8 Cruise Destinations That Don’t Need a Passport

After a challenging period, cruising is making a comeback. Cruise lines have been busy behind the scenes during the pandemic, preparing for their return to the open waters. With new ships, innovative amenities, captivating shore excursions, diverse itineraries, and strict health measures, both new and returning cruisers are being drawn in. Whether you're looking at mega-ships or intimate expedition vessels, there’s a journey for every traveler.

Thinking about going on a cruise? Maybe a friend invited you on an upcoming trip, or you spotted a last-minute deal. Be sure to have all your travel documents in order. If your passport has been sitting unused for the past couple of years, it might be expired. But don’t worry—here’s what you should know about cruising without a passport.

You can visit numerous destinations by cruise without needing a passport, provided you have proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable documents as proof include a state-certified U.S. birth certificate. A comprehensive list is available from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which also details the requirements for cruising without a passport. Be aware that enhanced driver’s licenses are issued in only a few states, so verify that yours meets the criteria for identification and proof of citizenship.

Destinations for Cruising Without a Passport

The great news is that you can sail to many popular spots without a passport, such as Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, and New England. Just ensure your cruise departs and returns to the same U.S. port, and double-check your identification and proof of citizenship documents.

Alaska

Most closed-loop cruises to Alaska start and end in Seattle. However, American Cruise Lines’ Southeast Alaska cruise departs from Juneau and returns there after exploring Glacier Bay and various Alaskan towns.

Norwegian Cruise Line features a seven-day cruise from Seattle aboard the Norwegian Bliss, stopping in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, and Victoria before heading back to Seattle. Holland America Line also offers a seven-day Alaskan Explorer cruise that sails from Seattle through the Puget Sound and Stephens Passage.

Bahamas

Florida’s ports, including Miami, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), and Port Canaveral (approximately an hour east of Orlando), are the main departure points for closed-loop cruises to the Bahamas. Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line departs to the Bahamas from Jacksonville and Tampa, while Royal Caribbean offers cruises from Tampa, Baltimore, Cape Liberty in New Jersey, and Galveston, Texas.

Disney Cruise Line provides a three-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral on the magnificent Disney Wish, featuring a day in Nassau and a day at Disney Castaway Cay before returning to Port Canaveral.

Mexico

Closed-loop cruises to Mexico set sail from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Galveston. East Coast cruises head to the Yucatan Peninsula’s Costa Maya and the island of Cozumel in the Caribbean Sea. From West Coast ports, popular destinations along the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez include Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Manzanillo, Loreto, La Paz, Guaymas, and Topolobampo.

Celebrity Cruises offers a 12-night New Orleans & the Caribbean cruise that departs from and returns to Tampa, with stops in New Orleans, Key West, Honduras, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. Meanwhile, Princess Cruises features a seven-day Mexican Riviera voyage that includes La Paz, Ensenada, and Cabo San Lucas.

Bermuda

Situated 570 miles east of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is an easily accessible cruise destination from East Coast ports like New York City, Baltimore, Charleston, Boston, Port Canaveral, Miami, and Norfolk, Virginia. 

Carnival’s six-day cruise to Bermuda from Norfolk includes two days at sea and three days exploring Bermuda. The seven-day Oceana cruise, Bermuda Bliss, departs from New York City and visits Hamilton and St. George in Bermuda, featuring two days at sea.

Hawaii

The Hawaiian islands are approximately 3,700 miles from the West Coast, meaning cruises from the mainland to Hawaii and back involve four or five days at sea in each direction. Closed-loop cruises leave from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego, with additional cruises starting in Honolulu to explore the other islands. 

Princess Cruises' 16-day Hawaiian Islands journey from San Francisco includes stops in Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui, followed by five days at sea and a visit to Ensenada on the way back to San Francisco. Norwegian Cruise Line features a seven-day Hawaii inter-island cruise that departs from Honolulu, exploring Maui, Hilo, Kona on the Big Island, and Kauai before returning to Honolulu.

The Caribbean

Closed-loop Caribbean cruises set sail from departure ports including Tampa, Miami, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Baltimore, New Orleans, and New York City, with additional departures from San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Regent Seven Seas offers the Wonders in the Caribbean cruise, departing from Miami with stops in the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Key West. Royal Caribbean provides a seven-night Southern Caribbean Holiday cruise that starts in San Juan and visits Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, St. Vincent, and St. Maarten.

Canada and New England

Canada and New England are often featured together on itineraries that start in Boston, New York City, and Cape Liberty, New Jersey. 

Norwegian Cruise Line presents a seven-day Canada & New England cruise departing from New York City, featuring stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, followed by a day at sea before returning to New York City.