Clarification on Passport Changes: Oct. 4 2007 Update

[Host Caroline]

From the Cruise Critic News Page:

 

You may have heard that the U.S. government has passed a bill in which a provision allows for a delay in the previously announced deadline date -- January 8, 2007 -- for passports. That rule, of course, applied to folks traveling from the U.S. to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean, and really meant that you could leave America without your passport -- but wouldn't be allowed to return. This just-announced delay now gives travelers until June 1, 2009 to get a passport.

 

But it's complicated. At Cruise Critic, members have asked us lots of questions, and quite frankly, we've had to ask quite a few, too. Here's what you need to know:

 

This new provision -- the delay -- applies only to sea travelers. Those flying to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean still have to get a passport by January 8, 2007.

 

Possible Complications: Hypothetically, if you are departing from Barbados (and so need to fly there) for a Caribbean cruise, you'll need the passport. If you are sailing from Miami to Barbados (and other ports), you don't need it. Yet. And this sea travel extension applies to no other destination -- South America, Europe, the U.K. for example have long required passports and still do.

 

The accepted documents for sea travelers until the new 2009 passport deadline are, according to the U.S. Department of State: "U.S. citizens are encouraged to show a U.S. passport. If they do not have a passport, they should be prepared to provide a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport."

 

For more information check the Cruise Critic news page!