Do I Need a Passport to take a Caribbean Cruise?

By Robert Curley

Updated 10/17/17

••• Celebrity Galaxy cruise ship. © Celebrity Cruises

Question: Do I Need a Passport to take a Caribbean Cruise?

Answer: Generally, yes. The travel rules implemented by Congress in the years following the 9/11 attacks now require U.S. travelers to have a passport or U.S. Passport Card for all cross-border travel, including by air, sea, and land. The only exception is if you're on a so-called "closed loop" cruise that departs and returns to a U.S. port like Ft. Lauderdale, San Juan, or New Orleans; then you only need a two forms of primary ID to travel.