Passports and Visas

It is good practice to always travel with a passport that is not set to expire until no sooner than 6 months after your scheduled return date, along with a government picture ID card. Some destinations will require a visa from the country you are visiting or passing through.

Our preferred partner for passport and visa assistance is CIBT Passport and Visa. Our clients save 30% off CIBT regular retail fees by booking from our partner link here. They can help with passport and visa questions. Security while traveling is absolutely critical.

Here are some tips and suggestions we advise clients to follow.

Important Links

Learn about your destination.
The US Department of State’s Travelers Checklist
Info about S.T.E.P. program
Enroll in the S.T.E.P. program
Register for the Mobile Passport App.
Mobile Passport App Information (participating airports)
Clients can check health and vaccine requirements
US State Department travel advisories
Should I get a vaccine to travel there?
US State Department country information
US State Department cruise ship passenger tips
TSA Pre-check website
Real ID information; Real ID State Check
ID required for domestic travel within the USA
Children traveling with only 1 parent or with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian.
Driving and Road Safety Abroad
Learn about 2021 ETIAS for traveling in Europe.
Travel Facts by Country from the CIA World Fact Book
1 Page Country Summaries from CIA World Fact Book
Regional & World Maps from CIA World Fact Book

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What to Pack

Emergency Phone Numbers

In the unlikely event of an emergency, the U.S. Department of State’s emergency website can be found here.

US Department of State Emergency Phone Numbers: From the U.S. & Canada - 1-888-407-4747; From Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Report a Lost or Stolen Passport: From the U.S. & Canada 1-888-407-4747; From Overseas +1 202-501-4444
National Passport Information Center can be reached at 1-877-487-2778.

Do I Really Need A Passport on a Cruise?

You may be surprised to learn that at times, cruise passengers may not need a passport to visit the Caribbean and other destinations if they are on a "closed-loop" cruise leaving and returning to the same U.S. port, are 16 years or older and have a certified birth certificate and government issued ID.

However, it is definitely not advisable to travel without a passport. Without a passport you would be in for a world of trouble if you accidentally did not return to the ship in time before it left port while visiting a foreign country. Further, laws of other countries and re-entry into the U.S. can be very complex. Another reason is that some cruise lines will not allow you to board without a passport. We always, always advise traveling with a passport, even on "closed-loop" cruises.

The U.S. State Department's website says, "We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port. Also, your cruise company may require you to have a passport, even if U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not."

Check out US Department of State summary of Passport Book vs. Passport Card here.

Do You Need A Visa?

Please note that a valid passport is required for all air travel outside of the United States with a six month validity after your date of return. In addition to a passport, many countries require a visa for entry. To obtain the most current entry requirements for your upcoming trip, please contact our preferred partner for passport and visa assistance is CIBT Passport and Visa. Our clients save 30% off CIBT regular retail fees by booking from our partner link here. They can help with passport and visa questions.
** Group Cruise Discounts, LLC does not advise on visa and passport requirements ** It is the traverler's responsibility to secure proper travel documents, passports and visas.
Always travel with a passport for each traveler that expires no sooner than six (6) months after the date you are scheduled to return home from your trip. This is a requirement for some countries, and a general good practice.
Keep a photocopy of your driver's license and your passport in both a printed format as an electronic format.
Check with the governments of the countries you will be passing through or visiting as to their requirements, including whether you will need a visa.
Check if you need a visa in the UK.
IATA has a helpful tool to check passport & visa requirements. Note: This tool is neither authoritative nor endorsed by Group Cruise Discounts, LLC.
Delta Airlines also offers a tool to check passport & visa requirements. Note: This tool is neither authoritative nor endorsed by Group Cruise Discounts, LLC.

These are a few suggestions we recommend to help prepare you for travel. It is not intended to be a complete checklist and it is always the client’s responsibility to assure they have all necessary travel documents.