Passport Requirements
Having a valid passport will help to expedite your embarkation and debarkation, and it will enable you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event you miss your scheduled embarkation, or to fly back to the U.S. should you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing.
IMPORTANT: The name on your cruise ticket MUST MATCH the name on your passport, or you will need to provide an original copy of proof of your change of name. You MUST have proper identification as described below in order to board the ship. Arrive at port without the proper identification may result in being denied boarding without compensation.
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Please note that the following recommendations are based on current U.S. laws regulating the necessary travel documentation for cruises departing from the U.S., and are subject to change at any time without notice. You may view the latest information provided by Norwegian here: www.ncl.com/traveldocs.
U.S. Citizens
All U.S. Citizens (including children) taking “closed-loop” cruises (sailings which depart from and return to the same U.S. port) will be required to present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, such as a valid U.S. Passport – or – a government issued photo identification (State issued drivers license), along with proof of citizenship.
WHTI-compliant documents include:
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Passport Card
- Enhanced Driver’s License
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS or SENTRI)
- Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed forces on official orders)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business)
Proof of Citizenship examples include:
- Original or State certified U.S. birth certificate
- Original certificate of U.S. naturalization
- Original certificate of U.S. citizenship
- U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad
Please note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. Children under the age of 16 do not require a government-issued photo ID.
Non-U.S. Citizens
All guests must carry a valid passport, and if necessary, a multiple entry visa is required for entry into the United States (i.e. B-2 Visitors Visa), or a visa waiver. Please be sure to check with the proper agencies and authorities (such as your local immigration office) before you sail because we can’t board you without the proper documents. Travelers from the 38 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries* must have a machine-readable passport to enter the U.S. without a visa. All VWP travelers are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP.
*ANDORRA, AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BRUNEI, CHILE, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, LATVIA, LIECHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, MONACO, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, PORTUGAL, REP. OF KOREA , SAN MARINO, SINGAPORE, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TAIWAN and UNITED KINGDOM.
If you are not a US Citizen and are uncertain that you have the correct documentation please call US Immigrations at 1-800-375-5283 to be sure your identification will be satisfactory.
Alien Residents of the United States holding an Alien Registration Card (ARC or “Green Card”) (Form I-551) may travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda (see Visa Restrictions on Bermuda) and the Caribbean with just their valid ARC and Proof of Identity. However, 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 sailing permits and/or visas to enter countries Norwegian Cruise Line visits in these areas. Please note that travel anywhere else in the world requires a valid passport from the country you are a citizen of and subsequently subjects you to any documentation, visa and health requirements of all countries visited.