Answered: Do You Need a Passport for an Alaskan Cruise?

Table Of Content

• Tips & Things to Know About Sailing Alaska
• Do you need a passport for a cruise to Mexico?
• Billy's Cruise Takes e2 - 08/24/21: Carnival’s Return, Alaska, Mixed Vaccines, We're Cruising & More
• How much does a cruise to Alaska cost?
• Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Additional Cruises Through Summer
• Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need a Passport to Cruise to Alaska?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) regulation includes a section about “closed-loop cruises.” These cruises have a single port of departure and arrival. You sail from Seattle, cross Alaska and Canada, and return to Seattle on a closed-loop cruise. No, you do not have to use Visa Central to obtain your Visa.

Tips & Things to Know About Sailing Alaska

It is crucial that you understand whether you need one or not prior to booking your cruise, as no refunds are provided for failure to provide proper documentation. Excursions Are Pricey (But Worth It)Excursions were mentioned above, but we didn’t mention price. If you’re used to sailing the Caribbean, be prepared for sticker shock. The outings here are typically much higher priced than elsewhere.

Do you need a passport for a cruise to Mexico?

If the cruise is not a closed-loop cruise, then you would need passport identification to board the ship. Those under 16 only need to show a U.S. birth certificate since they may not have photo identification yet. So if your cruise starts and ends in, say, Seattle and sails to Alaska (and even makes a stop in Canada), you don’t necessarily need to bring a U.S. passport. But a common question is, do you need a passport to cruise to Alaska? Even though Alaska is part of the U.S., the answer can depend on the embarkation and disembarkation points, where the ship sails and your age. If you had an emergency and were forced to disembark due to illness or other reason in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, the Bahamas, Bermuda or Canada you would need a passport to return home by plane.

Billy's Cruise Takes e2 - 08/24/21: Carnival’s Return, Alaska, Mixed Vaccines, We're Cruising & More

Whether it’s sailing next to mountains or doing some whale-spotting as the ship cruises, there’s quite a bit to experience even between ports. You can check your cruise line’s list of excursions to see what your options are. The ports you visit will have booths setup on land where you can go and explore your options — so don’t feel like you have to book something on the ship. Most cruises in the Caribbean are in port for the day, and then head to sea each evening — meaning there isn’t much to see in between.

That means seeing multiple locations — even if they are relatively close to each other — often means traveling by plane or boat. With Agnes and Chris, you're not just reading another travel blog; you're tapping into a treasure trove of insider tips, curated itineraries, and invaluable insights to make your Alaskan journey truly unforgettable. We remain committed to supporting our clients through these changes and encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns. But back to the main question of do you need a passport to go to Alaska? Expert travel tips, dream destination inspiration, and timely travel news delivered to your inbox daily. There’s also the possibility of a medical emergency forcing a stay in Canada.

How much does a cruise to Alaska cost?

Everything Alaska & Canadian Cruisers Need to Know About ArriveCAN - Cruise Critic

Everything Alaska & Canadian Cruisers Need to Know About ArriveCAN.

Posted: Sun, 25 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

We're Agnes and Chris, your go-to guides for all things Alaska. We bring you not just authentic Alaska itineraries and insider tips but also a treasure trove of our own photos and first-hand experiences from the places we've explored and activities we've relished. These reviews offer firsthand insights that can help you make an informed decision. Moreover, we share detailed Alaska cruise costs, with hidden fees and all expenses, which help you better budget your trip. Because one of the most essential things before traveling is to verify and follow the regulations.

25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic - CruiseCritic.co.uk

25 BEST Alaska Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Alaska on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:08:06 GMT [source]

In Alaska, even when you’re sailing, there’s still plenty to experience. The Inside Passage, which is the inner route that takes you all around the southeast of Alaska, takes you right next to the stunning landscape all day long. The Canadian government has made the decision to extend the interim order that prohibits cruise ships from sailing in its waters and calling on Canadian ports through February 2022. For all air travel into the U.S. from Canada or any other international location, you’ll need a valid passport.

Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Additional Cruises Through Summer

It is the traveler's responsibility to obtain necessary visas for their travel itinerary. The United States Department of State will be requiring passports for more and more types of travel. We encourage all cruise passengers to obtain a passport well in advance of their cruise reservations. The information below will help you alleviate any last-minute rush and expense of obtaining necessary documentation before your sailing. If your itinerary begins and ends in a different port (even if they are both U.S. ports like Seattle and San Francisco), you will have to have a valid passport. Be sure to check your expiration date as soon as you confirm the dates of the cruise.

Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need a Passport to Cruise to Alaska?

Technically, on a cruise exactly like this, you don’t need a U.S. passport. A full list of documents that can be used at land and sea borders are provided on the U.S. If, like I do, you take Amtrak from Seattle, you will still need to show your passport book to the immigration police at the Canadian border.

If you disembark in a foreign port without proper identification, you could be detained by local authorities, leading to a stressful and potentially costly experience. To be clear, every cruise line recommends you travel with a passport even if you are on an Alaskan cruise. This is because should anything happen and you have to get off the ship in another country (medical emergency, ship breakdown, etc.), it’s much easier to get home with a valid passport. As I mentioned above, you may not need a passport for an Alaskan cruise. For example, on a round-trip closed-loop cruise to Alaska from Seattle or San Francisco, you may not need a passport. A government issued photo ID and a birth certificate are accepted.

It was a protectionist Act aimed at preventing foreign-flagged ships from moving their goods between US ports. But it’s always best to have an up-to-date passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months of your trip return. However, it isn’t mandatory to have a U.S. passport on this type of closed-loop cruise from the Lower 48 to Alaska and back. Either north or southbound, unless the laws change, your ship will stop somewhere for a service call in Canada before returning to Seattle or San Francisco. It’s always best to travel with a passport in case you get stuck in a foreign country. You’ll also need a passport on on-way sailings that begin and end in different ports.

If, for example, your cruise departs on June 17, 2023, your passport will need to be valid through at least December 17, 2023. Whether it’s a medical emergency or a last-minute change in the cruise itinerary, having a passport gives you the flexibility to handle unexpected situations easily. If you need to be transported to a hospital in Canada for a severe injury, it is better to take your passport. For travelers under the age of 16, a birth certificate will suffice for closed-loop cruises. However, a passport is required for open-jaw cruises or if flying is involved, even for minors. Europe, South America and Asian CruisesA valid passport valid for six months from the return date of travel, a tourist visa may also be required.

Be Ready for Long Daylight Hours (Messes With Your Sleep)Maybe you “know” that daylight hours during the summer in Alaska are long. Depending on the month you visit, the sun can rise as early as 4 a.m. That means you end up getting up earlier and staying up later. After a few days, don’t be surprised if the lack of rest catches up with you. What can really set a cruise to Alaska apart from any other cruise you’ll take are the shore excursions. It’s no exaggeration to say that excursions in Alaska allow you to do things that you simply can’t do anywhere else.