Info: Identification Policy

To ensure a smooth boarding process for your upcoming cruise, please review the identification requirements carefully.

To board the cruise, you must present one of the following valid forms of identification:

  1. Passport Book
  2. Passport Card
  3. US Driver’s License AND US Birth Certificate

Validity

Passport Option

  • The Passport Book or Card must be valid until at least March 4, 2025. This is to ensure your identification remains valid through the day after your return.
  • At least one empty stamp page is required in your Passport Book. Fully stamped books are not acceptable for travel.

Driver’s License + Birth Certificate Option

  • Your US Driver’s License must be REAL ID Compliant. Non-compliant licenses will not be accepted for cruise boarding.
  • A state-certified Birth Certificate is necessary. Hospital certificates, decorative “Baby Feet” certificates, and baptismal papers are not valid forms of identification for this purpose.
  • Puerto Rican Birth Certificates issued before July 1, 2010, are invalid and cannot be used.

Important Warnings for DL+BC Option

  • Citizens outside of the US and Naturalized US citizens cannot use the Driver’s License and Birth Certificate combination and must present a valid passport.
  • The names on your Driver’s License and Birth Certificate must exactly match and also match the name on your reservation. Any discrepancies can lead to denial of boarding.
  • Be aware that using the Driver’s License and Birth Certificate option may result in longer processing times at terminal checkpoints.

Matching Information for All Options

  • Regardless of the chosen identification method, all documents must exactly match the name on your reservation. Discrepancies will lead to boarding denials.

Special Notes

  • Naturalized US citizens cannot use the Driver’s License and Birth Certificate combination and must present a valid passport.
  • Ensure to start the passport application process early, preferably by November 1, 2024, to avoid delays, as passport agencies typically take around 10 weeks for processing.

Recommendations

  • For extensive international travel beyond the Caribbean post-cruise, a Passport Book is advisable.
  • For travel limited to Caribbean destinations, a Passport Card may suffice.
  • The Driver’s License and Birth Certificate combination is suitable for US citizens with no further travel plans, but be prepared for longer processing times at terminals.
  • Consider applying for both the Passport Book and Card simultaneously for convenience on different types of trips.

If you have any issues with identification, you may call the Royal Caribbean Support Line at 866-562-7625 and they can help you make sure that you have everything you need to board!

Adhering to these guidelines will ensure a seamless start to your cruise adventure. Safe travels!