07/20/2023
Passport info.....
Norwegian Cruise line … as shown on their NCL.com
Freestyle Cruise > Cruise Travel Documents
REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
• Required Documentation
• Domestic Airline Travel ID Requirements for US Citizens
• Cruising and/or flying through Canada
• Visa Requirements
• Travel Documentation Resources
• Age Requirements for Travel
• Travel Sanctions and Regulations
Required Travel Documentation and Information for Cruise Vacations
Back to Overview
Required Travel Documentation
Carefully read the documentation that each guest must present at the pier prior to boarding. Travel to some destinations may require special visas and travel authorizations before the cruise.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different visa or travel requirements, while we attempt to provide you with most up to date information below, we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout your journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Please visit Norwegian Cruise Line global visa support center for additional visa requirements for your cruise by clicking here.
U.S. Citizens For Cruises Leaving From a U.S. Port to the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal
On cruises that begin and end in the same US port and do not sail through the Panama Canal or to any South American ports, you are required to carry one of the below documents:
A Valid Passport
OR
Proof of Citizenship (see below) AND Government-issued photo ID
• State certified U.S. birth certificate
(Baptismal paper, hospital certificates of birth, and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable.)
• Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
• Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
• U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad
• Enhanced Driver’s License (enhanced driver’s licenses are only issued in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington)
• A valid passport card
Photocopies or pictures of documents will not be accepted.
*A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID.
A valid passport is required on all sailings that begin in one US port and end in another US port.
Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:
• If you miss the ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet the ship, a passport would be required to travel internationally by air.
• If you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to travel internationally by air.
• International ports of call can change their travel requirements at their own discretion and may unexpectedly require all guests to have a valid passport to go ashore.
If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours.
Hawaii Cruises
There's no need for a passport when you sail on any Hawaii inter-island cruise. If the ship never sails beyond the islands of Hawaii, all you need is a government-issued photo I.D. which includes a passport or a valid driver's license with a photo.
Panama Canal or Cruises Visiting Panamanian Ports
Valid passports are required to board the ship for all Panama Canal sailings. No passport cards, birth certificates or other form of proof of US citizenship will be accepted. Failure to present a valid passport at check-in will result in denial of boarding. On cruises that visit a port of call in Panama but do NOT go through the Panama Canal, Panamanian authorities require all guests to have a valid passport in order to go ashore. Guests that do not have a passport will be blocked from going ashore in Panama on these sailings.
For Cruises Leaving a Non-U.S. port (Europe, Asia, South America, Australia itineraries)
You’re required to carry a valid passport, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise.
Specific visas may be required for entry into some European, Asian, Australian and South American ports. Some must be obtained in advance; some can be obtained onboard.
Click here for visa requirements and info on obtaining visas.
Domestic Airline Travel ID Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card. Between now and the effective date of the new regulations, we encourage all travelers to check their IDs and obtain a REAL ID if they don’t already have one. To obtain a REAL ID requires documentation beyond what is required for most standard drivers' licenses. Prepare to collect and present several documents to DMV officials that prove residency and identification.
Guests should take this into consideration when planning travels for their cruise.
To find out if your state is in compliance, please click here.
To learn more about REAL ID, please click here.
For more information, including other acceptable forms of identification, please click here.
Non-U.S. Citizens ALL GUESTS MUST CARRY A VALID PASSPORT.
All Non-U.S. Citizen Guests Must Carry A Valid Passport, (Not Expiring within (6) Months of Return Of Your Cruise). In addition, a tourist visa may be required for entry into certain countries/ports of call. To confirm the specific documents required, please be sure to check with the proper authorities (such as your local immigration office) for each port that you are entering. You can also contact VisaCentral to answer your questions.
U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) Holders
U.S. Alien Residents holding an Alien Resident Card (ARC), also known as a "Green Card" must be in possession of the ARC in order to sail. U.S. Alien Residents who do not have their ARC with them at check in will be denied boarding. It is recommended that these guests also carry their passports from their country of citizenship if available. In some instances, ARC holders may still be required to have travel permits and/or visas to enter countries Norwegian Cruise Line visits in these destinations.
Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders
Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders who are NOT in possession of their permanent resident papers or a valid Temporary Resident Visa will be denied boarding if the ship visits any Canadian port during the cruise. In addition, the Canadian resident can be refused re-entry into Canada without their proper resident documentation.
Important Information for Chinese Citizens Cruising in the United States
Effective November 29, 2016, all Chinese passport holders that have a 10 year B1/B2 non-immigrant visa are now required to fill out an Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment in order to enter the United States. All Chinese guests with a 10 year B1/B2 visa must complete their EVUS enrollment prior to arriving to the pier. Proof of EVUS enrollment must be shown at check-in and is required to board the ship. This applies to all U.S. ports. For more information, please visit www.evus.gov.
Important Information for Guests Cruising and/or flying through Canada:
(Applicable for Alaska, Pacific Coastal, Hawaii & Canada New England Itineraries departing from a Canadian Port City – ie: Vancouver and Quebec City)
New Entry Requirements Effective September 29, 2016: Visa-exempt foreign nationals who enter Canada by air, must obtain and have in their possession a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
The eTA is not required by the following:
• US passport holders
• Canadian passport holders
• Dual citizens (citizens of Canada and a visa-exempt country)
• Canadian permanent residents (Guests with permanent residency status granted by the Canadian government which are not citizens of Canada)
• Passengers arriving in Canada by land or sea
To apply for a Canadian eTA, please click on the following link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp. Guests may be denied boarding by the airline carrier or Norwegian Cruise Line without having proper documentation upon check-in.
For additional information regarding Canada’s new eTA requirement, please visit the following website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
Visa Restrictions for Canada
Based on Canadian entry requirements, some passengers may require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or travel through Canada. Click here for more information.
Travel Visa Requirements
Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with VisaCentral to provide our guests with comprehensive, accurate information regarding travel visas. Some of VisaCentral’s guest travel services include visa application kits and assistance with obtaining other visas where required. Visit the Global Visa Support Center on the VisaCentral (http://visacentral.com/Norwegian-cruise-line-splash?login=103407) page for assistance with visa applications.
Electronic Travel Authorization - for Citizens of Visa Waiver Program Countries (VWP) Entering the United States
Per the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements, all VWP travelers must obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States. This can be done by completing the online application on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. However, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.
Schengen Visas - for Entry to the European Union for Applicable Nationalities
The Schengen Agreement (effective March 26, 1995) is an agreement between several member states of the European Union (EU) to remove immigration controls for travel within their collective territories. This creates a "borderless" region known as the Schengen Area, which changes the procedures for entering, connecting or traveling between any of the Schengen States. Click here for more information.
There are four types of Schengen visas; Type C is the one typically needed by passengers, which can be issued by any one of the Schengen states and is valid for all the others. Due to the type of itineraries in Europe, The Schengen Agreement maintains that certain nationalities require a visa to enter the EU zone. Guests who are not US, Canadian, or European nationals are strongly encouraged to contact the nearest EU-member country embassy to determine if a Schengen visa is necessary.
Some European itineraries require a Multiple Entry Schengen visa because the ship leaves and re-enters the Schengen Zone.
U.S. and Canadian Citizens Visas Are Required for All U.S. and Canadian Citizens Traveling to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
A specific visa may be required for entry to certain countries. SOME VISAS MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE and some CAN BE OBTAINED ONBOARD.
For All U.S. and Canadian Citizens Traveling to Asia, New Zealand, and Australia: Visas must be obtained in advance of departure if your cruise is visiting any of the destinations listed below:
• Australia (obtained online)
• India (an Embassy-issued visa sticker or an electronic visa)
• New Zealand (obtained online)
• Saudi Arabia (obtained online)
• Sri Lanka (obtained online)
• Turkey (obtained online if entering Turkey by plane)
Contact the embassy of the countries listed above or visit VisaCentral, a full service agency, for assistance with obtaining any visas that are required in advance of your cruise.
