Flynn Cruiseport Boston Cruise Port Guide

A closed-loop cruise leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port. U.S. citizens on a closed-loop sailing can technically re-enter with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. If the names on those two differ, bring the marriage certificate or court order that links them, or you can be refused boarding. Bring the physical ID card; a phone or digital license is not accepted. Round trips that call in Colombia, Panama or Martinique need a passport book. Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian want a passport valid for six months after the cruise ends. Not a U.S. citizen? Green-card holders need the original card plus a passport from their home country. Other nationalities need a passport and any U.S. visa or ESTA. Sailing with a child who is not yours? Royal Caribbean requires a notarized form signed by the child's guardian. Carnival recommends a signed letter from any parent who is not sailing. Your cruise line sets its own document rules, so check yours before you travel. Only a passport gets you home if you miss the ship at a foreign port. See the full document list in the first-time cruise tips.