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Although a closed-loop cruise may not require a passport, every cruise line and the U.S. It’s always better to be prepared for any unexpected situations that may arise during your trip. While these options are convenient, they do come with limitations. You’ll miss out on international ports like Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia, which are common on many Alaska cruise itineraries. State Department recommend traveling with a passport for an Alaskan cruise. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A.
Answered: Do You Need a Passport for an Alaskan Cruise?
It’s called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the rule has a section for “closed-loop cruises.” These are cruises that begin and end at the same port. So if you sail from Seattle, head to Alaska and Canada, and then return to Seattle, you are on a closed-loop cruise. We’ll cover the details, but the bottom line is that it’s much easier to cruise to Alaska with a passport. This practice dates back to a regulation known as the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886. Some places in America’s largest state are not even accessible by road, so a cruise ship is the ideal way to see many wonderful sights without having to pack or unpack.
Tips & Things to Know About Sailing Alaska
If you don’t know which month to choose for cruising, check out our Alaska cruise season tips when we tell you which month is the best. If you haven’t decided which Alaska cruise to take, we invite you to read our detailed review of our 10-day Alaska cruise. We also have a special review of the Norwegian Sun ship, the vessel we enjoyed sailing on.
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It’s a chance to experience a landscape you can’t really visit any other way. You get to see and do things that you just don’t get anywhere else. We have yet to hear anyone be disappointed with a cruise to Alaska.
Rarely do cruise lines include these fees in their advertised rate. That being said, before booking a cheap cruise fare, you will want to research all extra costs that you may encounter. When cruising to Alaska, you will want to have a generous budget for shore excursions. Due to their intensity level and duration, they can often be pretty expensive! If, however, they disembark prior to reaching Canada, that would be considered violating the act, as Seward and, for instance, Icy Straight Point are both in the U.S. Here is everything you need to know about cruising to Alaska with and without a valid passport.
U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. U.S. and Canadian citizen children ages 16 and under are able to enter with only proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Verbal claims of citizenship alone are not sufficient to establish citizenship for entry into the United States. For U.S. citizens embarking on a closed-loop Alaskan cruise that begins and ends at the same U.S. port, such as Seattle or Vancouver, a passport may not be required. Instead, a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, and a certified birth certificate may be sufficient for re-entry into the United States. Department of Homeland Security strongly recommends that all cruise passengers, including U.S. citizens, carry a valid passport for travel by sea.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Guidelines
These rules allow you to sail on “closed-loop” cruises with only an official birth certificate and a photo ID. You can use a passport card or passport book to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If you’re departing from Vancouver, Canada, you must have a valid passport. As a Canadian citizen, you might not need a passport book if your cruise is a closed-loop, returning to the same port. You’ll need a valid passport if your Alaskan cruise begins or ends in a Canadian cruise port.
Get ready for a world of fun and excitement as you enjoy the onboard activities and entertainment on the newest MSC cruise ship. To book a Disney cruise departing from one of these ports, you can visit their official website or call their customer service. The booking process is straightforward, and they have a flexible cancellation policy for your peace of mind. The snorkeling opportunities are unparalleled, with vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life just waiting to be explored. Dive into the clear waters and discover a world of tropical fish, turtles, and even the occasional dolphin.
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. Almost every Alaskan cruise includes a stop in Canada due to U.S. regulations.
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. It’s always best to travel with a passport in case you get stuck in a foreign country. If you miss your cruise departure in Canada, for example, you’ll need a passport to fly or drive back to the U.S. However, if you don’t currently have a passport, you can typically go to Alaska with just your birth certificate and a picture ID.
But if you are a U.S. citizen and going for a closed-loop cruise, a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID are technically sufficient. Navigating Alaska cruise passport requirements was a crucial part of our cruise preparation. Having a passport makes your travel experience smoother, especially during port stops in Canada. Even though our cruise was a closed loop, starting and ending in Seattle cruise port, it’s better to have a passport. Having a government-issued ID and a birth certificate is sufficient for U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises.
Some lines also offer Alaska cruisetours that venture into Canada's Yukon, including a few Holland America tours that combine half a cruise with a cruisetour that starts or ends in Skagway. For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line.
Weeklong itineraries generally embark in either Seattle or Vancouver, British Columbia — though some itineraries originate in Juneau. A few lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Cunard Line, offer 10-night Inside Passage cruises from Seattle or Vancouver. Nearly every major cruise line has a presence in Alaska from May through mid-September, with some offering sailings as early as April or as late as October. Cold temperatures, icy waters and a long snowy season are not conducive to early spring and late fall cruises. Also, if you happen to miss the ship at a port for an unexpected reason like a car breakdown or accident, again, it can be hard to get to the next port or return home without a passport. Unfortunately, there have been a number of cases where cruisers have been stuck in a foreign location with inadequate documentation, causing a lot of stress.
Again, as a good rule of thumb, you should always cruise with a passport, even if it is not technically required. When it comes to dining on board the MSC cruise ship, guests have a wide range of options to choose from. Whether it’s a casual buffet-style meal, a fine dining experience, or even a specialty dining experience, there is something to suit every taste and preference. As you indulge in the onboard entertainment and stay active at the fitness facilities, get ready to embark on a culinary journey like no other. The ship offers an array of dining and culinary experiences that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. When departing from Miami, passengers have several transportation options to get to the cruise terminals.
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Lastly, Mazatlán is a port that offers a mix of cultural experiences, from strolling along the Malecón promenade to visiting historic sites like the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Yes, there are exceptions to the WHTI for American citizens on an Alaskan cruise. However, without the context of COVID-19, it is important to check with the cruise line and the U.S.
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