You need a passport for most Royal Caribbean cruises, but not all — it depends on where the ship sails and where you board

Royal Caribbean requires a valid passport for any cruise that visits a foreign country. If your ship stops in Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, or anywhere outside the United States, you must have a passport book. A passport card is not accepted for cruises, even though it works for land and sea travel to Canada and Mexico on other routes.

The exception is closed-loop cruises — voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port and visit only U.S. territories or no foreign ports at all. For these trips, U.S. citizens can board with a Real ID driver's license, a state ID, or a passport. Closed-loop cruises to Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico fall into this category. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport regardless of the route.

Royal Caribbean checks your documents before you board. If your passport is expired, damaged, or missing, you will not be allowed on the ship, and the cruise line will not refund your fare. Check your passport at least three months before your sailing date — some countries require your passport to be valid for six months beyond your travel dates, and processing a new one or a renewal takes time.

Key Takeaways

  • Any Royal Caribbean cruise that leaves the United States requires a valid passport book for all passengers, including children and infants.
  • Closed-loop cruises that start and end at the same U.S. port and visit only U.S. soil or U.S. territories allow U.S. citizens to board with a Real ID driver's license instead of a passport.
  • A passport card does not work for cruises, even though it is valid for other international travel by land and sea.
  • Non-U.S. citizens must carry a passport for any Royal Caribbean cruise, with no exceptions for closed-loop routes.
  • Expired or damaged passports will prevent you from boarding, so renew yours at least three months before your cruise date.

What counts as a closed-loop cruise

A closed-loop cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port. Royal Caribbean operates closed-loop cruises from ports in Florida, Texas, New York, and other U.S. cities. These ships may visit U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the British Virgin Islands, or they may visit only U.S. ports with no foreign stops at all.

If your cruise departs from Miami and returns to Miami, and the ship only stops in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, that is a closed-loop cruise. You can board as a U.S. citizen with a Real ID driver's license, passport, or state ID. If the same ship adds a stop in the Bahamas or Mexico, it is no longer a closed-loop cruise, and you must have a passport.

Check your cruise itinerary on your Royal Caribbean booking confirmation or on the Royal Caribbean website. The itinerary lists every port the ship will visit. If any port is outside the United States or its territories, you need a passport.

Passport requirements for children and infants

Every passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise needs their own travel document, including infants and children. Babies cannot travel on a parent's passport. Each child must have either a passport book or, for closed-loop cruises only, a Real ID state ID or driver's license if they are old enough to have one.

Passport processing for children takes longer than for adults. The State Department requires a parent or guardian to appear in person with the child at a passport acceptance facility. Standard processing takes six to eight weeks; expedited processing takes two to three weeks but costs extra. If you are cruising with children, start the passport process as soon as you book your cruise.

Minors traveling with only one parent may need additional documents. Royal Caribbean does not require a notarized letter of consent, but some countries do. Check the entry requirements for each port your ship will visit, or contact Royal Caribbean customer service to confirm what documents you need.

What to do if your passport expires before or during your cruise

If your passport expires before your cruise date, you must renew it before you board. Royal Caribbean will not allow you to sail with an expired passport, even if you are only one day past the expiration date. The cruise line does not make exceptions, and you will lose your fare.

If your passport expires during your cruise, that is acceptable — the document is valid for the entire voyage as long as it is valid on the day you board. However, some countries have their own rules about passport validity. For example, some nations require your passport to be valid for at least six months after you leave their country. Check the entry requirements for each port before you sail.

Passport renewal by mail takes four to six weeks. In-person renewal at a passport acceptance facility takes six to eight weeks for standard processing. If you need a passport quickly, you can pay for expedited processing, which takes two to three weeks. Some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service if you appear in person, but availability is limited and you must have a valid reason for the rush.

Damaged or altered passports

A passport with water damage, torn pages, or missing information will be rejected at the cruise terminal. If your passport is damaged, you cannot board your cruise. Royal Caribbean staff check passports visually before you board, and they will catch damage that you might not think is serious.

