What are NCL's Age Requirements?

Company policy dictates that a passenger under 21 years of age must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a passenger 21 years or older who expressly agrees to be responsible for the under 21 passenger throughout the cruise. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing under-age purchase or consumption of alcohol**, preventing under-age gaming activities and preventing violations of any ship's rules. Passengers must be age 21 to purchase or consume alcohol and age 18 to gamble on the ship. If the accompanying adult is not the minor's parent or legal guardian a notarized PARENTAL/GUARDIAN CONSENT LETTER that authorizes the minor's travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to an NCL representative at the pier. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied, with no refund of cruise fare provided.

Please note that infants under six months of age are not eligible to travel on NCL ships.

Note: Two people under the age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom without someone over the age of 21 in the same stateroom if they purchased the cruise under the family plan and have at least one person who is 21 years or older in the adjoining stateroom. The age limit will be waived for married couples less than 21 years of age provided proof of marriage is presented to an NCL representative at the pier.

**With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii itineraries, NCL permits guests between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty (20) to purchase and personally consume wine and beer while on NCL ships with the consent of an accompanying parent or legal guardian ("Parental Consent") on the same sailing when the vessel is outside the US state territorial waters (3 miles). Complete details and the Parental Consent form are available on board at the Reception Desk.

Bringing Minors In to Canada

Canadian entry requirements stipulate that a child under the age of 18 traveling alone, or with person(s) other than both parents, should be in possession of a letter (preferably notarized) from the parents or legal guardian containing:

Authorization for the child to travel with another person and to be outside the country;

The name and a 24-hour contact telephone number of the parents or guardian; and

The destination and length of stay in Canada.

Adoptive parents, legal guardians or persons separated or divorced are advised to keep legal and other relevant documents available in order to clarify custody rights.

Argentine Nationals

For all South American Cruises - Immigration authorities do not allow Argentine minors to leave the country unauthorized. Simply, if an Argentine child travels out of Argentina with an adult other than his or her parents, immigration officers will require a notarized authorization issued by the parents that states that the adult companion has been authorized by the parents to take the minor out of Argentina.

Travel by Air Between the U.S. and Canada/Mexico/Caribbean/Bermuda

As of January 23, 2007, persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by AIR between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda is required to carry a valid passport. Therefore, in order to either join or finally disembark a cruise vessel outside of the United States, a valid passport is required for travel.

Even if your cruise does not involve air travel outside the U.S., should you be required to unexpectedly depart a vessel prior to the end of the sailing, a passport would be required to re-enter the U.S. by air. As such, Norwegian Cruise Line strongly recommends that all guests are in possession of a passport to sail on an NCL cruise. More information regarding passport requirements is available at: www.travel.state.gov.

Documentation Resources

To obtain an original or state certified copy of a birth certificate, you can contact your hospital of birth or the Vital Statistics Department of the County where you were born.

For more information on obtaining a passport, please visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, or Zierer Visa Service at http://www.zvs.com

Every state issues identification cards, usually from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. As an example, to obtain a Florida identification card you could visit: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ to find out more information.

General Documentation and Visa Information

U.S. and Canadian Citizens

Hawai'i Cruises

There's no need for a passport when you sail on any Hawai'i inter-island cruise. If your ship never sails beyond the islands of Hawai'i, all you need is a government-issued photo I.D. which includes a passport or a valid driver's license with a photo.

Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska (SEATTLE), Mexican Riviera, Or Canada & New England Cruises

For closed-loop sailings (cruises that depart from and return to the same U.S. port), you need a valid passport OR proof of citizenship and a valid government-issued photo I.D. (driver's license with a photo) or any other WHTI compliant document. Proof of Citizenship examples include: an original or state certified copy of a U.S. or Canadian birth certificate, certificate of U.S. naturalization, original certificate of U.S. citizenship, or a U.S. Consular report of your birth abroad.

