Travel Document Requirements*
Nothing gets in the way of a good trip like paperwork issues. So we want to make sure you know you’re responsible for meeting all the documentation and proof-of-citizenship requirements for your travel. Check out the guidelines below, as the last thing we want is for you to be denied boarding.
In many cases, you’ll need a valid passport, but even if you don’t, we really recommend traveling with one. You never know when the unexpected might happen – like leaving your ship before the end of your cruise – and it’s always better to be prepared.
General guidelines
Make sure the name on your booking matches the name on your travel document exactly. If the names do not match, contact your Travel Advisor (for bookings through a travel agency) or the Princess Cruises Reservations Department (for direct bookings) at 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237). To avoid check-in delays or even denied boarding, please provide Princess Cruises with this information at least 45 days before your cruise.
For non-U.S. passport holders or non-U.S. permanent residents disembarking in a U.S. Port, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires that before your cruise, you provide the address at which you will be staying in the U.S., post-cruise.
Travel document requirements vary by destination and citizenship. Below are document guidelines for both domestic and international voyages. Once a booking is made, you may view voyage-specific requirements on the Manage Booking.
Document Requirements for U.S. and Canadian Citizens/Nationals
International itineraries
A valid passport book is required for all international itineraries including:
- Africa
- Asia
- Australia & New Zealand
- Europe
- India
- Central and South America
- Panama Canal (partial and full transit)
- Caribbean (any sailings that visit Martinique or Guadeloupe)
- South Pacific & Tahiti
- World Cruises
If your cruise involves international air travel (including flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda or Mexico) you will be required to present a valid passport when departing from or returning to the U.S. by air.
Domestic itineraries
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) governs acceptable travel documents for entry into the U.S. by sea from Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico or within the United States. We highly recommend a passport. We also require a passport for all guests in a travel party when minors are traveling with only one adult (21 years and older).† However, for U.S. and Canadian citizens/nationals on select itineraries a passport is not always required. In lieu of a passport book, these individuals must present one of the following valid WHTI-compliant travel documents at cruise check-in:
- U.S. Passport Card
- U.S. or Canadian Issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) (A REAL ID is not the same and doesn’t fulfill this requirement.)
- U.S. or Canadian Issued Identification Card (issued to minors and non-drivers)
- NEXUS Card Air travel is limited to participating airports (for entry to Canada)
- SENTRI (for entry to Mexico) and FAST cards
- I-872 American Indian Card or Enhanced Tribal ID Card (ETC)
†We have implemented this requirement because we want to ensure that your party remains together should an emergency arise that requires one or more members to be disembarked in a non-U.S. port. We cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be allowed to disembark with just a WHTI-compliant document or birth certificate. Failure to present a valid passport for all guests traveling together will result in denial of boarding without refund of the cruise or cruisetour fare.
On select U.S. roundtrip (sometimes called “closed-loop”) voyages, U.S. citizens ages 16 and above may also travel with an original or certified copy U.S. birth certificate (or U.S. Certificate of Naturalization if foreign born) presented together with a valid U.S. government-issued photo identification. U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 and younger may travel with a birth certificate.
- Alaska roundtrip from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Seattle (roundtrip Seattle cruisetours excluded)
- Canada/New England roundtrip from New York
- Caribbean roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale^, Galveston^ or New York (voyages that do not call to Martinque or Guadeloupe only)
- Hawaii roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or Seattle
- Mexico roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco or San Diego
^Voyages that call to Central or South America are excluded and only passports are accepted. All voyages that call to Martinique or Guadeloupe require a passport.
For information regarding WHTI-compliant documents, visit the US Customs and Border Protection website.
U.S. Permanent Residents are required to present one of the following at cruise check-in:
- Permanent Resident Card (ARC/I-55 card)
- Temporary ARC/I-55 card and valid government-issued photo identification
- Expired ARC/I-55 card and form I-797 and valid government-issued photo identification
- Passport with “ARC” stamp
Canadian Permanent Residents are required to present a valid passport and Landed Permanent Resident Card at cruise check-in.
Non-U.S./Non-Canadian Passport Holders: A valid passport is required for all non-U.S. and non-Canadian citizens for all itineraries.
Passport validity
Many countries require passports be valid for six months after the completion of your travel. Check your passport to verify it will be valid for this period of time. Additionally, make certain that your passport contains blank pages for entry and exit endorsements and any visas that may be required. If necessary, allow sufficient time to renew your passport and/or obtain additional pages. (It may take longer than you think it will!) U.S. and Canadian passport holders sailing on a domestic cruise should ensure passports or other travel documents are valid through the completion of travel. There may be occasions where we retain your passport at check-in. This is to ensure that you are not inconvenienced by immigration clearance during your cruise and where face-to-face inspection is not required. We recommend you bring a second government-issued photo ID if you want to have one with you while in port.
There are over 7,000 Passport Application Acceptance locations in the U.S. You may locate the one closest to you by going to the U.S. Department of State website. The United States Postal Service also provides passport services. Visit the U.S. Postal website to find a post office location, get a list of fees and download a passport application.
For information regarding passport applications, please visit the U.S. Department of State travel website or call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 (M-F, 5 a.m.–5 p.m. PST).
*This information is provided as general guidance. Because governmental travel requirements change periodically, you must check with your Travel Advisor or the government authorities for all countries you will visit to determine or verify the actual requirements at the time of sailing. Princess assumes no responsibility for advising guests of such requirements.
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