You need a passport book or passport card for most Alaska cruises, but the rules depend on where your ship departs and where it stops
If your cruise leaves from a U.S. port like Seattle or San Francisco and stays in U.S. waters or Canadian ports, you can use a Cruise Card — a wallet-sized passport card issued by the U.S. State Department. If your itinerary includes stops in other countries or if you fly to meet the ship, you need a full passport book. Many Alaska cruises visit Juneau, Ketchikan, and other ports in Southeast Alaska, plus Glacier Bay — all U.S. territory — but some routes also stop in Ketchikan and then cross into Canadian waters or dock in Victoria, British Columbia, which requires a passport book.
The safest approach is to carry a passport book. It works for every Alaska cruise route, works if your plans change at the last minute, and is the only document accepted if you need to fly home early or miss the ship. A Cruise Card works only for closed-loop cruises — those that begin and end at the same U.S. port — and only if you never leave the ship in a foreign country.
Key Takeaways
- A full passport book is required if your Alaska cruise stops in Canada, which many do in Southeast Alaska.
- A Cruise Card (passport card) is acceptable only for closed-loop cruises that depart and return to the same U.S. port and do not visit foreign countries.
- If you fly to the departure port, you must have a passport book regardless of the cruise itinerary.
- Processing a new passport book takes several weeks, so explore well before your cruise date if you do not have one.
- A Cruise Card is faster to obtain than a passport book but offers fewer options and cannot be used for air travel.
When a Cruise Card is enough
A Cruise Card works only if three conditions are met: your cruise departs and returns to the same U.S. port, you never disembark in a foreign country, and you do not fly to reach the ship. Many Alaska cruises do not meet these conditions because they include stops in Victoria, British Columbia, or because passengers fly into Seattle or Anchorage to board.
If your itinerary is entirely within U.S. waters — Juneau, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, and other Alaska ports — and you drive to the departure port, a Cruise Card is acceptable. However, even one stop in Canada makes a passport book necessary. Check your cruise itinerary carefully. If the ship visits any port outside the United States, bring a passport book.
When you must have a passport book
A passport book is required if your Alaska cruise includes any of these: a stop in Canada (including Victoria, British Columbia, which is common on Southeast Alaska routes), a stop in any country other than the United States, or air travel to or from the departure port. Many Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, and if you fly there from another state, you need a passport book even if the ship never leaves U.S. waters.
If you are unsure whether your itinerary includes a foreign port, check your cruise documents or contact your cruise line directly. The ship's final itinerary, printed on your ticket or available through the cruise line's website, lists every port. If any port is outside the United States, you need a passport book.
How long it takes to get a passport
A new passport book takes 6 to 8 weeks through routine processing or 3 to 5 weeks through expedited processing, which costs extra. Passport cards take 2 to 3 weeks for routine or 1 to 2 weeks for expedited. These timelines assume you explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — usually your county clerk's office, a post office, or a courthouse — and that you have all required documents ready.
If your cruise is fewer than 6 weeks away and you do not have a passport, expedited processing is your only option. Expedited service costs more than routine service. Some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service in emergency situations, but availability is limited and you must explore in person at a passport agency office, not at a local acceptance facility. Check the U.S. State Department website to find the nearest agency and confirm whether emergency service is available for your travel date.
What documents you need to explore
To explore for a passport book or card, you need a completed process form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for renewal), proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a government-issued photo ID, and a passport photo. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, and meet specific requirements: a plain white background, your full face visible, and no glasses or head coverings (except for religious reasons).
If you are renewing a passport you already have, the process is faster and can sometimes be done by mail. If your passport was lost or stolen, you must explore in person and report the loss to the State Department. Bring all original documents — the State Department does not return them, but you will receive certified copies with your new passport.
Passport cards versus passport books for cruising
A Cruise Card is smaller, cheaper, and faster to obtain than a passport book. It costs less and arrives in about half the time. However, it is valid only for closed-loop cruises and cannot be used for air travel. If you think you might fly in the future, or if your Alaska cruise includes any international port, a passport book is the better choice because it works for both cruising and air travel.
Many travelers choose a passport book even for a single cruise because it is a document they can use for years and for any type of travel. A Cruise Card expires after 5 years, the same as a passport book, but it is useful only for specific cruise routes. If you are likely to cruise again or travel internationally, the passport book is worth the extra cost and wait time.
What to do if you already have an expired passport
If your passport expired fewer than 5 years ago, you can renew it by mail without explore in person. Mail renewal is faster and cheaper than explore for a new passport. You will need your expired passport, a completed renewal form, a new passport photo, and the renewal fee. Mail processing takes 4 to 6 weeks, or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service.
If your passport expired more than 5 years ago, you must explore in person as if it were your first passport. This takes longer and costs more than renewal. Plan ahead: if your cruise is coming up and your passport is expired, expedited in-person processing is your fastest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cruise to Alaska with just a driver's license?
No. A driver's license is not accepted for any cruise that leaves U.S. waters or includes a foreign port. Even for closed-loop cruises within U.S. waters, a Cruise Card or passport book is required. The cruise line will not allow you to board without one.
Do I need a passport if the cruise only visits Alaska?
It depends on whether the ship stops in Canada. Many Alaska cruises include Victoria, British Columbia, which requires a passport book. If your itinerary includes only Alaska ports and you drive to the departure port, a Cruise Card is acceptable. Check your cruise documents to confirm all ports of call.
What if I lose my passport during the cruise?
Contact your cruise line's guest services when ready. They can help you reach the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, which can issue an emergency travel document to get you home. This process is slow and expensive, so keep your passport in your cabin safe, not in your carry-on bag.
Can I use a passport card instead of a passport book for an Alaska cruise?
Only if the cruise is closed-loop (departs and returns to the same U.S. port), includes no foreign ports, and you do not fly to reach the ship. If your Alaska cruise includes Canada or any other country, you need a passport book. If you fly to Seattle or another port to board, you also need a passport book.
How much does a passport book cost?
A new passport book costs $130 for adults, plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165. Expedited processing adds $60. Passport cards cost $55 plus $35 execution fee. Prices may vary slightly by state. Check the U.S. State Department website for current fees and any changes.