Are passports for 2006 now definitely required?
- Thread starter msim
- Start date
I feel for your dilemma msim. And I wish I had an easy solution for you but I don't. But I will say this. DO NOT CANCEL THE TRIP. You'll work it out somehow. A kind relative or friend to front you the money? A small loan even? A jar of coins? A part time job for a few weeks? Somehow you'll work it out. As to the surprise. Worst case scenario is you fib to the kids and your husband gets surprised a few months earlier than you hoped. Or perhaps you could tell everyone you are planning something a little further down the road then you really are, need to get the passports out of the way, and still manage to surprise them all.msim said:
I am also concerned about this passport issue. I have a group of 50 
cruising Jan '06, this will be a large additional cost. I have called the immigration Department, they said I need to call the country we will visit! 
I just want a straight answer, and no department seems to have one. Anyone with ANY information would be helpful 
cruising Jan '06, this will be a large additional cost. I have called the immigration Department, they said I need to call the country we will visit! I just want a straight answer, and no department seems to have one. Anyone with ANY information would be helpful msim,
You are very brave to plan a big surprise like that for your family. I am sure they will be totally surprised. Myself, I would be a big chicken to try and do something like that without my DH in the know. We have always shared the decision making when it comes to big $$$.
I would have loved to make this a surprise for him as well, instead we are making it only a surprise for our boys. So they can have a say in what they want to do on the cruise we are giving it to them as a Christmas present in honor of our 20th Anniversary. That will help in the Christmas present shopping department, they will be getting less presents because of the big trip. We did that for Spring Break 2004 as well. They got it as a Christmas present. They also have time to save $ from birthdays, Christmas for things they will want to buy.
We are going to make up a story about the passports, something to the effect it is a new rule that everyone needs these official papers.
Good luck in how you want to proceed. I agree, don't cancel until the last possible moment because you may be able to figure this one out.
You are very brave to plan a big surprise like that for your family. I am sure they will be totally surprised. Myself, I would be a big chicken to try and do something like that without my DH in the know. We have always shared the decision making when it comes to big $$$.
I would have loved to make this a surprise for him as well, instead we are making it only a surprise for our boys. So they can have a say in what they want to do on the cruise we are giving it to them as a Christmas present in honor of our 20th Anniversary. That will help in the Christmas present shopping department, they will be getting less presents because of the big trip. We did that for Spring Break 2004 as well. They got it as a Christmas present. They also have time to save $ from birthdays, Christmas for things they will want to buy.
We are going to make up a story about the passports, something to the effect it is a new rule that everyone needs these official papers.
Good luck in how you want to proceed. I agree, don't cancel until the last possible moment because you may be able to figure this one out.
Rence
<font color=cc00cc>Anyone who puts fashion above a
- Joined
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- 1,435
The state department probably responded to the question you asked. If you asked "Do I need a passport to travel to country X?" The correct response is to get the information from country X. A foreign country specifies what identification is required to enter their country.
The regulations that everyone is talking about involves what identification is needed to return to the United States after visiting country X. The US can only dictate what is required to enter and/or reenter the US.
And because the regulations are not 100% solid yet, no one at the state department may feel comfortable giving a definitive answer.
Actually the best source of information would be DCL. DCL is prescreens everyone as they board to make sure they have the proper identification, they will know what the requirements are. They aren't going to let you board if you're not going to be able to reenter the country at the end of the cruise. They also are going to make sure that all their passengers know about the regulations in advance, so I would presume that DCL will work hard to get the word out to everyone traveling.
Now there could be some problems with this if you didn't book direct. If you used a TA, then DCL will notify the TA and expect the TA to pass the information on to you. If your TA drops the ball, then you may not get word. However paying attention to the boards here would help as you'd hear what everyone else is being told.
At this points since the regulations are not 100% definately going to go into effect in 2006, some companies are holding off telling passengers that passports are required. I have seen posts on here and elsewhere, where people are starting to get work from cruiselines and travel agencies that Passports are required in 2006. So some companies have decided that the odds are very good that the regulation will go into effect as proposed and it is best to get the word out now. Some other companies are still waiting.
