Names on Travel Documentation
It is important that the guest’s full name (first name and last name) on the cruise and airline tickets be the same as the guest’s non-expired government-issued photo I.D. they plan to use for travel identification. In the event of a different name on the cruise/airline ticket and the guest’s photo I.D. as a result of a marriage, divorce or a legal name change, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate, marriage license or legal name change court document. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denied boarding.

Please Note: For newly married or soon-to-be married brides, we strongly recommend that if the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be made in the maiden name (do not include the married name); If the reservation was made in the married name, but the non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is in the maiden name, documentation (original or clear, legible copy) supporting this change is required (at embarkation), such as a marriage certificate or marriage license. Failure to bring documentation bridging the name differences could result in denied boarding.

​

Traveling with Minors
When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

​

Passport Requirements (Short Answer)

• Closed Loop Cruises - When a cruise starts in the USA and ends in the USA, no passport is required for US Citizens.

Whenever a passport is NOT required, guest MUST be able to show an original birth certificate (no copies) and valid state issued ID card to prove US Residency. Military ID's cannot be used to prove citizenship. 

 

• Open Loop Cruises - If a cruise starts in or out of the USA and and ends in a different country, a passport is required for US Citizens.

Whenever a passport is required, the passport MUST have six months of validity past the trip dates or they may not be allowed to travel. This means if your trip is in February and your passport expires in April it is invalid and must be renewed for travel. 

​

Passport Requirements - The Exact Answer

Carnival requires guests to provide proper travel documentation in order to travel. The documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise and is the responsibility of the guest. Our policy states that any guest traveling without proper documentation will be denied boarding the ship and will be under full penalty, and therefore, will not be offered a refund or a replacement cruise. Guests must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

On occasion, U.S. Permanent Residents may be asked to surrender their Permanent Resident Card and/or passport at time of check-in. This document will be returned upon completion of the immigration inspection at the time of debarkation.

Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel (unless otherwise noted).

Domestic Cruises
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) does not pertain to U.S. Permanent Residents.

• Guests are required to carry a valid Permanent Resident Card (also known as ARC or Green Card), that includes a photo I.D. In addition, U.S Permanent Residents must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

• Please Note: If a Permanent Resident Card does not have an expiration date on the front, then it is a very old version and it is recommended that the guest applies to renew it. Filing instructions and forms are available at www.uscis.gov.

• Photo I.D. Information: If the Permanent Resident Card does not include a photo I.D., a non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is required of all guests 16 years of age or older such as a Driver’s License, Driver’s Permit or government-issued identification card (city/state/federal).

Cruises that Visit Martinique and Bermuda

• Visiting Martinique: To go ashore, guests must carry a valid Permanent Resident Card and a valid, unexpired passport from their country of citizenship.

• Bermuda Cruises: For the entire cruise, guests must carry a valid Permanent Resident Card and a valid, unexpired passport from their country of citizenship.

Cruises that Visit Canada or Transit in Canada

• U.S. Permanent Residents must carry a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of their visit to Canada, from their country of citizenship and a valid U.S Permanent Resident Card. 

• U.S Permanent Residents may require a Canadian Visa depending on their nationality.

• Guests who are not citizens of the United States, Canada, U.K., Australia or New Zealand, may require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit or transit Canada.

• As of March 16, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include travelers with a valid Canadian visa.

• If guests are required to have a visa, it must be obtained in advance regardless of whether you choose to remain onboard or go ashore. Processing times vary by citizenship and may take up to 45 days. For more information regarding travel documentation requirements, please contact your local Canadian consulate or visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/apply-who.asp.

• Entry into Canada: Guests who have committed or been convicted of a crime may not be allowed into Canada - for more information, click here.

 

Air Travel within the U.S. - REAL ID Homeland Security Requirements 
Effective May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require every state and territory resident to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport or enhanced driver’s license, to go through airport security and board a flight within the U.S. If you will be flying to one of our cruise homeports within the U.S. on/after this implementation date, please ensure you have an acceptable document for your air travel. Visit www.tsa.gov/real-id more information. This requirement applies to air travelers 18 years of age and older. 

Real ID-compliant cards will have a star on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have this marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity for air travel within the U.S.  

Europe and Transatlantic Cruises
U.S Permanent Residents must contact the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Carnival assumes no responsibility for advising guests of Immigration requirements.

• U.S. Permanent Residents must carry a valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card and a a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of their visit to a Schengen country (see list below).  

• U.S Permanent Residents may require a Schengen Visa. 

• For itineraries that include countries (such as Turkey and Croatia) which are not part of the Schengen agreement, additional visas may be required for citizens of certain countries, including U.S Permanent Residents.

Schengen Visa Requirements
Under the Schengen regulations, citizens of certain countries will need a valid visa to visit or transit through any country in the Schengen area. There are currently 26 European countries that participate in the Schengen Agreement. The agreement eliminates all internal border controls between the participating countries. Once you enter a Schengen country, you may travel continuously for up to 90 days within the member countries. 

The following countries are party to the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Visa requirements vary depending on the passport under which you are traveling and the countries being visited.  Proper travel documentation is required at embarkation and throughout the cruise. We strongly suggest that guests visit www.schengenvisa.cc for additional Schengen Visa information and check with the appropriate embassy or consulate of the countries they will be visiting for specific travel documentation requirements. Be sure to provide the complete itinerary of the cruise so the embassy or consulate can provide the correct information. Guests may also contact a visa service agency for assistance.

​

​