While a growing number of people in the U.S. have a passport, almost half still do not. Does that mean half of you can’t enjoy the fun and adventure of cruising? Absolutely not.
If you plan on taking a cruise without a passport, you can still visit a wide variety of destinations as long as they are closed-loop cruises. A closed-loop cruise is one that starts and ends at the same U.S. port. You will need valid identification to board the ship and to visit non-U.S. ports, however.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides detailed information on what kinds of travel documents are accepted in which situations. Note that the requirements differ somewhat for a U.S. citizen versus a lawful permanent resident (LPR).
If you’re ready to book your seafaring vacation but don’t have a passport, here are nine destinations to consider, ranging from tropical island escapes to breathtaking glacial vistas, and everything in between.
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Coastal California
- New England
- Puerto Rico
- Bermuda
- The Caribbean
- Baja California
- The Yucatan Peninsula
1. Alaska
The list of no-passport cruises starts with visits to U.S. states. There are many options for cruising to or around Alaska, ranging from small, ecologically responsible cruise companies, to large ships with all the bells and whistles.
- Travel Highlights: An Alaskan cruise affords numerous opportunities for spotting wildlife, including the “Alaskan Big 5” — moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou, and gray wolves. You will witness the majesty of glaciers, and may even get to explore the Inland Passage, with unique small towns like Skagway and Ketchikan.
- Departure Ports: You can start and end your cruise from one of Alaska’s ports, such as Whittier or Seward. Another option is to depart from Seattle. The latter option may include a stop in Vancouver, British Columbia, so make sure to check what documentation you will need for Canada.
- Cruise Lines: All of the major cruise lines offer Alaskan cruises, including Princess, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Options for smaller ships include Lindblad and UnCruise Adventures.
- Best Time to Go: Most Alaskan cruises are offered during the summer months when there are the most hours of daylight and warmer temperatures. There are still wildlife-spotting opportunities in spring and fall, too. September is said to be the best time for seeing the Northern Lights.
2. Hawaii
Cruising round-trip from Hawaii often means first flying to Hawaii, which takes about six hours from Los Angeles or about 12 from New York. If you prefer to depart from the U.S. mainland, you can find round-trip Hawaiian cruises out of California or Washington. Once you’re on board, you can lie back and relax or go for a full adventure travel experience, depending on your preference.
- Travel Highlights: A Hawaiian cruise may stop at several ports around the islands, as well as Mexican ports, if you’re departing from the mainland. Stops in Hawaii can include major cities with lush beach resorts to more remote escapes featuring rainforests or volcanoes. Most bigger ships tend to visit the major islands: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. Small ships are a great way to explore farther afield. From aboard your ship, wildlife sightings might include sea turtles, dolphins, whales, or sharks.
- Departure Ports: Honolulu provides a great starting point for exploring Hawaii. Hawaiian cruises that originate in San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, or Seattle are typically on the longer side, 14 days or more.
- Best Cruise Lines: You can cruise Hawaii without a passport aboard all the major cruise lines like Disney, Carnival, and Viking. To island hop aboard smaller ships, look at AdventureSmith Explorations or UnCruise.
- Best Time to Go: There is no bad time to go to Hawaii, although you may find better deals and smaller crowds during spring and fall, compared to winter and summer.
3. Coastal California
California is a bigger place than many people realize, with 840 miles of coastline and various small islands off the coast. Exploring the beaches alone could fill a whole itinerary, but short excursions allow you to also take in big cities, ancient forests, mountains, deserts, and wine country.
- Travel Highlights: Unless you have a lot of time to spend on your no-passport cruise, you may want to focus on either Northern or Southern California. Choose the northern part of the state for wineries, fine dining, incredible hiking, and breathtaking cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean. Stay to the south for Hollywood and theme park outings, bustling beaches like Santa Monica, and unique islands like Catalina.
- Departure Ports: Major departure points are San Diego, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Cruises originating out of Seattle may also visit California ports.
- Cruise Lines: Most of the major cruise lines sail out of San Francisco and at least one of the three Southern California ports, with Los Angeles having the most options. The port of San Francisco offers some of the more high-end lines like Cunard and Crystal.
