Atlas by Shumba Travel · Ask Atlas
What if I don't have a passport?
You can sail on many U.S. departures without a passport if you are a U.S. citizen carrying the right backup paperwork, though we still recommend getting a passport when you can. Royal Caribbean accepts an original state-certified birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID on most sailings leaving the U.S., not hospital souvenir certificates and not photocopies. Guests 15 and under only need the birth certificate on those sailings. Not every itinerary qualifies, names must match your reservation exactly, and Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010 are no longer valid. Canadian citizens age 14 and under may present an original Canadian birth certificate instead. Missing or wrong documents means no boarding, full stop.
If a Canadian minor travels with relatives or friends instead of a parent, Royal Caribbean may require a notarized travel consent form. When in doubt, check your sailing on the Travel Documents Hub rather than guessing from a friend's last cruise.
Source: Royal Caribbean
Last verified 2026-07-01