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Passports

New passport rule: What it means for cruisers

It's a simple question: Do I need a passport to take a cruise?

Unfortunately, for several years now, there's been no simple answer. And the U.S. government's latest tinkering with the rules, didn't make things much clearer.

The Department of Homeland Security announcement delayed the January implementation of a rule requiring passengers on sailings to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico to carry passports. But it was vague about how long the delay would be. At least until "Summer of 2008", it said.

The bottom line: If you plan on sailing from a U.S. port to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada or Mexico, in most circumstances you WILL NOT need to bring along a passport starting in January, as previously announced. But you better go ahead and get one if you plan a cruise to one of those destinations for summer 2008, or beyond.

And keep in mind, you WILL need a passport if you're flying to any of those destinations to board a cruise ship. As of Jan. 23, the Department of Homeland Security requires that U.S. citizens carry passports when flying to any destination outside the United States, including Canada (where you used to be able to get away with lesser documentation). A U.S. citizen who drives to the port of Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise, for instance, does not need a passport. But a U.S. citizen who flies to the port of Vancouver for the same Alaskan cruise, does need one (a bit nutty? you betcha).

What are the New Passport Requirements?

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. The proposed implementation is as follows:

* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

* As early as Summer, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

* The passport requirement currently does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

We strongly encourage all individuals to obtain a passport now, and travel on a cruise with a passport. This greatly assists guests if Homeland Security changes their requirements and the passport timeframe gets backed up. It also assists those guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship’s departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.

Please visit the following link to be sure you are correctly informed about your particular travel requirements:

PASSPORT FORMS & INFO

Obtaining Passport for the First Time?

If you are obtaining a Passport for the first time, you must apply in person. The following link will give you additional information and locations to apply.CLICK HERE

Renewing Existing Passport?

If you are renewing an existing Passport, you may print off the application and mail. The following link will give you additional information.CLICK HERE

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