What sailings are considered Domestic?
Domestic sailings are all sailings originating and ending in ports located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, including Panama Canal sailings. Required travel documents for Domestic Sailings > Passport Requirements A valid passport is a requirement for air travel to/from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Valid passport (unless otherwise noted below) or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document will be accepted for entry or re-entry into the United States. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer's identity and citizenship in order to enter or reenter the United States.
What documents do I need when boarding a ship in the U.S. that travels out of the U.S?
U.S. Cruises, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) - Open Loop - OR U.S. Cruises that Begin and/or End in Canadian Ports
U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens that board a cruise ship at a port within the U.S., travel only within the Western Hemisphere and return to a different U.S. port on the same ship will require a valid Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License, or Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus, Sentri or Fast.
Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens that board a cruise ship at a port within the U.S., travel within the Western Hemisphere and return to a different U.S. port on the same ship will require a valid Passport, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus, Sentri, or Fast.
All Others
All other citizens that board a cruise ship at a port within the U.S., travel within the Western Hemisphere and return to a different U.S. port on the same ship will require a valid Passport or U.S. Alien Registration Card. U.S. Cruises, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) - Closed Loop
U.S. Citizens
Option 1: U.S. citizens that board a cruise ship at a port within the U.S., travel within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship will require a valid Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus, Sentri or Fast. Option 2: In the absence of any of the documents listed above, U.S. citizens will need to present BOTH an identification and citizenship document from each of the lists below in order to board the ship.
Identification Document
Government Issued photo identification card
Citizenship Documents
U.S. Government Issued Birth Certificate (original)
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (original)
U.S. Consular Birth Abroad Certificate (original)
Canadian Citizens
Canadian citizens that board a cruise ship at a port within the U.S., travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same port on the same ship will require a valid Passport, Enhanced Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Program Card such as Nexus, Sentri, or Fast.
All Others
All other citizens that board a cruise ship at a port in the U.S., travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship will require a valid Passport or U.S. Alien Registration Card.
Do I need to bring a passport when sailing domestically?
Passport Requirements
A valid passport is a requirement for air travel to/from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Valid passport (unless otherwise noted below) or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document will be accepted for entry or re-entry into the United States.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer's identity and citizenship in order to enter or reenter the United States.
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.
International Air Travel to a Domestic Sailing
Valid passports are required for all sailings and travellers, including children.
Guests sailing on itineraries with ports in the European Union (EU) only must possess passports that are valid for at least three (3) months following the return date.
For all other itineraries visiting ports outside the EU, passports must be valid for at least six (6) months following the return date.
Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends for extenuating or emergency circumstances will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them.
Canadian Landed Immigrants
All Canadian Landed Immigrants (inclusive of those who are citizens of the British Commonwealth countries) who reside in Canada must have valid passports and US visas. Also required is the original copy of your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), formally the IMM 1000, or with respect to any country on the itinerary any other travel documentation required because of alien status.
Sea Travel (for U.S. and Canadian citizens only)
For voyages that begin and end in the same U.S. Port, U.S. citizens may travel with both a Government-issued birth certificate** and Government-issued picture ID card, such as a driver's license.
**A 'birth certificate' is issued by a government agency (state, county, city, etc.). This document (with seal and signature) is legal proof of citizenship that can be used by U.S. citizens for certain international travel. A 'birth notice' is issued by a hospital or other type of medical facility but it is not an approved travel document. It is a courtesy document that merely indicates where a birth occurred. It has no legal status and cannot be used to prove citizenship for international travel purposes.
Sea Travel (Non U.S. Citizens)
You will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. If you live in the U.S., you will also need the original copy of your Alien Registration Card (ARC or ""Green Card"") and any other documentation the countries on your itinerary require due to your alien status.
Do I need to bring my green card when sailing domestically?
Alien Registration Card (Green Card)
U.S. lawful permanent residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (ARC) issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to United States.
Card renewal is an important matter. ARC holders (United States permanent residents) with expired cards may be considered ""out of status"" and may be denied entry/reentry into the United States. If your ARC was issued over 10 years ago, you should check the expiration date printed on the front of the card. If your card is expired, or it is about to expire, you should renew your card before you sail.
If you are holding an old edition ARC WITHOUT an expiration date, you will not be detained from entering the United States, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection highly suggests that you apply for a new card before you sail.
What Documents or Forms Do I Need for Domestic Sailings?
Visas
Please contact the Embassy (Consular Services) of each country on your sailing itinerary or the visa service of your choice for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality. The U.S. has a Visa Waiver Program (VPW) that This is a pre-travel authorization program for U.S. bound travelers from Visa Waiver Countries. This is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is mandatory, and all travelers, regardless of age, from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries will be required to complete an online application similar to the I-94W and obtain an ESTA approval prior to boarding a carrier by air or sea to the United States under the VWP. For complete details, please refer to the U.S Department of State website.
Guests who apply electronically will be required to present their ESTA authorization approval receipt in order to board the vessel on applicable voyages.
For countries currently listed on the U.S. Government website that are participating in the Visa Waiver Program, please visit the Guests who apply electronically will be required to present their ESTA authorization approval receipt in order to board the vessel on applicable voyages. For countries currently listed on the U.S. Government website that are participating in the Visa Waiver Program, please visit the U.S Department of State website.
Travelers from the VWP countries seeking to enter the United States will also be required to have in their possession a machine-readable passport.
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