- 08
- Nov
- 2012
When do I need to bring a passport with me on my Alaskan cruise?
An Alaskan vacation is sure to be a relaxing and awe-inspiring experience. In addition to the amazing scenery that Alaska has to offer, your luxurious cruise ship will feature activities that will entertain the entire family. For example, Holland America’s Statendam has a culinary arts center for those guests who enjoy cooking, or Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice has an intimate upscale night club. With everything that there is to see and do, you’ll immediately understand why so many people choose to cruise to Alaska.
One thing you may want to consider before traveling is getting yourself a passport. As fabulous as cruising from Vancouver to Alaska on a luxury liner may be, there’s nothing that can ruin your travel plans like discovering that you can’t enter Canada to board your ship. All passengers attempting to fly into Canada will need to have proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport satisfies both of these requirements.
If you are going to be driving to Vancouver to board a cruise ship sailing to Alaska, the U.S. still mandates that you show a current passport or passport card. A passport card, which was previously referred to as a PASS Card, will allow you to enter the country if you are arriving by boat or by car, but is not enough to comply with documentation laws when flying into Canada.
If you choose to start and end your Alaskan Cruise from either San Francisco or Seattle, U.S. citizens will not be required to carry a passport along with them. However, it is always a good idea to have one. In lieu of a passport, U.S. citizens must provide a state certified copy of their birth certificate and valid government issued photo ID.
Of course, if you have any questions about documentation that you’ll need for your Alaskan cruise feel free to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff can help answer any questions and even provide travel recommendations based on years of experience. We’re available by phone at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or by logging onto our website, www.CruiseExperts.com.
Our team of cruise consultants and support staff, based in Central California, counts nearly a century of combined talent, knowledge, and enthusiasm in the travel industry. We’re not just another internet upstart; our seasoned team has gained the trust and business of thousands of satisfied cruise and land vacation customers from all over the country since 1995. We ARE the original Cruise Experts.