16 Places You Don’t Need a Passport to Visit

It's easy to put off the task of renewing or applying for a new passport. Thanks to the advantages of closed-looped cruises (cruise ship itineraries that begin and end in the same U.S. port), all American citizens need is two official forms of identification and citizenship, such as a birth certificate or state-issued driver's license, and you can explore some of the most alluring places on earth. Of course, always check your cruise line to make sure you have all of the necessary documents before you embark on your journey.

That said, a passport is always the best identification to travel with, but keep reading to see where you can go without the aid of that little blue book.

U.S. citizens traveling by air or sea to Puerto Rico need not worry about a passport. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, giving Americans the same freedom to enter and exit that they have in the 50 states. Tourism dollars also contribute to the economy and help with the rebuilding of the island after Hurricane Maria, in case you're looking for incentive (not that you need it).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our 50th state doesn't require any more documentation (besides an agricultural declaration form filled out in-flight) than it takes to navigate through the continental United States. Although Hawaii is close to 2,500 miles away from California and lies in its own time zone, it's still just an extension of home if you're a U.S. citizen, national or LPR. Six out of eight of the Hawaiian islands are open to visitors, or even those considering relocating to a state of paradise.

Book your ticket on a big boat and set sail for Bermuda without need of a passport. Some closed-loop Bermuda-bound cruises dock for multiple days at a time, giving passengers plenty of opportunity to explore the pink sand beaches and baby blue water. Three ports—Hamilton City, St. George and the popular King's Wharf—allow all sizes of ships to dock, meaning more itinerary options for hopeful visitors to choose from.

Whether you arrive by air or sea, the U.S. Virgin Islands won't require you to show a passport (just don't make any pit stops in non-U.S. territories). Don't confuse the U.S. Virgin Islands, which include the well-known destinations St. Thomas and St. Croix, with the British Virgin Islands, which require Americans and other foreign visitors to present passports upon arrival. Cruises are great for option-seekers, letting travelers maximize their trip with multi-isle visits.

Driving across the northern border of the United States to enter Canada seems like an international trip that's easy enough, and it is—with an official passport or passport card. Luckily for those of us who haven't gotten around to filling out the necessary paperwork, Canada is accessible via closed-looped cruises. Most cruises take off from New England cities and dock at ports like Quebec, Montreal and Halifax.

The sights you'll see when closed-loop cruising to Costa Rica will leave you in disbelief that you didn't need a passport for the privilege. The port of Puerto Limon is just one of many and boasts of rainforests and wildlife that are common throughout the region. Exotic wildlife surrounds you at every turn, making this a prime eco-tourism location. Expect other Costa Rican ports of call to offer even more natural diversity, such as Puerto Caldera, which has 5 percent of the globe's flora, fauna and animal species, despite its small size.

Like Hawaii, Alaska doesn't require any special identification to enter, such as a passport (however, you should always travel with your driver's license or state ID). U.S. citizens and LPRs are free to visit the snowy landscape, no matter how they enter. It's worth noting that Alaskan cruises are some of the most thrilling and memorable for the larger-than-life glaciers and rare marine life you'll spot during peak times. Cruises automatically come with the benefits of tour guides, need-to-know regional information and excursions that are trusted and safe.

There are loads of islands and countries that hug the Caribbean Sea for wanderers to choose from, most of which passport-less travelers have access to through the closed-loop cruise loophole. You can touch ground that belongs to the U.K., such as the Cayman Islands, a British territory. See Aruba, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, without having to fly to Europe. The endless combination of Caribbean cruise itineraries makes it a versatile feast of destinations for those who adore perfect weather, all-you-can-eat food options and the ease of a preset, hassle-free tropical trip.

The government of Belize means business about environmental conservation, and those on a closed-loop cruise can witness it first-hand. About 20 percent of the land is set aside for preservation, showing just how serious the country is about protecting its natural landmarks and resources. Ships can drop anchor right in Belize City, although the waters are too shallow for boats to park close to the shoreline so large ships may park farther offshore. Snorkeling stellar reefs, viewing beautiful buildings and Mayan ruins are some of the available excursions for cruisers.

If you're without a valid passport and still haven't heard of a place that seems fitting for your next trip, the Bahamas must have what you're looking for. Consisting of 700 islands (only 30 of which are uninhabited) sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of sea, a closed-loop cruise to the Bahamas will satisfy the needs of even the pickiest traveler. Choosing a cruise itinerary that stops off in Nassau gives visitors a chance to experience Bahamian culture and visit the acclaimed Atlantis, Paradise Island Resort.