Travel Documents & Requirements

Table Of Content

• Travel document requirements for sailings from Istanbul, Turkey
• The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska
• Learn about your destination
• For Non-U.S. Citizens
• Travel document requirements for sailings from Singapore
• Can You Get off a Cruise Ship in the Bahamas without a Passport?
• Traveler Wallet

Before embarking on a cruise to the Bahamas, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. This section will cover the key points to consider when preparing for your cruise. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in The Bahamas.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Istanbul, Turkey

Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities. Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred. Due to these safety concerns, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands. Upon arriving in Nassau Paradise Island, everyone must fill out and sign an immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing.

The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska

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. The Bahamas doesn’t require travelers to adhere to the six-month validity rule. Many countries allow travelers into the country only if they have a valid passport with at least two blank pages and a six-month validity. This rule is enforced so that travelers don’t overstay their visits, whether they do so consciously or are left with no other option (for example, being stuck because the passport expires during the trip).

Learn about your destination

As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to keep your passport with you when you cross your country’s borders and go into foreign territory, even if it isn’t mandatory for modes of travel other than flying. However, an unfortunate incident back home, or even you or your fellow travelers suddenly falling severely sick, requires you to immediately leave the country and go back home. In the next section, we discuss some more reasons why a valid passport, even if not compulsory, is the best travel document to have with you. For a closed-loop Bahamas cruise (one that departs from the country and arrives in the country via the same port), there are identification options other than passports, so a passport isn’t mandatory.

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For Non-U.S. Citizens

When you arrive in The Bahamas by boat, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until you leave. You must go through Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry, show the yellow quarantine flag, and inform Customs about your arrival. Once cleared, passengers can embark on exciting excursions and explore the beauty of The Bahamas during their cruise stop. For stays up to 30 days, they must bring an Alien Registration Card (Green Card) along with a valid national passport from their country of birth.

Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. If you want a drink package, you'll spend more on a longer sailing, as packages are charged by the day. Package for a 4-night cruise, you'll only pay $330.16, whereas the cost for a 7-night cruise increases to $495.18. In August 2025, a 4-night cruise onboard Carnival Freedom starts at $364 per person.

Travel document requirements for sailings from Singapore

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. Nassau Paradise Island is one of the few Caribbean destinations that provides pre-clearance for U.S. Customs and Immigration services, allowing flights from Nassau Paradise Island to enter the United States and bypass the normal U.S. Customs and Immigration clearance encountered on most returns from an international destination.

Expedited processing can take as little as 24 hours, but it is recommended to apply at least two to three weeks before your travel dates to avoid any delays. It is also important for travelers to have travel insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events. This can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of an emergency. Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years. Passports must be valid at time of entry through departure (throughout the duration of stay).

While it's tempting to try and get around paying for a passport for your upcoming cruise, in the unlikely event of an emergency, you will be glad you have it. Here's everything you need to know about traveling to The Bahamas with and without a passport. The Bahamas is one of the most popular year-round vacation destinations.

In the event that you are forced to disembark early or accidentally miss your ship in port, having a passport will help you return to the United States quickly. Usually, the passport line during disembarkation is shorter than the birth certificate line, too. Department of State for current travel advisories and requirements. If you lose your passport while on a cruise, the first thing you need to do is notify the nearest U.S. consulate in order to get a replacement passport issued. Also, contact the guest relations department on your cruise ship so they can provide guidance on how to handle the rest of your cruise before you get your replacement passport. A passport necklace is similar, but is worn around your neck and inside your shirt instead.

Most visitors to The Bahamas do not need special vaccinations before entering the country. However, travelers over the age of 1 year must provide a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if arriving after leaving or transiting certain countries and must be vaccinated 10 days before entering The Bahamas. For an up-to-date list of countries, please visit The Bahamas government website. The Passport Office is here to assist you with a wide range of passport services, including new passports, renewals, child passports, name change applications, stolen or lost passports, and damaged passports. Whether you travel with a passport or alternative documents, you must provide proof of your anticipated departure from the Bahamas. This typically includes your cruise itinerary, return flight details, or similar documents.

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For example, you should renew your passport sometime before six months until expiration, if you plan to travel with it. This is important because many countries will not allow you to enter if your passport has less than six months until it expires. Always check with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor at the time of booking to verify the documentation requirements for your vacation. With our comprehensive list of Bahamas travel requirements, get ready for a smooth arrival, thrilling adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime. Book a cruise to The Bahamas with Holland America Line and set sail on an unforgettable journey. If you need a passport quickly for an upcoming Bahamas cruise, you can expedite the process by paying an additional fee and providing proof of travel plans.

However, a passport card does not work for air travel into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) can depart and re-enter the country with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Canadian visitors will only need a visa if their stay extends beyond 8 months.