The cruise line has you covered when it comes to extra sunscreen, bathing suits and cameras, but if you forget the correct travel documentation, you might be left at port. If you're cruising to Mexico from a U.S. port, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department requires government-issued documentation for adults, children and infant travelers.

One-Way Cruises

As of 2009, U.S. cruise travelers must carry a U.S. passport if they take a non-closed loop cruise with at least one foreign destination. A non-closed loop cruise is a fancy way of saying a one-way cruise. Rarely, a cruise will depart from one port and drop you off in another location. This is usually the case for longer cruises with multiple port stops. If this is the case, all travelers, including infants and children, must show a U.S. passport in order to board the cruise. For information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Round-Trip Cruises

If your Mexican cruise departs from and returns to one port, such as Miami, you are on a closed-loop, or round-trip, cruise. The required documentation for closed-loop Mexico cruises varies by age. Adults (16 years of age and older) must present a government-issued photo I.D., such as a driver's license. A child traveler (under the age of 16) must show a state-issued original birth certificate or copy. If this is not available, you can also provide a certificate of naturalization or a consular report of birth abroad. If an infant's birth certificate is not yet available, cruise lines will accept a hospital-issued birth certificate.

Non-U.S. Travelers

Non-U.S. citizens must show a passport from their country of origin before traveling on any cruise to Mexico. Cruise travelers who are currently in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) might not be eligible for cruise travel to Mexico. For more information on VWP travel requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Tips

Mexican cruises often have port stops in the Caribbean. If this is the case, you might need additional documentation. Some Caribbean islands require U.S. passports for port visits. If you are obtaining a U.S. passport for the first time, allow for lengthy processing time, or be prepared to pay a premium for expedited service.