One major travel deadline is here, but you don't need a REAL ID to take a cruise

The U.S. REAL ID deadline has officially arrived, but what does it mean for your summer cruise plans?

Effective May 7, 2025, travelers with a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other acceptable form of identification, like a valid passport, will have shorter screening times when flying within the United States. However, the rules for boarding a cruise are unchanged.

Though many cruisers prefer using passports, certain itineraries have more relaxed requirements. For example, if you're sailing on a round-trip cruise from Miami to the Bahamas, you technically can use a U.S. driver's license and a certified copy of your birth certificate to board. 

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John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, took to Facebook to share that REAL IDs aren't required for cruise vacations from the U.S., even though some signage in Carnival's terminals seems to hint at the small gold star on REAL IDs being necessary. 

"It appears we have a very special Facebook page posting that [guests] now need a real ID when they cruise. They are posting photos of this sign saying that we have announced that everybody must have a real ID. [But] I have spoken with the beards...you do not Real ID to cruise," he wrote. 

Relying on your birth certificate and driver's license for a cruise comes with risks, though. While you don't need to stress over obtaining a REAL ID for your summer cruise, I'd advise you to consider traveling with a valid passport. 

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For example, if an unexpected medical emergency arises, you could be forced to disembark the cruise early. Passports can also be helpful if you miss the ship's departure and are stuck in a foreign port of call. Having a valid passport will make returning home easier than locating the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to request an emergency passport.

Finally, you need a passport — no exceptions made — for one-way cruises or international sailings, such as those from Seward to Vancouver or round-trip voyages from Barcelona, Spain. 

Read more: Do you need a passport to cruise? The answer explained

REAL ID might be important for your cruise — here's why

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Though you don't need a REAL ID to board your ship, you may need it if you are flying to your embarkation city and don't have a valid passport. 

For example, if using a driver's license and birth certificate to embark on a 5-night Bahamian voyage from Miami and are traveling from the Midwest, you likely are flying to Florida. 

Without a valid passport or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, you face longer security screening times at the airport. Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, confirmed that you won't be banned from flying without a REAL ID, but you may be instructed to go through a different security line.

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 “[Travelers without a REAL ID-compliant form of identification] may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” Noem said during a hearing on Tuesday.

This means you may have to answer additional questions to confirm your identity or undergo a personal search. 

As such, if you don't have a REAL ID, budget extra time for your security screening process after May 7, 2025. 

Read more: Cruise passenger denied boarding serves as a tough reminder for everyone

What are REAL IDs?

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The 2005 REAL ID Act was implemented following the 9/11 attacks and aims to enhance national security. However, the act faced multiple delays resulting from state compliance challenges, especially during the pandemic. 

REAL IDs can be obtained through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You must provide documentation verifying your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and two proofs of address and lawful residence. You may also be asked to prove liability insurance, as in the case in North Carolina. 

Processing times for REAL ID vary. Some applicants have experienced waits of up to 45 days. Some even sought delays for the REAL ID enforcement because of the overwhelming demand, as reported by The Portland Press Herald. 

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According to WDRB, TSA claimed 80% of travelers nationwide already have REAL IDs. However, in some states, such as Kentucky, only 37% of eligible drivers had one. 

If you have an upcoming trip and haven't obtained a REAL ID, there are other valid forms of documentation you can use. U.S. passports, military ID, and Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards will still be accepted at TSA checkpoints in U.S. airports to make your screening process easier.