Costa Cruise Lines highly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise.  This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation and allow guests that must disembark the ship before their cruise ends due to an emergency to fly back to the U.S. without significant delays and complications.  Guests are responsible for all costs related to arrangements to obtain entry to countries they visit and re-entry to their destination country. 

Guests are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and for complying with Customs and Immigration requirements. Guests without proper travel documents will not be allowed to board the vessel.  For more information, please visit the U.S State department website at www.travel.state.gov. 

Caribbean Cruise Travel
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. It is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA).  
The goal of WHTI is to facilitate entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors, while strengthening U.S. border security. Standard documents will enable the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler. 

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government implemented the full requirements of the land and sea phase of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The proposed rules require U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security.  Costa Cruise Lines requires the approved travel document to be valid until 14 days after the scheduled cruise arrival.
For a list of approved documents please visit:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html#compliant_document

CHILDREN: Children must also present a valid passport, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Mediterranean and North Europe Cruises:
United States and Canadian citizens must have valid passports and necessary Visas. The expiration date of your passport must not occur within 6 months of the scheduled return date of travel. Naturalized U.S. citizens are advised to carry their naturalization papers. Aliens who are residents of the U.S. must carry their Alien Registration Card and passport. All others must have valid passports and necessary visas.

For itineraries featuring Libya please be informed that as a result of inconsistent policies within the Libyan government, all cruises have been closed to North American guests (citizens or residents).

Guests on itineraries visiting Russia and Ukraine, who wish to tour independently in these countries (not on a Costa organized shore excursion) will need to obtain a VISA from the respective embassy/consulate prior to travel. 

Passport Requirements for Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, 3522 International Court, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20008 (202/243-2400). Internet: UAEembassy.org Guests with Israel passports may not enter UAE. Guests who hold U.S. Passports and have an Israel stamp in their passport MAY enter UAE.
US Passport holders will be issued a visa upon arrival free of charge. For non U.S. passport holders, please refer to the Embassy for which you hold a passport for instructions and requirements.

South America Cruises:
United States citizens must carry a valid passport and a visa for entrance into Brazil.
Non-U.S. citizens must carry a valid passport and appropriate visas. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after date of travel. All guests should contact the appropriate embassy or consulate to confirm their individual requirements for entry. Guests without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and will be subject to full cancellation penalty.

Transatlantic Cruises:
United States and Canadian citizens must have valid passports.
Aliens who are permanent resident of the U.S. must carry their Alien Registration Card and passport. All others must have valid passports and necessary visas. Guests without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and will be subject to full cancellation penalty.

China , Vietnam, and Egypt
China - A valid passport and visa are required to enter and exit China and must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates before traveling to China.  Americans arriving without valid passports and the appropriate Chinese visa are not permitted to enter and will be subject to a fine and immediate deportation at the traveler's expense.  Travelers should not rely on Chinese host organizations claiming to be able to arrange a visa upon arrival.  Chinese authorities have recently tightened their visa issuance policy, in some cases requiring personal interviews of American citizens.  Although a bilateral United States-China agreement provides for issuance of multiple-entry visas with validity of up to one year for tourists and business visitors, Chinese consulates often limit visas to only one entry.   Visit the Embassy of China web site for the most current visa information. For more information regarding China, please click on the link below.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html

Vietnam - A valid passport and Vietnamese visa or visa exemption document are required.  A visa or visa exemption document must be obtained from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate prior to traveling to Vietnam; entry visas are not available upon arrival.  Americans arriving without an appropriate Vietnamese visa or exemption document will not be permitted to enter, and will be subject to immediate deportation.  Vietnamese visas are usually valid for only one entry.  Persons planning to leave Vietnam and re-enter from another country should be sure to obtain a visa allowing multiple entries.  For more information on Vietnam, please click on the link below.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1060.html

Egypt - For all cruises to and from Egypt, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the ending date of the cruise is required.

Please note that additional restrictions and requirements may exist for entrance into other countries. You are advised to check with local embassies and consulates for their requirements.