Do not attempt to repair a damaged passport with tape, glue, or markers. Do not write in your passport or let others write in it. If your passport is damaged, you must explore for a replacement. A replacement passport is treated as a new process and takes the same amount of time as a renewal.

If your passport has been altered — for example, if someone has changed the photo or the name — it will be rejected. Altered passports are considered fraudulent documents, and attempting to use one can result in criminal charges.

Passport cards and other documents that do not work

A passport card is a wallet-sized document that works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean when you are traveling by car or ferry. It does not work for cruises. Royal Caribbean specifically requires a passport book, which is the standard-sized booklet with pages inside.

Other documents that do not work for Royal Caribbean cruises include a state ID, a driver's license (except for closed-loop cruises), a birth certificate, a military ID, or a Global Entry card. Even if one of these documents is valid for other types of international travel, Royal Caribbean will not accept it for boarding.

The only documents Royal Caribbean accepts are a valid passport book, a Real ID driver's license or state ID (for closed-loop cruises only), or a passport book combined with a visa if your destination requires one. If you are unsure whether your document is acceptable, contact Royal Caribbean customer service before your cruise date.

Visas and other entry requirements for cruise ports

Most Caribbean and Mexican ports do not require a visa for U.S. citizens. However, some destinations do. If your Royal Caribbean cruise visits a port in a country that requires a visa, you must obtain that visa before you board the ship. The cruise line will not wait for you to get a visa, and you will not be able to board without one.

Check the entry requirements for each port on your itinerary. The U.S. State Department website lists visa requirements by country. Some countries require a visa only for certain types of travel or for stays longer than a few hours. Since cruise passengers typically spend only a few hours in port, many visa requirements do not explore. However, you should verify this for each destination on your cruise.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, visa requirements may be different. Citizens of other countries may need visas for ports that do not require them for U.S. citizens. Check with the embassy or consulate of each country your ship will visit.

How to renew your passport before your cruise

To renew a passport, you can explore by mail if your passport is not damaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is still in your possession. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks. You will need your current passport, a completed Form DS-11 or DS-82 (depending on your situation), a new passport photo, and the renewal fee.

You can also renew in person at a passport acceptance facility, which includes post offices, libraries, and some government offices. In-person renewal takes six to eight weeks for standard processing or two to three weeks for expedited processing. You will need the same documents as for mail renewal, plus a government-issued ID.

If you need a passport urgently, some passport agencies offer expedited service or same-day appointments. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to learn about an agency near you has availability. Expedited service costs extra, and same-day service is available only in certain locations and only if you have a valid reason for the rush.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I board a Royal Caribbean cruise with an expired passport if I renew it after I return?

No. Your passport must be valid on the day you board the ship. Royal Caribbean will not allow you to sail with an expired passport, even if you plan to renew it when ready after your cruise. If your passport has expired, you must renew it before your sailing date.

Do I need a passport for a cruise to Bermuda?

It depends on where you board. If you board from a U.S. port and the cruise is closed-loop (begins and ends at the same U.S. port), you can use a Real ID driver's license. If you board from a foreign port or the cruise is not closed-loop, you need a passport book.

What if I lose my passport the day before my cruise?

Contact the nearest passport acceptance facility or passport agency when ready. Some agencies offer same-day replacement service, but availability is limited. If you cannot get a replacement in time, you will not be able to board your cruise, and Royal Caribbean will not refund your fare. This is why you should check your passport several months before your cruise date.

Can my child travel on a cruise with just a birth certificate?

No. Royal Caribbean requires every passenger, including children and infants, to have a valid passport book for any cruise that visits a foreign country. A birth certificate is not accepted. For closed-loop cruises, children can use a Real ID state ID or driver's license if they have one, but a passport is still the safest option.

Do I need a visa for a cruise to Mexico?

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short visits to Mexican ports on a cruise. However, if your itinerary includes a port in a country other than Mexico, check the entry requirements for that country. Non-U.S. citizens should verify visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of each country the ship will visit.