Those intending to board cruise ships on or after May 7, the REAL ID deadline, will need to meet the correct federal requirements to travel to their destinations, but not for the cruises themselves.
Why It Matters
Anyone traveling on domestic flights on or after May 7 must have the new REAL ID to get through routine security protocols and board an airline. REAL ID can be substituted in certain regards, including individuals from states with enhanced IDs and those nationally who a passport book or a passport card.
What To Know
REAL ID-compliant cards feature a star marking on the upper right portion of the card, indicating federal compliance and proof of identity required to board commercial aircraft.
While passport books and cards offer the same length of validity, the card is for U.S. citizens traveling domestically by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean countries.
Neither the passport card nor the REAL ID is valid for international travel, and a passport is required.
A REAL ID is unnecessary for cruise travel though.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. law that requires all travelers, including U.S. citizens and those entering the U.S. from within the Western Hemisphere, to present a valid passport or other approved documents. This includes land and sea crossings from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, has cautioned anticipated travelers that while a REAL ID is not required to board a ship, traveling to the port by air will necessitate this documentation.
Some cruises may require different documentation depending on the travel patterns.
A passport is not required for cruises to destinations such as the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, or Hawaii, according to Cruise Critic. However, travelers on closed-loop cruises remain required to show a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate, or other approved forms of documentation.
Some of the largest cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line, all offer closed-loop cruises.
Carnival states on its website that a REAL ID is not required to board ships, but it reiterated its purpose for air travel.
Carnival guests cruising from one U.S. port to another U.S. port must have a valid Permanent Resident Card and are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel, from their country of citizenship. That includes a photo ID.
The same protocols are in place for cruises starting and beginning at the same U.S. port. Cruises that include visits to Bermuda, Colombia, Greenland and Panama fit under the guise of the requirements.
None of the other major cruise lines require REAL ID for boarding.
Passengers who have state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and lack acceptable alternatives, such as passports or other documentation, will face security delays for additional screening and may ultimately be denied travel permission.
A TSA spokesperson previously told Newsweek that travelers on and after May 7 are instructed to arrive earlier than usual due to expected delays in dealing with those who lack the proper identification. And those who do not have an alternative acceptable form of identification (i.e., a passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.
What People Are Saying
A TSA spokesperson previously told Newsweek: “TSA has no concerns [about security wait times on and beyond May 7]. State Department of Motor Vehicles have done a great job of preparing their residents for REAL ID implementation on May 7.”
What Happens Next
If your current license is not Real ID-compliant, you’ll need to make an appointment with your local office and bring your current form of ID, a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document, and a certified legal name-change document if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.
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