Closed Loop Cruises - from www.Travel.State.gov

From www.Travel.State.gov re: do I need a passport to travel:

Do I Need A Passport?

Click HERE to visit the official government passport website!

Traveling by Sea?

*"Closed-Loop" Cruises: If you are a U.S. citizen, and you board a cruise ship at a U.S. port, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship, you may present government-issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.

Closed-Loop example:  Round Trip cruise from Miami that starts and ends in the same US port - Miami.

U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean may present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship.

Non- Closed-Loop Cruises: (example Starting in FL and ending in Spain)

All adult U.S. citizens arriving by sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean must have a passport.*

• Either a passport book or passport card may be used.
• All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card.
• To learn more about the passport card, including how to apply and the differences between the passport book and passport card, please visit our U.S. Passport Card page.

Traveling by Land?

All adults arriving by land from Canada or Mexico must have a passport.

• Either a passport book or passport card may be used.
• All U.S. citizens may apply for a passport card.
• To learn more about the passport card, including how to apply and the differences between the passport book and passport card, please visit our U.S. Passport Card page.

U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by land from Canada or Mexico may present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship.

Traveling by Air?

All individuals, regardless of age, must have their own passport when traveling internationally by air. 

• If you have never had a U.S. passport, you must apply in person, using the DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. Please visit our First Time Applicants page for information on application requirements, application fees, and where to apply.
• If you have previously owned or currently own a U.S. passport, you may qualify to renew your passport by mail.  Please visit our Renew a Passport page to learn more about the application requirements, application fees, and to find out if you qualify to renew by mail.