Carefully read the documentation that each guest must present at the pier prior to boarding. Travel to some destinations require special visas and travel authorizations. The information below explains what is required when travelling to each destination and how to obtain this documentation.
| U.S. Citizens |
For Cruises Leaving From a U.S. Port to the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Canada & New England, Pacific CoastalYou’re required to carry: A Valid Passport OR Proof of Citizenship (see below) AND Government-issued photo ID
(Baptismal paper, hospital certificates of birth, and Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable.) OR WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)-compliant documents (click here to for more information.) *A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 does not require a government-issued photo ID. Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their cruise holiday for the following reasons:
If you need to obtain a passport quickly, please contact VisaCentral at 844-834-5702 and reference account 75006 for discounted VisaCentral service fees. VisaCentral can obtain a passport in as little as 48 hours. Hawaii CruisesThere's no need for a passport when you sail on any Hawaii inter-island cruise. If your ship never sails beyond the islands of Hawaii, all you need is a government-issued photo I.D. which includes a passport or a valid driver's license with a photo. Panama CanalValid passports are required to board the ship for all Panama Canal sailings. No passport cards, birth certificates or other form of proof of US citizenship will be accepted. Failure to present a valid passport at check-in will result in denial of boarding. For Cruises Leaving a Non-U.S. port (Europe, Asia, South America, Australia itineraries)You’re required to carry a valid passport, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. Specific visas may be required for entry into some European, Asian, Australian, South American and Cuban ports. Some must be obtained in advance; some can be obtained onboard. Click here for visa requirements and info on obtaining visas. Domestic Airline Travel ID Requirements for U.S. CitizensAs a result of the REAL ID Act, new airline travel restrictions will take effect in 2018 for U.S. citizens travelling by air domestically. The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards. Beginning January 22, 2018, guests with driver's licenses or state IDs issued by states that are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and have not been granted an extension by DHS may not use these forms of identification to fly within the US. If the state is in compliance, guests may continue to use state-issued driver's license or ID for domestic air travel only if your state has been granted an extension to the compliance deadline by DHS. Guests should take this into consideration when planning travels for their cruise. To find out if your state is in compliance, please click here. For more information, including other acceptable forms of identification, please click here. |
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| Non-U.S. Citizens |
ALL GUESTS MUST CARRY A VALID PASSPORT. All Non-U.S. Citizen Guests Must Carry A Valid Passport, (Not Expiring within (6) Months of Return Of Your Cruise). In addition, a tourist visa may be required for entry into certain countries/ports of call. To confirm the specific documents required, please be sure to check with the proper authorities (such as your local immigration office) for each port that you are entering. You can also contact VisaCentral to answer your questions. U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) Holders U.S. Alien Residents holding an Alien Resident Card (ARC), also known as a "Green Card" must be in possession of the ARC in order to sail. U.S. Alien Residents who do not have their ARC with them at check in will be denied boarding. It is recommended that these guests also carry their passports from their country of citizenship if available. In some instances, ARC holders may still be required to have travel permits and/or visas to enter countries Norwegian Cruise Line visits in these destinations. Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders who are NOT in possession of their permanent resident papers or a valid Temporary Resident Visa will be denied boarding if the ship visits any Canadian port during the cruise. In addition, the Canadian resident can be refused re-entry into Canada without their proper resident documentation. Important Information for Chinese Citizens Cruising in the United States Effective November 29, 2016, all Chinese passport holders that have a 10 year B1/B2 non-immigrant visa are now required to fill out an Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment in order to enter the United States. All Chinese guests with a 10 year B1/B2 visa must complete their EVUS enrollment prior to arriving to the pier. Proof of EVUS enrollment must be shown at check-in and is required to board the ship. This applies to all U.S. ports. For more information, please visit www.evus.gov. |
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(Applicable for Alaska, Pacific Coastal, Hawaii & Canada New England Itineraries departing from a Canadian Port City – ie: Vancouver and Quebec City)
Is it legal for U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba?
