Here’s Everywhere You Can Travel Without A Passport Right Now
Summer is right around the corner, and that means it’s time for vacation planning.
It’s one of my favorite times of year. I LOVE to plan vacations — almost more than I actually like going on the vacation.
That being said, international travel is a nightmare right now.
No, not because it’s too expensive — although, there’s that — or that it’s dangerous.
It’s because trying to apply for and get your passport is a freaking MESS right now.
According to Thrillist, the time it takes to get a passport in your hands can take upwards of 13 weeks right now.
That means, if you go and apply for a passport now, it will be dang near too late to take a destination vacay this summer.
BUT, there are some places that you may be able to go without a passport.
Tell me more, right?!?
Destinations That Do Not Require A Passport
Now, unfortunately, you can’t really travel overseas without a passport.
But, if you stick just a little bit closer to home, traveling might be easier than you might think.
Now, it’s important to note, we are talking about Americans here.
Not to leave the rest of our friends in other countries out, but this list is for U.S. citizens only.
The U.S. currently has five inhabited territories, three of which do not require passports to visit.
Those are Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.
I could go for a tropical vacation this summer!!
Now, if you want to hit up American Samoa or Guam, you will need to break down and get a passport.
Which Cruises Don’t Require Passports?
There are some cruise lines that do not require a passport.
I went to on a cruise to the Bahamas a few years ago, and all I had to show was my drivers license and my birth certificate. Sure, it would have been much easier with a passport, but it totally wasn’t necessary.
These types of cruises that let you travel without a passport are called “closed-loop” cruises.
They both begin and end their cruises from the same US port, and they travel exclusively within the Western Hemisphere.
Using these closed-loop cruises, you can hit up places like Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and most of the Caribbean islands.
Several of the cruise lines that offer up closed-loop cruises are Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Viking Cruises.
Now, when you are searching for cruise destinations, make sure to limit your search to closed-loop cruises.
And, for goodness sakes, before you PAY for the cruise, make sure it is considered a closed-loop cruise.
Happy summer vacationing! Hope you get to go somewhere fun and maybe just a little bit tropical!!