- Best Time to Go: Almost any time of the year is great for California, although the late spring into early summer can be a bit chilly and overcast, even as far south as San Diego. (Weather in the San Francisco Bay Area can be unpredictable year-round.)
4. New England
From quaint lighthouses to the bright lights of Times Square, you will find plenty to see without a passport when you cruise New England.
- Travel Highlights: New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are the major urban attractions, each with its own cuisine, culture, and attractions. They’re just the tip of the iceberg, though. Enjoy cozy small towns, rugged beaches, seaside arcades, historic sites, and summer whale watching. Check a National Park off your bucket list with Acadia National Park in Maine. Some New England cruises also visit Canadian stops like PEI (Prince Edward Island), Montreal, or Halifax.
- Departure Ports: Boston serves as a departure point for many cruises from a range of different lines. New York and Baltimore are also options. For an authentic and eco-friendly route, explore sail-powered cruises out of smaller ports in Maine.
- Cruise Lines: In Boston, you’ll find ships from numerous lines including Celebrity, Princess, Virgin, and Silversea. New York offers many choices including Carnival, Holland America, and MSC.
- Best Time to Go: For more comfortable weather, choose late spring or early summer to cruise without a passport in the Northeast. To enjoy dazzling fall foliage, you will want to travel a bit later in the year.
5. Puerto Rico
As a territory of the U.S., Puerto Rico is a great destination for cruising without a passport. When sailing from the U.S. mainland, you will probably have multiple days at sea where you can enjoy your ship’s onboard amenities en route to your next port. However, these cruises may stop at other points in the Caribbean along the way. (More on the Caribbean below.)
- Travel Highlights: The city of San Juan is packed with tourist attractions, many within walking distance of the twin cruise ports of Old San Juan Pier and Pan American Pier. There are also multiple beaches in proximity. A short drive will get you to even more beach options, along with the rainforest-covered mountains of El Yunque National Forest. Urban nightlife and immersive nature are both in easy reach.
- Departure Ports: You have a lot of choices for departure points to sail to Puerto Rico, including New York, Baltimore, Tampa, and Galveston. Some closed-loop cruises set sail out of San Juan, too, which is about a four-hour flight from New York.
- Cruise Lines: Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Windstar all dock in San Juan.
- Best Time to Go: Winters can be beautiful in this tropical destination, but that makes them popular. You may save money by traveling during the shoulder season, April to May. Keep in mind, Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, which can mean good deals but the risk of a cancellation.
6. Bermuda
Just 650 miles off the North Carolina coast, Bermuda is a tiny island nation with much to offer. Cruises head there from the East Coast and from multiple ports in Florida, no passport required.
- Travel Highlights: If you love to be in the water, Bermuda is the place for you. Swim or kayak along the coastline. Then dry off and soak up some sun on the island’s iconic pink sand beaches. There’s also plenty of history with the Bermuda National Museum, remnants of wrecked English and Spanish ships, and beautiful architecture. The Town of St. George is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Departure Ports: Departure options include Boston, Baltimore, Port Canaveral and Miami in Florida, and Port Liberty in New Jersey.
- Cruise Lines: Oceania, Regents Seven Seas, and Carnival all cruise to Bermuda, along with several others.
- Best Time to Go: Unlike some subtropical destinations, Bermuda has no rainy season so there’s no bad time to go. The most popular time to visit is April to October.
7. The Caribbean
The Caribbean offers numerous destinations, and a week-long cruise will likely hit only four of five of them. To narrow the choices, you could choose to focus on one region, like the Western, Eastern, or Southern Caribbean (the latter of which may include Puerto Rico). If you have more time to spend, some cruise lines offer a “grand tour” of the Caribbean, which can last 30 days or more.
- Travel Highlights: From relaxing in the sun to adventure sports, from casual street food to fine dining, there is something for everyone in the Caribbean.
- Departure Ports: Many Caribbean cruises depart from Florida, including Miami, Tampa, and Port Canaveral. Ports along the East Coast as well as Galveston, Texas, are also options.
- Cruise Lines: Virtually every American cruise line offers Caribbean cruises.
- Best Time to Go: Winter is a great time to escape cold weather and island hop under sunny skies. Summer means hurricane season and sometimes intense heat, but it can also bring great deals. These spots in the Caribbean are located outside the hurricane belt, meaning you can cruise with less risk of storms.
