Passport not needed till end of 2006

[musicgirl]

MrsMork,
The section that still has the Dec. 31, 2005 passport requirement is for only the British Virgin Islands.
Remember, DCL does not currently go to the British Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is an US. Virgin Island.

 

[imomtojd]

I would be thrilled if I didn't have to get my kids' passports for our 6/06 cruise. My oldest son only has a few months after that to get one that lasts for 10 years, so that would be a plus, and I don't forsee my younger one needing one for several more years. The state dept.'s website has definately been updated recently, which leads me to believe we have a year or two reprieve. We just need to make absolutely sure so no one is turned away from their cruise in the future.

Lisa

 

[Jsme]

I took the kids last week to AAA and had our pictures done. I filled out the forms on-line. Now all I have to do is get DH, me and the kids to the post office and pay the fee.

Yes, I would love to wait and see what is going on. Should I? I haven't a clue. I would really hate to wait until either it was too late to order, the prices has gone up for a passport or crunch time prevented me from getting them. I thought we would order the kids in the next month or so. We will not be going out of the country with the kids until 11/06. Can't order ours because we will need our BC's in two weeks.

 

[tvguy]

While I agree with you on so many points ... and I count my blessings that I can easily handle the cost of the passports for my kids. For many others, this is simply not the case. And keep in mind that not all cruises cost $5000. Disney also offers 3 and 4 day cruises. Off season, a family of 4 can book a 3 day cruise for $1200 before tips and excursions. So, when adding $300 or $400 for passports to this price, it is very expensive to them!

I've already gotten my passports, and sometime in the near future, they will be a requirement to take a cruise. But until that time, I am thankful on behalf of the penny pinchers who will now be able to take that 3 or 4 day cruise that otherwise would not be able to ... so that they too can experience a little bit of the Disney magic.

Yes, SOME cruises cost less. The typical Disney cruiser (3 ,4 and 7 day averaged) spends over $5000 just for their fare. I'm guessing that half pay less than $5000, and half pay more, so it's a good figure.
Like I said, BUDGET REALISTICALLY. The requirement for passports, from a cost standpoint, is low compared to other financial risks you are taking in traveling like this, and I just want to make sure people consider that.
And yes, I am very frustrated with the financial mindest in this country now. If I hear about one more person I know, with a new BMW, a house that cost twice what mind did, filing for bankruptcy just because they were financial irresponsible, I'll scream. ( I feel better now)

 

[musicgirl]

Tvguy, glad you could get that last part off your chest!!! I know what you mean. It is unbelieveable that people will spend wayyyyyy beyond their means. Granted there are people who fall on hard times and need to use the bankruptcy system.

But to purposely spend and spend to "keep up with the Jones" seems to have gotten out of control.

 

[musicgirl]

imomtojd,

I agree about making sure this is for real. I'm also sure this is the reason TA's and the such are sending out the message to get passports. I'm sure they want to make sure they don't get in trouble for not giving clients notice and/or enough time. I know I wouldn't want 1000's of people to be mad at me.

It is easier to say "hey, you don't need those passports next week" rather than "oh by the way, they are requiring passports next week".

Maybe if the govt. knew how much controversy this is creating on the disboards, maybe they would hurry their little "you know what's" up!!!!

 

[cjsmith]

cjsmith, did you click on your link? If you do, you will see that the Dec. 31,2005 is gone.

The only date they are sticking to is the 2008, which was and is the date they want whatever timeline that they propose NOW to be accomplished by.

They even state on the site that a timeline will be announced in the near future.

Yes, I did. However, if you keep on reading on the website you will find that there are going to be phases, they just no longer list them. My kids already have their passport because they needed them for our trip to Europe in July. (I went ahead and got them back right prior to New Years as that was a great time when everyone was off from school and my husband could leave work to met us.) I just tacked it onto the cost of our trip & cruise and figured that while we probably wouldn't be taking the kids back to Europe so quickly we would be traveling and cruising and will need them. Plus, you never know what opportunity will arise and this way we're always prepared.

Hopefully the government will give you all enough notice that you can get the passports in time without having to pay extra fees to expidite them.

 

[musicgirl]

I figure with what they have posted at this time, there is no way they could implement the 12-31-05 since it was only proposed for so long.

