Many of the cruises start and end in similar locations, and they are mostly known as “closed-loop,” which means that they start and finish at the same port in the USA and travel within the Western Hemisphere. For example, if you do a cruise ship booking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and after visiting one foreign port like Cancun or Bermuda, you return to Fort Lauderdale, it would mean that you have taken a cruise that is a closed loop cruise. But if you take up residence on a cruise ship in San Diego, California, and travel through the Panama Canal, and there is also a stop at one foreign port during the sailing, and then the cruise ends in Miami, Florida, it would mean that you have not taken a closed loop cruise.
Proof of Citizenship is Must –
United States citizens who cruise book on closed-loop cruises can now enter or leave the country on the cruise with proof of citizenship. But it is also conceivable that one or more of the destination countries on your route or journey may require a passport to enter the country. In such a circumstance, the cruise line needs passengers to have a valid passport to board the ship, even if it is not a United States need or requirement. You should check with your cruise ship or travel agent and also the destination country to confirm the need to enter a foreign country or countries that you are likely to visit. The WHTI also known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, needs you to travel with a passport that is valid including that of the infants.
EDL is necessary.
You can book cruise online. The United States citizens who are on closed-loop cruises are allowed to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, like an enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or birth certificate, which are issued by the government, the vital records department of the state where he or she was born, or a passport. If the individual is 16 years old, then they would require a government-issued driver’s license, a photo ID with a photo, their name, and their date of birth. The EDL will permit you to re-enter the US from the Caribbean, Mexico, or Canada. Besides that, the EDL is accepted at sea and land border crossings, but not for air travel.
Baptismal Papers and Hospital Birth Certificate are Not Accepted –
If you book a cruise and you are a United States citizen and under the age of 16, then you will be allowed to present either an original or a notarized or certified copy of their birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad issued by the DOS (department of state), or the certificate of naturalisation issued by the USCIS, i.e., US citizenship and immigration services. Also, one should note that baptismal papers and certificates from the hospital of birth are not allowed or accepted. Social security and voter registration cards are not proof of citizenship. It is also conceivable that one or more of the islands of the Caribbean on your route or journey will require you to have a passport to enter the country. In such a scenario, it is possible that a cruise line will want you to have a passport on board, even if it is not a United States need or requirement.
