Hawaii
The islands of Hawaii are probably the first passport-free tropical destination that comes to mind for many families. Legendary for their beauty, rich culture and hospitality, they’re also farflung enough from the mainland to feel like a genuine tropical vacation despite being one of the 50 United States.
That means U.S. citizens not only don’t need a passport to enter, but the islands are also easy to get to, with loads of direct and nonstop flights from all across the country.
Hawaii has near-perfect summerlike weather all year long, making it the perfect tropical destination any time of year.
Although there’s no shortage of incredible family resorts in Hawaii, the idea of being able to have cultural experiences on-site is very appealing to me, because I always try to expose my family to the local culture wherever we go.
In that sense, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on Oahu is a good choice for its immersive cultural experiences and gorgeous beachfront location.
A stay at the resort includes access to a team of “Aunties” and cultural experts ready to “talk story” about Hawaiian history and culture.
The resort also hosts performances by local Hawaiian musicians, holds hula lessons and offers traditional bamboo printmaking experiences.
On Maui, the Wailea Beach Resort − Marriott, Maui is the place to stay if you want to be as close as possible to the island’s golden-sand beaches.
Your family will love the resort’s four distinct pools, including Hawaii’s longest resort waterslide. The resort also features a game room and arcade, family-friendly dining, watersports and plenty of cultural events.
On the Big Island, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is a great choice. The resort features cultural activities and has a strong focus on giving back to the residents of Hawaii. Kids will love the infinity pool, waterslide and water sports. There also IS a heated children’s
Florida
The easiest passport-free tropical destination for most Americans to reach is sunny Florida. Much of the state has tropical weather all year long. The Sunshine State also boasts resorts that rival those found on the Caribbean islands. Key West, Marco Island, and Orlando are just a couple of Florida destinations well worth a visit.
My family is partial to Orlando because it has a good mix of resorts with fantastic on-site pools and activities. Hanging out poolside is a great way to enjoy Florida’s tropical weather, and we enjoy the town’s amusement parks. The beaches of Key West are also a personal favorite and, like much of the state, make for great family beach vacations.
In Orlando, my family loves the JW Marriott Grande Lakes. The hotel’s lazy river and epic waterslides are the perfect complement to Florida’s tropical weather.
The JW Marriott Bonnett Creek is another great choice. A highlight of a stay here for my family was that my kids got to enjoy the hotel’s kids club, complete with a rooftop climbing wall, mini-golf course and playground, while I enjoyed an adult dinner and drinks.
In Key West, just 90 miles from Cuba, the Havana Cabana is a fun family hotel with daily pool parties, poolside popsicles and complimentary snacks in the lobby.
This hotel has the largest pool in Key West, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to splash the day away.
Closed-loop cruises
Many closed-loop cruises don’t require U.S. passports. Closed-loop cruises begin and end at the same port within the United States and stay solely within the Western Hemisphere.
For example, if your cruise starts and ends in Miami with a stop in the Bahamas, it is probably a closed-loop cruise.
Even on a closed-loop trip, some form of government identification will be required to board the cruise ship and to go on land excursions, but it doesn’t have to be a passport. For example, birth certificates for children might be acceptable.
It’s important to check with your cruise line before booking to make sure that you have documentation that will be accepted for your cruise.
While a closed-loop cruise may seem like an attractive option, it’s important to know the risks.
If anyone in your family becomes sick and needs to seek medical care off the ship or if you need to leave a cruise early, you may find yourself in big trouble and unable to respond appropriately without valid passports.
This is not a risk I would take with my family, but it is an option for those with a higher risk tolerance than me.
Most major family cruise lines have some closed-loop routes, including Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line. It’s extremely important to verify both that your cruise is closed-loop and what type of documentation you need before booking if you won’t have a valid passport at the time of sailing.
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (USVI)
Americans can access three U.S. Virgin Islands without a passport. Traveling around the USVI is easy because most residents speak English and the islands use the U.S. dollar as their official currency.
And especially for East Coast families like mine, any of the U.S. Virgin Islands are easier to get to than Hawaii.
St. Croix is the most far-flung USVI, and it feels like a different world. The island isn’t full of large resorts, which makes it a good choice if your family prefers to get out instead of lounging at the pool every day. St. Croix is home to fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling, though, plus four national parks, mangrove estuaries accessible only by kayak, sugar plantations and a historic
St. John, US Virgin Islands (USVI)
St. John is also part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and more than 60% of the island is a protected part of the national park system. I visited St. John when my son was an infant and I was taken aback by the island’s beauty. I’m eager to return now that my children are older and can engage in more activities.
Exploring the St. John national park is a highlight of any visit. Trunk Bay is a gorgeous beach, and Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail is an easy and kidfriendly introduction to snorkeling and spotting marine life.
On St. John, you can also hike through a tropical forest to the ruins of a sugar mill, with a short side trail bringing you to see petroglyphs that are more than 1,000 years old.
I have two recommendations for where to stay on St. John. If ocean views, a pool and easy access to the beach are your priority, consider Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort. If you’d prefer to be immersed in St. John’s tropical national park, book a stay at Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground. The campground is in the heart of the park and even has simple cabins for tent-averse people like me.
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI)
Just a short ferry ride from St. John is St. Thomas, which makes it simple to hit two of the three U.S. Virgin Islands on the same trip. When I took the ferry on a previous visit, the ride lasted about 20 minutes each way and was a fun part of the experience. Charlotte Amalie, the pastel-colored capital of the USVI, is on St. Thomas.
It’s great for shopping, but your family may be more interested in visiting the Pirate Treasure Museum. There’s also loads of pristine beaches and plenty of opportunities for hiking, snorkeling and kayaking here, but I’d recommend staying on St. John and making a day trip of St. Thomas. That way you get to visit two tropical islands in one go without ever having to switch hotels.