By: Chris Faris

Welcome everyone to the first of many entries into the Vacationista Travel Blog.

This month’s entry tackles the age-old question “Do I need a passport to cruise on a closed loop cruise?”

Cruising has reappeared as the go to vacation for adventurers and travelers in this post-pandemic world. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that over 31 million passengers sailed from US ports in 2023 and that number is expected to increase to over 35 million people in 2024. The majority of these passengers sailed on what is referred to as a closed-loop cruise. This means that the cruise departs a US port, stops at ports outside of the United States, and then returns to the same port where it started. When sailing on a closed loop cruise, US citizens are not required to have a passport book to reenter the country, they only need to prove their citizenship. This proof can come from a government issued identification card, such as a driver’s license, and a certified copy of a birth certificate. This is a wonderful option for people who do not want to spend the money to obtain a passport.

Cruising without a passport book however, comes with many risks. Cruise ships will not wait for passengers who are not back on board when it is time for the ship to leave port. This can result in passengers being left stranded in a remote Caribbean port. Injuries happen and sometimes require hospitalization in a foreign country. If either of these things happen and the passenger must have a passport book to return to the United States, the birth certificate/government id card won’t work. Obtaining a passport book, if this happens, requires the person appearing in one of the many US Consulates across the globe to obtain an emergency passport and this can be expensive. The passenger becomes responsible for the cost of hotels, travel to the city of the nearest consulate, and of course the cost of the expedited passport.

Here at Vacationista Travel we advise all our cruising clients to obtain a passport book. The cost is not that much when you factor in all of the benefits. First, you have a form of ​government identification that is valid for 10 years. Second, it brings with it a peace of mind if the client is left stranded in a foreign country. Third, the cost is not that much to obtain a passport. As of March of 2024, obtaining a passport will cost you $165 if you choose regular service and $235 if you chose expedited service at one of hundreds of passport facilities across the country. Since the passport book is good for 10 years that means the peace of mind a passport book provides you with is only $16.50 per year. If you plan on cruising, take the time to get your passport book and carry that peace of mind with you. It only takes a few minutes to apply, and it creates a safety net if anything happens. Trust me, you’ll thank us for the advice if it ever happens to you.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Vacationista Travel Blog where we will compare cruising with another popular vacation, all-inclusive resorts.

Thanks for reading, and ALWAYS remember to
Travel Like a Vacationista!