Passport Requirement Postponed to 12/31/06

[Host Walt]

Okay I am a little bit concerned. My husband and I are leaving tomorrow morning for a cruise. My birth certificate has a raised seal, I also have a passport, but it is expired. My husband's birth certificate does not have a raised seal, but it says certified copy of vital records. He got it in 2003 to go to Mexico. He didn't have any problems there, but also does not remember if they even looked at it.

Do you think that we are going to have any problems? I am getting very nervous.

Too late to help JCNW12, but that is a question that must be directed to the cruise line. Rules change and rules can be interpreted differently by different people.

 

My advice is that, if any question exists, it be resolved with the cruise line, either directly or through a travel agent. Then, if possible, get a summary of the requirements in writing to use if needed at check-in if there's any dispute.

 

Getting a Passport now is the best answer for anyone traveling this year. It will be the only answer next year.

[Host Walt]

Two articles in yesterday's paper reinforce the need for everyone to get to work on obtaining a Passport before 12/31/06.

 

The first is a reiteration of the first post of this thread and emphasizes the heavy increase in Passport applications already. The second is: State Dept. To Begin Rollout of Electronic Passports where embedded chips will be added to all new Passports.

 

Our local Post Office here regularly has a long line for applications and has set up a special window for Passport applications. They expect a "tidal wave" of applications as 12/31/06 approaches.

 

By the way, most cruise lines have announced that Passports are required to board any cruise that disembarks on 12/31/2006 or later. A few have pushed that date earlier. The reason? If the ship is delayed getting into port on time and arrives in the USA after the new rule takes effect, passengers without Passports will have a very difficult time with Immigrations when they try to disembark.

[Host Walt]

From the Department of State Passport website:

 

- January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

 

- January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

[Host Walt]

Here's a link to a lengthy article in article in Tuesday's Wall St. Journal that discusses the new rules.

I am posting these extracts for those who don't subscribe to the WSJ on line:

 

...By Jan. 8, passports will be required for most everyone entering the U.S. from the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico through airports and seaports, instead of just a birth certificate and driver's license. Land borders will adopt the same requirement Jan. 1, 2008...

 

...The travel industry and several border-state governors and senators have been pushing for a delay in the new rules, fearing confusion and long delays for travelers that could hurt the cruise industry in particular. Only 25% of Americans have passports, and many could be left high and dry if they don't get one before they head off to an island cruise...

 

..."We're very concerned about the impact on the cruise industry…” [said] TIA's vice president of government affairs...

 

...The government says it is going ahead with the change starting Jan. 8. The deadline was pushed back a week from the first day of the year so it wouldn't kick in during holiday travels. That has been the only delay granted so far. "If you're going to the Caribbean next February or March, you'd better start worrying about a passport this fall," says Frank Moss, the State Department's head passport official....

 

 

In other words, if you plan to cruise anywhere in 2007 or later years and do not yet have your Passport, today would be a great time to get down to your Post Office and get going.

By the way, kids are not exempt. BOTH PARENTS (whether or not they are married, separated or divorced) must be present when applying for a Passport for a youngster 14 years of age or younger.

[Host Walt]

UPDATE:

 

If you plan on cruising anytime from January 1, 2007 on, you are advised to get your Passport NOW.

 

See the updated State Dept. Website for details.

 

No one will be permitted to board any cruise ship or aircraft that is heading for an international destination after January 1, 2007 without a Passport unless they can prove they will be back on US soil before January 8, 2007

[LDS4me]

I just recently booked a 15 day cruise to Hawaii Aprol 11, L.A. to L.A. I was informed that Princess is still requiring passports even though the Feds have moved the date back.

 

1987 Carnival Tropical

1988 RCL Song Of America

1989 Admiral Cruise Line Stardancer

1990 Old Island Princess

1991 Old Crown Princess

1992 RCL Song Of America

1993 Old Sky Princess

1994 Celebrity Horizon

1995 Carnival Jubilee

1997 NCL Norway

[Host Walt]

Yet another change. The new date for cruise travel was posted on Saturday, Oct 14, 2006, with little fanfare.

 

See the new rules at the State Dept website. The only change is cruise travel, where the Passport requirement has been moved to January 1, 2008. That means any air travel to or from the Caribbean whether or not to join a cruise still requires a Passport after January 7, 2007.

 

Cruisers boarding and disembarking in the USA can now wait until January 1, 2008.

 

Cruise lines may still require Passports rather than change the requirements again.

 

Here's an interesting article about the change. Passport Requirements (The article refers to a June 1, 2009 deadline that is not mentioned in the Dept of State site. This just increases the level of confusion, IMO.)

[LESDAIGLE]

Our family brought our birth certificates to the courthouse to apply for passports and paid the $400 + for the four of us. Three weeks later myself and my two sons received our passports, but my husband got a letter saying that his birth certificate was not acceptable. His was the small black one with the white print. Since we were born in Orleans Parish in New Orleans, the vital records office was wiped out in KATRINA.:eek: He ordered one online and was told that they could not give us a firm date on when it would be mailed.

 

He made a few calls and explained the situation and the passport office put in a call to someone local here and he had a new birth certificate and his passport in about 2 weeks.

 

Since then the government changed the requirements and we won't need one after all for our Western Carribean cruise ot of New Orleans in Feb 07, but we all have one now just in case.

 

If anyone is having trouble getting a passport / birth certificate at the last minute, put in a call or go in person and it really helps.

 

Les