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Before embarking on a Bahamas cruise, discover if you require a passport and get all the information you need for a stress-free journey. Medical care is available on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. However, serious illnesses or injuries might not be treatable locally. Serious health problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars in up-front costs. Outer islands have only small clinics, and medical care is limited. The Bahamas requires compliance with regulations to divert child abduction similar to U.S. policies.
Passport Requirements for a Bahamas Cruise
The cruise ship will have a medical center on board, and passengers should report any medical concerns or emergencies to the ship’s medical staff as soon as possible. In the event of a serious emergency, the ship’s crew will notify the appropriate authorities and take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of all passengers. Citizens who are permanent residents of the United States must have a valid Green Card and a valid passport from their country of citizenship to enter the Bahamas.
Travel document requirements for sailings from Istanbul, Turkey
With over 15 years of experience in travel journalism, Cristina has a profound understanding of the cruise industry, from the intimate details of ship life to the broad spectrum of global destinations. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from the Bahamas. If you are unsure about which option is best for you, it is recommended to consult with the cruise line or a travel agent for guidance. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Certain repositioning cruises
Before embarking on a cruise to the Bahamas, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. This section will cover the key points to consider when preparing for your cruise. With airlines facing potential delays in receiving their ordered Boeing planes and some carriers like United even halting orders for certain models altogether, the industry braces for a reduction in available aircraft. These delays, compounded by intensive federal investigations into Boeing’s manufacturing processes, may limit the number of planes available to American carriers. Consequently, this reduction in aircraft availability poses a risk of driving up airline prices for travelers. It’s an independent nation made up of over 700 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean, located just off the coast of Florida.
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REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
A valid U.S. passport book is mandatory even if you’re flying to or from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean from the United States. Figuring out if you need a passport to go on a cruise isn’t quite as straightforward as you might think. The answer largely depends on the destination of your cruise, which port you’re embarking and disembarking from, and which forms of ID you already have. If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of The Bahamas to ensure the medication is legal in The Bahamas. Always carry your prescription medication in its original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. If a U.S. citizen illegally brings a firearm or ammunition into The Bahamas, the U.S.
You can choose to book an excursion to visit one of Orlando's theme parks, relax on the nearby Cocoa Beach, take a tour of the Kennedy Space Station, or remain onboard. A passport necklace is similar, but is worn around your neck and inside your shirt instead. It’s not usually as discreet as a money belt, but is often more convenient and allows for easier access to your travel documents and money. Even though Hawaii is a U.S. state, all of our cruise itineraries require you to travel with a U.S. passport book or card. When returning to the United States from the Bahamas, travelers must comply with U.S.
The Caribbean includes over a dozen different countries and territories, so don’t think that you’re limited. Your options range from Barbados to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Aruba and more. Purchasing cruise travel insurance can also mitigate the risks of travel emergencies. For this reason, you’ll see plenty of cruises taking off from Florida, stopping off in the Bahamas, then looping back and docking in the United States.
Parents should bring a valid copy of their child's birth certificate if they are under the age of 16. U.S. citizens traveling on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter the U.S. with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID, according to U.S. When traveling to the Bahamas, visitors must have a valid passport or other approved documentation.
What documents are required for a child traveling on a Bahamas cruise?
As mentioned earlier, the cost will be higher, which is something you need to account for in your overall vacation budget. If, however, you live near a northern port and can save on airfare by driving, the cost of the cruise might not be as much once you factor in plane tickets to Florida and a pre-cruise hotel for a 3- or 4-night voyage. More often than not, even a short 3-night cruise to The Bahamas will allow you to explore more than one destination. If you're afraid of getting seasick, this could be a good option, as you will not have to worry about any days at sea.
We always recommend carrying a passport book or a passport card while vacationing on a cruise. That being said, there are certain types of cruises where you’ll be able to board with other types of documentation if you do not have either a passport book or passport card. If you’re traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, you can bring a U.S. passport card instead of a passport book. However, a passport card does not work for air travel into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. While some cruises may offer closed-loop itineraries that depart and return to the same U.S. port, a valid passport is still recommended for all travel to the Bahamas. Some states in the United States offer enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs), which are a form of ID that can be used for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
All persons 16 years of age or older in The Bahamas are tried as adults in court. If you are arrested for drug possession, you should expect to spend at least one night, and possibly longer, in custody. Stay away from drug traffickers, who may be often armed and violent. A flight back home is the fastest, cheapest, and most easily accessible option in such a circumstance. However, no matter how grave the incident demanding your attention is, you won’t be allowed to fly back into the United States without your passport on you.
On the rare occasion of a ship evacuation or a diversion to another country to disembark, a passport would also be essential for getting home. An enhanced driver's license is another alternative that you can use for land and sea port crossings, but not for international flights. To make things even more confusing, you can get off the ship in port in Vancouver, British Columbia during an Alaska cruise without a passport, but to cross over into the Canadian province by rail, you'll need one. You can visit Alaska on a round-trip Seattle cruise without a passport. But if you wish to book a rail journey excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Route, which takes you from Alaska into Canada, choose the shorter White Pass Summit tour; you'll need a passport for the longer trips.
Whether you’re traveling by air or sea, a valid U.S. passport is a must. Remember to check the validity of your passport to make sure that it has at least 6 months from the date of entry to The Bahamas as well as 2 blank pages for stamps. The U.S. Passport Card, a more convenient and cheaper alternative to the passport book, can be used for entry into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda via land or sea. If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful islands of The Bahamas, it’s essential to understand the entry and exit requirements, as well as the safety measures recommended by the U.S. If you are traveling by boat or cruise ship, you can enter the Bahamas without a passport book, but you may still want one in the event of an emergency that requires you to fly home instead. For lawful permanent residents, it’s important to note that a valid green card is necessary for reentry into the U.S.
Be mindful of sharks when swimming and engaging in water activities, as there have been recent fatal and non-fatal incidents involving sharks. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about honeymoons, partying with the gang, a summer family getaway, or a solo trip to lose yourself—the country has something for everyone. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is a free & efficient alternative to Global Entry.
While it's tempting to try and get around paying for a passport for your upcoming cruise, in the unlikely event of an emergency, you will be glad you have it. Here's everything you need to know about traveling to The Bahamas with and without a passport. The Bahamas is one of the most popular year-round vacation destinations. From gorgeous turquoise beaches to delicious authentic cuisine, there's so much to experience, even if you're on a short 3-night cruise from Florida. Photocopies of required documentation are not acceptable in any circumstance.
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