It has been pointed out that the government doesn't always get things right and may delay a decision until it is too late for folks to get passports without paying high fees (ie. not finalizing the decision until early December).
Passports can usually be gotten in 6 to 8 weeks without putting a rush on it. However the volume of folks applying for passports is going to increase dramatically and that could slow down the process.
If I were traveling in 2006 here is what I would do:
1) Make sure I had proper certified copies of birth certificates for everyone going. I would assume I had them, I would go get them, look at them, examine them closely. If I didn't have a proper certified state-issued birth certificate for someone in the party I would immediately order 2 copies. They aren't expensive and I would have a spare.
2) I would review the information at the state department web site and see if there was anything else I would need to order passports for anyone in the party (adoption certifications, naturalization papers etc.) and I would either make sure I had it, or immediately get it.
3) I would make sure that I had all the information requested on the passport application for everyone in the party. Perhaps even download a form and fill one out for each person as a rough draft. This way I won't be running around trying to find out the place of birth of someone's father at the last minute.
4) I would then set everything aside until about 4 months before sailing, knowing that I am ready go.
5) At four months out (you could go a little closer, but I would rather not push it too close), I would find out the status of the regulations. If at that time it is clearly announced that passports are not needed, then you can decide for yourself if you want to get them or not, but if the regulation is still up in the air, I would get the passport photos and send the applictions in.
The regulations that everyone is talking about involves what identification is needed to return to the United States after visiting country X. The US can only dictate what is required to enter and/or reenter the US.
And because the regulations are not 100% solid yet, no one at the state department may feel comfortable giving a definitive answer.
Actually the best source of information would be DCL. DCL is prescreens everyone as they board to make sure they have the proper identification, they will know what the requirements are. They aren't going to let you board if you're not going to be able to reenter the country at the end of the cruise. They also are going to make sure that all their passengers know about the regulations in advance, so I would presume that DCL will work hard to get the word out to everyone traveling.
Now there could be some problems with this if you didn't book direct. If you used a TA, then DCL will notify the TA and expect the TA to pass the information on to you. If your TA drops the ball, then you may not get word. However paying attention to the boards here would help as you'd hear what everyone else is being told.
At this points since the regulations are not 100% definately going to go into effect in 2006, some companies are holding off telling passengers that passports are required. I have seen posts on here and elsewhere, where people are starting to get work from cruiselines and travel agencies that Passports are required in 2006. So some companies have decided that the odds are very good that the regulation will go into effect as proposed and it is best to get the word out now. Some other companies are still waiting.
It has been pointed out that the government doesn't always get things right and may delay a decision until it is too late for folks to get passports without paying high fees (ie. not finalizing the decision until early December).
Passports can usually be gotten in 6 to 8 weeks without putting a rush on it. However the volume of folks applying for passports is going to increase dramatically and that could slow down the process.
If I were traveling in 2006 here is what I would do:
1) Make sure I had proper certified copies of birth certificates for everyone going. I would assume I had them, I would go get them, look at them, examine them closely. If I didn't have a proper certified state-issued birth certificate for someone in the party I would immediately order 2 copies. They aren't expensive and I would have a spare.
2) I would review the information at the state department web site and see if there was anything else I would need to order passports for anyone in the party (adoption certifications, naturalization papers etc.) and I would either make sure I had it, or immediately get it.
3) I would make sure that I had all the information requested on the passport application for everyone in the party. Perhaps even download a form and fill one out for each person as a rough draft. This way I won't be running around trying to find out the place of birth of someone's father at the last minute.
4) I would then set everything aside until about 4 months before sailing, knowing that I am ready go.
5) At four months out (you could go a little closer, but I would rather not push it too close), I would find out the status of the regulations. If at that time it is clearly announced that passports are not needed, then you can decide for yourself if you want to get them or not, but if the regulation is still up in the air, I would get the passport photos and send the applictions in.
Rence, I would get a passport anyway (have one), but if I were concerned about the cost, I would do EXACTLY what you have written.