Yes. OFAC regulates travel to Cuba pursuant to the Helms-Burton Act and other pertinent regulations. Currently, there are 12 categories of authorised travel to Cuba. Effective November 9, 2017, individual people-to-people exchanges are no longer authorised by OFAC. However, guests who booked their cruise before June 16, 2017 may choose to still engage in individual people-to-people travel or group people-to-people travel sponsored by Norwegian or a third party U.S. sponsoring organisation. Group people-to-people travel is one of the ways for Americans to visit Cuba and gives you an opportunity to discover Cuba through its people and from a local perspective. All guests will be required to certify that their activities meet the requirements above, so you must retain records of your activities whether or not they are offered by Norwegian for a period of 5 years. For additional information on group people-to-people exchanges, please refer to FAQ "What is a group people-to-people exchange?".
Click here for the FAQs issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that cover many of the questions directly related to regulations regarding travel to Cuba.
Do I need a passport to travel to Cuba?
Yes. A valid passport* is required for all guests to travel to Cuba. We recommend guests review the passport requirements of travel to Cuba from their home country and that the expiration of your passport be greater than six months from the date of your voyage.
*NOTE: All guests must have a valid passport book for travel. A passport card WILL NOT be accepted.
All guests must complete a certification form which sets forth and confirms that they will be participating in OFAC-compliant activities.
How do I prove compliance with OFAC requirements during my cruise?
All travellers to Cuba must be able to prove that their trip was comprised of OFAC-compliant activities. Guests should keep a log of their activities and keep the log for 5 years. Guests may also request that Norwegian keep a record of their itinerary and shore excursion activity if Norwegian is the U.S. sponsoring organisation providing any group people-to-people exchanges to the guest.
Will non-U.S. guests be allowed to travel on these sailings?
Yes. As with travellers from the United States, non-U.S. guests will need to certify that they are travelling under one of the approved OFAC categories, keep records of their activities and sign affidavits confirming they are doing so.
Do I need a visa to travel to Cuba?
The Cuban government requires anyone who is travelling to Cuba on a passport other than a valid Cuban passport to obtain a visa prior to their arrival into Cuba. For all visitors who were not born in Cuba, this visa, also known as a "tourist card" (for U.S. residents, this visa also known as a "rosada" must have a pink and blue background; for non-U.S. residents, this visa is issued by the Cuban embassy or consulate in the background colours applicable to their country of residency), is required to enter Cuba for non-business purposes. The Cuban visa is valid for a single entry and allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days. U.S. residents may obtain this visa (or "rosada") through Norwegian for a separate processing and procurement fee of
or on your own. For non-U.S. residents, if the Cuban visa issued by the Cuban embassy or consulate in the background colours applicable to your country of residency is not accepted by Cuban immigration officials, you will be required to purchase the same Cuban visa (or "rosada") as a U.S. resident. Please note that you will not be allowed to board the vessel without proof of acquiring a Cuban visa.
The Cuban visa is a two-part card. Cuban immigration officials will take both parts upon arrival in Cuba.
For information on requirements for persons born in Cuba, please refer to FAQ "Requirements for Travellers Born in Cuba" below.
Requirements for Travellers Born in Cuba
Guests born in Cuba who emigrated before January 1, 1971 and reside in a country outside of Cuba are required to carry either (i) a valid Cuban passport with a habilitación (entry permit) and a valid prórroga (passport extension that must be obtained every two (2) years) or (ii) a valid passport from your country of citizenship along with an HE-11 visa obtained from the Cuban embassy or consulate in your country of residency (except in those cases where such country has entered into a visa exemption agreement with Cuba) for entry to and departure from Cuba. Effective January 1, 2018, Cuba will no longer require a habilitación (entry permit). The estimated processing time for an HE-11 visa is up to 60 days.
Guests born in Cuba who emigrated on or after January 1, 1971 and reside in a country outside of Cuba are required to carry a valid Cuban passport with a habilitación (entry permit) and valid prórroga (passport extension that must be obtained every two (2) years) for entry to and departure from Cuba. These guests do not need a Cuban visa. Effective January 1, 2018, Cuba will no longer require a habilitación (entry permit). The estimated processing time for a Cuban passport is up to 6 months.
Guests born in Cuba who require a visa or passport should contact the Cuban embassy or consulate in their country of residency. Those residing in the United States may contact the Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC:
Embassy of the Republic of Cuba
2630 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/usa/consular-services
Email: recepcion@usadc.embacuba.cu
Phone: (202) 797-8518 extension 600
In addition, there are several companies that offer visa/passport processing services to guests to assist in obtaining a visa and/or a Cuban passport, including:
The website of the US Embassy in Cuba http://havana.usembassy.gov/service.html states that U.S. citizens who are Cuban-born will be treated in Cuba solely as Cuban citizens and the Cuban government may require these individuals to enter and depart Cuba using a Cuban passport. Using a Cuban passport for this purpose does not jeopardize one's U.S. citizenship; however, such persons must use their U.S. passports to enter and depart the United States. Citizens of countries other than the United States should check with their embassies in Cuba for regulations pertaining to their citizenship and use of passports.
Click here for more Cuba FAQs.
Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered with VisaCentral to provide our guests with comprehensive, accurate information regarding travel visas. Some of VisaCentral’s guest travel services include visa application kits and assistance with obtaining other visas where required. Visit the Global Visa Support Centre on the VisaCentral (http://visacentral.com/Norwegian-cruise-line-splash?login=103407) page for assistance with visa applications.
Electronic Travel Authorisation - for Citizens of Visa Waiver Programme Countries (VWP) Entering the United States
Per the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) requirements, all VWP travellers must obtain an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States. This can be done by completing the online application on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. However, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.
Schengen Visas - for Entry to the European Union for Applicable Nationalities
The Schengen Agreement (effective March 26, 1995) is an agreement between several member states of the European Union (EU) to remove immigration controls for travel within their collective territories. This creates a "borderless" region known as the Schengen Area, which changes the procedures for entering, connecting or travelling between any of the Schengen States. Click here for more information.
There are four types of Schengen visas; Type C is the one typically needed by passengers, which can be issued by any one of the Schengen states and is valid for all the others. Due to the type of itineraries in Europe, The Schengen Agreement maintains that certain nationalities require a visa to enter the EU zone. Guests who are not US, Canadian, or European nationals are strongly encouraged to contact the nearest EU-member country embassy to determine if a Schengen visa is necessary.
| U.S. and Canadian Citizens |
Visas Are Required for All U.S. and Canadian Citizens Travelling to Asia, Australia, South America and CubaA specific visa may be required for entry to certain countries. Some VISAS MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE and some CAN BE OBTAINED ONBOARD. For All U.S. and Canadian Citizens Travelling to Asia, Australia and South America: Visas must be obtained in advance of departure if your cruise is visiting any of the destinations listed below:
Contact the embassy of the country listed above or visit VisaCentral, a full service agency, for assistance with obtaining any visas that are required in advance of your cruise. US and Canadian Passport holders require a visa to enter the countries listed below. Norwegian Cruise Line will obtain visas on your behalf if you have not done so before the cruise. Costs (ranging from $29 USD - $89 USD per visa) will be charged to your onboard account:
Visas for the following countries will be obtained for U.S. and Canadian passport holders with the help of the cruise line while you are onboard at no cost:
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Visa Restrictions for Canada
Click here for more information on Cruising and/or flying through Canada.
Visa Restrictions for Bermuda
Based on Bermuda's immigration regulations, some passengers may require a visa to visit the country. Effective March 1st, 2014, guests who require a visa for Bermuda may enter Bermuda visa-free as long as they have a valid multiple-entry U.S. visa or U.S. Residence Card.
