Cruisers who don't have the proper documentation when traveling to their embarkation port may soon face a pesky $45 fee.
Although cruise lines don't require U.S. citizens to have a valid passport on round-trip sailings from the States, travelers still need proper identification when flying to the port.
The REAL ID requirement isn't new and went into effect on May 7, 2025. However, flyers without a REAL ID-compliant license must pay a hefty fee effective February 2026.
The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced that it will begin charging unprepared travelers a fee to verify their identity at the airport. The original proposal had the fee at $18, but the final amount was increased to $45.
The modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, is designed to streamline the process for travelers who arrive without acceptable identification. The process will differ from airport to airport. That said, the TSA is working to offer online payment options, so travelers can pay before arriving at the airport.
The $45 transaction is good for a 10-day travel period, meaning that many cruisers embarking on a 7-night voyage would only have to pay it once. Still, it's an annoying added expense — and one that is easily avoidable.
According to the TSA, acceptable identification includes a REAL ID-compliant driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), valid passport book or passport card, permanent resident card, foreign government-issued passport, Veteran Health Identification Card, and U.S. Department of Defense ID, among others.
"Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail," said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl.
"The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are...The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights."
Why you should not cruise without a passport
While your 3-night Bahamas cruise might not require a valid passport, now is the best time to go ahead and invest in one. Having a passport ensures you’re prepared for last-minute emergencies that could leave you stranded in a foreign port of call.
Moreover, you will not have to worry about getting a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, since a passport also serves as valid identification for domestic flights and will allow you to fly to your embarkation port with ease.
Cruising without a passport means juggling extra paperwork, including a valid birth certificate, which can add extra stress to your vacation.
Read more: You can take a cruise without a passport, but some require one
Many cruises require a passport, too. For example, if you want to sail on a one-way voyage through Alaska's picturesque Inside Passage or embark on a dreamy Mediterranean cruise, you'll need a passport.
If you already have a passport, check its expiration date. If, for example, your upcoming cruise returns to Florida on August 1, 2027, your passport's expiration date should be no earlier than February 1, 2028.
This is because most destinations require passports to be valid for at least six months after your planned return date to account for unexpected delays and emergencies.
According to the U.S. Department of State's website, the current routine processing time for passports is 4-6 weeks. However, you can pay an extra $60 for the expedited process, which takes 2-3 weeks. Note that passport processing times don't include shipping.