We got snagged on the adoption/naturalization thing and I was Fed Exing additional paperwork (I sent the Naturalization certificate as required, they decided they wanted the adoption paperwork - which was not required - as well).
We got snagged on the adoption/naturalization thing and I was Fed Exing additional paperwork (I sent the Naturalization certificate as required, they decided they wanted the adoption paperwork - which was not required - as well).
We got out passports yesterday. It cost us a total of $409 for our family of 4 (2adults and 2 kids) when you figure in the cost of the photo as well. The passport agent said 6 weeks, and they had signs all over the place saying that the New Orleans Field Office for making the passports was running behind schedule because of soooo many passport orders and sooo many people doing the expedited route that they encouraged us to just get the regular type not expedited unless it was really really necessary. There were also signs that said the new law will take effect at the end of the year. Didn't read at all like it was still under consideration. Read like it was definite. We're not cruising until sept, so tech don't need passports yet, but decided I didn't want to take all the birth certs and risk losing them. Not to mention it'll be req'd next year anyway, and we plan to do some AI Mexico trips with the kids, so might as well get it done now.
Ok. passports are a good idea. But why so expensive? I suppose all the sudden "experts" on the subject are from the better safe than sorry team.
I would bet that the posters in the PO say that these are proposed regulations, but no one reads the whole post--only the part that says passports needed!
I am doing EXACTLY what you listed---holding off just a bit longer in case the regulations are pushed to a later date, in hopes of saving a LARGE chunk of change...but I'm not willing to wait too long to miss this cruise!
Happy cruising everyone!
Kristin
I would bet that the posters in the PO say that these are proposed regulations, but no one reads the whole post--only the part that says passports needed!
I am doing EXACTLY what you listed---holding off just a bit longer in case the regulations are pushed to a later date, in hopes of saving a LARGE chunk of change...but I'm not willing to wait too long to miss this cruise!
Happy cruising everyone!
Kristin
Miss Jasmine
Time for something new!<BR><font color=limegreen><
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- 16,856
Sorry, I am not from the Better Safe than Sorry Team. I am from the team that didn't get held up by border agents coming from Mexico because I had a passport rather than just a birth certificate (I have been held up at the border and questioned as I am of Mexican descent when I traveled with just a birth certificate). I am from the Team that sees how requiring passports streamlines things. I am from the Team that is tired of reading about whether someone has the right birth certificate or not.KKB said:
Passports makes it easier for EVERYONE, the traveler, the CMs and Customs. I love my passport. 
The first phase is proposed to go into effect 12/31/05 NOT 1/1/06---definitely alert to this since it is the exact day we are disembarking!
Regarding having passports--nothing against it except hassle & partiuclarly expense. We took our first cruise last fall (ports: MX & Jamaica); had NO delays whatsoever having DL/BC. NONE. Being blond and fair probably doesn't hurt this. I just can't see paying such a price for convenience (and frankly how a passport is so much more convenient than DL/BC is beyond me!)---now, if it is required, of course we will get them. But until it is final....(or until it gets to close to wait for them to make a decision!), we will stick w/ our DL/BC.
Happy cruising--without passports, or with them
Kristin
Regarding having passports--nothing against it except hassle & partiuclarly expense. We took our first cruise last fall (ports: MX & Jamaica); had NO delays whatsoever having DL/BC. NONE. Being blond and fair probably doesn't hurt this. I just can't see paying such a price for convenience (and frankly how a passport is so much more convenient than DL/BC is beyond me!)---now, if it is required, of course we will get them. But until it is final....(or until it gets to close to wait for them to make a decision!), we will stick w/ our DL/BC.
Happy cruising--without passports, or with them
Kristin
KKB said:
That & the fact that you leaving the US does not require a passport, it is when you attempt to RETURN to the US you need the proper documentation.
IMO come October getting a passport is going to take MUCH longer than the current turnaround time & unfortunatly some people will be stressing over getting them back before their cruise...
Guess there is a point where I fall into the "Better safe than sorry" team!