For open-jaw sailings (cruises that depart from one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port), you are required to carry a valid passport, U.S. passport card, U.S. or Canadian Enhanced Drivers License, as well as have in your possession all relative visas that pertain to your travel itinerary. Permanent residents of the U.S. are required to carry their valid ARC cards for boarding AND passport from their country of citizenship, if available.

Note: If you miss your ship at its scheduled U.S. departure port and need to travel outside the U.S. to meet your ship, or should you unexpectedly need to depart the ship from a foreign port prior to the end of sailing, a passport would be required to leave or re-enter the U.S. by air. To that end, NCL strongly recommends all guests to obtain a passport for their voyage on any NCL vessel.

Europe and South America Cruises

A valid passport is required and in some cases, a tourist visa is also required.

Russia - St. Petersburg

All guests going ashore (even guests on shore excursions) must provide a photocopy of their passport details (page with picture and personal information) to the Russian Immigration Officials. Guests who purchase any available shore excursion organized by NCL will not require a visa for Russia. In this case guests will need to present a valid passport and the NCL tour ticket to the Russian Immigration Officer as they depart the ship. Please note that without a visa, the time ashore is limited to the period of the excursion and you are not allowed to leave the ship outside of the tour hours without a Russian Tourist Visa. Guests who wish to explore Russia on their own or want to sightsee after NCLs' shore excursion hours have to obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa before leaving home. Russian Tourist Visas cannot be issued during your cruise. Guests who have not purchased an organized shore excursion with NCL and do not own a valid Russian Tourist Visa will not be permitted ashore in St. Petersburg.

All citizens other than US & Canadian

All Itineraries

All guests must carry a valid passport, and if necessary, a multiple entry visa is required for entry into the United States (i.e. B-2 Visitors Visa), or a visa waiver. Please be sure to check with the proper agencies and authorities (such as your local immigration office) before you sail because we can't board you without the proper documents. Travelers from the 34 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must have a machine-readable passport to enter the U.S. without a visa. Also, effective January 12th, 2009, all VWP travelers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP.

Alien Residents of the United States holding an Alien Registration Card (ARC or "Green Card") (Form I-551) may travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda (see Visa Restrictions on Bermuda) and the Caribbean with just their valid ARC and Proof of Identity. However, it is recommended that these guests also carry their passports from their country of citizenship if available. In some instances, ARC holders may still be required to have sailing permits and/or visas to enter countries NCL visits in these areas. Please note that travel anywhere else in the world requires a valid passport from the country you are a citizen of and subsequently subjects you to any documentation, visa and health requirements of all countries visited.

Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders who are NOT in possession of their permanent resident papers, or a valid Temporary Resident Visa, must be refused boarding if the vessel calls at any Canadian port during the cruise. Otherwise, the vessel is subject to pay heavy fines and the Canadian resident can be refused re-entry into Canada without their proper resident documentation.

Electronic Travel Authorization

As of January 12th, 2009, all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP. Travelers, travel agents, or carriers enter information in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) secure website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and complete an on-line application in English. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, DHS recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel. In most cases you will receive a response within seconds:
1) Authorization Approved; 2) Travel Not Authorized: Traveler must obtain a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before traveling to the U.S.; or 3) Authorization Pending: Traveler will need to check the ESTA website for updates within 72 hours to receive a final response.

NOTE: An approved travel authorization will be: Required for all VWP travelers prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the U.S. under the VWP beginning January 12th, 2009; Valid, unless revoked, for up to two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first; Valid for multiple entries; and Not a guarantee of admissibility to the United States at a port of entry.

Schengen States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Schengen Agreement came into force on 26th March 1995. It is an agreement between several member states of the European Union (EU), to remove immigration controls for travel within their collective territories. This creates a "borderless" region, known as the "Schengen Area" and therefore changes the procedures for entering or connecting in all of the Schengen States as well as for traveling between them. There are four types of Schengen visas, but type C is the one typically needed by passengers, which can be issued by any one of the Schengen states and is valid for all the others. Due to the type of itineraries in Europe, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean, passengers that do require Schengen visas must obtain a multiple-entry type visa prior to traveling. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require a Schengen visa.

