Passport Requirements- Final Ruling

[Kirsten.MagicalTrv]

Hi all,

This just came in. I highly receommend getting a passport anyway.


Yesterday, the Departments of Homeland Security and of State issued the final rulemaking concerning the requirements of passports for land and sea border crossings under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After years of development following 9/11, this ruling is the end of the process.

Effective June 1, 2009, the following rules take effect for cruise passengers:
U.S. citizens on cruise voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port (closed-loop itineraries) must show proof of citizenship* and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). A passport will not be required for passengers that fall into this category.
*Documents include: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; Naturalization papers; Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State
All other passengers and/or itineraries (such as cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port or any cruise that begins or ends in a foreign port) will require a passport or other recognized document. For a list of accepted documents, see www.travel.state.gov.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by Kirsten.MagicalTrv

Hi all,

This just came in. I highly receommend getting a passport anyway.


Yesterday, the Departments of Homeland Security and of State issued the final rulemaking concerning the requirements of passports for land and sea border crossings under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After years of development following 9/11, this ruling is the end of the process.

Effective June 1, 2009, the following rules take effect for cruise passengers:
U.S. citizens on cruise voyages that begin and end at the same U.S. port (closed-loop itineraries) must show proof of citizenship* and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). A passport will not be required for passengers that fall into this category.
*Documents include: Original or certified copy of birth certificate; Naturalization papers; Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by Department of State
All other passengers and/or itineraries (such as cruises which begin in one U.S. port and return to a different U.S. port or any cruise that begins or ends in a foreign port) will require a passport or other recognized document. For a list of accepted documents, see www.travel.state.gov.

This is saying that people cruising in and out of the same port will never need a passport. They can use a drivers license and birth certificate.

But, it is still important to use a passport when cruising. If you had to fly home from a Caribbean Island because of a sickness or if you had to cut your trip short for an emergency you would need to have a passport to get back in to the country by air. It's not leaving that is the problem it is getting back in to the country.

[Phonedave]

Originally Posted by Denise

This is saying that people cruising in and out of the same port will never need a passport. They can use a drivers license and birth certificate.

But, it is still important to use a passport when cruising. If you had to fly home from a Caribbean Island because of a sickness or if you had to cut your trip short for an emergency you would need to have a passport to get back in to the country by air. It's not leaving that is the problem it is getting back in to the country.

Or if you missed your sailing and wanted to meet your cruise at its next port of call, you need a passport for that too.

-dave

[mikeland]

This was such a bad decision by the government. People should have passports if they are leaving the country ... no matter how.

[tahoebob54]

Originally Posted by mikeland

This was such a bad decision by the government. People should have passports if they are leaving the country ... no matter how.

Why is this a bad decision? The way it is has worked for the cruise industry for many years, US citizens who go on a cruise with out a passport is not a problem in any way!

[Denise]

Originally Posted by Phonedave

Or if you missed your sailing and wanted to meet your cruise at its next port of call, you need a passport for that too.

-dave

Definitely it is important to travel with your passport. Some people don't realize that the Caribbean Islands are countries and have regulations.

The government's ruling could change again about what type of travel requires a passport so you should have one.

The turn-around time is great right now for getting your passport. Now is the time to apply if you don't have one.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by tahoebob54

Why is this a bad decision? The way it is has worked for the cruise industry for many years, US citizens who go on a cruise with out a passport is not a problem in any way!

I think this is because the cruise industry requests proof of citizenship and registration prior to sailing. They do more scrutinizing of their passengers than an airline or tour company would.

[Denise]

I just heard of two families who had to get off a ship in Bahamas because of an illness and having a hard time getting back in to the US because they did not have passports. It is still a very good idea to get a passport even if you are sailing out of the US.