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Before You Board    >   What to Know Before You Go    >   Travel Documentation
Travel Documentation
 
Before Leaving Home:
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Caution: The requirements described below are required by government regulations and policies. They are subject to change without notice.

For the current passport requirements click here.

It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. These appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas, inoculation certificate and family legal documents are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries.

Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country and may be subject to fines. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.

Required travel documents for Domestic Sailings
Required travel documents for International Sailings
Required travel documents for Asia Sailings

Please note: Royal Caribbean domestic sailings are all sailings originating and ending in ports located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Panama Canal sailings. All other sailings are considered to be international sailings. These include itineraries in Europe, South America and Australia/New Zealand including re-positioning sailings originating or ending in their ports. U.S. citizens traveling on our international sailings are required to have valid passports.

DOMESTIC SAILINGS

Consecutive Sailings

Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) when fully implemented on June 1, 2009 will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a valid passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer's identity and citizenship in order to enter or reenter the United States.

Passport Requirements

A valid passport is a requirement for air travel to / from Canada, Mexico the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Effective June 1, 2009 only a valid passport (unless otherwise noted below) or other WHTI compliant document will be accepted for entry or re-entry into the United States. For a list of all approved documents visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html#compliant_document

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
 
Alien Registration Card (Green Card)

U.S. lawful permanent residents will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other valid evidence of permanent residence status to apply for entry to United States.

Card renewal is an important matter. ARC holders (United States permanent residents) with expired cards may be considered "out of status" and may be denied entry / reentry into the United States. If your ARC was issued over 10 years ago, you should check the expiration date printed on the front of the card. If your card is expired, or it is about to expire, you should renew your card before you sail.

If you are holding an old edition ARC WITHOUT an expiration date, you will not be detained from entering the United States but U.S. Customs and Border Protection highly suggests that you apply for a new card before you sail.

For additional information, visit: http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/greencard_renewal.html

Sea Travel Only (before June 1, 2009)

For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a Passport (valid or expired), valid U.S. Passport Card or State or Provincial Enhanced Drivers License is highly recommended.

In the absence of a Passport, U.S. Passport Card or State or Provincial Enhanced Drivers License (when available - this secure drivers license will denote identity and citizenship) or any other Department of Home Land Security approved Identification / Citizenship document(s), a birth certificate (original or certified copy), plus a laminated picture ID card including photo, name and date of birth issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.

U.S. and Canadian citizen children ages 16 and under will be expected to present a birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal authority.

Note:
Baptismal paper and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable.

A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.

For U.S. Naturalized citizens, in the absence of a passport, Naturalization papers (either original or notarized copy) plus a laminated picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.

International Travel

A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America. For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov.
 

Our Recommendation

Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.

Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them.

For additional passport information visit www.travel.state.gov.

Non U.S. Citizens:
You will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. If you live in the U.S., you will also need the original copy of your Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green Card") and any other documentation the countries on your itinerary require due to your alien status.

Canadian Landed Immigrants:
All Canadian Landed Immigrants (inclusive of those who are citizens of the British Commonwealth countries) who reside in Canada must have valid passports and US visas. Also required is the original copy of your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) formally the IMM 1000 or with respect to any country on the itinerary any other travel documentation required because of alien status.
 
Visas
Please contact the Embassy (Consular Services) of each country on your sailing itinerary or the visa service of your choice for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality.

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
Citizens from the Visa Waiver Program countries of: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunel, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom seeking to enter the United States will be required to have in their possession a machine readable passport with a digital photograph valid for the duration of the voyage.

A machine readable passport is one having an alpha-numeric code on the bottom of the picture page. Example:

P<<UKDOE<<JOHN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<1234567890M1234567890M1234567890<1234567890

Click here for more information on the Visa Waiver Program.

INOCULATION / HEALTH
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website at www.cdc.gov/travel or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website at www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/.
 

Family Legal Documents

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.

Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.

Click here for more information on Passport and Visa Requirements.
 
INTERNATIONAL SAILINGS

Consecutive Sailings 
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.

Passport
A valid passport is required for travel.
For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six(6) months of the sailing termination date.
U.S. citizens carrying an Official (maroon cover) passport must also be in possession of a valid Diplomatic or personal (blue or green cover) passport to allow ship embarkation.

 
Visas
It is the guests' responsibility to identify and to obtain the necessary visas before commencing their cruise.
Based on nationality, many countries still require an entry visa.
Suggestions on where to get visa information:
U.S. citizens can visit the U.S. Department of State Foreign Entry Requirements at www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html
Canadian citizens can visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/visa_services-en.asp#1
the Embassies (Consular Service Office) of each country on your sailing itinerary
or the visa service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees that apply to your nationality.

Passport Express Services
website: www.passportservices.com/rci
toll free telephone: 1.800.858.8579
email: rci@passportexpress.com

INOCULATION / HEALTH

As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website at www.cdc.gov/travel or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website at www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/.

 
Family Legal Documents

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.

Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.

Click here for more information on Passport and Visa Requirements.
 
ASIA SAILINGS

Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.

Passport
A valid passport is required for travel.
Ensure sufficient blank visa pages within the passport for visa stamps.
For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six (6) months following the voyage termination date.
Since the ship will collect your passport to speed the clearance formalities at each port of call, we suggest you bring with you a few photocopies of your passport's personal information page which includes the picture, and that you carry one of these photocopies with you each time you leave the ship.
U.S. citizens carrying an Official (maroon cover) passport must also be in possession of a valid Diplomatic or personal (blue or green cover) passport to allow ship embarkation.

 
Visas
It is the guests' responsibility to identify and to obtain all the necessary visas before leaving home, unless otherwise instructed below.
Based on nationality, many countries still require an entry visa.
A visa for Cambodia and Vietnam is required for many nationalities including U.S. and Canadian citizens, but it may not be the only visas required for this sailing based on your nationality.
For Cambodia and Vietnam, ship personnel will assist each guest required to secure a visa for Cambodia and Vietnam and charge the guests onboard SeaPass account a one-time fee of twenty-eight ($28.00 USD) dollars for a Cambodia visa and twenty-five ($25.00 USD) dollars for a Vietnam visa.
These visa fees include a small processing charge by our local representative.
Suggestions on where to get visa information:
U.S. citizens can visit the U.S. Department of State Foreign Entry Requirements at www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html
Canadian citizens can visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/visa_services-en.asp#1
the Embassies (Consular Service Office) of each country on your sailing itinerary
or the visa service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees that apply to your nationality.

For details on visa requirements for Cambodia and Vietnam click here.

Passport Express Services
website: www.passportservices.com/rci
toll free telephone: 1.800.858.8579
email: rci@passportexpress.com

 
INOCULATION / HEALTH

As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website at www.cdc.gov/travel or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website at www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/.

Family Legal Documents

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.

Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.

Click here for more information on Passport and Visa Requirements.
 
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