Only if you start or end in a foreign port. Cruises are considered closed circuit journeys and as long as you begin and end in the United States you do not need a passport.
US citizens sailing to and from a US port will not need a passport for a cruise. You will only need a driver's license or photo ID and a state-issued copy of your birth certificate.
Yes, new Homeland Security rules require you to carry a passport whenever leaving the USA.
It depends on your nationality and if you intend going ashore.
Yes, any out of country travel now requires a passport
If you are a U.S. Citizen, and your cruise is a closed loop (starts and ends in the same port), you do not absolutely need a passport to cruise in the Caribbean. However, it is highly recommended, because if for some reason (like an emergency) you need to fly home early, you will need a passport. If you do not bring a passport, you must bring and official birth certificate and Government ID. Given that passports for those 18 and over are valid for 10 years, go ahead and get the passport.
If you are a US citizen, and you are sailing to and from a US port, you will never need a passport for a cruise. They have made a permanent exception to the rule for cruisers who fit this description.
not for the bahammas have a drivers licencse AND a Birth certificate.
If the cruise departs and ends at the same U.S. port, no passport is required; however they need a proof of citizenship, such as the birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or passport card; if the children are 16 or older, they also need a photo ID.
If you travel to a Mexican port, then yes. Otherwise I don't think so.
If it involves going to another country, yes. And if your cruise lands somewhere other than Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda, you'll need a passport book, not just the passport card. Source: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
If you're a US citizen and planning to cruise to the Bahamas before summer 2008, you do not need a passport. You can also cruise to the Caribbean (except Barbados), Mexico and Canada (for most Alaskan cruises) without a passport. The Department of Homeland security should announce the new date for passport requirements later this spring.
Basically yes, to get on AND off the cruise ship you need a passport.