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Due to these safety concerns, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands. For minors traveling alone (such as for a field trip or with a cultural group, etc.) or with just one parent to The Bahamas, an authorization letter from both parents or the other parent, respectively, may be required. A flight back home is the fastest, cheapest, and most easily accessible option in such a circumstance.
Card Type
As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to keep your passport with you when you cross your country’s borders and go into foreign territory, even if it isn’t mandatory for modes of travel other than flying. However, an unfortunate incident back home, or even you or your fellow travelers suddenly falling severely sick, requires you to immediately leave the country and go back home. The cost for a first-time passport holder is $165, plus the photo fee; the steep fee alone is why many Americans choose to go without one. The good news is that an adult passport is valid for 10 years – and you can travel to most places in the world with just a passport and no visa.
Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents
Countries have rules about traveling with a passport book that’s near the end of its validity. By now, you know that it all comes down to how you’re entering the country. Flying in (and back to the United States) will require a passport, no exceptions, while sailing into the country’s waters doesn’t require a passport—WHTI-compliant documents will suffice. Any cruises where you need to fly to or from a foreign country, including Canada, will necessitate a passport.
Does the 6-Month Passport Rule Apply for The Bahamas?
If you are cruising to Mexico on a closed-loop cruise, (a journey that starts and ends at the same U.S. port), you can enter without a passport and show a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate instead. For over 20 years, we have helped readers with their passport and international travel questions. To obtain a tourist visa for The Bahamas, U.S. citizens can follow our guide on Tourist Visas. For all other types of visas—business, work, study, transit, or multiple-entry—see our information on visa types, requirements, and how to apply. Should you need to leave The Bahamas by air, you will need to either visit the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, or enlist the help of a passport expediting service to get an emergency passport book issued.
Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, such as a U.S. passport card. However, we strongly recommend you obtain a passport before travel in case of an unforeseen emergency that requires you to disembark and return by air. U.S. travelers coming for tourism will not need a visa for travel up to 90 days. If you’re flying to The Bahamas, a valid passport book is mandatory for all travelers. You should also ensure that your passport has at least two blank pages to receive the necessary entry stamps and any other formalities. Some airlines may not allow you to board their flight without these.The passport will also prove your country of citizenship when you arrive in The Bahamas.
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Though most foreign travel requires that you have a valid passport to come back home, cruising makes it easier to enjoy your vacation without worrying about this paperwork. If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you’ll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID. When visiting The Bahamas, citizens from Latin America need to have a valid passport that covers their planned stay.

This is called a closed-loop cruise and requirements are more lenient. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to The Bahamas. Exceptions may be made for re-entry to the United States for those traveling on the Visa Waiver Program. The lack of a passport will leave you stuck in the country, as explained earlier.
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For air travel, passports are mandatory, but for sea travel, a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document, such as a passport card or a passport book, is acceptable. In most cases, you will need to have a valid passport to enter the Bahamas. Even though the Bahamas is located relatively close to Florida, it’s an independent country, meaning that the majority of visitors will need a passport to get in, regardless of whether you’re traveling by sea or by air. Prior to your journey, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with our Bahamas entry requirements for a seamless travel experience.
Assistance for U.S. Citizens
It’s always wise to research your itinerary and find out what kind of documentation each country requires of U.S. citizens in order to enter. While some cruises don’t require you to travel with a U.S. passport book, we always recommend you bring one on your trip, even on a closed-loop cruise. If you need to fly back to the United States during your cruise, you’ll only be able to board a plane with a passport book. If you’re traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, you can bring a U.S. passport card instead of a passport book. However, a passport card does not work for air travel into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean.
There are some advantages to traveling with a passport card rather than a passport book, mainly cost and portability. Currently, a passport card costs only $65 to issue, while issuing a passport book is $145. For adults, both are valid for 10 years before you need to renew them. Children under 16 can also travel to the Bahamas on a cruise with an original birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. Children under 19 can use these same documents only if they are traveling with a school, church group, sports team, or other organization with adult supervision. A U.S. passport book is a government-issued document that allows U.S. citizens to travel internationally by air, land, and sea.
All visitors will require a passport to enter the country, and upon arriving in Nassau Paradise Island, everyone must fill out an immigration form and complete an oral baggage declaration. In some instances, additional paperwork or documentation may be required – read on to see if this applies to you. When traveling to the Bahamas, visitors must have a valid passport or other approved documentation.
For entry into The Bahamas directly from or via the U.S., citizens from countries other than the U.S. and Canada must have a valid passport that remains current throughout their travel period. If you leave The Bahamas for a country that mandates a passport validity of at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, that regulation will be upheld. You must also have a return or onward journey ticket and provide evidence of adequate funds to support your stay. Citizens must have a valid passport and a visa, if applicable, to enter the Bahamas. It is important to check the entry requirements for the specific country of citizenship before planning a Bahamas cruise.
Expedited passport can be obtained in about three weeks for an additional fee. If you have special circumstances, a passport can be obtained in as quickly as 24 hours; however, authorization is required and extra fees apply. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.
Additionally, visas or travel permits will soon be required to enter European Union countries. There are plenty of reasons to take a cruise, including great food, plentiful activities and lots of sunshine. If you’re looking for a Bahamas cruise, you’ll want to be aware of the documentation requirements for your trip. In general, it is preferable to have a passport with you — especially in the event you need emergency medical care and have to stay in a foreign country, for example.
However, depending on your cruise’s itinerary and the destinations you’ll visit, you may be subject to different regulations. Always be sure to double-check before departure to ensure you have everything you need. There are occasions when you’ll need to bring your passport for a cruise. If you’re cruising outside of the U.S. — such as a jaunt through the Mediterranean — you’ll need to have your passport with you. Let’s take a look at whether you need a passport for a Bahamas cruise, what other types of documentation you can use and how it differs when you’re flying versus cruising.
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