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For those who are unfamiliar with cruising or the Caribbean, the Bahamas is a frequent destination for these behemoth ships. This nation of islands is conveniently located just off the coast of Florida, near Miami, which makes it an easy destination no matter the length of your cruise. It's accepted as legal identification, negates the need to bring multiple forms of ID and provides peace of mind if the worst should happen — such as flying home unexpectedly or docking elsewhere during your trip. If you're headed to one or more Caribbean countries on the list below on a closed-loop cruise, you aren't required to have a passport as a U.S. citizen. The Bahamian government also requires travelers to present a valid return ticket, or at the very least, proof that they have funds sufficient to purchase a ticket back home.
Book a refundable hotel room
The passport card is an option the United States government provides that is a lower cost alternative to the passport book. It is for travelers who are not going to leave the country by airplane, and plan to only leave the United States via land or sea. It’s your responsibility to ensure you have all the proper documentation to board the ship and enter each of the countries your cruise visits.
Accepted Identification for European Citizens
Those wanting to book a tour in Nassau, Bimini, or Freeport will have to pay extra. As mentioned earlier, the cost will be higher, which is something you need to account for in your overall vacation budget. Whether you are a fan of the ship's entertainment, lazy days by the pool, or simply not having to cook or clean up after yourself, longer cruises will give you more time to enjoy everything onboard. You could visit Bimini or Freeport instead of a private island, though.
Accepted Identification for Other Nationalities
Additionally, be mindful of any additional travel regulations put in place during and after the pandemic. While not related to an ID, it's also a good idea to consider purchasing travel or cruise-specific insurance before departing. 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.
How much is a trip to the Bahamas?
Usually Labadee and Coco Cay don't require passports to get back on the ship - just your sea pass. Whether you arrive by plane to board a ship or stay for a week at a resort or just spend a day in Nassau or Freeport, all require specific documentation. If you’re on a cruise that departed from the U.S. and will visit Nassau or Freeport, Bahamas during your cruise and return to the U.S., you are permitted to travel with a passport card.
Accepted Identification for U.K. Citizens
Passports do have an additional cost to them (especially for children), but we feel the advantages of having a passport far outweigh the cost and work required to get one. Many countries outside of North America do require a passport and visas are even required where they apply. This includes countries in Europe, Asia, Central and South America.
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Some countries that your cruise may visit will require that you obtain a visa prior to arrival. If you do not hold proper visa documents, you will be denied boarding without compensation. Please note that hospital Birth Certificates (baby feet Birth Certificates), as well as photocopies or images of any required travel documents are not accepted for boarding.
Canada & Non-U.S. Citizens
Permanent residents recognized by law will also be required to present their valid green cards and passports at ports of call they visit—even if these ports don’t require passports for United States citizens. Generally, passports valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the Bahamas will be required. If you are travelling as part of a group and all members have valid passports, the group can apply for an international travel permit instead of a passport. You can find more information about passports and travel permits on the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs website. A passport is generally required for U.S. citizens if you are taking a cruise that starts in the Bahamas and includes stops in other countries, such as the Caribbean cruises or Mexico cruises. The reason for having a passport during your cruise is that you will be visiting other countries, and a passport is the commonly recognized identification and evidence of nationality accepted by most countries.
What islands can you go without a U.S. passport?
Flying in (and back to the United States) will require a passport, no exceptions, while sailing into the country’s waters doesn’t require a passport—WHTI-compliant documents will suffice. Therefore, to answer the question, you can get off in The Bahamas without a passport, but not in other ports along the way that require passports and visas. Say you do board your boat and make it to United States soil in the first case mentioned above. Doesn’t matter—without a passport, no one (citizens of any level included) is allowed to enter the country, so you’re back to square one. Some countries require all cruise passengers to carry a passport. If your itinerary includes a call in a port that requires a passport, you’ll need to bring your passport on your cruise vacation.
To get there, you need to cross about 50 miles of the ocean so flying or taking a ferry are better options than driving. The gross national product or GNP per capita is one of the highest in the Caribbean. The Bahamas’ economy has largely been developed by tourism and international financial services. – Use caution when on the water, whether it be by boat or swimming in the ocean. The water and beaches are beautiful but follow any signs that prohibit swimming.
Whether you’re looking for a better place to live or a low-tax place to do business, Bahamas Guides is here to walk you through your options. 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. Remember, a safe and well-prepared traveler makes for a memorable vacation.
It is located approx 55 mi (90 km) north of Nassau and adjacent to Great Stirrup Cay, an NCL or Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island. They are made up of several cays and 3 islands – North Bimini, South Bimini, East Bimini. The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands, with the largest being Grand Bahama Island. Approximately 50 islands are inhabited and most of these are found in the western chain. You can find some great travel deals at that time of year though.
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