In a 2009 departure from traditional cruise rules, the final phase of the U.S government's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative took effect. It requires all passengers on cruises to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to have a copy of their passport or passport ID card to gain re-entry into the United States.
The only exception is a closed-loop cruise, which travels only in the Western Hemisphere and departs and docks at the same U.S port, according to the Cruisemates website. Passengers on these cruises still need to show identification to confirm proof of citizenship. The passport ID card is less expensive than a traditional passport (though it can only be used for Western Hemisphere land and sea travel) and is obtained from the U.S. State Department
Most mainstream cruise lines do not allow women in their third trimester of pregnancy to cruise. In fact, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line states on its website that women entering their 24th week of pregnancy will not be accepted as guests and pregnant women must provide a "Fit to Travel" note from their doctor officially stating the number of weeks of the pregnancy before the date of sail. Carnival Cruise Lines states a similar policy on its website and also adheres to the 24-week rule.
Many cruise passengers buy liquor in the Caribbean, where it is available in bulk and more inexpensively.U.S. Customs regulates how your purchases are taxed. Adults age 21 and older may bring back one 1-liter or two 750-ml bottles duty-free and customs assesses additional taxes for any more bottles than that. You must be honest when filling out the customs form because it is illegal to have more your possession than you originally claimed. When purchasing alcohol on a cruise, most cruise lines will hold your bottles for you and you are not allowed to consume it on the ship, according to the Cruisemates website.