8. Baja California
Baja California is the northwesternmost state of Mexico, which includes Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito. For outstanding Mexican seafood and beautiful beaches just across the southern U.S. border, set sail from San Diego or Los Angeles. Some of these trips are as short as three or four days, or you can book longer West Coast adventures that include stops in Baja.
- Travel Highlights: Outstanding food and gorgeous beaches are highlights of Baja. It’s a great destination for those who enjoy snorkeling and diving. On shore, there are great venues for arts and culture.
- Departure Ports: Set sail for Baja out of San Diego, Los Angeles, or points farther north if you have time for a longer adventure.
- Cruise Lines: Check with any of the major cruise lines, or take a look at Pacific Catalyst or Lindblad for small ship cruises.
- Best Time to Go: Virtually any time of the year promises warm weather and sunshine for visiting Baja.
9. The Yucatan Peninsula 
For a different perspective on Mexico, consider visiting the Gulf side, specifically the Yucatan Peninsula. Yucatan ports, such as Costa Maya and Cozumel, may be included on some Western Caribbean itineraries.
- Travel Highlights: Cozumel is a popular destination, with glorious beaches and clear waters. Some ports provide easy access to Mayan archaeological sites, too, including ancient temples and ruins. Inland jungles teem with fascinating wildlife, from monkeys to macaws.
- Departure Ports: Head to The Yucatan from New Orleans, Galveston, or any major port in Florida.
- Cruise Lines: Options range from luxury cruise line Explora, to the more party-oriented likes of Carnival or Margaritaville.
- Best Time to Go: As with any Caribbean destination, there’s really no bad time to go, although summers can be extremely hot.
Documents Still Required Without a Passport
Although it’s possible to cruise without a passport, you will still need valid identification when you travel. You and anyone over the age of 16 traveling with you will need a REAL ID issued by a U.S. state, which may be your driver’s license. You must also have proof of citizenship, using one of the items listed below.
- A state-certified U.S. birth certificate (Baptismal paper, hospital certificates of birth, and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/2010 are not acceptable.)
- Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
- Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
- U.S. Consular report of birth abroad
Regardless of whether a passport is required, it is a good idea to have one anyway for your cruise. You never know when your ship will be diverted to an international port or you need to be medically evacuated to an international hospital. Having a valid passport for these types of unexpected events can make urgent situations easier to manage.
Top 5 Tips to Keep in Mind for Your Next Cruise
If you haven’t cruised before, keep these tips in mind to make the most of your voyage.
- Take the time to find the right cruise for you. Look at different ships and itineraries, to find the one that checks all your boxes. There are many cruise lines and many choices. You might plan differently based on whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or as a couple.
- Research each destination to learn what is most important for you and your travel companions. Sometimes, the cruise line offers several excursions in a given location and it’s not possible to do them all. You can always choose to explore independently, too, but follow any advice the ship’s crew gives you about personal safety and allow ample time to reboard the ship.
- Bring a backpack or similar small bag to take with you on shore excursions. Sometimes these outings last all day, so think about items you may need, including sunscreen, a good camera, comfortable attire, medications, and a refillable water bottle. Leave room for any souvenirs you pick up.
- Respect your destinations. Some port cities play host to thousands of people each day as ships unload. They count on revenue from tourists, so support local vendors. Avoid littering and anything else that you wouldn’t do where you live. Smile and thank the locals for their hospitality.
- Protect your cruise. You’ve spent a lot of time planning and investing your hard-earned money in a fantastic sea voyage. Don’t let weather, illness, or some other stroke of bad luck cheat you out of that. Cruise Insurance can give you peace of mind and reimburse you for prepaid costs that might otherwise be nonrefundable costs.
Is cruise travel insurance worth it?
Occasionally, cruises — particularly longer ones — require travel insurance for passengers. Even if it's not required, cruise travel insurance may be well worth the investment, as it can help protect you if you experience the unexpected. The cost is typically a small percentage of your overall cruise costs, and well worth the peace of mind. You and your fellow travelers will likely spend a good deal of time planning and dreaming of your perfect cruise vacation, perhaps saving for a long time to make it happen. Why not protect yourself to avoid a financial blow?
Find your perfect getaway, start packing, and contact Seven Corners to find the right travel insurance for your cruise.
