Cruise Essential Documents

Before you even think about clothing and toiletries, ensure you have all the necessary documents in order. 

• Passports and/or birth certificates: Depending on your destination and if it’s a closed loop cruise, you may or may not need a passport. Check the requirements for your specific cruise line and destinations to be sure. However, I highly recommend bringing a passport if you have one! It will make the process much smoother for everyone in your traveling party! 

• Cruise tickets and boarding passes: These will be provided by your cruise line directly prior to your trip. While most cruise lines will provide the boarding pass digitally, I suggest having it printed as well. Confirm the requirements for your specific cruise line. 

• Travel insurance

   

  VisitorsCoverage Insurance for USA visitors, Int'l Travel medical Insurance

  Visitor Medical Insurance for USA visitors. Compare and review visitor insurance. Buy International Travel medical insurance and visitor Health insurance for USA.

   

  See prices information: We do not travel without travel insurance! And the different types of insurance varies depending on the cruise. For example, if we are leaving from our home cruise terminal and driving down the day before or the morning of, we get insurance through the cruise line directly. If we are flying to our cruise, we always get comprehensive insurance that covers the entire trip. I recommend insurance

   

  VisitorsCoverage Insurance for USA visitors, Int'l Travel medical Insurance

  Visitor Medical Insurance for USA visitors. Compare and review visitor insurance. Buy International Travel medical insurance and visitor Health insurance for USA.

   

  See prices through. Keep in mind, your travel credit card will likely include travel insurance as well, but it’s not always enough, depending on the circumstance. We have had to use our travel insurance

   

  VisitorsCoverage Insurance for USA visitors, Int'l Travel medical Insurance

  Visitor Medical Insurance for USA visitors. Compare and review visitor insurance. Buy International Travel medical insurance and visitor Health insurance for USA.

   

  See prices a few times and it’s always been worth it to have it! 

• Any necessary visas: This depends on your cruise location, I suggest checking into the requirements in advance! For example, starting in 2025, The UK and the EU are requiring prior authorization, which isn’t a travel visa, but it is something you will need to do before traveling. 

• Driver’s license or other ID: While your passport is key, I also at least bring my ID onto the ship with me, but usually leave it in the safe once we board. 

• Credit/debit cards and some cash: We have learned from our travels over the last few years that cash is still very important in some countries and situations, but it’s a must to have credit cards as well. I really like this card for no foreign transaction fees and great benefits.

• Medical documents: Depending on where you are visiting, it will be important to provide specific documentation. It’s also helpful to bring any prescription medication in their bottle. 

Pro Tip: Most cruises have a Facebook group full of guests traveling on your specific cruise! Look for this group and join in on the fun!