Do you need passport for cruise

If you are starting and ending at the same port in the US, then you don't need a passport for a cruise. I would suggest having and bringing one just in case though.

FH did not have a passport when we went on a cruise to Nassau Bahamas. Started and ended in Florida port. You should be ok. However it's a good idea to have a passport or a birth certificate in case of an emergency because you cannot fly without that information if you're not in a u.s. territory.

I agree with both other comments - it is safer to travel with one. If something would happen to you or your husband while on your cruise you would not be able to fly home without a passport. My grandfather was on a cruise and had to be evacuated to Belize, and it was hard (and expensive) to get him back even with a passport. Also, if you plan to travel internationally in the next 10 years you might as well have one!

Been on 3 Carnival cruises.

Generally speaking, as long as you are going on a "closed loop cruise" which begins and ends at the same US domestic port, you don't need a passport.

Keep in mind that though several countries like Barbados or Trinidad & Tobago require valid passports to enter their borders. So if your cruise docks there, you would have to stay on the boat that day.

Also, just because it's not required doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Having a passport is safer than using a birth certificate, and is valid for 10 years. Most importantly, in an emergency, would help expedite you or if you miss the boat, you can still fly to catch it at the next port. With just a birth certificate, you would be SOL and have to contact the local US embassy for assistance.

And yes, this does happen. Here's a story of a couple that missed their boat's departuretime without any cash or passports, technically they were "illegal immigrants": https://www.reddit.com/r/Cruise/comments/3vsy9u/cruise_left_without_us_we_did_everything_we_could/

For more info on cruise rules:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise

https://cruiseline.com/advice/cruising-101/all-about-cruising/do-i-need-a-passport-to-cruise

I would STRONGLY encourage you to get a passport. If anything happens while you are on the cruise, (ie. medical emergency that requires you to get off the boat, missing the ship while at a port, etc) it will make your life a whole lot easier to get back to the U.S. Because, if any of these circumstances happened, you would then have to get in touch with the local US embassy to arrange for a passport. Obviously, these things do not usually happen, but I always try to plan for the unforeseen. I will also caution, that I had a friend a few years ago that was told a birth certificate would suffice for her cruise (I don't remember which ports she went to), but when she arrived to the terminal they would not allow her on without a passport. They wound up missing the cruise and had to beg and plead to have their money turned into a credit. Just make sure you read all the fine print, because the cruise lines will not reimburse you, or even give you a credit for lack of reading the fine print.

Like pp said, while you don't need a passport for a cruise that starts and ends in the US, you may need it to disembark at each stop. If you don't care about being stuck on ship at the tropical stops, no big deal. If you do care, get passports.

Get one.

I've also had my passport for cruises, however sometimes I think it isn't required. I would definitely have it though.

Took that same cruise and only needed my birth certificate

Wow, I didn't know that you could go without a passport. I'm an avid traveler and to me that sounds sketchy. I would just get a passport. Besides, you'll realize you love traveling so much that you'll probably end up making good use of it once you have it

I just got mine for our trip to Jamaica. It was a very easy process, your local post office should be able to help you out if you have any questions. I would just get one and be safe.

We're doing almost the same cruise for our honeymoon. I just recently renewed my passport just in case. It's not worth taking any chances and you definitely have time to get one without going through the costly expedite process.

Please spend the money and get the passport.

If God forbid something happened to either one of you and you had to be airlifted somewhere, you are fucked without a passport.

Also, it makes things a hell of a lot easier when embarking and disembarking the ship.

And also, people do miss their cruise ship. 5 people missed it when we left our Cozumel port because they were stupid and left their tour in the middle and went elsewhere and the boat did not wait for them.

While you don't need it for the cruise, definitely get one. I take mine with me even in domestic flights/travel as a second form of ID incase I loose my license or something. It's much easier to replace a passport than it is to replace a birth certificate anyways.

Yes get one anyway. If you have an emergency and need to fly home from one of the other countries you will need it.