Do I need a passport if my cruise stops in Canada?

Asked by: Kavon Hartmann  |  Last update: September 12, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (37 votes)

What's a passport card and should you get one? If you're traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, you can bring a U.S. passport card instead of a passport book. However, a passport card does not work for air travel into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.

Can I get off a cruise in Canada without a passport?

You Need a Passport for Cruises To and From Foreign Ports

If you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, including Canada, you will always need your passport for the cruise (in some cases a passport card will suffice).

Can you get off cruise ship without passport?

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.

Do you need a passport to go to Victoria BC on a cruise?

over a year ago. Yes, since you are crossing into another country, you will need a passport both to enter Canada and re-enter the United States on your return. Indeed, you won't be able to board the vessel without one.

Do I need a visa if my cruise stops in Canada?

US citizens do not need a visa or eTA for Canada , and by law they do not have to carry a passport for a cruise in Canada.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: Do You Need A Passport To Take A Cruise?

36 related questions found

Do I need a visa to cruise from Vancouver to Alaska?

Alaska is a state in USA, no need for a visa........ If you will be going to Canada at any time during your vacation, you will need a US Passport to get back into the US.......

Does a cruise count as leaving the country?

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

What cruise does not need a passport?

Cruises That Don't Require a Passport
  • Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco or Seattle.
  • Canada & New England roundtrip from New York.
  • Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale or New York.
  • Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles or San Francisco.
  • Mexico roundtrip from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Do I need a passport to cruise to Vancouver?

Entering Canada by Land or Sea

Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. As of this writing, a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

Can I use my birth certificate to get into Canada?

While a U.S. citizen's government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, and proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, are sufficient to cross into Canada, you'll need additional documents to re-enter the United States, according to Liz Jones of Leaf Group.

What can I use instead of a passport to get into Canada?

NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen, when entering Canada by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes. FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), issued to a Canadian citizen (when arriving by land or marine modes only) Canadian emergency travel document. Canadian temporary passport.

Do you need a passport for Canada?

Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

Can you go on a cruise to The Bahamas without a passport?

If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

Do all Alaska cruises stop in Canada?

That 1886 law says foreign ships can't transport people between two U.S. ports directly. The cruise ships that sail to Alaska are nearly all foreign-flagged but they make a stop in Canada to get around the law.

Do I need a passport to cruise to Nova Scotia?

American citizens do not need a visa or an eTA to enter Canada for tourist purposes. They may enter Nova Scotia via any land, sea or airport entry point with simply a valid US passport. However, US Green Card holders will need a Canada eTA in order to cross the border into the country.

Can you board a cruise ship in Canada?

You must complete your ArriveCAN submission before entering Canada, no more than 72 hours of boarding your flight or before entering Canada by land. If you're flying in to join a cruise immediately, enter the address of your terminal. If you're not joining the cruise immediately, enter the address of your hotel.

Can I drive through Canada to Alaska without a passport?

U.S. citizens flying between another state and Alaska do not need a passport. However, those driving through Canada or traveling on a ferry or cruise ship with stops in Canada are required to carry one. All non U.S. citizens will need a passport and possibly other documents to enter.

What documents are needed to go on a cruise?

Citizens may sail using their: Official US Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID, like a driver's license or an identity card.

Can I get off the cruise ship in Mexico without a passport?

All travelers are advised to carry a valid passport with them when taking a cruise to Mexico, regardless of their nationality and port of departure. US citizens on closed-loop cruises, meaning they begin and end at the same US port, can travel to Mexico with proof of citizenship other than a passport.

Do you go through immigration on a cruise?

When your cruise ship arrives at its disembarkation port, local immigration officials need to clear the ship before anyone can disembark. Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal.

Why do cruise ships have to stop at a foreign port?

This law was first enacted in the 1880s as a way to protect American shipping interests. In effect, it says that ships transporting passengers between U.S. ports need be an American vessel. Since NCL's Pride of America is an American-flagged cruise ship, it is able to sail passengers around Hawaii without issue.

Do you need a passport to sail on Royal Caribbean?

What travel documents do I need to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship (U.S. Citizens)? For US Sailings - U.S. Citizens may sail using their: Official US Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID, like a driver's license or an identity card.

Is a cruise to the Caribbean considered international travel?

Please note: Royal Caribbean domestic sailings are all sailings originating and ending in ports located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Panama Canal sailings. All other sailings are considered to be international sailings.

Can U.S. cruise ships go to Canada?

Cruise ships were banned from Canada in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Because foreign-flagged ships are required to stop at an international port for cruises departing from the United States, U.S. lawmakers passed a law to temporarily allow ships to skip the perfunctory stop in Canada on Alaska cruises.

Are there any Alaskan cruises that don't stop in Canada?

The round-trip cruises operating from Seattle (or a couple from San Francisco) all have to stop in a Canadian port, typically Victoria. One work-around is a trip on the Alaska State ferry, which leaves from Bellingham WA and does not stop in Canada en route to Alaska.