Passport News

[mbaker]

I Work At A Tv News Station.
Here's The Latest On The Wires.

A Proposed Regulation For Caribbean Travelers Has Been Withdrawn.
The U-s Government Had Set A December 31st Deadline That Would Require Americans To Show A Passport When Returning From The Caribbean Back Into The United States.
Caribbean Tourism Officials Had Complained That The Strict Regulations Would Hurt The Tourism Industry.
Government Officials Say They Still Plan To Implement The New Rules But Have Set No New Date.

 

[imomtojd]

Thanks for the info. I think it's a great idea for all adults to have one anyway, but because they expire in just a few years for kids', I was hesitant about wasting all that money for a one time thing before it expired. I hope the gov. let's us know their new timeline soon so everyone can have the time to make a good decision for their personal situation.

Lisa

 

[musicgirl]

mbaker,

This is a hot topic on this board.

Will and when will the newstations be broadcasting this? Was there a press release made?

 

[bielen]

I just found some additional info:

U.S. State Department and Homeland Security Department officials have
withdrawn a proposal that would have required passports by Dec. 31 for travel to the Caribbean. Similar rules requiring passports for travel into Canada and Mexico by Dec. 31, 2006, were also expected to be withdrawn. Travel experts predict that the new policy will require passports for Americans traveling abroad by air or sea at the end of 2006, with passports required for land border crossings by the end of 2007.

 

[bielen]

This is the official release. You will have until 1/1/08 before a passport is required to the Caribbean:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I sure hope the 2008 date stays...I'm traveling Feb 06, and since it'll probably but our ONLY trip, I'd like to save that $200 or so for our cruise fun

 

[logan1_2000]

We're cruising Jan 2nd on RCCL (don't bash me, please, I got 6 caribbean nights in a 293 sq. ft. jr. suite during school vacation for a 20% less than my cat. 8 oceanview for 7 nights and having to pull DS and DW (a teacher) out of school for a full week in 10/06--and that was booked 16 mos. in advance w/ the on-board discount and credit; TA agreed it would be a crime not to jump on that rate) and just last night was looking at the Passport Agency application for DS--now seems we can skip it until a couple years from now, incl. our next series of booked cruises.

I didn't object to the cost, or even to the principle of having a passport to enter and exit the country, but given that like most folks we can't find time to breathe let alone go get passport photos taken, its one less hassle this fall.

 

[HeelMD]

We have an RCL cruise in March 2006 and DCL in July 2006. We have decided to go ahead and get passports for the kids simply because there is too much uncertainty.

 

[musicgirl]

Just remember the 1-08 deadline is when all passports will be required. There is supposed to be a new phase in timeline in the works.

Just FYI. I found this article.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-08-18-caribbean-passport_x.htm?POE=TRVISVA

We travel in 6-06, so I hope it lasts too!!

 

[tvguy]

I Work At A Tv News Station.
Here's The Latest On The Wires.

A Proposed Regulation For Caribbean Travelers Has Been Withdrawn.
The U-s Government Had Set A December 31st Deadline That Would Require Americans To Show A Passport When Returning From The Caribbean Back Into The United States.
Caribbean Tourism Officials Had Complained That The Strict Regulations Would Hurt The Tourism Industry.
Government Officials Say They Still Plan To Implement The New Rules But Have Set No New Date.

Must be true if it came from a TV person.

I still won't leave the country without a passport though.

 

[mamalle]

thanks so much for the info. I had missed the report on TV. saves me from buying them for our cruise at least for 2006

 

[Mjasp]

Is this a done deal? No passports until 2008? I am cruising in Feb. 2006, I will be calling Costa cruise line tomorrow.

Wow an extra $400 to spend on the cruise.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Is this a done deal, No passports until 2008. I am cruising in Feb. 2006, I will be calling Costa cruise line tomorrow.

Wow an extra $400 to spend on the cruise.

Unfortunately no one knows for absolute sure just yet. There are a lot of tidbits of information, but nothing official from the Department of State yet. My DCL cruise is at the end of January and we're a party of 16 people. Several already have passports, but many of my group do not. I'm reading everything I can find and checking the Department of State website daily for information.

I won't get into the "if you're leaving the country you should have it anyway" debate. I've read all the posts regarding passports for months now and I'm staying out of that flamewar. I'm just trying to get the information as it comes out.

 

[imomtojd]

This is the official release. You will have until 1/1/08 before a passport is required to the Caribbean:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

This website doesn't have the updated timeline up yet, so there is nothing definitive in this info. at this time.

Lisa

 

[SueEllen]

While the updated time-line has not yet been released, at this time DCL is still advising that Passports are required for sailings January 1, 2006 and later.

This could change, but for now, they are still requiring them.

Sue Ellen

 

[Steph in NC]

The Documents for my March 06 cruise say the Disney is requiring a passport.

 

[Mjasp]

Steph...But were they issued before this week when the date changed to 2008?

 

[imomtojd]

"Please note: Proposed federal regulations would require U.S. citizens to possess a valid U.S. passport when returning from the Caribbean after 12/31/2005, and when returning from Mexico after 12/31/2006. Although these implementation dates are subject to change, we strongly encourage all guests traveling with Disney Cruise Line after December 31, 2005 to obtain a passport for each member of your sailing party. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov for any updates on this proposed legislation and the latest information regarding implementation dates."

Here is the exact wording from the DCL website that has not been changed since the timeline was taken away (temporarily) from the government website. I interpret this to mean that Disney will require anything the government requires, but will not mandate that a passport is needed if the government changes it's implementation dates.



"The Documents for my March 06 cruise say the Disney is requiring a passport."

All of our documents state this if they were sent while the government guideline was still in place. If the government changes, then the requirements, at least from Disney as I read it, will also take away the necessity for a passport. That doesn't mean that an individual cruise line couldn't require one though.

Lisa

 

[Steph in NC]

I asked my TA because of what the docs said and according to her DCL has not changed their requirements. I'm just going by what she said. This was since the State Department changed their rules.

I am going to get them anyway. It will be a lot easier to have them. I actually don't blame to cruise lines if they do require them its easier for them to have one document to deal with than all those other forms.

 

[Downrivermama]

I saw my TA last Fri and she said that many of the cruise lines are making passports mandatory for 2006. She said it is just easier for the cruise lines since there is so much confussion about if you need one or not.