How to Plan for Your Cruise: What to Bring

If you are about to embark on a cruise, you may be wondering what documents you need to bring along with you for your trip. Through this article, you will be provided with a general overview of what to bring on your cruise.

Cruises Between the United States, Canadian and Mexican Ports of Call: Documents to Bring

Travel between the United States, Canada and Mexico is generally unrestricted. This holds true if you are on a cruise. However, there will be some documentation that you need to have on hand if you are on a cruise vacation that will take you between the United States and Canada or between the United States and Mexico.

First of all, you will need a state issued identification card. Indeed, you will not be able to board the ship without this piece of identification in hand.

Secondly, you likely will also need a certified copy of your birth certificate. The combination of the birth certificate and government issued identification care likely will be necessary if you intend to go ashore at any of the ports of call that the ship may make a stop during the course of the cruise.

Cruises Between Other International Points of Call: Documents to Bring

While there may be some slight variation in the documentation that will be required, as a general rule when traveling on a cruise ship between other international ports of call, you will need a valid passport. In addition, you likely will want to have your state issued identification card along with you as well.

In some instances, depending on what country you may be cruising to, there may be a requirement for a visa. You will need to apply for a visa from the country at issue well in advance of your planned departure date.

In order to determine what documents you will need for your cruise, you will want to contact your cruise line. Normally, the cruise line will provide you with a detailed listing of all of the documents that you will need for a particular cruise. In addition, if you are booking through a travel service, agency or agent, you will be able to obtain this information from that provider.

Other Documents to Bring on Your Cruise

As a reminder, you will want to bring along any documents relating to any medical condition that you have. This particularly is important if you are traveling to a foreign port of call. Certainly, you will want to be prepared for any medical emergency that might occur along the course of your cruise vacation.

For More Information

Once again, in order to obtain more information about what documents you will need for your cruise vacation, you will want to contact the cruise line directly. The typical cruise line has travel specialists ready, willing and able to answer all of your cruise related questions.