Travel Requirements

Notice: Travel Requirements for Cruise and Stay vacation packages have changed effective June 30, 2024. Please read the section, "For U.S. Citizens Traveling on Cruise and Stay Vacations in the Bahamas" very carefully.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

The proper travel documentation is required at embarkation (and throughout the cruise) and is the sole responsibility of the guest. Any guest traveling without proper documentation will be denied boarding and will not be offered a refund or a replacement cruise. It is your responsibility to check with your travel agent, government agency, embassy or consulate to ensure that you have all the proper documentation to board the ship. We assume no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

Photocopies or pictures of documents will not be accepted.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN TO ANYONE WHO FAILS TO BRING PROPER TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

Passports

We strongly recommend that all guests travel with a passport as their form of ID, and for some guests a passport is required. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the day your cruise ends. The name on your passport should match the name on your cruise reservation and if it does not, please see below “What if the name on my identification doesn’t match the name on my reservation” below.

While some other forms of ID may be accepted for your cruise, a passport is the very best option because:

If you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to travel internationally by air.
International ports of call can change their travel requirements at their sole discretion and may unexpectedly require all guests to have a valid passport to go ashore.
Disembarking the ship is easier and faster for guests carrying passports as their travel identification.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE UNEXPECTED MIGHT HAPPEN – LIKE LEAVING THE SHIP FOR A MEDICAL EMERGENCY – AND IT'S ALWAYS BEST TO BE PREPARED!

Accepted Travel Identification for U.S. Citizens

A U.S. Passport book that is valid for at least six (6) months after your cruise ends.
A valid passport card
An official US state or territory issued certified Birth Certificate. (Baptismal paper and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable). Guests ages 16 and older that present an official US state-issued Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver’s License or picture ID issued by the government. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID, but must present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his/her birth certificate.
Birth Certificates from the following US territories are acceptable – Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico birth certificates issued after July 1, 2010 only).
Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
Original certificate of U.S. citizenship (Voter registration cards or Social Security are NOT considered proof of citizenship)
U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad
Enhanced Driver's License

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

Children ages 16 and over must carry a government-issued photo ID such as a state ID or provincial driver’s license in addition to an original, notarized or certified copy of birth certificate as outlined above.

Children 15 and under must have an original or copy of their original, notarized or certified U.S. birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department of the birth State), an original or official replacement Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State, or original Naturalization Certificate issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Newborns whose official U.S. birth certificate is not yet received can travel using the hospital-issued birth certification.

When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter or Minor Consent Form from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. The minor consent form can be found here.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by United States Customs and Border Protection.

Accepted Identification For U.S. Permanent Residents And Non-U.S. Citizens

United States Permanent Residents must have a valid and unexpired United States Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) with a valid government-issued photo ID or a valid passport from their country of citizenship. Additionally, a passport from your home country is strongly recommended.

Non-US Citizens will require a passport book valid for at least six (6) months after your cruise ends and the necessary visa for entry into the United States. If you are from an country participating in the Visa Waiver Program, you may be eligible for a visa waiver where citizens or nationals of participating countries are allowed to travel to the U.S. without obtaining a visa. Eligible Non-US citizens must have valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements. Please check with www.travel.state.gov for more details.

Documents That Are NOT Acceptable To Board Your Cruise

For re-entry to the U.S., Customs and Border Protection does not accept hospital Birth Certificates (baby feet Birth Certificates), and photocopies or images of any required travel documents are not accepted for boarding or re-entry into the U.S. Likewise, voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.

Photocopies or pictures of documents will not be accepted.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN TO INDIVIDUALS WHO FAIL TO BRING PROPER DOCUMENTATION.

What if the name on my identification doesn’t match the name on my reservation?

It is important that your full name (first name, middle name, if applicable, and last name) on your reservation exactly matches your travel documentation (passport, birth certificate, etc.) or your boarding or disembarkation could be delayed or you could be denied boarding.

In the event that your name differs between the reservation and the travel documentation (e.g. due to marriage, divorce, legal name change, etc.), you must provide legal documentation supporting this change at check-in/embarkation. Examples of acceptable documentation include marriage license, divorce degree or legal name change court document. All supporting documents must be the original or a notarized copy (photocopies, photographs or reproductions are not accepted).

TRAVEL DOCUMENT PLANNING

Plan ahead to get your passport(s) and passport card(s) early. United States citizens should visit the U.S. State Department's travel website or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center at (877) 4USA-PPT (487-2778) for more information about how much time it will take to obtain a passport book or passport card and how to obtain these documents.

For U.S. Citizens Traveling On Cruise And Stay Vacations in the Bahamas:

Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card ONLY Commencing June 30, 2024:

Effective June 30, 2024, all U.S. Citizens cruising round-trip to and from the United States with an overnight stay in The Bahamas MUST have a U.S. Passport book or Passport Card valid at least 6 months after return date before boarding

Through June 29, 2024 the following are acceptable:

U.S. Passport book valid at least 6 months after return date.
U.S. state-issued original birth certificate issued by a U.S. government agency (not from a hospital) and a valid government-issued photo ID. No photo/digital copies will be accepted. The Bahamas does not accept Puerto Rico birth certificates for overnight stays.
Passport Cards and Enhanced Driver’s License are not valid forms of identification for Cruise and Stay (overnight stays in The Bahamas).

U.S. Permanent Residents and Non-U.S. Residents:

U.S. Permanent Residents must bring a valid Permanent Resident card, also known as a Green Card, with a valid government-issued photo ID or a valid passport from their country of citizenship.

Please note some permanent residents (e.g., Haitian citizens) must carry a valid passport along with a valid Permanent Resident card. U.S. Green Card holders must also have a valid passport to Cruise & Stay overnight in the Bahamas. Please contact the Bahamian Consulate or U.S. immigration for more information.

Non-U.S. Citizens and non-U.S. Residents must bring a valid Passport, Multiple Entry Visa, or Resident Alien Card for re-entry to the United States. Please contact U.S. Customs or the Bahamian Consulate for any additional required documentation. Guests from other countries must possess a valid passport and should check with their travel agent or appropriate consulate to determine other necessary travel documentation.