Zierer Visa Service: On selected sailings provides visa kits for NCL to send to its passengers where it is necessary for U.S., Canadian, and/or U.K. citizens to have visas in order to sail on one of its itineraries. Zierer Visa Service can also assist passengers in general to obtain additional or other visas where required, and issue passports to U.S. citizens. They have offices in San Francisco (165 Post Street, 3rd Floor, 94108), Washington D.C. (1625 K Street NW, Suite 102, 20006), New York (60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1250, 10165) and London (The Visa Service, 4-8 Rodney Street, Ground Floor, London, N1 9JH). The toll free number for NCL clients to use for visa inquiries and assistance with application forms is (1-866) 788-1100 or visit their website at www.zvs.com. Guests are not obligated to use this service but it is recommended.

Visa Restrictions for Canada

Due to stricter Canadian entry requirements, immigration officials have advised NCL that citizens from certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or transit Canada. Passengers who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a TRV is necessary: http://www.cic.gc.ca. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess such a visa. Exceptions will be made for U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) and Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders.

Note: Effective July 14th, 2009, Mexico and Czech Republic were added to the list of nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada.

Visa Restrictions for Bermuda

Nationals who require a visa for travel to Bermuda who have the right to reside in the U.S. (ARC holders) and Canada (Landed Immigrant status) who possess proof of such status AND have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the last day of the cruise, will not require the Bermuda entry visa. Please check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a visitor visa is necessary: http://www.bermuda.com/travelcenter/immigration_regulations.php. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess one.

Specific Requirements By Ship for 2009-2010

Norwegian Dawn

Bermuda: Nationals who require a visa for travel to Bermuda who have the right to reside in the U.S. (ARC holders) and Canada (Landed Immigrant status) who possess proof of such status AND have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the last day of the cruise, will not require the Bermuda entry visa. Please check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a visitor visa is necessary: http://www.bermuda.com/travelcenter/immigration_regulations.php. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess one.

Canada: Due to stricter Canadian entry requirements, immigration officials have advised NCL that citizens from certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or transit Canada. Passengers who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a TRV is necessary:www.cic.gc.ca. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess such a visa. Exceptions will be made for U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) and Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders.

Note: Effective July 14th, 2009, Mexico and Czech Republic were added to the list of nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada.

Norwegian Gem

Croatia: Croatian entry requirements dictate that certain nationals require a visa to visit Croatia. Guests who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check their local Croatian Embassy/Consulate to determine if a visa is necessary. Subsequently, guests whose nationality requires a Croatian visa will be denied shore leave on the day the vessel is in Croatia if they do not possess such a visa.

Turkey: Turkish visas are not required for voyages where the Turkish port falls in the middle of the voyage (the requirement is only for guests embarking/debarking in a Turkish port).

Norwegian Jade

Egypt: All guests who wish to go ashore require a visa and will receive Quick-Trip stamp, which is issued in passports upon the ship's arrival at no cost. Guests of the following nationalities require a visa issued by the Egyptian Embassy; regardless, approval to go ashore is not guaranteed until inspection by the local officials upon arrival: Israel, Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Bosnia, Maldives, and Iraq.

Morocco: Moroccan entry requirements dictate that certain nationals require a visa to visit Morocco. Guests who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check their local Moroccan Embassy/Consulate to determine if a visa is necessary. Subsequently, guests belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied shore leave if they do not possess such a visa at embarkation.

Turkey: Turkish visas are not required for voyages where the Turkish port falls in the middle of the voyage (the requirement is only for guests embarking/debarking in a Turkish port).

Norwegian Jewel

Canada: Due to stricter Canadian entry requirements, immigration officials have advised NCL that citizens from certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or transit Canada. Passengers who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a TRV is necessary: www.cic.gc.ca. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess such a visa. Exceptions will be made for U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) and Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders.

