THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL IS ALWAYS WITH A PASSPORT!
However, the law states that if you are a US citizen born in the US and you are sailing to the Bahamas’, Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, Alaska, Canada New England, or Hawaii and you are leaving from and returning to the same port of call, you can still travel with a Birth Certificate and a photo ID such as a driver’s license.
The problem with this form of documentation is that if you miss the ship’s departure from a port of call for any reason, including, but not limited to sickness or injury, drank too much and lost track of time (hey, it has been known to happen) you CANNOT re-enter the US by air without a passport!
To me it just isn’t worth taking a chance, you never know what may happen. Just get the passport and have peace of mind.
TIP: If you are applying for a passport or renewing a current passport, make sure to keep an extra certified copy of your birth certificate as a backup just in case the passport doesn’t come back on time.
If you choose not to purchase the passport and decide to use your birth certificate and photo ID, please make sure that it is an original birth certificate or certified copy with a raised seal, otherwise, it will not be accepted.
For all questions and the latest, up to date information concerning passport and other travel documents please visit www.travel.state.gov.
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