Feb 25. Cruising is back after a few years of rough seas, figuratively speaking. Cruise lines worked behind the scenes during the pandemic, planning for their return to the world’s waterways. New ships, creative amenities, engaging shore excursions, a wide range of itineraries, and meticulous health protocols are now attracting first-time cruisers as well as long-time cruise fans. From mega-ships to smaller expedition vessels, there’s a voyage for every type of traveler.
You can cruise to quite a few destinations without a passport, as long as you have proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID. A variety of documents are accepted as proof of citizenship, including a state-certified U.S. birth certificate. A complete list is provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and their recent publication also explains the requirements for taking a cruise without a passport. Note that enhanced driver’s licenses are issued in very few states at this time, so it’s important not to assume that yours qualifies as identification and proof of citizenship.
Places to Cruise Without a Passport:
- Alaska: The majority of closed-loop cruises to Alaska originate and return to Seattle
- Bahamas: Florida’s ports of Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral offer the majority of closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas.
- Mexico: Closed-loop cruises to Mexico depart from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Galveston.
- Bermuda: Located 570 miles east of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is a convenient cruise destination from the East Coast ports of New York City, Baltimore, Charleston, Boston, Port Canaveral, Miami, and Norfolk, Virginia.
- Hawaii: The Hawaiian islands are about 3,700 miles from the West Coast, so cruises from the mainland to Hawaii and back involve four or five days at sea in each direction.
- The Caribbean: Departure ports for closed-loop Caribbean cruises include Tampa, Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Baltimore, New Orleans, and New York City. Cruises also depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Canada and New England: Canada and New England are typically grouped together on itineraries that originate in Boston, New York City, and Cape Liberty, New Jersey.
Source: Travel + Leisure