Note: Effective July 14th, 2009, Mexico and Czech Republic were added to the list of nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada.

Norwegian Pearl

Canada: Due to stricter Canadian entry requirements, immigration officials have advised NCL that citizens from certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or transit Canada. Passengers who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a TRV is necessary: www.cic.gc.ca. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess such a visa. Exceptions will be made for U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) and Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders.

Note: Effective July 14th, 2009, Mexico and Czech Republic were added to the list of nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada.

Norwegian Spirit

Canada: Due to stricter Canadian entry requirements, immigration officials have advised NCL that citizens from certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or transit Canada. Passengers who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a TRV is necessary: www.cic.gc.ca. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess such a visa. Exceptions will be made for U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) and Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders.

Note: Effective July 14th, 2009, Mexico and Czech Republic were added to the list of nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada.

Bermuda: Nationals who require a visa for travel to Bermuda who have the right to reside in the U.S. (ARC holders) and Canada (Landed Immigrant status) who possess proof of such status AND have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the last day of the cruise, will not require the Bermuda entry visa. Please check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a visitor visa is necessary: http://www.bermuda.com/travelcenter/immigration_regulations.php. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess one.

Norwegian Star

Canada: Due to stricter Canadian entry requirements, immigration officials have advised NCL that citizens from certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in order to visit or transit Canada. Passengers who are not U.S. or Canadian citizens should check the following web site for a listing of restricted nationalities to determine if a TRV is necessary: www.cic.gc.ca. Subsequently, passengers belonging to nationalities that require a visa will be denied boarding if they do not possess such a visa. Exceptions will be made for U.S. Alien Resident Card (ARC) and Canadian Residency Permit (CRP) holders.

Note: Effective July 14th, 2009, Mexico and Czech Republic were added to the list of nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada.

Norwegian Sun

Argentina: Effective December 28th, 2009, Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia will be required to pay a fee when entering Argentina.

• $131 USD for U.S. Citizens - Valid for multiple entries for 10 years duration
• $70 USD for Canadian Citizens - Paid for each entry
• $100 USD for Australian Citizens - Paid for each entry

The entry fee will be collected only at Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). The payment of this fee is not a Visa since Argentina does not require a Visa to citizens of these countries when traveling for leisure or business travel. Once paid by U.S. citizens, the fee permits multiple entries into Argentina for ten years in accordance with the U.S. Visa requirement for Argentinean nationals.

An airport departure tax of $29 USD is due at the International Airport in Bunos Aires; which is usually included in the cost of the airline ticket. Also, guests who intend to visit Iguaçu Falls only need to obtain a visa for Brazil if they intend to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. Note that Brazilian visas must be obtained less than 90 days prior to the day entering Brazil, as the government does not issue visas for longer than a 90-day period from the date of issue."

Chile: An entrance fee is required for guests flying to Chile and is collected on arrival at the Santiago International Airport. The fee is expensive (presently $131 for U.S. citizens and $132 for Canadian citizens) and cannot be prepaid. Cash and credit cards are accepted. The entrance fee varies and is based on a person's nationality, but does not apply to everyone. For cruises that end in Chile a departure tax is required (presently $30) which is collected at the Santiago International Airport. This departure tax is a fixed amount and applies to all nationals.

Russia: An individual Russian tourist visa is only required for guests wanting to visit St. Petersburg on his or her own accord. Visas may be obtained at a Russian embassy or through a visa service prior to departing the U.S. Guests that participate in NCL organized shore excursions who do not intend to explore on their own are not required to obtain individual visas. The shore excursion ticket covers said visa requirements for the duration and itinerary of the shore excursion only. This also includes guests participating on NCL tours to Moscow. Note: Those guests wishing to apply for individual visas for Russia will need a letter or voucher of support issued by NCL's tour operator Baltic Travel, which is available via their website: www.baltictravel.com. Instructions on how to use the support letter/voucher are included therein. Your passport will be required for issuing the visa.