International Travel

Tips for Traveling Abroad 

Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts


You've purchased your cruise and are anxiously awaiting your departure date.  Odds are that you did some planning before making your purchase, but your planning is not over.   You need to make sure that you have everything in order for a safe, healthy, and worry free trip.

Click on one of the links above to begin your International Travel planning or consult the links below for specific topics of interest.  This article covers documentation requirements, health, and safety.

Passports and Visas 

We recommend that all guests carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of your travel. Having a passport will enable you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event you miss your scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if you need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.  

New rules mandate that  U.S. citizens entering the country by land, sea, or air must establish both identity and citizenship and therefore must possess one of the following: passport, passport card or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.



Travel by Land or Sea (for U.S. and Canadian Citizens):

Travel document requirements vary based on cruise itinerary and whether international flights are required. For voyages that are scheduled to end outside the U.S., a passport that is valid for six months beyond the completion date of your travel is required. Passports or Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents are required for cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 16 and above may present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant documents:
  • Passport (recommended travel document) (valid for travel by air, land and sea)
  • Passport Card (valid for land and sea border crossings only)
  • State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (valid for land and sea border crossings only)
  • Other documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security
The other travel documents include: Lawful Permanent Resident Cards; certain Native American tribe member cards; North American trusted traveler program cards, such as NEXUS (Northern Border program), SENTRI (Southern Border program), or FAST (Free and Secure Trade program); military ID with official travel orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner Documents; or enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs).

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license.  It is still highly recommended that you travel with a valid passport.

See the Department of Homeland Security's Know Before You Go for more information on the changing travel requirements.

PLEASE NOTE: it is the passenger's sole responsibility to obtain and have available the proper travel documents that are necessary for your travel, including all costs related to obtaining proper documentation and costs to obtain entry to countries you visit and re-entry to your destination country. You’ve planned for this trip and want to be sure you aren’t denied boarding, nor do you want problems when entering or exiting any country during your trip. 

We've included some useful links here so that you can be sure you have the proper documentation.

State Department - overview of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - see Travel page
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – see Crossing U.S. Borders page
Traveling Outside the U.S. Documents Needed - Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)/Green Card
Canada Border Services Agency - for travel to/from Canada
Get Help in an Emergency - list of emergency resources
Trusted Traveler Programs -  expedited travel for pre-approved, low risk travelers through dedicated lanes and kiosks

Documents required for a foreign national or green card holder to enter the U.S.

Applying for a Passport or Visa

U.S. Dept of State - Passports (information about requirements and how to obtain a passport)
If You Need to Obtain a New Passport While Abroad (Hint:  keep a photo copy with you)
Passport and Visa Services (passport & visa expediters)
Get A Passport in a Hurry - you can expedite your application

When traveling in a foreign country, it is wise to know about the location of U.S. Embassies

U.S. Embassies (Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions)
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - register travel  with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate 

Entry Requirements of Foreign Countries
If a visa is required by the country you will visit, obtain it from the appropriate foreign consular representative before proceeding abroad.  Allow sufficient time for processing your visa application, especially if you are applying by mail.


Traveler's Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (advice about any health advisories here and abroad)
Traveler's Health - Travel Notices (CDC Travel specific topics)

Coronavirus - COVID-19
  
Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships  -  gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses can be prevented
Wash hands often. Wash hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.  Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer along with hand washing.

Norovirus outbreaks, when they occur on a cruise ship, always make the news.  The truth is these outbreaks can occur anywhere there are groups of people in a small area such as nursing homes, restaurants, catered events, hotels, and cruise ships.

Vessel Sanitation Program - prevention and control of spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships

Flight Related DVT (Flight-related Deep Vein Thrombosis -Economy Class Syndrome)



Airline Security Requirements

Consult your airline, airport, and TSA's website for air travel information including baggage restrictions and security information.   Be sure to allow sufficient time to check baggage and not be rushed.  International flights typically require check-in 2-3 hours prior to your flight.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA website - latest regulations and resources)
Secure Flight Program - program that streamlines the watch list matching process

Disclaimer:   Information provided on this page is provided as guidance to the official government information which is contained on referenced websites.  

 Links are accurate at time of publication and are subject to change.     Consult the home page of the appropriate governmental agency if the link cannot be found.

~ last updated April 25, 2022
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