If you’re planning a Caribbean cruise, you need a valid passport and other relevant travel documentation.
Non-U.S. citizens need a visa or ESTA to take a Caribbean cruise that departs from a port in the U.S., or visits islands that are U.S. territory.
Check which documents you need for your upcoming cruise around the Caribbean.
Do I Need a U.S. Visa for a Caribbean Cruise?
The majority of non-U.S. citizens need a visa or ESTA to go on a Caribbean cruise.
If any of the following apply, you must apply for travel authorization for the United States:
- Your cruise departs from a port in the United States
- Your cruise ends at a port in the United States
- Your cruise calls at Caribbean islands that are U.S. territory
Documents Required to Cruise from U.S. Ports
Most Caribbean cruises depart from ports in Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Tampa.
Baltimore, New Orleans, and Orlando are departure points outside Florida.
As a foreign citizen, you need a visa or ESTA to reach Florida and board the cruise ship. You can travel to the United States to take a cruise with ESTA if you are from a Visa Waiver country.
There are currently 42 VWP countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Schengen Area countries.
ESTA is now required at airports, land borders, and seaports of entry.
You will also need ESTA if your cruise starts outside the U.S. but ends in Florida or another U.S. port.
Visiting Caribbean Islands That Are U.S. Territory
If the embarkation point for your Caribbean is not in the United States, you may still need ESTA.
You must have a visa waiver if your cruise calls at any Caribbean island that is U.S. territory.
Popular Caribbean cruises call at the falling U.S. islands:
- U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas)
- Puerto Rico
If your cruise visits any of these islands, you must have a visa or ESTA, regardless of where your cruise begins or ends.
Do I need ESTA to visit Barbados on a cruise?
Other Caribbean islands are not U.S. territories, including Barbados.
Although ESTA is not required to enter Barbados, you will still need travel authorization if your cruise starts or ends in the U.S. or you will also visit the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
Which Visa Do I Need for a Caribbean Cruise?
The type of visa you need for a Caribbean cruise depends on your nationality.
You can get either:
- U.S tourist visa
- ESTA visa waiver
With both documents, you can travel to the United States for tourism purposes, including on a cruise. However, the ESTA is 100% online with no need to attend an embassy interview or visa application center.
Caribbean Cruises Under the Visa Waiver Program
If traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you can re-enter the U.S. at the end of a cruise with the immigration stamp you were issued on entering.
The following conditions apply:
- The cruise must not exceed the 90-day visa-free period
- You must not travel beyond adjacent islands or contiguous territory
- You must not spend more than 30 days outside the United States
- You must apply for an ESTA for your cruise
Note that children need their own independent ESTA to go on a Caribbean cruise that involves time in U.S. territory.
ESTA Application for Caribbean Cruise Passengers
Cruise passengers from countries included in the United States VWP must have an approved ESTA before boarding the ship. The ESTA is required to re-enter the United States as a cruise passenger.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Fill out the ESTA application before your cruise
- Receive ESTA approval by email
- Board the cruise ship with your passport and ESTA
You need to provide basic personal details and passport information to apply for your cruise ship ESTA.
How soon before a cruise should I apply for ESTA?
Most applicants receive the ESTA for their cruise in 1 to 2 business days. If you have forgotten to apply for ESTA for your cruise, you can get it in just 1 hour using the priority service.
ESTA is valid for 2 years, or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner), so you can apply now for future cruises.
In addition, ESTA is a multiple-entry permit. You can use the same ESTA for your cruise and any trips to the United States in the next 24 months.
Your passport information must be the same.
U.S. visas for Caribbean cruises
If you are not from a United States visa waiver country, or do not meet any of the ESTA requirements, you will need a visa for your Caribbean cruise.
You can apply for a U.S. tourist visa for a cruise. Visa applications involve an interview and the embassy, you may also need several supporting documents.
If you need a visa for your Caribbean cruise, you must begin the application process several weeks before your departure date.
Caribbean Cruise Documents Checklist
When booking a cruise visiting international ports, there are several things to consider.
Here is a checklist of the documents you may need for your U.S. or Caribbean cruise.
- Passport—your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your cruise.
- Visa or ESTA for the U.S.—as a non-US citizen, you need one of these entry permits.
- Visa for other destinations—depending on where your cruise stops, you may need additional visas or travel authorizations.
- Health documents—check whether you need vaccines to visit any of the countries on your cruise itinerary. This could include a COVID-19 vaccine certificate.
The information on your visas, ESTA, and other travel documents must match your passport exactly.
You should confirm all the documentation requirements with the cruise line when preparing for your trip.