NO passports needed after all?

[232271]

The paper today said there is no need for a passport, PRES. Bush wouldnt pass it.

oh goodness, well I am going to already have mine!!

check out my paper story

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/news/nation/stories/041505dnintpassports.10afa096.html

 

[ljql_5969]

I have to go down and check my paper!

 

[Rence]

That's not quite what the article says. It says that Bush has asked for a review of the rules because he disagrees with them. Of course with Bush pushing to eliminate the passport rule, there is a good chance it may change.

Other articles that I read indicated that his major concern with with Mexico and Canada because of the huge number of border crossings each day. He feels that the rules could hurt the economy in border areas.

This could still mean passports required for other countries such as the Bahamas etc. Also it could mean some alternative form of ID could be used in place of a passport, but it could be a new ID that would still have a cost associated with it, but not as much as a passport.

Passports are still a good idea. Right now the policy is in flux and I am sure that DCL will notify passengers about what is required once the rules are set.

 

[ivanova]

They could simply alter the rules to make passports required ... but offer up a "frequent border crossing" travel card (only applicable to Mexico/Canada) to alleviate the concerns of the border states (amazing how economics trumps "security" )

 

[jlowejd5]

The articles I read about it yesterday don't paint a very flattering picture of our president, unfortunately.

"Hey, you're gonna need passports to go to Canada."
"Really? I signed that? Dang."

Meh. Regardless, if your cruise is coming up soon, I would definitely press ahead and get the passports. I know it's a heckuva lot of money, but better to have and not need... And the "rush" fees if you wait and they don't change the rules will be HA-Yuge.

 

[krhardy]

I would still get one...they are a fabulous piece of identification to have...it trumps all other ID...personally, I think they're easier to travel with than a birth certificate. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[tvguy]

I would still get one...they are a fabulous piece of identification to have...it trumps all other ID...personally, I think they're easier to travel with than a birth certificate. Just my 2 cents worth.

I'll second that. Especially if you have kids, even if you never plan to cruise or leave the U.S.......a Passport is physically more durable that a Birth Certificate for the umpteen times a year you have have ID for kids.

 

[musicgirl]

I have to agree with Rence about it really hurting the tourist business into Canada and Mexico.

There are a lot of people who cross daily, but only for 1 visit. Why would someone spend $ on a passport just to go to Canada? No offense Canada!!!!! I just mean that there are alot of people who do NOT travel outside of our country other than maybe 1 or 2 times to Canada or Mexico.

I'm sure there are many, many people who can not afford to spend money on a passport so they can go to Niagra Falls on the Canadian side (it is much prettier!). I'm sure they would probably just opt to go somewhere else in the U.S. And please don't kid yourself that the $ for the passports isn't that much.

 

[TheWog]

I have to agree with Rence about it really hurting the tourist business into Canada and Mexico.

There are a lot of people who cross daily, but only for 1 visit. Why would someone spend $ on a passport just to go to Canada? No offense Canada!!!!! I just mean that there are alot of people who do NOT travel outside of our country other than maybe 1 or 2 times to Canada or Mexico.
QUOTE]

Because they are foreign countries. We have been very spoiled, but they are not the U.S.

 

[tecdavidt]

I think getting one is still a good idea. We are spoiled by not having to use them yet anybody coming from Europe has to have one. Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten are foreign countries. Showing the passport to cross a border is no big deal and they last 10 years for adults. I still remember my first cruise where I overheard a mother tell her daughter (who was just out of high school hence why they were on the cruise) that Cuba was a state! I also have heard comments from cruisers that the Bahamas are part of the United States. No they are not! Kathy

 

[ltviolets]

We were at the Disney terminal 4/9/05 with birth certificates, drivers license, etc. The CM told us to get our passports because they would soon be required. After dragging all those documents around, I wish we had passports before the cruise.

 

[jordgubben]

For those of you who don't have them and can afford them, a passport is a wonderful thing. You will wonder why you ever bothered to carry around all those other papers. It's really nice to travel with the ultimate id.

I also think it's funny how American expect to be able to go to any other foreign country (and it sounds like there are some that need a lesson on what exactly consititutes a foreign country) without needing a passport but any foreigner trying to get into this country needs a passport, finger print, and to leave their first born at the door.

