Comments on: Do You Need a Passport To Go To The Bahamas?

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 14:03:11 +0000

Hi, I have the same question that has been asked many times. Your answers seem a little confusing. On a closed loop cruise from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, as a US citizen will I need a passport to actually get off of the ship in the Bahamas? I know I need a drivers license and birth certificate to get on the ship initially and once again to deboard once back to Port Canaveral, but specifically do I need a passport to explore off ship while docked in the Bahamas?

By: Alison Kroulek

Alison Kroulek — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 04:05:33 +0000

Hi Nicole,

That should be fine, as it is a closed-loop cruise. However, please double-check with your cruise line to make sure they don’t require additional documentation. Have a great trip!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:36:37 +0000

I am planning to travel on a 4 days and 3 nights cruise to the Bahamas on march 22nd to march 25th. We departing from Miami, FL and docking back in Miami, Fl. I’m assuming my cruise is a “closed loop” cruise since we are not staying in the Bahamas but actually on the cruise itself. I am not sure if I am going to need a passport or if my birth certificate and DL is proof enough of my citizenship to board. Please help!

By: Alison Kroulek

Alison Kroulek — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:46:19 +0000

A passport card should be fine, Nathan, but please do double-check with your cruise line.

By: nathan brooks

nathan brooks — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 10:12:23 +0000

yes i’m leaveing port of palm beach takeing a cruise to nassau bahamas staying 2 days and returning to port of palm beach do i need a passport book or can i use a card instead

By: Alison Kroulek

Alison Kroulek — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:07:15 +0000

You should be fine with a driver’s license and birth certificate/naturalization certificate, but please confirm that with your cruise line as they have the final authority over whether or not you board.

Have a great trip!

By: William

William — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:14:33 +0000

Want to go on a cruise out of and back in to Charleston, South Carolina with stops in Nassau, the Bahamas and Freeport, the Bahamas. Do I need a passport for any portion of this itinerary?

By: Alison Kroulek

Alison Kroulek — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 03:00:38 +0000

Hi Suresh,

Please check with the cruise line to see what documentation she needs. Also, if she doesn’t have her green card yet I would check with the Bahamas Embassy and make sure she doesn’t need to apply for a visa in advance.

By: suresh

suresh — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:32:15 +0000

I m a US citizen and my wife got a greencard through me but it was submitted to federal building and then they stamped extension in her passport until Jan 2014. Is that enough to travel to bahamas freeport and nassau on carnival’s cruise starting in NEW YORK pier ? Please help

By: Alison Kroulek

Alison Kroulek — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 03:40:47 +0000

Hi Latoya,

Yes, and you should contact the Department of Vital Records where you born to get a new copy of your birth certificate. This page from the CDC will show you who to contact: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

Or, if you’re in a hurry, we recommend VitalChek: http://www.vitalchek.com/birth-certificates