• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Carnival Cruise Line issues new passport rule impacting millions of passengers

Home> Lifestyle> Travel

Updated 15:50 4 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 13:22 11 Dec 2024 GMT

Carnival Cruise Line issues new passport rule impacting millions of passengers

It's a rule change impacting millions of cruisers

Tom Earnshaw

Tom Earnshaw

Featured Image Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Gerard Bottino / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images

Topics: Cruise Ship, Holiday, Travel, US News, World News, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line

Tom Earnshaw
Tom Earnshaw

Tom joined LADbible Group in 2024, currently working as SEO Lead across all brands including LADbible, UNILAD, SPORTbible, Tyla, UNILAD Tech, and GAMINGbible. He moved to the company from Reach plc where he enjoyed spells as a content editor and senior reporter for one of the country's most-read local news brands, LancsLive. When he's not in work, Tom spends his adult life as a suffering Manchester United supporter after a childhood filled with trebles and Premier League titles. You can't have it all forever, I suppose.

X

@TREarnshaw

Advert

Advert

Advert

The world's largest cruise line has had a significant rule change for its millions of passengers that travel with them every single year.

With more than 13 million people taking to the open seas every single year on a cruise ship, it is an industry that generates billions in revenue every 12 months.

And the biggest cruise line of them all is Carnival, with its parent company entertaining more than 5.8 million people every single year.

Well, for those travelling with its largest individual brand, Carnival Cruise Line - we're talking more than 2.5 million per annum - the rules have just been changed when it comes to passports.

Advert

Carnival Cruise Line has announced the change (Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Carnival Cruise Line has announced the change (Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Carnival Cruise Line announcement

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, took to Facebook to tell his followers about the change in how passports will work.

Heald often takes to the social media platform to discuss pretty much everything that might concern cruise passengers, responding to fans asking questions and putting forward queries.

"This advisory requires your prompt review as we work to keep you informed about your cruise," Heald took to Facebook to say.

Advert

What follows is a pretty lengthy explainer on how you're impacted if travelling with them.

You'll need to check your passport (Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
You'll need to check your passport (Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Carnival passport rule change

For decades, Florida-based Carnival has had a strong affiliation with Panama, with 17 of its ships actually registered to the country. The other seven are registered to the Bahamas.

As a result, many of its voyages take passengers down the iconic Panama Canal, with docking in the country that links Central and South America standard practice by now.

Advert

"We have received clarification on passport requirements for Panama," Heald stated.

"To comply with guidelines for going ashore, all guests (including infants) must carry a passport book that is valid for at least six months after the cruise ends. Guests will be permitted to sail with other acceptable travel documentation, but they must remain on board when the ship visits Panama.

"While we will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible, you should always ensure that you follow all travel and documentation requirements for this cruise."

Make sure everything is above board (Getty Stock Images)
Make sure everything is above board (Getty Stock Images)

What it actually means

Ultimately, if you have no plans to get off the boat in Panama, don't worry. Equally, if you fall foul of their rules, don't worry too much and just bite the bullet and remain on board.

Advert

"If you will be remaining on board, our team will be ready to provide excellent service and keep you entertained with fun activities," Heald explained.

"Basically you can sail on these cruises using your birth certificate and photo ID. However, if you wish to go ashore in Panama you will need a current passport that is valid for six months from the end of the cruise. Thank you all for your understanding and have a brilliant time."

It comes as Royal Caribbean has banned one cruise travel hack as well as prohibiting another item loved by travellers.

Choose your content:

20 mins ago
a day ago
  • 20 mins ago

    Man who visited every country in the world shares worst place he has been to

    He managed to do it all without flying

    Lifestyle
  • a day ago

    Therapist of 45 years explains main reason why people cheat on their partners

    There are often multiple reasons why a person will cheat in a relationship

    Lifestyle
  • a day ago

    Five Guys customer shares receipt from 14 years ago and people are ‘outraged’ at the difference

    Looking for evidence that food prices have skyrocketed? You're in the right place

    Lifestyle
  • a day ago

    Couple who live full time on cruise ship share 'true' amount it costs them in total

    More and more people are seeking a life away from land

    Lifestyle
  • Carnival Cruise Line director issues ‘do not do this’ warning to millions of passengers
  • Carnival Cruise Line warns passengers about ‘strictly prohibited’ balcony ban rule
  • Carnival Cruise Line ban another item that passengers swear by
  • Carnival Cruise Line clarifies critical visa rule impacting thousands including Royal Caribbean and MSC passengers