What travel documents are required to board?

Table Of Content

• Do you need to possess a passport to travel on a Bahamas cruise?
• Travel document requirements for sailings from U.S. homeports (excluding Honoulu, Hawaii & Seward, Alaska)
• Exuma Islands
• Required Travel Documents
• Key Points to Consider for the Royal Caribbean Passports
• Travel document requirements for sailings from Chinese homeports
• Travel document requirements for sailings from Central & South American homeports
• What nationality are the Bahamas?

Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay, may be the most spectacular beach and port in the Bahamas. The Walt Disney Company acquired a 99-year lease to the land on the Bahamian island in 1997. The lease gives the cruise company total control of how visitors experience their visit to the island.

Do you need to possess a passport to travel on a Bahamas cruise?

It is not yet known what the cruise line will require for proof of vaccination quite yet. If you do not have a passport, you need to get one before the cruise begins. Unlike cruises from the United States, you need a passport in order to sail from The Bahamas.

Travel document requirements for sailings from U.S. homeports (excluding Honoulu, Hawaii & Seward, Alaska)

The lowest-priced flights in the Bahamas tend to happen from August to November. Because there aren’t a lot of people who tend to flock to the Bahamas in search of a beach holiday during this time there are lots of great deals to be found at the hotels and resorts. Bahamas cruises from Florida for three or four days can cost from $200-$600 for an inside room with double occupancy. Before embarking on a Bahamas cruise, discover if you require a passport and get all the information you need for a stress-free journey.

Exuma Islands

You can also visit one of the many embassies or visa offices in Canada to get started. The most important thing to remember is that if you don’t have a valid passport when you arrive in the Bahamas, you won’t be able to leave and will have to return home. If you are planning to take a cruise to the Bahamas, you will need a passport.

Required Travel Documents

Cruises are a popular way to travel and there are many options to choose from. Whether it's a tropical beach vacation, a river trip in Europe or a glacier cruise in Alaska, there's something enjoyable about kicking back on a ship, exploring a handful of ports and taking it easy for a few days. By now, you know that it all comes down to how you’re entering the country.

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A passport book can get you to so many more places internationally, and in the case of an emergency on a cruise, having a passport book allows you to make unexpected travel arrangements significantly easier. The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to. It is critical to understand the proper documentation needed for a cruise, as no refunds are provided for guests who fail to bring proper documentation. Be sure to refer to Royal Caribbean's Travel Documentation page for specifics. Customs and Border Protection, you’ll still need to provide some proof of U.S. citizenship. This can take the form of an Enhanced Driver’s License, a passport or a government-issued birth certificate.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Chinese homeports

Even if you're careful to return to the ship on time, you never know when a mechanical issue will force passengers to disembark in a foreign port. If you happen to get stranded abroad, you will need a valid passport. Caribbean cruises are usually a little cheaper, but travel to and from the islands at will can be more difficult. The Bahamas is very close to the United States and many people prefer having a shorter trip at their destination. Additionally, The Caribbean has more opportunities for excursions and activities than you will find in Nassau or Freeport. I was in Labadee (another private island for Royal) and they did not require any photo id to get back on the ship other than the seapass card.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Central & South American homeports

Even with these alternatives, carrying a passport is still beneficial. Unexpected circumstances, like missing the cruise ship and needing to fly back, would require a passport. Air travel from the Bahamas to the U.S. requires a valid passport. U.S. citizens sailing on a closed-loop cruise departing and returning to the same U.S. port don’t need a passport to cruise to the Bahamas. Most Bahamas cruises are closed-loop sailings, which means you won’t need a passport if you’re a U.S. citizen.

What nationality are the Bahamas?

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Port, such as a port in Canada or Europe, and your cruise includes stops in the Bahamas, a passport is typically required for U.S. citizens. This is because you will need to enter the United States upon your return from the Bahamas, and a passport is the primary identification and proof of citizenship accepted by U.S. Citizen, a passport is typically required for entry into the Bahamas, regardless of your method of transportation.

Freeport, the quieter and safer of the two cities, has better beaches (though not as many), a smaller selection of shops for tourists, and a type of atmosphere that I like. Both are great, but Freeport feels more culturally rich and laid back, which I value in a vacation spot. There are many cabs and taxis that are legitimate and marked, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Stick to the ones with the taxi company’s name on it and be sure to ask for a receipt when you get out.

As long as you're on a closed-loop cruise, you’ll be able to skip the passport in favor of other government-issued IDs. In general, it is preferable to have a passport with you — especially in the event you need emergency medical care and have to stay in a foreign country, for example. If you board in Miami, make a few ports of call, sail through the Panama Canal and end in San Diego, you’ll need to bring your passport. A good example of this is a repositioning cruise from Miami to San Diego.

Since you have likely not had to use your passport in over a year, you want to double check the passport expiration date to ensure it will be valid by the time your Adventure of the Seas cruise rolls around. Some things that aren’t necessary but are often enjoyed on cruises include books, games, and music CDs. Some ships even have movie theaters or bars where guests can relax after a day at sea. If you want a drink package, you'll spend more on a longer sailing, as packages are charged by the day. Package for a 4-night cruise, you'll only pay $330.16, whereas the cost for a 7-night cruise increases to $495.18. The cost of a cruise depends on numerous factors including, but not limited to, your chosen sail date, stateroom category, duration, and add-ons.

However, there are some things you should be careful about while you’re on vacation regardless of where you are. There are ferries from Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and other Florida ports as well which travel the short distance to the Bahamas. No, you can’t see the western islands of the Bahamas as they are 50 miles from the Florida coast. But being that close, it is easy to find a ferry or boat that can take you there.