WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I BRING?

Required Documents:

1. **A Valid U.S Passport- **I highly recommend this versus just the passport card or your birth certificate. Carnival highly recommends that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel.

· Why? - Because if something happens with say the ship, you get sick, there is a medical emergency, etc. and you need to get back to the States from a foreign country via Flying you will need that passport to fly home and will not be able to with a Passport card or Birth certificate.

· The Passport Card- The passport card cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States. U.S. citizens may present a limited-use, wallet-size passport card. The passport card will only be valid for land and sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region and Bermuda.

· Birth Certificate Information

o The following are acceptable:

o An original or copy of a birth certificate issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics

o A clear, legible copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified.

o Birth Certificate Card

o A Consular report of Birth Abroad

o Internationally adopted children (under the age of 18): If the adoptive parent was not issued a birth certificate, we will accept as proof of citizenship, a Certificate of Citizenship by the U.S. and adoption paperwork. A Certificate of Citizenship is issued by the U.S. once the adoption is finalized.

o Guests may obtain a copy of a birth certificate by contacting: The Department of Health and Vital Statistics at: www.vitalchek.com. If the guest has laminated their birth certificate, it is acceptable.

2) Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID

· A non-expired government-issued photo I.D. is required of all guests 16 years of age and older. The following are acceptable:

· Driver's License (a temporary Driver's License with photo is acceptable)

· Driver's Permit

· School/Student I.D. (acceptable for guests 16/17/18 years of age)

· Government-issued identification card including a U.S. Military I.D. with photo (city/state/federal)

· Government-issued Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST) - for photo identification use only

1. COVID Vaccine Card- Vaccinated cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the sailing day (not counting embarkation day) and have proof of vaccination. Additionally, the CDC has strongly recommended (But is not required at this time) that individuals obtain a COVID-19 booster vaccination, when eligible.
2. COVID Testing- guests who are up to date with their vaccines may take their test within three days prior to sailing. Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose, when eligible. Example: If the sailing is on Saturday, guests who are up to date with their vaccines may take their test as early as Wednesday and as late as Saturday, if guaranteed to receive results in time for check-in.

· If a guest is fully vaccinated but not up to date with their vaccines (i.e., is eligible for a booster but has not received one), they must take their pre-cruise COVID-19 test within two days prior to sailing. A fully vaccinated guest who is not up to date with their vaccines may take their test no earlier than Thursday and as late as Saturday.

· BERMUDA AND CANADA: Fully vaccinated guests traveling to Bermuda and Canada, including those who are up to date with their vaccines, can take either a PCR test between 72 and 24 hours prior to sailing, or an antigen pre-cruise test no earlier than two days prior to sailing, in order to comply with CDC and destination regulations.

· Guests should review their pre-cruise test results, i.e., a laboratory test record, digital certificate or healthcare record, and ensure it indicates their full legal name, date of birth, type of test, date and time sample was taken, test result stating “NEGATIVE” or “NOT DETECTED” and laboratory, testing site, and/or healthcare provider details. Handwritten test results are not acceptable.

· Vaccinated guests traveling on back-to-back cruises may need to be tested in between voyages.

· For more info please visit Carnival here: COVID 19 Protocols

1. Your Boarding pass from Carnival & Luggage Tags (which should be affixed to your luggage). These you will be required to print from your carnival account once you have paid in full and completed all required activities (Make sure you do everything ion your account especially pre registering a few weeks before trip as this can affect you getting to sail out)

6) Make sure all documents (DL, Passport, boarding docs, Birth certificate, etc.) as well as your name on the Carnival booking all read the same as this can cause a problem if not and keep you’re from Sailing.

7) Traveling with Minors?

· When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you. If there is no second parent with legal claims to the minor (due to sole custody, deceased, etc.) other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, death certificate, birth certificate naming only one parent, would be useful to bring in place of a signed letter. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security.

1. Carnival Sign & Sail Card- this you are given once you are aboard the ship. You will need this for everything: opening your cabin door, Turning on your cabin lights, Getting food & drinks, Getting on & off the port, making any purchases on the ship, etc. As well as some carnival ports (Such As Half Moon and Princess). I always keep these when the cruise is over as a souvenir.

For more information Check out Carnival’s Requirements Here: Needed Documents

What I Bring:

*Make sure you have these for everyone Cruising

1. Valid US Passport
2. Valid Driver’s License
3. COVID Vaccine Card
4. COVID Test Results Per Requirement
5. Carnival Boarding Pass & affixed Luggage Tags
6. Carnival Sign & Sail Card

Optional Items I bring

We often travel hours or days when cruising and I never want to be without something I might need. So I bring the following Items as well.

1. Birth Certificates-Original copies with Seal and all (I have a set that stays home) from Health Department. I was told this was good to have if my passport is lost.
2. Social Security Card
3. Health Insurance Cards (Medical, Dental, Vision, etc.)
4. **Debit Cards & Credit Cards- **There are a few places in ports that will take these & it is all you can use on the ship except some cash in the Casino.
5. **Cash-**For use in port or anywhere else that you cannot spend plastic.
6. List Of Emergency Contacts- I bring this just in case something happens and no one know who to contact (Though this should also be in your passport).
7. **Copies-**I Make a copy of every item listed above just in case and put them in my vacation planner book that I bring on every cruise. As I mentioned above I like to be overly cautious and would rather have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

Where Do I Store All these Documents? :

I have this wonderful passport holder wallet I got from Amazon (I will share a few links Below) that I put everything in. When on the ship I keep these items in the safe. I only take the items I need out when I need them or when going to port. Once on board you are also given a sign and sale card that you will need on the ship as well as getting on and off at the ports.

I have been told it is best to leave your passport on the ship to prevent it from getting stolen However, I like to get my passport stamped whenever possible so I always take them with me & just keep them secured the best I can if there are not lockers to be rented (this is possible on a few excursions). I also have a waterproof phone pouch I put somethings in if I need to swim with them including my phone.

Where to Buy Wallets, etc.:

Passport Wallet

Passport & Vaccine Card Holder

Waterproof Phone Pouch

I think I covered it all. If you have any question just message me or comment below and I will be happy to assist you.

#documentsneeded #Carnival #cruising #passport #DL #ID #COVID #Vaccine #Signandsailcard #FAQ