The boat waits for no one. If weather, injury or some other travel delay prevents a U.S. citizen from boarding the cruise at the departing port, with a passport the citizen can travel by air and catch the boat at the next port. A U.S. passport is welcome in most countries, especially for Caribbean cruises, without any additional visa paperwork. If the cruise departs from any foreign ports or ends up in a foreign port, having a U.S. passport is vital.
Some countries require a visa for entry. A U.S. passport is considered proper identification to accompany other travel documents declaring the cruise passenger's intent while visiting the country. In some cases, a U.S. passport alleviates the need for a visa, as in the case of Schengen Agreement countries. Under the agreement, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden all accept a U.S. passport for temporary travel within their borders.
Cruise lines will give guidance on the necessary travel documents to enter a country, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the traveler. For entry requirements to any country, go to the U.S. State Department's website (see Resource).
Just because U.S. citizens are passengers on a cruise ship doesn't mean trouble is always avoided during a port call. Unawareness of local laws and customs can result in difficulties with local authorities. A U.S. passport is internationally recognized, unlike a state ID. Also, holding a U.S. passport will give the authorities enough information to contact the U.S. Embassy on your behalf if there is an emergency.
A U.S. passport streamlines entry into any country. While it is possible for citizens to enter the U.S. without one, doing so arbitrarily can raise a red flag. Bringing a U.S. passport on cruises that start and end in the U.S. is still smart, just in case an emergency back home cuts the cruise short. With a U.S. passport, a passenger only needs to make travel arrangements from the current port, and home is only a flight away.
