Is a passport required for an alaska cruise?

Question

Is a passport required for an alaska cruise?

Answer 1

Yes.. I made plans to go on the cruise and as of yet have not gone. All I have read and what the agent told us, you should have a passport. What I do not understand is why.. unless you need it for Canada as you will be in that country to board or debark from the ship and a passport is now needed for Canada.

Answer 2

Last time I checked, Alaska was still a US state.

Am I missing something?

Answer 3

All the major cruise lines use foreign flagged ships.  Such ships must stop at one foreign port.  For an Alaskan cruise that would be Canada.  If you ship leaves from, or ends at Vancouver, then that is your foreign port.  If your cruise begins and ends in a US port, then your ship will stop at one of the Canadian ports.  

Therefore, you will need a passport.

Answer 4

no, as long as your not flying to Canada

Answer 5

only if you will disembark in Canada

Answer 6

NO

Answer 7

Why would you need a visa to go to Alaska?? WRONG!

There are a couple of different iten. for Alaska. If the cruise orginates in Canada or end up in Canada then yes you will need a passport.  If it is a Seattle round trip sailing, then no you wont need a passport.

I would double check with your travel agent.

Answer 8

No, unless the cruise is originating from a Canadian or Russian port.  There are many summer cruises to Alaska from these nations.

Answer 9

The key to answering your question is wether you are flying and if your cruise ends to begins in Vancouver.  

If you are flying into or out of Vancouver, BC, Canada then yes you do need to have a passport.

If your cruise is departing from Seattle, Washington or your cruise departs or disembarks from Vancouver, BC, Canada and you are either driving or using another form of ground transportation like Amtrak or a bus line to get to/from the ship then no you will not need a passport.  This can be confirmed on the state departments passport information page that I have linked below.

Passports will not be needed for land and sea travel between Canada & Mexico (and other nearby countries) until the Summer of 2008.  Air travel to any other country does require a passport.

Answer 10

No, passports are not needed for sea travel, cruises that begin and end in the United States until after Summer 2008.  However, some cruise lines want their passengers to have passports even tho the law does not require them.  so...it is wise to CALL and ask them.

Answer 11

Not if you fly from the mainland United States straight to Alaska.

Answer 12

yes you need a passport!  and a visa, which isn't too hard to get.  and remember to go to the doctor for shots before you go.  just tell your doc you're going to alaska and they will know what to give you.  bring the documentation from the shots with you when you go!  and remember, be careful not to eat meat up there!!  have a great trip!!