US and Canadian Passport holders require a visa to enter the countries listed below. Norwegian Cruise Line will obtain visas on your behalf if you have not done so before the cruise. Costs (ranging from $64 USD per visa and up) will be charged to your onboard account:
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Kenya
Passport information ....Norwegian Cruise line … as shown on their NCL.com
Freestyle Cruise > Cruise Travel Documents
REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
• Required Documentation
• Domestic Airline Travel ID Requirements for US Citizens
• Cruising and/or flying through Canada
• Visa Requirements
• Travel Documentation Resources
• Age Requirements for Travel
• Travel Sanctions and Regulations
Required Travel Documentation and Information for Cruise Vacations
Back to Overview
Required Travel Documentation
Carefully read the documentation that each guest must present at the pier prior to boarding. Travel to some destinations may require special visas and travel authorizations before the cruise.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different visa or travel requirements, while we attempt to provide you with most up to date information below, we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout your journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Please visit Norwegian Cruise Line global visa support center for additional visa requirements for your cruise by clicking here.
U.S. Citizens For Cruises Leaving From a U.S. Port to the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal
On cruises that begin and end in the same US port and do not sail through the Panama Canal or to any South American ports, you are required to carry one of the below documents:
A Valid Passport
OR
Proof of Citizenship (see below) AND Government-issued photo ID
• State certified U.S. birth certificate
(Baptismal paper, hospital certificates of birth, and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable.)
• Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
• Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
• U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad
• Enhanced Driver’s License (enhanced driver’s licenses are only issued in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington)
• A valid passport card
Photocopies or pictures of documents will not be accepted.
*A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID.
A valid passport is required on all sailings that begin in one US port and end in another US port.
Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise vacation for the following reasons:
• If you miss the ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet the ship, a passport would be required to travel internationally by air.
• If you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to travel internationally by air.
• International ports of call can change their travel requirements at their own discretion and may unexpectedly require all guests to have a valid passport to go ashore.
If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours.
Hawaii Cruises
There's no need for a passport when you sail on any Hawaii inter-island cruise. If the ship never sails beyond the islands of Hawaii, all you need is a government-issued photo I.D. which includes a passport or a valid driver's license with a photo.
Panama Canal or Cruises Visiting Panamanian Ports
Valid passports are required to board the ship for all Panama Canal sailings. No passport cards, birth certificates or other form of proof of US citizenship will be accepted. Failure to present a valid passport at check-in will result in denial of boarding. On cruises that visit a port of call in Panama but do NOT go through the Panama Canal, Panamanian authorities require all guests to have a valid passport in order to go ashore. Guests that do not have a passport will be blocked from going ashore in Panama on these sailings.
For Cruises Leaving a Non-U.S. port (Europe, Asia, South America, Australia itineraries)
You’re required to carry a valid passport, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise.
Specific visas may be required for entry into some European, Asian, Australian and South American ports. Some must be obtained in advance; some can be obtained onboard.
Click here for visa requirements and info on obtaining visas.
Domestic Airline Travel ID Requirements for U.S. Citizens
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card. Between now and the effective date of the new regulations, we encourage all travelers to check their IDs and obtain a REAL ID if they don’t already have one. To obtain a REAL ID requires documentation beyond what is required for most standard drivers' licenses. Prepare to collect and present several documents to DMV officials that prove residency and identification.
Guests should take this into consideration when planning travels for their cruise.
To find out if your state is in compliance, please click here.
To learn more about REAL ID, please click here.
For more information, including other acceptable forms of identification, please click here.
Non-U.S. Citizens ALL GUESTS MUST CARRY A VALID PASSPORT.
All Non-U.S. Citizen Guests Must Carry A Valid Passport, (Not Expiring within (6) Months of Return Of Your Cruise). In addition, a tourist visa may be required for entry into certain countries/ports of call. To confirm the specific documents required, please be sure to check with the proper authorities (such as your local immigration office) for each port that you are entering. You can also contact VisaCentral to answer your questions.
U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) Holders
U.S. Alien Residents holding an Alien Resident Card (ARC), also known as a "Green Card" must be in possession of the ARC in order to sail. U.S. Alien Residents who do not have their ARC with them at check in will be denied boarding. It is recommended that these guests also carry their passports from their country of citizenship if available. In some instances, ARC holders may still be required to have travel permits and/or visas to enter countries Norwegian Cruise Line visits in these destinations.
Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders
Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders who are NOT in possession of their permanent resident papers or a valid Temporary Resident Visa will be denied boarding if the ship visits any Canadian port during the cruise. In addition, the Canadian resident can be refused re-entry into Canada without their proper resident documentation.
Important Information for Chinese Citizens Cruising in the United States
Effective November 29, 2016, all Chinese passport holders that have a 10 year B1/B2 non-immigrant visa are now required to fill out an Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment in order to enter the United States. All Chinese guests with a 10 year B1/B2 visa must complete their EVUS enrollment prior to arriving to the pier. Proof of EVUS enrollment must be shown at check-in and is required to board the ship. This applies to all U.S. ports. For more information, please visit www.evus.gov.
Important Information for Guests Cruising and/or flying through Canada:
(Applicable for Alaska, Pacific Coastal, Hawaii & Canada New England Itineraries departing from a Canadian Port City – ie: Vancouver and Quebec City)
New Entry Requirements Effective September 29, 2016: Visa-exempt foreign nationals who enter Canada by air, must obtain and have in their possession a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
The eTA is not required by the following:
• US passport holders
• Canadian passport holders
• Dual citizens (citizens of Canada and a visa-exempt country)
• Canadian permanent residents (Guests with permanent residency status granted by the Canadian government which are not citizens of Canada)
• Passengers arriving in Canada by land or sea
To apply for a Canadian eTA, please click on the following link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp. Guests may be denied boarding by the airline carrier or Norwegian Cruise Line without having proper documentation upon check-in.
For additional information regarding Canada’s new eTA requirement, please visit the following website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
Visa Restrictions for Canada
Based on Canadian entry requirements, some passengers may require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or travel through Canada. Click here for more information.
Travel Visa Requirements
Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with VisaCentral to provide our guests with comprehensive, accurate information regarding travel visas. Some of VisaCentral’s guest travel services include visa application kits and assistance with obtaining other visas where required. Visit the Global Visa Support Center on the VisaCentral (http://visacentral.com/Norwegian-cruise-line-splash?login=103407) page for assistance with visa applications.
Electronic Travel Authorization - for Citizens of Visa Waiver Program Countries (VWP) Entering the United States
Per the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements, all VWP travelers must obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States. This can be done by completing the online application on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. However, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.
Schengen Visas - for Entry to the European Union for Applicable Nationalities
The Schengen Agreement (effective March 26, 1995) is an agreement between several member states of the European Union (EU) to remove immigration controls for travel within their collective territories. This creates a "borderless" region known as the Schengen Area, which changes the procedures for entering, connecting or traveling between any of the Schengen States. Click here for more information.
There are four types of Schengen visas; Type C is the one typically needed by passengers, which can be issued by any one of the Schengen states and is valid for all the others. Due to the type of itineraries in Europe, The Schengen Agreement maintains that certain nationalities require a visa to enter the EU zone. Guests who are not US, Canadian, or European nationals are strongly encouraged to contact the nearest EU-member country embassy to determine if a Schengen visa is necessary.
Some European itineraries require a Multiple Entry Schengen visa because the ship leaves and re-enters the Schengen Zone.
U.S. and Canadian Citizens Visas Are Required for All U.S. and Canadian Citizens Traveling to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
A specific visa may be required for entry to certain countries. SOME VISAS MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE and some CAN BE OBTAINED ONBOARD.
For All U.S. and Canadian Citizens Traveling to Asia, New Zealand, and Australia: Visas must be obtained in advance of departure if your cruise is visiting any of the destinations listed below:
• Australia (obtained online)
• India (an Embassy-issued visa sticker or an electronic visa)
• New Zealand (obtained online)
• Saudi Arabia (obtained online)
• Sri Lanka (obtained online)
• Turkey (obtained online if entering Turkey by plane)
Contact the embassy of the countries listed above or visit VisaCentral, a full service agency, for assistance with obtaining any visas that are required in advance of your cruise.
US and Canadian Passport holders require a visa to enter the countries listed below. Norwegian Cruise Line will obtain visas on your behalf if you have not done so before the cruise. Costs (ranging from $64 USD per visa and up) will be charged to your onboard account:
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Kenya
