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Costa Cruises Passport Requirements for Cruises

Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the United States by air, land or sea.

Regarding Costa Cruises to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, there is a notable exception to this US passport rule, pertaining to land and sea crossings for US Citizens.

US Citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port) and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card.  Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate (raised seal and signature) and a laminated government issued picture ID (typically, driver's license), Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization.  NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.

Costa Cruises Recommendation

Guests must have in his or her own possession proper documentation required by the government of the port of embarkation and all ports of call. The Guest is advised to consult with his or her travel agent, the appropriate governmental agencies and embassies to determine what documentation will be required. Costa assumes no responsibility for advising the Guest of immigration or any other governmental requirements. Costa may refuse to embark the Guest or may disembark the Guest in the event the Guest does not present the required documentation. Such denied boarding or disembarkation shall be without liability to Costa and no refund of the Cruise Fare or other paid services shall be due to the Guest in such circumstances.

In general, travel documents include a valid passport with an expiration date that does not occur within 6 months of the scheduled return date to the Guest’s home country and when required by a host country valid VISAs for the ports of call the Guest will be visiting with the ship. Guests who are citizens or residents of a North American country may wish to consult the following sources for information on the most current travel document requirements: 

USA: http://travel.state.gov/

Canada: http://voyage.gc.ca/

Mexico: http://sre.gob/mex/

Caribbean Cruise Travel: 

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. 

The WHTI proposed rules require U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Costa Cruise Lines requires the approved travel document to be valid until 14 days after the scheduled return date of travel. 

For a list of approved documents please visit: 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html#compliant_document

Children

Children 17 years of age and under must also present a valid passport, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security. 

Mediterranean and North Europe Cruises: 

United States and Canadian citizens must have valid passports and necessary VISAs. The expiration date of your passport must not occur within 6 months of the scheduled return date of travel. Naturalized U.S. citizens are advised to carry their naturalization papers. Aliens who are residents of the U.S. must carry their Alien Registration Card and passport. All others must have valid passports and necessary VISAs. 

Guests on itineraries visiting Russia and Ukraine, who wish to tour independently in these countries (not on a Costa organized shore excursion) will need to obtain a VISA from the respective embassy/consulate prior to travel. For more information please visit the following websites. 

Russia: 
http://www.russianembassy.org/Embassy_eng/Consulate/tourist_VISA.html or
http://www.ln.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/main_eng

Ukraine: 
http://www.traveltoukraine.org/VISAs.htm

Dubai and United Arab Emirates

United States and Canadian citizens must have valid passport that is valid until 6 months after the scheduled return date of travel is required. US Passport holders will be issued a VISA upon arrival free of charge. Canadian Passport holders require a VISA prior to traveling to Dubai and United Arab Emirates. For non U.S./Canadian passport holders, please refer to the Embassy for which you hold a passport for instructions and requirements.

For more information on Dubai and United Arab Emirates visit: 
Dubai: http://www.dubaitourism.ae/

South America Cruises: 

United States and Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport and a VISA for cruises starting, ending, or arriving to Brazil as a port of call. Non-U.S./Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport and appropriate VISAs. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the schedule return date of travel. All guests should contact the appropriate embassy or consulate to confirm their individual requirements for entry or visit: 

Brazil: http://www.brasil.gob.br/

Transatlantic Cruises: 

United States and Canadian citizens must have valid passport that is valid until 6 months after the scheduled return date of travel. Aliens who are permanent resident of the U.S. must carry their Alien Registration Card and passport. All others must have valid passports and necessary VISAs. 

China, Vietnam, and Egypt

China - A valid passport that is valid until 6 months after the scheduled return date of travel is required. A VISA is required to enter and exit China and must be obtained from Chinese Embassy or Consulate before traveling to China. 

For the most current VISA information for China, consult the Chinese Embassy or visit: 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html or
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/

Note for Sanya, China: 
Guests who participate in Costa sponsored shore excursions will not require a separate VISA. If guests wish to travel independently, a VISA will be required. 

Vietnam - A valid passport that is valid until 6 months after the scheduled return date of travel is required. A Vietnamese VISA is required for entry to Vietnam. As a courtesy to guests VISAs are provided on board for a minimal fee for guests in transit or arriving to Vietnam as a port of call. Guests disembarking in Vietnam may also purchase a VISA for exit. For guests embarking in Vietnam, please consult VISA services or your local consulate. U.S. or Canadian citizens arriving without an appropriate Vietnamese VISA will not be allowed to enter or board the vessel and will be subject to full cancellation penalty. For more information on Vietnam, please click on the link below. 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1060.html or
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/

Egypt - For all cruises to and from Egypt, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the scheduled return date of travel is required. For Costa Rican citizens a VISA is required for cruises starting, ending, or arriving to Egypt as a port of call. For more information contact your local Embassy or visit: 

Egypt: http://www.mfa.gov.en/mfa_portal/en-gb

Please note that additional restrictions and requirements may exist for entrance into other countries. You are advised to check with local embassies and consulates for their requirements. 

NON-US Citizens, US Citizens on open-loop cruses (being and end in different ports) and passengers on cruises that stop at ports in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antartica ALL require a valid passport, and in some cases a visa as well as a copy of  your Alien Registration Card (Green Card).

Passports and Visas.com is based in Miami, Florida and assists travelers going on a cruise with obtaining an expedited passport, passport renewal, or other passport or visa services.  If you need a US passport quickly for your cruise, Passports and Visas.com is a private company that works with the Passport Agency to obtain your US passport application in as fast as 24 hours, with services starting at $59.

We are a nationally recognized US Passport and visa service by the Washington Post, New York Times and USA Today.  Our team has been getting passports and visas for over 15 years.

The benefits of using our private passport expediting service are :

  • You can get your passport back as fast as the same day we receive your application materials.
  • Our service is guaranteed; if you don't make your trip - the passport is on us.
  • You will see online real-time tracking of your order.
  • We are based in Miami, Florida - not far from many embarkation ports (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach)

Need to know about passports or visas?  Contact us or review our Travel Document Learning Center.

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