For U.S. citizens traveling on a cruise, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative governs what documents must be produced for travel. For many, a passport isn't even required. Those on a closed-loop cruise, or itinerary that departs and returns to the same U.S. city, have expanded options on many Caribbean, Canada and Mexico cruises. In addition to the standard passport booklet, U.S. citizens can produce a passport card for sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. Residents of Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington can produce state-issued enhanced driver's licenses as a document which substantiates identity and citizenship when traveling by sea to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. Also, cards like NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, issued by Trusted Traveler Programs allow U.S. citizens to travel by sea to these same destinations without additional documentation. Finally, U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda can produce a document deemed sufficient to prove U.S. citizenship and identity.
Proof of U.S. citizenship, whether it be to apply for a passport or travel with WHTI-compliant documents, can be supplied in the form of a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, a Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship. Proof of identity can be provided in the form of a government-issued photo I.D. such as a driver's license or state I.D., military I.D. or current government I.D.
Ferries and small boats are treated by border agents in the same fashion as land crossings. Individuals arriving from another country will need to produce appropriate documents before being allowed to disembark. U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda will need to produce WHTI-compliant documents. All others will need a valid and unexpired passport, issued from their country of citizenship. Depending on the destination, a visa may be required as well.
Any passenger traveling from one country to another will need to produce a passport. If the cruise is one that involves an overnight or extended stay in a port city, then a visa may be required as well. If you are a foreign citizen residing in another country, you will be required to produce additional documents. For example, permanent U.S. residents will need to show their Alien Registration or Green Card for readmission at a U.S. port. If the purpose of your presence on the cruise is work related, then you will need to apply for a work visa with the country in which the cruise ship is registered.
