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There’s plenty to see the entire trip, and it’s nice to be able to simply step out on the balcony to take in the view. While we have a full list of dozens of tips and things to know about sailing to Alaska, below we cover some of what we think are the most important items. That said, we’ve found the crowd does have fewer young adults that make a trip to the Caribbean more lively.
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If your ship breaks down in a foreign port or if you have a medical emergency, to fly home to the USA asap, you need a passport book for re-entry. The cost will be greater if applying for a passport within two weeks of travel time (in which case you will need an expedited application). You can learn more about passport requirements and documents needed to obtain a U.S. passport here.
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Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need a Passport to Cruise to Alaska?
If you’re a U.S. citizen or from another country, you must bring your passport book. Immigration authorities in the countries you visit may also require them. Almost every Alaskan cruise includes a stop in Canada due to U.S. regulations. The Passenger Vessel Services Act requires that foreign-flagged cruise ships, which most are, must make a stop in a foreign port before returning to the U.S.
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You might not need a valid passport if you’re embarking on a closed-loop Alaska cruise, starting and ending in the same U.S. port. To help eliminate any chance of losing your passport while on the ship, we recommend keeping it in your stateroom or suite. The in-room safes are easy to use and will keep your passport in a secure place at all times. When you’re on your cruise, there is no need to carry a passport on you since you’ll use your Sea Pass card for all transactions. Another thing you’ll want to check is the amount of blank pages in your passport.
There are some advantages to traveling with a passport card rather than a passport book, mainly cost and portability. Currently, a passport card costs only $65 to issue, while issuing a passport book is $145. For adults, both are valid for 10 years before you need to renew them. Even if you plan to stick to a closed-loop cruise, we still recommend you invest in a passport or passport card before your cruise. The fee is worth shelling out from a peace-of-mind standpoint.
The answer to do you need a passport to cruise to Alaska depends on where you’re departing from and returning to. Even if you visit a Canadian port, you may be able to sail to Alaska with just a U.S. birth certificate and photo identification. If you don't have a passport, these documents may also be sufficient to show customs officials in some Caribbean islands. St. Maarten doesn't require the documents, but Anguilla does. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency states that if you're cruising without a passport, you'll need proof of identity and U.S. citizenship in the form of a state-issued birth certificate.
It's best to check the requirements not just for each island that you'll be sailing to, but also to additional destinations you may visit on a port call. Even if you're on a closed-loop sailing, certain islands in the Caribbean – Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados and others -- require a passport for entry. It's your responsibility (not your cruise line's) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go.
Travel document requirements for sailings from U.S. homeports (excluding Honoulu, Hawaii & Seward, Alaska)
Consular official unless they are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program or are lawful permanent residents of the United States. Secondly, each cruise line has their own specific rules regarding documentation needed to travel. This makes it dependent on the cruise line itself if you have to bring a passport or not.
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Department of Homeland Security strongly recommends that all cruise passengers, including U.S. citizens, carry a valid passport for travel by sea. While it may not be a strict requirement for re-entering the United States, having a passport can facilitate smoother entry and provide peace of mind in the event of unforeseen circumstances. That being said, we always recommend bringing a valid passport book on your cruise. In case there are any unforeseen inconveniences, a passport book will always work as a valid travel document via air, land, and sea. For example, a passenger missing a cruise departure due to a late inbound flight to Miami would need a passport to fly to meet the ship at the next port.
Whether you’ve sailed dozens of times or never stepped foot on a ship, there’s plenty to know about taking a cruise to this part of the world. Below, we cover a cruise to Alaska from bow to stern, including everything from costs to tips and much more. An Alaska cruise is an adventure that requires careful planning and preparation. While your passport is a crucial part of this, there’s more to consider to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
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That’s why we suggest a larger ship with more covered spaces, such as indoor pools and covered recreation areas. These provide more areas to enjoy instead of feeling “stuck” inside the ship while you’re sailing. There are a number of places that you can visit on an Alaskan cruise, with most week-long trips working in a visit to four ports and viewing a glacier from the ship. So you can take multiple cruises before you hit all the available ports of call.
But personally, sailing to Alaska is unlike any other cruise we’ve taken. It’s a chance to experience a landscape you can’t really visit any other way. You get to see and do things that you just don’t get anywhere else. We have yet to hear anyone be disappointed with a cruise to Alaska.
Some countries like Russia, for example, do notrequire a visa unless you plan to do your own independent sight-seeing separatefrom the cruise line's own, ship-organized shore excursions. Othercountries like Brazil require everyone to obtain a visa even if the passengerdoes not disembark the ship in that port. Ifyou are staying overnight in a country before or after your cruise vacation,some countries may require a visa as well. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer.
The cost of a passport varies on whether or not it's your first passport or a renewal and your age. If you have flexibility in your schedule, you may find that the cost of an Alaska cruise is not as expensive as you thought! During the shoulder season, it is not uncommon to find fares as low as $350 per person based on double occupancy for an interior room.
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