We’ll never say no to a trip to America’s rich natural landscapes (including over 60 national parks), culture-filled cities, and unexpected corners, but sometimes your vacation requires a complete change of scenery.
Maybe your passport has expired. It may be stuck during processing. Or maybe you’re planning a trip last minute and don’t have time to wait. The good news is that as a U.S. citizen with a valid Real ID and/or birth certificate, you don’t have to stay home.
It may sound like a travel hack to visit Caribbean destinations with turquoise waters or remote islands in the Pacific Ocean without ever pulling out your passport. But thanks to some US territories and a little-known cruise loophole, it’s entirely possible. These places can feel far away from everyday life and don’t even require a passport.
U.S. territories and commonwealths
Guam
More than 9,000 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Micronesia’s most populous island has all the makings of a paradise: golden sand beaches, swaying palm trees, cascading waterfalls, and a laid-back culture. Since Guam is a territory of the United States, U.S. citizens are considered to be traveling domestically and do not need a passport.if Connect via Honolulu (other options are via Tokyo and Seoul, so you’ll need a passport). However, a Real ID is required and Original or certified birth certificate.
puerto rico
With its extremely diverse terrain, snorkeling and diving opportunities, and colorful historic towns, Puerto Rico is the perfect reason to leave the mainland for a while. Although Puerto Rico is not a state, travel to the island is considered domestic travel. U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico. All you need is a Real-ID compliant ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID card.
US Virgin Islands
If you’re interested in a vacation overlooking shimmering turquoise waters and listening to the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the beach, consider another Caribbean gem, the U.S. Virgin Islands. All you need to visit St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix (beyond a flight or cruise reservation) is a valid Real ID and an original or certified birth certificate. Soon you’ll be sipping cocktails on pristine beaches, snorkeling with colorful fish, and dancing to steel drums.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, a remote archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean just northeast of Guam, is another place where sun-seeking Americans can experience tropical landscapes and crystal-clear waters without a passport. As with Guam, countries that require a passport, such as Japan, require you to choose a flight route with no connections. The best option is to fly to Saipan, the capital of this US commonwealth, via Honolulu and Guam. Real ID and original or certified birth certificate required for admission.
International cruise with no passport required
Another loophole for travelers without a passport who want to experience international locations are “closed loop” cruises. A closed-loop cruise is a voyage that begins and ends at the same port in the United States and visits only selected countries or regions in the Western Hemisphere. Passengers do not need to carry passports on these cruises. The target countries are:
- Aruba
- bahamas
- bermuda
- british virgin islands
- belize
- Canada
- cayman islands
- Costa Rica
- dominican republic
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- St. Maarten
- Turks and Caicos Islands
However, travelers will still need to prove their citizenship. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this may include an enhanced driver’s license (currently available only to residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington). Government-issued birth certificate (original or certified). or an official naturalization certificate.
In addition to the above, all passengers must have a photo ID. A Real ID and an Enhanced Driver’s License are not the same. Real IDs are useful for flying, but they can only be used for closed-loop cruises if you also have your birth certificate.
Please note that you will need a passport for the entire itinerary, even if your cruise stops in a single country or region that requires a passport (such as Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, or Trinidad and Tobago). that teeth We recommend that passengers bring their passports with them on these cruises, even if it’s not technically required, in case you need to leave your cruise early and fly to or from an overseas destination.
This article was originally published in 2023 and last updated on April 16, 2026. Sheila Martin contributed reporting to this article.