As a teacher, I want this taken care of by summer's end...so mid-August is my personal deadline, unless we get confirmation of a deadline before then. If so, I'll go ahead and try to beat the rush.
Kristin
As a teacher, I want this taken care of by summer's end...so mid-August is my personal deadline, unless we get confirmation of a deadline before then. If so, I'll go ahead and try to beat the rush.
Kristin
jodifla
WDW lover since 1972
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I predict a major disaster for the travel industry at the end of the year. They are going to have thousands of angry travelers who didn't realize the rules had changed, and/or passport offices will be so inundated that they won't be able to keep up.
It will be pandemonium at the borders and in cruise terminals.
It will be pandemonium at the borders and in cruise terminals.
taeja71
<font color=deeppink>I'll type real slow...<br><fo
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This is what I received in my e-mail acct. TODAY reagarding passports for 2006.
Dear Mame,
Last month, the US Department of State announced a plan called the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," designed to enhance border security, which will require people traveling between the United States and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be affected.
Currently, passports are recommended, but not required, for travel to and from the destinations above. The new requirements are expected to be rolled out in phases according to the following schedule:
Beginning December 31, 2005, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel between the United States and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America. All foreign nationals from these areas, and US citizens returning from these areas, will be required to show a passport to enter the United States.
Beginning December 31, 2006, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada. Canadian and Mexican citizens, and US citizens returning from Canada or Mexico, will be required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.
Beginning December 31, 2007, a passport will be required for all air, sea or land travel to and from the above-mentioned destinations.
There are groups lobbying to change this timeline or the requirements, and there's a possibility that could happen, but it's becoming more likely that these new requirements will go into effect as planned. It's also likely that international frequent travelers holding Sentri, Nexus or Fast Cards, or Border Crossing Cards, may not need passports, but no final decision has been made.
Some cruise lines are encouraging anyone without a passport who plans to cruise to one of these areas in 2006 to start the passport application process now, to avoid delays that may occur as applications increase.
You can learn more about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on the US Department of State's Web site. For answers to frequently asked questions, click here. For information about obtaining or renewing a passport as a US citizen, click here. For information about obtaining or renewing a passport as a Canadian citizen, click here to visit Passport Canada.
Here are the best deals in the next 90 days, organized by port of departure. Please click on any port name below to see for yourself.
Dear Mame,
Last month, the US Department of State announced a plan called the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," designed to enhance border security, which will require people traveling between the United States and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be affected.
Currently, passports are recommended, but not required, for travel to and from the destinations above. The new requirements are expected to be rolled out in phases according to the following schedule:
Beginning December 31, 2005, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel between the United States and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America. All foreign nationals from these areas, and US citizens returning from these areas, will be required to show a passport to enter the United States.
Beginning December 31, 2006, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada. Canadian and Mexican citizens, and US citizens returning from Canada or Mexico, will be required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.
Beginning December 31, 2007, a passport will be required for all air, sea or land travel to and from the above-mentioned destinations.
There are groups lobbying to change this timeline or the requirements, and there's a possibility that could happen, but it's becoming more likely that these new requirements will go into effect as planned. It's also likely that international frequent travelers holding Sentri, Nexus or Fast Cards, or Border Crossing Cards, may not need passports, but no final decision has been made.
Some cruise lines are encouraging anyone without a passport who plans to cruise to one of these areas in 2006 to start the passport application process now, to avoid delays that may occur as applications increase.
You can learn more about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on the US Department of State's Web site. For answers to frequently asked questions, click here. For information about obtaining or renewing a passport as a US citizen, click here. For information about obtaining or renewing a passport as a Canadian citizen, click here to visit Passport Canada.
Here are the best deals in the next 90 days, organized by port of departure. Please click on any port name below to see for yourself.
Mommyjamiex4
28yr. old, married mom of 4 great kids! Ages 9,6,3
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- Apr 18, 2005
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- 24
We went ahead and got our 4 kids passports because of the new rules. But since we HAD to get them, we are going to Europe this summer just to get good use out of them! LOL 
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