If you are preparing for a cruise vacation, you may be wondering: What is a passport card vs book? Although both are official U.S. travel documents issued by the Department of State, they serve different purposes.
For starters, passport books are more widely accepted and can be used for all domestic and international travel, including flights, cruises, and border crossings.
Passport cards, on the other hand, are valid only for land and sea travel to specific locations, including Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda — they are not valid for international air travel because they lack visa pages.
That said, passport cards are more cost-effective than books. For first-time applicants, the fee for a passport card is just $30 (plus a $35 acceptance fee), whereas a new passport book costs around $165, including the same acceptance fee.
They both have the same validity period — 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16 — so your decision really comes down to where you plan to travel and how much flexibility you want during that timeframe.
For cruisers, a passport card can be a convenient and budget-friendly option. However, if you're interested in traveling to far-flung destinations outside of the Caribbean, Mexico, or Bermuda, you may want to invest in a passport book.
Passport books ensure you won’t run into any travel restrictions down the road. For example, let's say you're considering investing in a passport card for a short cruise to The Bahamas. While it would be an acceptable form of ID, you would not be able to later plan a dreamy Mediterranean cruise or one-way Alaskan voyage from Seward to Vancouver.
Do you need a passport book or card for a cruise?
Most travelers automatically assume that passports are necessary for cruising, but that isn't always true.
In general, a passport is recommended for all cruises, whether a quick Bahamas cruise or a weeklong Caribbean voyage. However, they aren't always required.
You can embark on certain cruises without a passport, which is reassuring to those who may have waited too long to apply or found a great last-minute deal. Instead, you must have a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. An Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) can also be used in place of the birth certificate.
Moreover, the rules only apply to U.S. citizens sailing on a closed-loop (round-trip) sailing from the United States. This means that you don't need a passport for a 7-night cruise on Carnival Jubilee from Galveston, Texas. However, you would need a valid passport for a Greek Isles sailing from Athens (Piraeus), Greece.
Cruisers must also have valid passports on one-way sailings, even if the cruise begins and ends in the United States. For example, repositioning cruises from Florida to California require a passport.
How long does it take to get a passport?
According to the Department of State, the current routine processing time for passport books and cards is 4 to 6 weeks. However, if you pay to expedite the application, processing typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. This service costs $60.
Additionally, you can apply for an urgent passport at a regional passport agency. To qualify, you must make an appointment and have proof of international travel within 14 calendar days. Offices are located in Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; Tucson, AZ; El Paso, TX; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Centennial (Denver), CO; New Orleans, LA; Hot Springs, AR; Atlanta, GA; Minneapolis, MN; Chicago, IL; Charleston, SC; Miami, FL; Buffalo, NY; New York, NY; Stamford, CT; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; Portsmouth, NH; and Albans, VT.
It is important to consider that mailing times are not included in the listed processing times. The Department of State's website says that it may take up to two weeks for the application to arrive, and another two weeks for it to be returned via mail.
Recently, I renewed my passport, which was set to expire in May 2026. After getting my photo taken at a local CVS drugstore and completing the paper application, I mailed it on October 7, 2025. By October 19, my new passport was already in my hands! That said, I paid to expedite the application process and an extra $22.05 fee for 1-2 day delivery.
You can also renew your passport online. However, there are a few stipulations:
- The passport you're renewing is (or was) valid for 10 years.
- It must be expiring within one year or have expired less than 5 years ago.
- You are 25 or older.
- You're not changing any personal information, such as name or sex.
- You're not traveling for at least 6 weeks from the date you submit the application. Expedited service is not offered for online renewals.
- You have a mailing address in a U.S. State or territory. Army, Fleet, or Diplomatic Post Office address can't be used.
- You have your passport with you. It isn't damaged or mutilated, and you haven't reported it as lost or stolen.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
