10/24/2009 Bash On the Boat (I'm with B.O.B.) Thread 23

[millerpjm]

I guess I'll have a chat with myself for a little bit...

Passports are ordered for all of us. I'm hoping they come sooner than later. We all got the books. I thought I read that DCL is requiring the books.

Jay has a field trip today to the beach. It's cloudy and cool, but I hope the rain holds off so the kids can at least play in the sand. He looked funny carrying his sand toys in a Walmart bag down the street and onto the bus.

We got regular passports for our '07 cruise (I don't think they were required, just recommended, but I'm a worry wart) and I'm glad because we don't have to get them this time! I feel we've "gotten our money's worth" because we get to use them on 2 cruises.

Plus, I've decided I like having a photo ID for DS for travelling by air - I mean how else would you really identify a child?

 

[kdzgon]

...

Passports are ordered for all of us. I'm hoping they come sooner than later. We all got the books. I thought I read that DCL is requiring the books.

...

I'm confused - what are "the books" that will be required?

 

[captchris]

We got regular passports for our '07 cruise (I don't think they were required, just recommended, but I'm a worry wart) and I'm glad because we don't have to get them this time! I feel we've "gotten our money's worth" because we get to use them on 2 cruises.

Plus, I've decided I like having a photo ID for DS for travelling by air - I mean how else would you really identify a child?

Last cruise we just used birth certificates. I didn't want to spend the $400 extra, but now we have to. Its all good now because at least we have them!

 

[captchris]

I'm confused - what are "the books" that will be required?

Passport books, as opposed to the new Passport cards. I thought I read that DCL is requiring the books. I could be wrong though.

 

[kdzgon]

Oh, and the Yankees are now tied for 1st place!!!

Unfortunately this (so early) is rarely if ever a good sign for the Yankees....

 

[kdzgon]

Passport books, as opposed to the new Passport cards. I thought I read that DCL is requiring the books. I could be wrong though.

You might be right but I cannot imagine that as many people have passports for years now, and may not have seen a need for them. They (DCL) might be requiring a certain number of available pages, though?

 

[captchris]

Unfortunately this (so early) is rarely if ever a good sign for the Yankees....

I think you are confused with the redsox that "spring forward" and typically "fall back".

 

[kdzgon]

FO foiled by a computer glitch.....

 

[captchris]

You might be right but I cannot imagine that as many people have passports for years now, and may not have seen a need for them. They (DCL) might be requiring a certain number of available pages, though?

It's more in the accessibility that the book affords. The card is only good for auto and sea transportation. The book allows access from, sea, auto and air. Should anything happen, and needed airlifted, the card would not grant you access back into the states. The book would.

 

[kdzgon]

I think you are confused with the redsox that "spring forward" and typically "fall back".

ummm, I don't think so. I will admit I don't follow as closely in recent years, but there was quite a string of seasons with great starts and poor finishes. It was rarely a heartwarming sign to see them well in front before the all star break. The Yankees were often a much better rallying team than "slow and steady" - of course, what else would you expect from a team from the Bronx?

 

[kdzgon]

It's more in the accessibility that the book affords. The card is only good for auto and sea transportation. The book allows access from, sea, auto and air. Should anything happen, and needed airlifted, the card would not grant you access back into the states. The book would.

Sorry - I misunderstood. I was thinking you meant the larger passport vs standard, not the card. I had forgotten about the card - I tend to not think about it as we already had passports for years before they came out with the card.

I don't think it is DCL that is requiring it - it is a federal regulation setting the requirements for re-entry ID, no?

 

[captchris]

I don't think it is DCL that is requiring it - it is a federal regulation setting the requirements for re-entry ID, no?

I have heard conflicting information on this. Some says its the government, others say its the cruise lines.

 

[captchris]

Did the KK1 thread slow down during the summer? The thread has been slow lately.

 

[kdzgon]

U.S. citizens traveling anywhere in the Western hemisphere will be required to have a valid U.S. passport book or a U.S. passport card as proof of U.S. citizenship starting June 1, officials said.

Travelers without proper identification will be questioned by Border Patrol agents and may be sent into the Customs office at the border for additional questioning.

“Entry to the U.S. of a returning American citizen will not be refused,” said U.S. State Department representative Melissa de la Tejera. “But they might experience some delays until the Border Patrol is satisfied.”

According to a U.S. State Department news release, the new ID requirements are part of the Western hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a federal law that standardizes travel documents for the greater U.S. border security. The ID cards, which also tighten security, can only be used for land and sea travel in all parts of Mexico, including the border towns; Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Currently, U.S. citizens 16 years or over are required by the U.S. government to show a birth certificate and a photo ID, such as a driver's license, as proof of citizenship in order to cross U.S. land and sea borders.

To meet the requirements of the WHTI and to expedite document processing, the U.S. Department of State designed a U.S. Passport Card. The card contains a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that points to stored records in secure government databases.

“The cards can be read by Border Patrol as far as 30 feet away because they are equipped with RFID technology,” de la Tejera said.

According to a news release issued by U.S. Department of State, The processing time for the passport card will take four weeks. It will carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.

The card has the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for anyone adult 16 years old and older and five years for children age 15 and younger. http://www.mysanantonio.com/sacultura/46234927.html

The U.S. Passport Card: The passport card is only valid for re-entry into the United States at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html#

 

[kdzgon]

It appears it is not a federal regulation for this particular cruise itinerary, anyway.

Maybe the cruise lines require the book because they sail to locations other than those permitted with the card? Even the repositioning cruises would require a passport, not a card so maybe they are choosing to streamline their requirements?

Also, the card would not be valid if a passenger had to fly back to the US for any reason, rather than return with the ship.

 

[captchris]

A few pictures to get going today...

 

[kdzgon]

nice pics - I cannot wait!

 

[captchris]

Who is the lucky family that has 5522???

 

[captchris]

I love this picture...Peter Pan was Jay's favorite. Not sure if he still is.

 

[kdzgon]

Are these pics from your last cruise? Did you have that cabin?

We don't have our cabin assignment yet.

Oh, oh - no FO, but my first googly!! Thank you, CaptChris!