Does a US citizen need a passport for a cruise that starts and end in the US?

My fiance's parents are going on a cruise to the Bahamas.
Now, as I understand it, they could go for the cheaper passport card, but some form of passport would still be required. They think they won't need a passport since they will leave port in South Carolina cruising to the Bahamas and then returning to the same port.
Who is correct? Me or my fiance's parents?
Best Answer
The best source of this information is to ask the cruise company running the cruise.
Some cruises that start from and end in the US do NOT require a passport, whilst others do. Even if a passport is not required, additional documentation may be required when returning to the US, such as proof of citizenship (birth certificate, driver's license for proof of ID, etc).
The cruise company will know the details of what is requires for the specific cruise that they are on.
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Do you need a passport to take a cruise in and out of the US?
Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some \u201cclosed-loop\u201d cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.Do U.S. citizens need a passport to go on a cruise?
You Need a Passport for Cruises To and From Foreign PortsIf you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise embarks or disembarks in a foreign country, including Canada, you will always need your passport for the cruise (in some cases a passport card will suffice).Is a passport required for a closed loop cruise?
As a U.S. citizen, you can take advantage of the convenience of what's called a closed-loop cruise\u2014with no passport required.Do U.S. citizens need a passport for Caribbean cruise?
You can still cruise to the Caribbean without a U.S. passport if you are a U.S. citizen, but only if you take what is known as a "closed loop" cruise. That means that your cruise ship needs to start and end at the same U.S. port.TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: Do You Need A Passport To Take A Cruise?
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