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These types of cruises allow you, as an American, to sail to amazing destinations without a passport. Below, we take a look at what closed loop cruises are and tell you exactly which places you can visit on a closed loop cruise. Maritime laws do require that a foreign port of call is included for ships not flagged in the U.S., which explains why most Alaska cruises make a stop in Canada. A common closed loop sailing might include embarkation in New York with a call in Bermuda, before returning to New York.

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Carnival Cruise Line shares big advice on not ruining your cruise.
Posted: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Numerous cities in Europe also have such itineraries, although they aren’t always referred to as a closed loop cruise in marketing material. Without geographic restrictions, ships with an open itinerary can travel farther and often stop at more ports. This may also entail visiting places that other cruises would not have the time or ability to visit, such as more exotic locations. Note, however, that this does not necessarily mean that the countries on your itinerary, especially in the Caribbean, won’t still require you to have a passport to enter.
What are the embarkation and disembarkation ports of a closed loop cruise?
In this situation and in the case of an emergency, you will need a passport in order to travel through an international airport and board an airplane traveling internationally. It’s important to check the itinerary for your trip because there are a few places, even on a closed-loop cruise, that do require a passport to disembark. This is particularly common in the Caribbean in nations including Guadeloupe, the island of Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados, and others. Along with this, depending on your taste and travel preferences, your experience diving into different cultures and historical sites is lessened if you can only explore closed-loop cruise options. On the West Coast, San Francisco sees the most cruise ships pass through every year. Quite a few other city ports are offering closed-loop cruises from the US, so let’s take a look.
What is a Passport Card and where can it Take Me?
These cruises typically sail from May to September, with the peak season being June to August. This type of cruise is popular because it allows cruisers to avoid the hassles of flying to and from their cruise. Embarkation ports for closed loop cruises are typically located in major cruise hubs such as Florida, California, and Texas. The vast majority of closed-loop cruises depart from and return to ports in the United States, so prospective passengers will need to have a valid passport. When choosing a closed-loop cruise, it’s important to look at the ports of call to see if they are of interest. Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship.
Visit the historic coastal towns of Skagway, Sitka and Juneau, and see iconic wildlife, from orcas and whales to brown bears and bald eagles. If you are traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, your I-94W (immigration stamp) that you were issued when you first entered the U.S. can be used for reentering the U.S. at the end of your cruise. The cruise must end before your 90-day admission period has expired, and travel beyond the U.S. for more than 30 days is not allowed. We are a privately owned organization that simplifies government-related passport information across all states. We created this mega-resource not because we love getting a passport, but because we grew tired of standing in long lines at the passport agencies.
What are the Adjacent Islands to the United States?

The top itineraries for all three ports will lead you to the incredible island nations of the Caribbean. REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. The short answer is that EDLs can be used for limited border crossings and is only available in specific border states.
How Do I Know If My Cruise Is Closed Loop?
This is because closed loop cruises do not typically include stops in port where passengers are able to disembark and explore. As such, the dress code on a closed loop cruise tends to be more formal in order to reflect the heightened sense of Occasion. Most people book a closed loop cruise for the specified itinerary and the corresponding outside country ports of call.
The Caribbean
LPR, you’ll need a passport regardless of whether you’re on a closed-loop cruise or not. You can, of course, use your passport or passport card as an ID if you have one. But in the case of closed-loop cruises, U.S. citizens are allowed to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship. In general, the age limits for closed loop cruises are in place to ensure that all passengers are able to enjoy the cruise experience. These age limits also help to ensure the safety of all passengers on board. For starters, it is important to note that the dress code on a closed loop cruise is more formal than the dress code on an open loop cruise.
Closed Loop Cruise Origins
This allows individuals to enter and exit the U.S. without needing to get a new visa stamp. These countries share a physical land boundary with the United States – in the case of the US, the two contiguous territories would be Mexico to the south and Canada to the north. At Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, you’ll find it impossible to resist exploring the crystal-clear water via snorkeling, kayaking, or sailboat. For an afternoon basking on the gorgeous Honeymoon Beach, the lush, low-key island of St. John is an easy hop across the water. Trundle through the sugarcane fields on a scenic train journey, or hike Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano at the island’s center. Visit neighboring Nevis and see the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the U.S.
Nearly all cruise ships are foreign-flagged, so they must stop outside the nation. (US River Cruise ships are an exception to the foreign-flagged generalization.) These destinations are usually contiguous United States territories such as Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean islands. The benefit of taking these “round-trip cruises” is that American travelers don’t necessarily need a passport as long as the trip begins and ends at the same U.S.A. port. However, you must understand the nuances of the itinerary you choose if you don’t have a passport, even if you have a travel agent to help guide you.
Also, if you miss the ship in one of the ports, you’ll have to make your own way home or to catch up with the cruise, which could be difficult without a passport. If you book an excursion through Celebrity Cruises, that won’t happen, since the ship is guaranteed to wait for you. The Enhanced Driver’s License allows you to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean and is valid at land and sea border crossing but not airports. This cruise usually lasts for two weeks and takes you to some of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean. You will usually start in Italy and then visit France, Spain, Morocco, and Greece.
They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive. A closed loop cruise refers only to U.S. immigration regulations and passport requirements for U.S. citizens. It does not reflect those of the destinations on the closed loop cruise. Comprised of the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean Island, the greater Caribbean region is home to some of the greatest beach destination on the planet.
Sail to the sun on Celebrity Apex, departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida for vibrant Puerto Rico, where an afternoon and evening in port mean you’ll see two faces of charismatic San Juan. Explore the chunky fortress, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and the brightly colored streets of Old San Juan, or visit the Bacardi distillery to learn about and sample the famous rum. From Ensenada, you could snorkel over underwater rock formations at Todos Santos island, or join a wine tasting tour to Calafia Valley, Mexico’s wine-growing region. Closer to port, join a walking tour of the cosmopolitan town to sample tequila and tacos.
Generally, you do not need a passport if you are a US citizen and the cruise departs and returns to the same US port. You’ll have one more day at sea to soak up the tropical sun on deck and enjoy the many features of the ship. Lounge at the Magic Carpet with a cocktail; this multipurpose platform is cantilevered over the side of the ship, with water on three sides, so you’ll feel as though you are flying. Or relax in the leafy serenity of Eden, or dine al fresco in the lovely Rooftop Garden Grill. You’ll have three full days at sea on this itinerary to soak up the Pacific sunshine and enjoy Celebrity Millennium. You’ll enjoy a luxurious suite and dine in the beautiful, fine dining Luminae restaurant, exclusive to guests of this tranquil enclave.
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