ShakerFamily Posted December 13, 2017 #1 Share Posted December 13, 2017 We’re departing from our local port of Port Canaveral. Looking at cruises departing from here, visiting Puerto Rico and Saint Thomas. Is a passport needed or are birth certificates adequate because we’re returning to the same port? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted December 13, 2017 #2 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Birth certificates adequate and passport not required for embarkation on closed loop cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elchichicuilote Posted December 14, 2017 #3 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Contact the Cruise Line to be sure what they will require. Some may have requirements more stringent that the government's. But the US government generally doesn't require passports for closed loop cruises to the Caribbean. And since your ports of call are all in United States territories, there's no issue about possible passport requirements of other countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 23, 2017 #4 Share Posted December 23, 2017 If it is R/T USA and you are a USA citizen a passport would not be required. However, if you had to fly back due to a medical issue or a family emergency you would need a passport. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elchichicuilote Posted December 23, 2017 #5 Share Posted December 23, 2017 However, if you had to fly back due to a medical issue or a family emergency you would need a passport. That's good advice for most cruises, however, OP's itinerary is solely within the United States and its territories. US Citizens do not need passports to fly between the mainland, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. If the ship had an emergency and needed to dock somewhere else, like Haiti or the Bahamas, or if passengers had to be helicoptered off the ship to medical facilities in Cuba, then passports would be required if passengers needed to fly back. You can judge for yourself how likely that is. Consular officials would probably be reasonably accommodating under such unusual circumstances. I'm pretty firmly in the camp of, "If you're going to travel, get a passport and renew it every ten years". Holding a passport opens up your opportunity to take a spur-of-the-moment trip to an exotic destination, and is good back-up ID to have in a safe place at home in case your drivers license is lost or stolen. If I were going on a cruise to PR and USVI, I'd certainly bring my passport. But for this particular cruise, It's hard for me to imagine circumstances where the passport would actually be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry C Posted December 30, 2017 #6 Share Posted December 30, 2017 Just got back from San Juan to Barbados, St. Kitts, Fort de France, Martineque, St. Thomas (flew to St. Croix to see relative) aboard Norwegian Dawn. If you purchase on any of the islands using Eastern Caribbean dollar...2 weeks ago....$1=2.72 EC$, you will need a passport to change money back to US dollars...its a requirement at any bank down there. Your bank card in their ATMS will give you EC$. No fee. But to change it back to US $'s, they won't do it unless you produce a US passport and then they charge a convergence fee. Otherwise, a birth certificate will suffice. Going ashore requires a government photo ID,,,,,drivers license, military photo ID, etc and your room key from the ship. Having traveled world wide with the USAF, a passport is a good deal whether you need it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzzbea Posted March 4, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I renewed my passport because I am a naturalized citizen born in Havana, Cuba and do not dare carry my birth certificate. The individual processing the forms strongly suggested that my husband who is US born also renew his passport not only because of possible medical emergencies, but also because of possible muggings, thefts etc. Local authorities might not deal with an individuals who did not possess a passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted March 4, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 4, 2018 We’re departing from our local port of Port Canaveral. Looking at cruises departing from here, visiting Puerto Rico and Saint Thomas. Is a passport needed or are birth certificates adequate because we’re returning to the same port? Thanks! So long as the cruise returns to Port Canaveral US citizens should be able to use a birth certificate along with a government issued photo id. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littysmom Posted June 10, 2018 #9 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Does anyone know if a passport card would suffice for cruise travel? We are coming and going from within the US only. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted June 10, 2018 #10 Share Posted June 10, 2018 That's good advice for most cruises, however, OP's itinerary is solely within the United States and its territories. There are no itineraries that are USA only. Every itinerary must include a stop (one or more) at a non-US port. The OP may not have included all of her stops, but that does not mean it's not there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted June 10, 2018 #11 Share Posted June 10, 2018 We’re departing from our local port of Port Canaveral. Looking at cruises departing from here, visiting Puerto Rico and Saint Thomas. Is a passport needed or are birth certificates adequate because we’re returning to the same port? Thanks! Technically if you are only visiting San Juan and St. Thomas, neither a passport nor a BC is required as both are US territories. The general rule on any closed loop US cruise, US citizens only require a birth certificate and a photo ID to travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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