| Please read carefully. Alaska cruise itineraries operated by foreign-flagged ships make stops in both the United States and Canada, and some longer or repositioning cruises may begin or end in Mexico or another foreign country. As a result, all guests, regardless of nationality, must carry valid proof of citizenship and any required travel documentation before boarding. Guests traveling without proper documentation may be denied boarding, and no refund will be issued. Ensuring that passports, visas, and photo identification are valid for every country on the itinerary is the responsibility of each guest. |
Alaska cruises that begin and end in the United States (Closed Loop Itineraries):
U.S. citizens sailing on a closed-loop Alaska itinerary that begins and ends in the same U.S. port (for example, Seattle - Alaska - Seattle or San Francisco - Alaska - San Francisco) are not currently required to present a passport in order to board. Guests may travel with a certified birth certificate or a naturalization certificate together with a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. U.S. Passport Cards are also accepted for closed-loop sailings. Oral or written declarations of citizenship are not sufficient.
Although a passport is not required for closed-loop Alaska cruises, it is strongly recommended. Unexpected medical disembarkations, itinerary changes, or emergency travel may require entering Canada or returning to the United States by air, in which case a valid passport booklet would be necessary.
Children 16 years of age and younger at the time of sailing are not required to present photo identification. An original certified birth certificate is sufficient for closed-loop sailings. However, a passport is recommended for all minors in case of unexpected disembarkation in a foreign port.
Alaska cruises that begin or end in Canada or another foreign port:
U.S. citizens on cruises that start or finish in Canada, or on itineraries that begin or end in any foreign port, must carry a valid U.S. passport booklet. A passport is also required if you are flying into or out of Canada in connection with your cruise, as passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
All non-U.S. citizens, including Canadian citizens and citizens of visa-waiver countries, are required to carry a valid passport for Alaska cruise itineraries. Depending on nationality and itinerary, a valid U.S. visa may also be required for entry into the United States. In some cases, a multiple-entry visa is needed when an itinerary starts or ends in the U.S. and includes one or more foreign ports.
Guests traveling on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa must ensure that their status allows them to re-enter the United States at the conclusion of the cruise and that they meet Canadian entry requirements for any port of call in Canada. Both U.S. and Canadian entry requirements must be satisfied in order to board the cruise.
U.S. Resident Aliens (Green Card holders) must present both a valid passport from their country of citizenship and a current Permanent Resident Card (Alien Resident Card). A Green Card alone is not considered sufficient documentation for international sailings.
Most Alaska cruise itineraries include at least one Canadian port of call, such as Vancouver or Victoria. Foreign citizens from many countries other than the U.S. and Canada are required to obtain either a Canadian Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their nationality and how they enter Canada. These requirements may apply even for short technical stops or brief visits during the cruise.
Travelers are strongly encouraged to verify Canadian entry requirements with their embassy or consulate well in advance of departure. Additional information is available through the official Government of Canada website, and reputable visa service providers can also assist with visa-related questions.
Many Alaska cruises embark or disembark in Vancouver, British Columbia. All guests, including U.S. citizens, must carry a valid passport booklet to board a cruise in Canada. Passport cards, birth certificates, and government-issued photo IDs alone cannot be used for cruise embarkation in Vancouver or for international air travel into or out of Canada. Guests should ensure that their passport remains valid for the entire duration of their trip.
| Important Advisory: Travel documentation requirements are determined by government authorities and may change at any time. It is each traveler's responsibility to confirm the most up-to-date passport and visa rules for all countries on their itinerary, including the United States, Canada, and any other destinations visited during the cruise. Guests who do not bring proper documentation may be denied boarding, and no refund will be issued. |
AlaskaCruises is located in Scottsdale, Arizona. You may book online or contact us directly. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below:
Please note that all prices on our website are in US dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card.Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit US-based travel agencies from selling to non-US residents.
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip.