Do You Need a Passport to Go to Bermuda by Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

Bermuda is a popular tourist destination for cruise ships, and if you’re planning to sail on one of these vessels, you may be wondering whether or not you need a passport to get there. The good news is that for most countries, a passport is not required for entry into Bermuda by ship.

Do U.S. Citizens Need a Passport?

U.S citizens can visit Bermuda without a passport as long as they are traveling on a closed-loop cruise – meaning the ship departs and returns to the same port in the United States. Passengers must present other acceptable proof of U.S citizenship such as an original or copy of a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, valid driver’s license or government-issued ID card if it contains a photograph and date of birth at boarding and again when returning to the mainland United States. However, if you plan to disembark in Bermuda at any point during your voyage, then you will need to carry an original or official government-issued photo ID with proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate with photo ID, consular report of birth abroad or naturalization certificate.

Do Non-U.S Citizens Need A Passport?

Non-U.S citizens who are visiting Bermuda by cruise ship must present their valid passports at boarding time and again when returning to the mainland United States. Canadian citizens may be able to enter Bermuda without a passport if they have an official Canadian government issued identification document such as an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EIC). However, citizens from other countries will require passports for entry into Bermuda and must present them upon arrival and departure from the island nation.

Conclusion
In conclusion, U.S citizens do not need a passport for entry into Bermuda by cruise ship as long as they are traveling on a closed-loop voyage that departs and returns to the same port in the United States; however, non-U.S citizens will require valid passports for entry into Bermuda and should be presented upon arrival and departure from the island nation.