Visa Restrictions for China
US and Canadian passport holders may only go ashore in Sanya, China without a Chinese visa if they have purchased a Norwegian Cruise Line Shore Excursion. To go ashore independently in Sanya, China, a Chinese tourist visa must be obtained before the cruise.
Furthermore, a visa is not required for travel to Hong Kong. If you are travelling to any other part of China, you must obtain a visa in advance.
Visa Restrictions for Cuba
Click here for more information on cruising to Cuba.
Visa Restrictions for Australia
Anyone who does not carry a passport from Australia or New Zealand must have an Australian visa to go on any cruise that calls to an Australian port or they cannot sail. Click here for more information.
Visa Restrictions for Russia
US and Canadian passport holders may only go ashore in St. Petersburg, Russia without a Russian visa if they have purchased a Norwegian Cruise Line Shore Excursion. To go ashore independently in St. Petersburg, a Russian tourist visa must be obtained before the cruise.
Birth Certificates
To obtain an original or state certified copy of a birth certificate, you can contact your hospital of birth or the Vital Statistics Department of the County where you were born.
Passports
For more information on obtaining a passport, please visit the U.S. Passports & International Travel website, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or VisaCentral.
Government-issued Photo I.D.’s
You can usually obtain a state-issued photo I.D. from your local driver’s license/Division of Motor Vehicles office. Contact your local office or visit your state’s DMV website for more information and instructions. You can also refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to access their list of State Departments of Motor Vehicles.
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Per the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) requirements, all VWP travellers must obtain an electronic travel authorisation prior to boarding a travel carrier to enter the United States. This can be done by completing the online application on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. However, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel. In most cases you will receive a response within seconds. Potential responses include:
An approved travel authorisation will be:
Visas
Norwegian Cruise Line guests can contact VisaCentral for visa enquires or assistance with the visa application process. Norwegian Cruise Line guests receive discounted VisaCentral service fees. Be sure to access the VisaCentral website at http://visacentral.com/Norwegian-cruise-line-splash?login=103407 or calling (844) 834-5702 and reference account 75006 when calling to receive the discounted rates.
Note: These terms are effective at the time of boarding.
Travelling with Infants:
Travelling with Minors and Young Adults:
Norwegian Cruise Line’s policy dictates that a minor or young adult must be accompanied in the same stateroom (or connecting stateroom) by a passenger 21 years of age or older at the time of boarding.
Note: Two people under the age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom if they are a married couple and provide proof of marriage to a Norwegian Cruise Line representative at the pier prior to boarding.
Travelling with Minors Unaccompanied by Parent or Legal Guardian*:
For passengers under the age of 18 travelling with an accompanying adult, who is not the minor's parent or legal guardian, a Parent/Guardian Consent Form that authorises the minor's travel and further authorises medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to a Norwegian representative at the pier during check-in. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied. Both living parents/legal guardians must sign and complete this form and attach a copy of his/her driver's license or other government issued identification. Minors of the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may be listed on the same form:
Minors or the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may be listed on the same form
Adoptive parents, legal guardians or persons separated or divorced are advised to keep legal and other relevant documents available in order to clarify custody rights.
*If travelling to Canada, you’ll need the following document in addition to items #1 and 2 (Alaska, Pacific Coastal, and Canada/New England Itineraries):
Canadian entry requirements stipulate that a child under the age of 18 travelling alone, or with person(s) other than both parents, should be in possession of a letter (preferably notarised) from the parents or legal guardian containing:
OFAC Sanctions/Regulations
The United States Department of the Treasury through the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") has issued a series of comprehensive sanctions against various countries, specifically:
These sanctions limit the ability of cruise lines to conduct business with these countries and their citizens, which includes allowing certain citizens of those countries to sail onboard our ships. Accordingly, it is Norwegian's policy that if you are a citizen or resident of one of these sanctioned countries, we will be unable to accept your cruise reservation unless you can satisfy the following conditions:
You must be able to satisfy all of the above criteria in order to sail onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship.