises to Mexico highlight the country's tropical jungles, sandy shores, and ancient architecture. Similar to Costa Rica, you only need a government-issued ID with a photo or a certified copy of your birth certificate if traveling via a cruise ship that begins and ends on U.S. soil.

If you're headed to Canada on a cruise, you'll likely see beautiful natural scenery, charming shorelines, and world-class cities. The same identification requirements apply to closed-loop cruises that stop in Canada.

Within the U.S.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a tiny collection of islands nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, about 120 miles off the tip of the state of Florida. The tropical destination is a southern extension of the state of Florida and home to Key West, an ultra-popular vacation spot in the spring and summer. Despite being super close to the Caribbean, U.S. citizens don't need a passport to travel there.

Hawaii is the only U.S. state that is both an archipelago and located in the tropics. And you don't need a passport to visit it and take in its gorgeous beaches, Polynesian culture, or epic natural wonders. However, similar to Puerto Rico, the state of Hawaii will be instituting the Real ID Act in May 2025, so be sure to obtain your Real ID by then.

The northernwest U.S. state, Alaska—with its snowy terrain, extraordinary wildlife, and famed dog sled races—might seem a world away from the continental U.S. Alaska is home to the country's largest national park (13 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias) , highest peak ( 20,310-foot Denali) , and longest coastline, with 66,000 miles of Arctic and sub-Arctic shorelines.

But U.S. citizens only need a Real ID to travel to Alaska; a passport isn't required. The one caveat to this rule is if you're traveling to Alaska via Canada. Those driving to Alaska from Canada, taking a ferry, or with a layover in Canada, will need to bring a passport with them.

Can Americans go to Europe without a passport?

In short, the answer is no. Whether you're flying or setting sail, you will be prompted to show proof of passport identification upon arrival to a European border control officer. "Americans need a passport when traveling to Europe and the passport must be valid for at least three months prior to your departure from a European country," Damsgaard says.

For example, let's say you've had your passport for two months and three weeks. You will be allowed into the European country, but you will not be allowed back into the U.S. until you hit that three-month validation mark.

Should I bring my passport with me, even if I don't need to?

It's better safe than sorry, Damsgaard advises. "It's better to carry your passport with you even when your destination doesn't require it," he says out of caution.

Waite agrees, noting that traveling with a passport can serve as a valuable contingency plan. "Having a passport on hand can be highly beneficial in situations such as an unplanned layover in a foreign country or any unforeseen travel disruptions," she explains.

Can I use my birth certificate in place of a passport?

Very rarely does a birth certificate carry the same weight as a passport. "Your birth certificate isn't a substitute for a passport," Damsgaard warns. "You can only use it in place of a passport when you travel to other U.S. territories or closed-loop cruises, where you need a proof of identification and nationality."

That said, if you're traveling to an unfamiliar territory or are concerned about unplanned international affairs (like a flight change), Damsgaard highly recommends bringing a valid passport just to be safe. It's better to be prepared, especially if you're traveling solo or to a destination where you don't know anyone.

What happens if you travel without a passport?

Traveling domestically, including to U.S. territories, without a passport typically isn't an issue. It's traveling internationally without a passport when you start running into problems. If you travel without a passport to a country that requires proof of one, you likely will be denied entry, says Oman. Realistically, you probably won't even make it that far because security won't let you board the plane, or a ship if you're traveling by sea.

In terms of closed-loop cruises, you could get stranded in a foreign country, due to missing the ship or a medical emergency. In those cases, you will need to go to the nearest U.S. embassy and obtain an emergency passport to fly home. Oman warns that is an expensive and time-consuming process.

From Alaska's stunning arctic landscape to Puerto Rico's lush, tropical jungles and the pristine white sand beaches of St. Thomas, there are many beautiful and transportive places you can travel to without a passport as a U.S. citizen.

But while there are several places where you can go without one, it doesn't hurt to travel with a passport in the event of an emergency or unplanned travel disruption, such as a layover or flight cancellation. In any case, double check what identification documents are needed to enter the country you're visiting.