Another passport question

[Kri]

I was under the impression that passports aren't needed for Caribbean cruises until 2007. Is this correct? Am cruising the western Caribbean including Mexico in June. Thanks!

[runner15km]

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

 

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Get it now and avoid the rush later when everyone will have to have a passport.

[Kri]

Thank you very much for the quick reply - I'll dig out the paperwork the travel agent gave me last fall when I booked and send it in, just to get it done with! Am just now starting to think about the June cruise, believe it or not! My family moved to another state last fall so we've been preoccupied with selling/buying houses, starting new jobs and schools etc! Haven't been on these boards much since our last cruise 5 years ago so am looking forward to getting back in touch with fellow cruise lovers! Thanks again!

[Sheffie]

Runner's information isn't exactly correct for cruisers. I misread it myself. (It is either in a link or farther down the page.) Cruise ship passengers need to have a passport starting Dec. 31, 2006.

[BobBeaSea]

You are correct, you do not need the passport for your cruise. Have a great time.

[runner15km]

I stand corrected, thank-you.

 

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

 

December 31, 2006 – Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

December 31, 2007 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

[CLS/KAS]

Cost is aprox> $90.00 pp, with aprox. 4-5 weeks turn around time, although we got ours within 3 weeks. Price WILL go up, if the Gov't can make money on it they will. Can't wait to be standing in line behind the newlywed couple that did'nt get them, cause they didn't think they needed them. It will happen-Chris