 

[KKB]

Our ship disembarks on Dec. 31, 2005!!!! So if the rule sticks, it appears we will need them though we aren't 100% sure.
I understand that having a passport is a good idea...but this will cost our family $450!!!! I do NOT expect our children to need them again in the next 10 years--MIL is paying for the cruise, but hasn't offered to foot this extra expense (not that I blame her!) SO this is a huge burden to our family, particulary for a one-time expense for the children.
We had birth certificates/DL for our cruise in Oct. and had NO problems.
Kind of a crummy deal for us, though I realize the purpose.
But why are they SOOOO expensive??
OH, well, not much I can do!
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[imitationcrab2000]

I’ll play it safe and get the passports. I’d rather go thru that hassle then be stuck on the boat for 7 days and watching everyone else have a good time in Mexico.

I’ve learned w/ the kind of industry I’m in, our ability to move around our neighboring countries is becoming a lot more difficult with each passing day over the last few years.

 

[KKB]

Mexico doesn't seem to have a problem letting US visit--strangely it is the U.S. who will have problems!
And frankly, I wouldn't mind staying on the ship for 7 days...or get stuck for longer!
A DISer called DCL today, and apparently they are saying the law HAS NOT been signed by Bush yet, but was merely the suggested course of action. DCL doesn't seem to think we will need them, but will inform us in due time if we do.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[imitationcrab2000]

apparently they are saying the law HAS NOT been signed by Bush yet, but was merely the suggested course of action. DCL doesn't seem to think we will need them, but will inform us in due time if we do.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

We wont be taking our cruise until 5/27, i'd rather not have the rules change on me at the last moment.

 

[Otimon]

It is a good idea to get a passport "just in case". It'll be the only ID you'll need and the passport will be good for 10 years.

Being from Ireland, my husband has always had one and keeps it active whether or not he plans a trip overseas. My daughter and I both renewed our expired passports a couple of weeks ago at cost of $97.00 each for a new one. Our passport pictures (need two) cost $10.70. Not inexpensive but good to have.

 

[KKB]

I have read over and over "They are nice to have"
Not at an expense of nearly $100 each!
I could maybe justify it for DH and I since we are now officially cruise addicts.
But I would find it highly unlikely that we will take the children on another cruise in the next 10 years. Expense, plenty of other things we have yet to show them in the states. Now if they HAVE to have them, of course we will get them...but if it is not required, WHY would we invest such a chunk of money when birth certificates will serve just fine? DL/BC caused us absolutely NO delays for us on our Oct. cruise.
Thanks, I'd rather use that $ to spend on the cruise, not for ID that is "nice" to have but not required.
Boy I'll be glad when we have a definitive answer for this one! We disembark ON Dec. 31 2005, so I have already put "Passports" in the budget! But I'm gonna hold off until I get a definitive answer...or at least until August if I don't. Unless MIL decides to spring for everyones...
Happy cruising!
Kristig

 

[mmouse37]

I have read over and over "They are nice to have"
Not at an expense of nearly $100 each!
I could maybe justify it for DH and I since we are now officially cruise addicts.
But I would find it highly unlikely that we will take the children on another cruise in the next 10 years. Expense, plenty of other things we have yet to show them in the states. Now if they HAVE to have them, of course we will get them...but if it is not required, WHY would we invest such a chunk of money when birth certificates will serve just fine? DL/BC caused us absolutely NO delays for us on our Oct. cruise.
Thanks, I'd rather use that $ to spend on the cruise, not for ID that is "nice" to have but not required.
Boy I'll be glad when we have a definitive answer for this one! We disembark ON Dec. 31 2005, so I have already put "Passports" in the budget! But I'm gonna hold off until I get a definitive answer...or at least until August if I don't. Unless MIL decides to spring for everyones...
Happy cruising!
Kristig

Wow....I could never say I knew what I was doing or not doing in the next 10 years with regards to traveling......we do have passports and use them for anything requiring ID.......my two DD's were asked last minute to babysit for good friends during a trip to Scotland and they never would have been able to go if they did not have their passports...I know that is not an everyday occurrence...but it was great that they had them...even saw Prince William to boot!!!!

I hope the matter is resolved as well....but I suspect we will all be needing them in the future.

 

[KKB]

The expense of taking a family of 5 on a cruise or overseas will not likely be in our budget anytime soon, barring winning the lottery! (MIL is footing the bill for this one for everyone's Xmas presents).We have so much of this country to see first!
Traveling w/ the kids is wonderful, but very pricey especially if it involves planes! We did 2 weeks on the road last summer and loved it. But we can by for less than $200/day for hotel, gas, food, and minor entertainment. SOOOO I think we will go the domestic route for our family trips for a while. It should take us at least 10 years to see this great country! Haven't even been to Hawaii yet!
Thinking a trip to Paris for DDs graduation present is a nice idea in 11 years...at least my mom and I are dreaming for future travel!
Naw, I don't know for sure, but I'm going with the odds....
Kristin