No Passport. No Problem.
Jamaica
With three ports for ships to drop anchor, Jamaica remains a favorite destination for closed-loop cruise-goers. Port Antonio on the eastern side of the island only accommodates smaller ships. Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, both at the north face of Jamaica, welcomes larger boats. All ports boast sensuous scenes of rolling mountains, jungles and crystal-clear waters. Booking excursions through the ship will ensure a safe and memorable experience in the lush landscape.
Mexico
If arriving by air or land, you're going to need your handy-dandy official blue book or a passport card to enter Mexico. But if arriving by sea as part of a closed-loop cruise itinerary, Mexico has plenty of ports that allow visitors to sample the culture of our southern neighbors. Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas are always favored among waterway tourists. Other port towns, such as Mazatlan, are good for visitors who want to see historic beauty and still have access to city conveniences.
Honduras
Assorted heritages blend together in the Bay Islands of Honduras, where closed-loop cruise-goers without a passport can get a taste for what the Central American country has in store. Ships dock at Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands, where tourists can snorkel the Mesoamerican reef, the second-largest reef in the world, extending over 600 miles. Honduras is an optimal cruise destination, especially for organized activities that ensure the safety of all passengers.
Guam
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Guam is one of the territories that U.S. citizens can fly to and from without presenting a passport, as long as you don't stop at any foreign place during your trip. When you arrive into Tumon, Guam's central tourist district, it will feel as familiar as any other American city. Venturing outside of Tumon, you'll find beaches that are usually free of people, with tranquil and tropical views unlike anywhere on the mainland.
Northern Mariana Islands
Sitting just northeast of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, composed of 14 mostly uninhabited islands, is another region that U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can travel to passport-free. Saipan, the most populated island at under 50,000 residents, has usual tourist comforts, such as scenic golfing ranges and casinos, but also offers unbelievable natural wonders, like the famous Grotto cave, perfect for scuba diving and exploring the sea life and reefs within.
Panama
The Panama Canal is an engineering wonderwork and, if you book the right closed-loop cruise itinerary, the status of your passport won't stop you from being able to marvel at it up close. The intricacies of the famed canal still fascinate, especially if your cruise ship gets lifted by the locks, a system that raises boats 85 feet to meet the different elevations of the man-made waterway. If the ship you're on doesn't complete the path connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, consider finishing the canal in a smaller boat by booking a shore excursion.
