Sunday, April 14, 2024

Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises and Open Jaw Itineraries

what is a closed-loop cruise

Always check to see the latest details of the requirements before you book your cruise, while you await your cruise, and about four weeks before your cruise to make sure you’re good to go. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a comprehensive list and details the criteria for taking a cruise without a passport, including what constitutes a government-issued photo ID. While these ocean trips on the high seas require a passport, you can access many more countries. Most of the itinerary options are on bigger ships with 1,500+ passengers. One of the major benefits of closed-loop voyages is that the US Customs and Border Patrol has determined that.

What are the Advantages of a Closed Loop Cruise?

Discover ancient temples and architecture, sample classic Mexican cuisine, sunbathe on amazing beaches and partake in endless outdoor adventures. If your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port -- for example, sailing roundtrip Miami to Miami -- then you are embarking on what is considered a closed loop cruise, according to the WHTI. If you begin your cruise in one U.S. port (e.g. San Diego) and end your cruise in a different U.S. port (say, Fort Lauderdale), it will not count as a closed loop.

What are the ports of a closed loop cruise?

Got a few free days and looking to go on a trip, but don’t have a passport? If you passport has expired, or you never got a passport in the first place, you are still able to visit several foreign countries as a U.S. citizen. There are many different types of cruises that cater to a variety of age groups. One type of cruise that has gained popularity in recent years is the closed loop cruise. These types of cruises are usually shorter in length, lasting only a few days to a week. Because of their popularity, there are now a number of different age limits for closed loop cruises.

Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises (and Open Jaw Itineraries)

As a result, the process is much more straightforward if you are traveling internationally via cruise ship and are staying in one place for a long period. Different documentation is acceptable for minors under 16, including an original, notarized, or certified copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. Voter registration cards and Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship. As a U.S. citizen, you can take advantage of the convenience of what’s called a closed-loop cruise—with no passport required. However, there are some cruises that allow passengers who are 65 years old or older to participate. The reason for this age limit is because most closed loop cruises are geared towards a younger crowd.

Whereas a Real ID is available in all states, it cannot be used to cross borders like an EDL or passport. A cruise that departs from one port and arrives/ends at a separate port of call is known as an “Open-Jaw Cruise.” Sometimes they’re referred to as “Open Loop” or “Repositioning” cruises. Disney Cruise Line has a very similar 3-day or 4-day itinerary, usually departing from Port Canaveral, which is on Florida’s Space Coast near Cape Canaveral. It leaves, returns to Port Canaveral, and stops at Disney’s Castaway Cay island and Nassau in between. Are you planning a closed-loop cruise and wondering whether or not you need a passport?

Carnival, Bacardi, ecoSPIRITS to reduce single-use glass at sea - Seatrade Cruise News

Carnival, Bacardi, ecoSPIRITS to reduce single-use glass at sea.

Posted: Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The main ports of a closed-loop cruise are the port where the cruise starts, and the port where the cruise ends. In between, the ship will make several stops at different ports, but passengers will not be able to disembark and explore those places. The stops are typically just for fueling or stocking up on supplies, and sometimes for maintenance. Imagine, for instance, that something goes awry, and you need to fly back to the United States from a foreign country for a medical emergency.

Closed-Loop Cruises in Popular European Cities

what is a closed-loop cruise

Here, on this enchanted island where the sand is pink and the policemen wear knee-length shorts, you’ll have two and a half days to explore, which means two overnight stays. Charge your champagne glass and raise a toast to Lady Liberty on this seven-night voyage from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to chic Bermuda and back. Set sail from Fort Lauderdale on the brand new Celebrity Apex, the second in Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Edge series.

Cruises to Iceland also commonly include a port of call in Ireland as well. Even though the US Government doesn’t mandate that you need a passport, it is always advisable to double-check as some locations along your cruise journey may have various requirements, including having a visa. While these 3 or 4-day itineraries are considered short, there are plenty of longer sailings with more Port of Call available across many cruise lines. Explore the rugged coasts of Alaska on a closed loop cruise from cities like Seattle and San Francisco.

Blessed with near-perpetual sunshine and stunning beaches, the Bahamas are one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations. As a Caribbean island nation, it’s an excellent place to visit without a passport on closed loop cruises. Departure ports include Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville, Miami and other southeastern U.S. cities. However, if the cruise stops at foreign ports, you may need a passport to enter those countries. Additionally, some cruise lines may require a passport as a form of identification for boarding, even if it is not technically needed for the itinerary.

That’s why we stress how imperative it is to read the detailed information below about identification requirements. As a United States resident, you may benefit from the ease of a so-called closed-loop cruise and not need a passport for a cruise vacation at all. Cruise around the Hawaiian Islands and soak up that glorious tropical sunshine. See waterfalls and rainbows, enjoy amazing Polynesian food and hit the waves on a surfboard. Cruises to Hawaii start in most major West Coast cities, such as San Diego, Los Angeles and Seattle. Instead, it determines whether a person can travel from the U.S. through various means to their destination of choice.

So, as long as the cruise in question meets all of the requirements and definitions of a closed-loop, Electronic Travel Authorization is not necessary for any passenger on board. However, it’s important to note that for a cruise to be “closed-loop,” it must begin and end in the same port. Leaving the East Coast and returning to the West would not meet those requirements.

Some of the best closed loop cruises around the world include those that depart from Boston, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. A closet loop cruise is a type of cruise that visits different ports on a closed loop itinerary. An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. However, an EDL is only accepted at land and sea border crossings, not for air travel. It’s not great for traveling with kids but if you’re adults, it’s a wonderful option. There are quite a few port options if you want to travel to the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

No comments:

Post a Comment

The 9 Best Graphic Design Schools in Los Angeles 2022

Table Of Content Best Graphic Design colleges in Los Angeles 2024 Wrap up: Graphic Design Fundamentals amazing graphic design project ideas ...