Confused by Passport Info Online??

[scottie]

I know passports have been discussed way too much and everyone should have one for safety reasons if not anything else, but I am confused by info posted on the Dept of State site, which I pasted below. It leads me to believe if someone is cruising say in the winter or spring 08’ they will not be required to show a passport, am I reading this wrong??


LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.


SUMMER 2008
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.

 

[Gina]

The cruise line itself can require passports, regardless of the flip-flopping government requirements. Some cruiselines already require passports, so it's best to just have them ready!

 

[kewbrickny]

We finally applied for the kids passports 2 weeks ago. I decided to err on the side of having them instead of "sweating out' all the flip flopping info.

 

[Im_A_Princess]

Does this mean they changed the requirement "again"?
Are they needed or not?

I think we will get them any way for our family Feb. 2008 cruise.

 

[DAD AT DISNEY]

The cruise line itself can require passports, regardless of the flip-flopping government requirements. Some cruiselines already require passports, so it's best to just have them ready!

Where did you get that information from? Does it apply to DCL?

 

[scottie]

I spoke to DCL a week or so ago about passports and they said they (DCL) "encourage" them, but dont require them. So it would only be the government requiring them if cruising, and based on the recent info from the govt. site as posted above they sure make me think they dont require them till the summer

 

[DAD AT DISNEY]

Thanks Scottie, we are leaving in May and would rather not spend the five hundred dollars for passports if we don't have to. I just wish the passport department will let us know one way or the other.

 

[tvguy]

Does this mean they changed the requirement "again"?
Are they needed or not?

I think we will get them any way for our family Feb. 2008 cruise.

Well, yes and no. The requirement technically has never changed, it was and is January 1 2007, however enforcement has been delayed repeatedly due to pressure from Congress.
My crystal ball is a little foggy, so no predictions other that I guarantee you won't have a problem if you get a Passport. Only potential problems come if you don't get one. Sort of like Travel Insurance, a waste of money if you don't need it, priceless if you have a need to file a claim.

 

[Mmketeer]

Hi Scottie,

Well I'll tell you what, after waiting for over a year on what was suppose to be a 50% cheaper PASSCARD to come out I gave up. That card was suppose to be a kind of cheaper passport for those that just cruise and I didn't even see that mentioned anymore on the goverment's website. The goverment seems to say one thing and then do another and personally I don't want to rely on anything the goverment says reguarding this passport thing anymore. Especially if it effects me getting to go on a cruise. So, I got my passort in September, though it wasn't cheap it was quick and easy and now I don't have to worry about it anymore.

I say just bite the bullet and do it too. It's now my new advice to anyone I talk too. I held out as long as I could.....

Cruising RCCL Jan.19th,2008!

 

[swilphil]

I went ahead and got ours for March. What I worry about is some big "9/11" type event (God forbid) that would suddenly make passports a requirement. To me it sounds like that is what the government is keeping in mind. It's like they are saying, "We aren't requiring them today, but if something should happen we may require them tomorrow."

 

[Dpell]

I was wondering about the reuirments as well for our 1/13 cruise and emailed DCL for an answer. I ahev pasted the email below which states they are not required. Hope this helps.

10/22/07
Dear Denise,

Thank you for your diligence regarding your travel document
requirements.

On October 4, 2006, the U.S. Government extended the deadline for Guests
to obtain passports for sea travel to the Caribbean, including the
Bahamas and Mexico until January 2008. However, the Department of
Homeland Security has published a notice of rule making which may
further exempt U.S. Citizens traveling by sea on round-trip cruises from
the U.S. According to this new proposed rule, the earliest deadline to
implement sea travel requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative would be summer 2008. Please note, however, that recent
legislative changes may permit an even later deadline.

Despite these new requirements, we encourage you to obtain your passport
as soon as possible. Having a passport allows you to always be prepared
to travel wherever you wish, and offers an added measure of security
when you're traveling.

It protects you in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, such as:

*Not being able to board the ship in Port Canaveral because of travel
delays. Guests may have the option to board the ship in the next Non-US
port of call to begin their vacation; however, U.S. citizens would be
required to present a valid passport.

*Needing to disembark the ship at a port of call and fly back to the
United States.

For air travel, however, the deadline was January 23, 2007. This means
that all travelers, including U.S. Citizens and all foreign nationals,
traveling to the United States by air on or after January 23, 2007, such
as Guests flying to Orlando, Florida from Canada, are still required to
carry a valid passport after the effective date.

Proof of citizenship includes one of the following for all Guests:

*Valid, original, unexpired U.S. Passport

*Original state issued Birth Certificate and a photo ID issued by a
Local, State, Federal Government agency. Photo ID is only required for
Guests 18 and older.

*Original Certificate of Naturalization and a photo ID issued by a
Local, State, Federal Government agency. Photo ID is only required for
Guests 18 and older.

*Original Certificate of Citizenship and a photo ID issued by a Local,
State, Federal Government agency. Photo ID is only required for Guests
18 and older.

*Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen and a photo ID
issued by a Local, State, Federal Government agency. Photo ID is only
required for Guests 18 and older.

We look forward to sailing with you! Have a Magical Day!

Francesca
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Vacations

*If applicable, please include your full name, reservation number, and
phone number on all correspondence.

Original Message Follows:
------------------------

My family of 4 is planning on booking the 4 night cruise that sails on
1/14. In looking on the federal travel guidelines website it states that
passports are note goign to be required until the summer 2008. I
understand they are "strongly recommended" by DCL but can you please
advise if they will be REQUIRED for the 1/13 sailing.

Thank you
Densie