Latest on passport news is up

[Nik's Mom]

Hi all. Lew started a thread several days back about USA Today reporting on passport requirements.
Well, it's official. Thanks to Lew for the heads up!
Here's what's on the government website.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

"When will the Travel Initiative be implemented?

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

December 31, 2006 – Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
I thought there was an additional phase to be implemented on December 31, 2005. Is this a change?

In April 2005, the Departments of State (DOS) and Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed plan to be implemented in three phases beginning on December 31, 2005 for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After further review and considering the delay in publishing the public notice in the Federal Register, DOS and DHS recognized that implementing the December 31, 2005, phase would be problematic for travelers during the upcoming winter tourism season. This change will simplify the implementation and provide a longer lead-time for travelers to come into compliance with the requirements."

 

[mrsv98]

Excellent that the official government word is out....now the question is will DCL change the requirement. We are sailing 1/22 and our TA said DCL would require the passports.

I think in the end, we may just get them and avoid any confusion. I hate to spend the $$ but we are most likely going to England in '07 and/or '09 so we would need them anyway.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Mjasp]

Seems like we won't need them for the winter break in February.

Thanks for the info

 

[Nik's Mom]

We'll just have to wait and see what DCL does. I still think it would be wise to have your passports (we do), but I also understand that it is an extra expense that some would rather do without. If anyone hears of DCL's change in requirement, please keep us posted.

 

[Echo queen]

I am glad to here the deadlines are set . I check the dis daily to find out the latest. My family of 4 do not have passports, I'm not sure when we will cruise again after our May trip. I agree they are a good thing to have but, I will not purchase them until needed knowing that they do expire.

Thanks for the update.

 

[KKB]

We just needed ONE day, as are disembarking 12/31/2005! But a year will do!
From what I understand DCL is NOT requiring passports...when others have called about 2006 cruises, DCL has said that they are suggested, but not currently required. BUT a lot of TAs have been saying they are required to cover their butts! I have issues that a TA cannot simply be honest about what they know, and what they suggest, and what is really required! I wouldn't mind getting passports for DH & myself as will likely cruise a lot in next 10 years. But am all but certain that our 5 children will have no other use for them in next 5. Nice to save a chunk of change!
Kris

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I can't imagine DCL would enforce their own rule. They would lose money.
Lot's of families don't want the added costs of passports unless they have no choice.
RCL told me that they would only enforce the Passport rule if the Gov sets the dates for our 2006 cruise. I think we will be fine now!!

I may even have to squeeze in one more DCL trip next fall!

 

[Joeski71]

I called DCL this morning and confirmed that they are NOT needed until 12/31/2006!!! That saves me about 400.00. I don't have the extra cash to just get them to be safe, if I don't NEED them, I'm NOT getting them!

 

[OHJulie]

Yeh!

I was not looking forward to spending the extra $400 for this trip. Now we can use that money to have fun!

I almost sent the applications in this summer - glad I waited!

 

[jgalecpa]

If people would take onl 1/2 the passport savings and give it to the Red Cross hurricane relief......

Just a thought

Jim

 

[Dom262]

Evening everyone,

I found this on aother thread and though I would post it here also. If you submitted a request for a passport prior to Aug 25, 2005, you may need to call a toll free number onthe attached link to find out the status of your passport.

Good Luck all,

Dom

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

 

[Nik's Mom]

If people would take onl 1/2 the passport savings and give it to the Red Cross hurricane relief......

Just a thought

Jim

Excellent idea! And for those of us who already have passports, we can still donate some of our vacation money. Every penny counts for those people right now.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Thank you for the official word. It would have cost us more than $500 to get them for us.

 

[wannabecruiser]

Oh shucks!!! I wish I had this info 1 week ago! We went and applied and paid for our passports then and now it looks like we probably would of not had to!!! I know our trip is not until May but it was easier to get them at this time before school started........ Well I guess now I am going to have to plan a few more cruises to get good use out of them. ( I would of rather of used the money to go towards our eco-tour excursion we want to do!!! that sound like fun) :thewave:

 

[yippeeDCL]

If people would take onl 1/2 the passport savings and give it to the Red Cross hurricane relief......

Just a thought

Jim

Thanks Jim.. I just found this thread but, I did this! My passports were going to cost around $400. I went by the collection site, yesterday, and gave $200. This seems like sooo little!! I just NEED to do something!

I live just between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, AL...we have MANY refugees in shelters here. Right now, the kids need games, books, crayons/books....no one knows when they will be able to go home. My heart breaks for each and every person effected by this tragedy.

I hope to be able to do more as the needs continue.

PLEASE GIVE!!!