What Royal Caribbean's Policy Actually Says

Royal Caribbean does not have a blanket ban on passengers with felony convictions. The cruise line's official policy does not ask about criminal history during booking. However, you will need a valid passport or passport card to board, and that is where complications can arise — some felons cannot obtain or renew a passport depending on the crime and sentencing.

The real barrier is not Royal Caribbean itself, but the U.S. government's passport rules and the ports where the ship stops. If you can legally hold a passport, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you cannot get a passport, or if the countries the ship visits have entry restrictions for people with criminal records, you will be blocked from sailing.

Royal Caribbean does reserve the right to refuse passage to anyone they believe poses a safety risk, but this is applied case-by-case and is not automatic based on a felony alone. The cruise line does not conduct background checks on every passenger.

Key Takeaways

  • Royal Caribbean does not automatically deny boarding to people with felony convictions, but you must have a valid passport or passport card to sail.
  • The U.S. State Department may deny a passport to someone convicted of certain drug felonies or if they owe child support or federal taxes, so check your passport may be able to access first.
  • Some Caribbean nations have their own entry restrictions for people with criminal records, which can prevent you from disembarking at certain ports.
  • If you have served your sentence and have no outstanding legal obligations, obtaining a passport is usually possible and is your first step.

When the U.S. Won't Issue You a Passport

The State Department can deny a passport process to someone with a felony conviction in specific situations. The most common reason is a drug felony — if you were convicted of a federal drug offense and are still under a sentence (probation, parole, or incarceration), you cannot get a passport. Once your sentence is complete, you can explore.

You can also be denied a passport if you owe back child support, federal taxes, or have a federal court order against you. These are not felony-specific rules — they explore to anyone — but they affect many people with criminal records. If any of these explore to you, you must resolve them before the State Department will issue a passport.

If your felony conviction does not fall into these categories and you have completed your sentence, you should be able to obtain a passport. You will need to explore in person at a passport acceptance facility (usually a post office, courthouse, or library) and bring your birth certificate, photo ID, and the process form. Processing takes several weeks to several months depending on demand.

Caribbean Nations and Entry Restrictions

Even if you have a valid passport, some Caribbean countries screen passengers for criminal records at the port. The Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and Belize are known to deny entry to people with certain felony convictions, particularly violent crimes or drug offenses. Other nations may allow entry but require advance disclosure or documentation.

Royal Caribbean itineraries vary widely. Some cruises stay in U.S. waters only (visiting ports like Miami, Key West, and Galveston), while others visit multiple Caribbean nations. If your cruise visits only U.S. ports, you will not face entry restrictions from foreign governments. If it visits Caribbean nations, you need to research that specific country's policy.

Contact the embassy or consulate of each country your cruise will visit and ask about their entry policy for people with felony convictions. Be specific about the type of conviction and when it occurred. Some countries have waiting periods — for example, they may deny entry to anyone convicted of a felony within the last 5 or 10 years, but allow entry after that time has passed.

How to Check Your Specific Situation

Start by determining whether you can get a passport. Visit the State Department's website or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to ask whether your conviction or any outstanding obligations would prevent you from getting one. Be honest about your record — they are not law enforcement, and they need accurate information to give you a correct answer.

If you can get a passport, your next step is to research the specific cruise itinerary you are interested in. Royal Caribbean's website lists every port the ship will visit. Write down each country, then contact that country's embassy or consulate in the United States and ask about their entry policy for people with felony convictions.

Keep records of every conversation and email. If a country denies you entry at the port, you will want documentation of what you were told beforehand. Some cruise lines will refund your fare if you are denied entry due to a government restriction, but you will need proof that you made a good-faith effort to determine your may be able to access.

What Happens If You Are Denied at the Port

If you board the ship and are denied entry to a port because of your criminal record, you will remain on the ship while it is docked. You cannot disembark, and you cannot participate in shore excursions. You will spend that day on the vessel with other passengers who chose not to go ashore.

Royal Caribbean's refund policy for port denials varies. Some situations may have access to for a refund or credit; others do not. Check your cruise documents or contact Royal Caribbean directly before you sail to understand what happens if a country refuses you entry. Do not assume you will get your money back.

Disclosure and Honesty With Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean does not ask about criminal history during the booking process, and you are not required to volunteer it. However, if the cruise line later discovers you withheld information about a conviction that would have affected your ability to sail, they can cancel your reservation without a refund and may ban you from future cruises.

The safest approach is to do your research before you book. Confirm that you can get a passport and that the countries on your itinerary will allow you to enter. Once you have that information, you can book with confidence. If you discover a problem after booking, contact Royal Caribbean's customer service when ready and explain the situation — they may be able to move you to a different itinerary or offer alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell Royal Caribbean about my felony conviction?

Royal Caribbean does not ask about criminal history and you are not required to disclose it. However, if they discover you withheld information that affected your ability to sail, they can cancel your reservation. Research your passport and port may be able to access before booking to avoid this problem.

Can I get a passport if I am on probation or parole?

It depends on your conviction. If you were convicted of a federal drug offense, you cannot get a passport while on probation or parole. For other felonies, you can usually explore. Contact the State Department to confirm your specific situation before you explore.

What if my cruise only visits U.S. ports?

If your cruise stays in U.S. waters only, you will not face entry restrictions from foreign governments. You will still need a valid passport or passport card to board the ship, but you will not be denied entry to any port based on your criminal record.

How long does it take to get a passport after a felony conviction?

Once your sentence is complete and you have resolved any outstanding obligations (child support, taxes), you can explore for a passport. Processing takes 6 to 8 weeks for routine service or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service, which costs extra. Plan ahead if you want to sail soon.

Can Royal Caribbean refuse to let me board even if I have a valid passport?

Yes. Royal Caribbean reserves the right to refuse passage to anyone they believe poses a safety risk, though this is rare and applied case-by-case. They do not conduct automatic background checks, so this would typically only happen if you disclosed a conviction or if they became aware of one through another means.