Helpful Travel Resources

Passport information from the U.S. State Department, including online renewals for passports that expired less than five years ago:

Wonder why your ship has to stop at a foreign port on U.S.-based cruises? The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 is the reason. The PVSA prohibits foreign-flagged ships from transporting passengers between two U.S. ports unless a stop is made at a distant foreign port. For closed-loop cruises (same embarkation and disembarkation port), a stop at any foreign port satisfies the Act's requirements. Learn more about it here:

Some cruises only require an original (or certified copy) birth certificate AND a government-issued drivers license or ID card, although passports are ALWAYS recommended. These cruises fall under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Find out if your cruise requires a passport here:

Information about port and airport security, as well as lists of acceptable and prohibited items. Be sure to read this carefully before traveling!

Current travel advisories from the U.S. State Department; find out where it's safe to travel and which countries to avoid: