Travel Documentation
Before Leaving Home:
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Caution: The requirements described below are required by government regulations and policies. They are subject to change without notice.
For the current passport requirements click here.
It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. These appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas, inoculation certificate and family legal documents are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries.
Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country and may be subject to fines. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.
Required travel documents for Domestic Sailings
Required travel documents for International Sailings
Required travel documents for Asia Sailings
Please note: Mermaid Cruise Lines domestic sailings are all sailings originating and ending in ports located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Panama Canal sailings. All other sailings are considered to be international sailings. These include itineraries in Europe, South America and Australia/New Zealand including re-positioning sailings originating or ending in their ports. U.S. citizens traveling on our international sailings are required to have valid passports.
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. Caution: The requirements described below are required by government regulations and policies. They are subject to change without notice.
For the current passport requirements click here.
It is the sole responsibility of the guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available when necessary. These appropriate valid travel documents such as passports, visas, inoculation certificate and family legal documents are required for boarding and re-entry into the United States and other countries.
Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country and may be subject to fines. No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.
Required travel documents for Domestic Sailings
Required travel documents for International Sailings
Required travel documents for Asia Sailings
Please note: Mermaid Cruise Lines domestic sailings are all sailings originating and ending in ports located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico including Panama Canal sailings. All other sailings are considered to be international sailings. These include itineraries in Europe, South America and Australia/New Zealand including re-positioning sailings originating or ending in their ports. U.S. citizens traveling on our international sailings are required to have valid passports.
DOMESTIC SAILINGS
Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
Passport Requirements
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) once fully implemented will require all travelers entering or re-entering the United States to be in the possession of a valid passport.
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
Passport Requirements
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) once fully implemented will require all travelers entering or re-entering the United States to be in the possession of a valid passport.
Implementation
- October 1, 2007 - The departments of State and Homeland Security reestablished the valid passport requirements for air travel. Valid passports are required for air travel to / from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. View current information on required identification for domestic travel
- As early as Summer 2008 - A valid passport will be required for all U.S. citizens for all sea and air travel. And subject to U.S. Government amendment, U.S. and Canadian citizens 15 or younger with their parents consent may cross the U.S./Canadian border by land or sea with a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Sea Travel Only
- For domestic travel which includes: the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, a passport (valid or expired) is highly recommended.
- In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or certified copy), plus laminated picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required. Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth (except for new borns) are not acceptable.
- For U.S. Naturalized citizens, in the absence of a passport, Naturalization papers (either original or notarized copy) plus a picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required.
- A voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.
International Travel
- A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America. View current information on required identification for internation travel
Non U.S. Citizens:
You will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa. If you live in the U.S., you will also need your original Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green Card") and any other documentation the countries on your itinerary require due to your alien status.
Canadian Landed Immigrants:
All Canadian Landed Immigrants (inclusive of those who are citizens of the British Commonwealth countries) who reside in Canada must have valid passports and US visas. Also required is your original Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) formally the IMM 1000 or with respect to any country on the itinerary any other travel documentation required because of alien status.
Visas
Please contact the Embassy (Consular Services) of each country on your sailing itinerary or the visa service of your choice for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees for your nationality.
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
Citizens from the Visa Waiver Program countries of: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunel, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom seeking to enter the United States will be required to have in their possession a machine readable passport with a digital photograph valid for the duration of the voyage.
Visa Waiver Program travelers arriving in the U.S. after October 26, 2005 with passports issued on or after that date must present passports with a digital photograph.
Visa Waiver Program travelers arriving in the U.S. after October 26, 2006 with passports issued on or after that date must present a biometric passport or obtain a visa for entry into the United States.
INOCULATION / HEALTH
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website at: www.cdc.gov/travel or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website at: www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/.
Family Legal Documents:
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa (or certified copy of the child's birth certificate) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to enhanced procedures by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, guests departing the ship at the end of their cruise may be subject to possible delay.
Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
Passport
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
Passport
- A valid passport is required for travel.
- For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six(6) months of the sailing termination date.
- U.S. citizens carrying an Official (maroon cover) passport must also be in possession of a valid Diplomatic or personal (blue or green cover) passport to allow ship embarkation.
- It is the guests' responsibility to identify and to obtain the necessary visas before commencing their cruise.
- Based on nationality, many countries still require an entry visa.
- U.S. citizens can visit the U.S. Department of State Foreign Entry Requirements at: www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html
- Canadian citizens can visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at: www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/visa_services-en.asp#1
- the Embassies (Consular Service Office) of each country on your sailing itinerary
- or the visa service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees that apply to your nationality.
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website at: www.cdc.gov/travel or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website at: www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/.
Family Legal Documents
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa (or certified copy of the child's birth certificate) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
Passport
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
Passport
- A valid passport is required for travel.
- Ensure sufficient blank visa pages within the passport for visa stamps.
- For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six (6) months following the voyage termination date.
- Since the ship will collect your passport to speed the clearance formalities at each port of call, we suggest you bring with you a few photocopies of your passport's personal information page which includes the picture, and that you carry one of these photocopies with you each time you leave the ship.
- U.S. citizens carrying an Official (maroon cover) passport must also be in possession of a valid Diplomatic or personal (blue or green cover) passport to allow ship embarkation.
- It is the guests' responsibility to identify and to obtain all the necessary visas before leaving home, unless otherwise instructed below.
- Based on nationality, many countries still require an entry visa.
- A visa for Cambodia and Vietnam is required for many nationalities including U.S. and Canadian citizens, but it may not be the only visas required for this sailing based on your nationality.
- For Cambodia and Vietnam, ship personnel will assist each guest required to secure a visa for Cambodia and Vietnam and charge the guests onboard SeaPass account a one-time fee of twenty-eight ($28.00 USD) dollars for a Cambodia visa and twenty-five ($25.00 USD) dollars for a Vietnam visa.
- These visa fees include a small processing charge by our local representative.
- U.S. citizens can visit the U.S. Department of State Foreign Entry Requirements at: www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html
- Canadian citizens can visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at: www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/visa_services-en.asp#1
- the Embassies (Consular Service Office) of each country on your sailing itinerary
- or the visa service of your choice, such as Passport Express Services for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees that apply to your nationality.
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Traveler's Health website at: www.cdc.gov/travel or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website at: www.who.int/vaccines-diseases/.
Family Legal Documents
Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.