Let's say someone decides in Oct. to go out of the country in 1-06. If they had never seen anything about the original proposed timeline, they would have no knowledge of a need for a passport to go to these places in question. Although they could probably get one, that is cutting it close especially if there is an influx in applications.

I've asked a number of people if they knew anything about this new passport timeline. No one I asked even had heard about it.

Hopefully the govt. would not declare something without giving proper notice. Well.... I guess it is the govt.!!!! But really, I think this will be all over the media when it becomes a definite timeline

 

[alikat99]

TO save money:
Find the nearest actual passport office and save the $30 per passport handling fee.
Take a digital picture of your children againest a white back ground, head shot only and then print it so that the head takes up most of a 2X2 space. This can save upto $15 for passport pictures

Just be VERY careful with taking your own digital pictures. We tried to do this, used a white sheet and trimmed it perfectly. Problem was that when we brought it to the PO to get the passport, the white sheet looked kinda grey, so they would NOT let us use it. We had to get new pictures.

To save Hassles:
Also there is a form that can be signed and notorized in the event that only one parent can get to the passport office. The local postoffice can give you the form and your DH can have it notorized at your bank or the local kinkos etc.
I believe it this form also has a place to make a statement if you can not get the signature of the second parent for cases of sole custody, imprisionment, etc.

I agree with this. That's what we did for my DDs passport. It was just too inconvenient for me to go to the PO, so my DH took my DD with him and I just printed out the appropriate form and had it notorized at the local UPS store. A LOT less hassle than both of us going to the PO.

 

[Babs417]

I just heard they want to put some kind of chip in the pass ports. Maybe that is why they are holding off on making you get them. Someone at my county store told me about the chip.

 

[cass'mom]

Here's an article about the chip in USA Today from a few days ago so that may be a feasible excuse why they may be delaying the deadlines...

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-08-08-electronic-passports_x.htm

 

[Downrivermama]

The bottom line of all this is do you really want to take a chance that what is said in the media today, will be what is enforced by immigration tomorrow? I would rather have a passport and have it over with. I can sympathize with those who are on a tight budget, but do you want to take a chance on being denied entry back into the USA? I know a couple of border guards and they tell me that ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse.

Let's face it there is too much information out there right now that is contradicting itself. It is not a good sign when the Feds don't even know what they are doing. Even though it is a hardship for some to get passports now, can you imagine what the lawyer tab would be if it is enforced?

 

[cjsmith]

I figure with what they have posted at this time, there is no way they could implement the 12-31-05 since it was only proposed for so long.

Let's say someone decides in Oct. to go out of the country in 1-06. If they had never seen anything about the original proposed timeline, they would have no knowledge of a need for a passport to go to these places in question. Although they could probably get one, that is cutting it close especially if there is an influx in applications.

I've asked a number of people if they knew anything about this new passport timeline. No one I asked even had heard about it.

Hopefully the govt. would not declare something without giving proper notice. Well.... I guess it is the govt.!!!! But really, I think this will be all over the media when it becomes a definite timeline

I don't think they care whether we knew or not, their argument will be that it's our responsibility. One month prior to me getting my kid's passport I could have simply gotten them without my husband actually being there, a certified letter would have been sufficient. I did go in first without my husband, with a letter and told them that I didn't know the law had changed, they wouldn't let me, told me it was my job to keep up with the changes. I even argued with them because the website hadn't updated to show that he needed to physically be there and it still didn't matter, he had to run down so my youngest could get his passport.
Funny thing is my then 16 year old didn't need either of us, my then 14 year old needed only one of us, and my then 12 year old needed both of us. They explained it was so they couldn't be taken out of the country or kidnapped by one parent, great, I guess my 14 year old was allowed to be kidnapped by the other parent but not my 12 and the 16 year old was allowed to leave the country by herself!!!!

Just keep an eye on the situation, don't necessarily rely on the web page and leave yourself plenty of time if you all do need one so your cruise doesn't get ruined. The Government can at any time change things and do since Sept 11th.

 

[Joan1]

as per the state dept website today it says the following

When will the new travel initiative requirement be implemented?

The deadline for full implementation of the travel initiative requirements is January 1, 2008. A timeline for phasing in these requirements is being reviewed and will be published as soon as it is finalized.

This means to me that they are reviewing it and will update it but in no way means that the date is January 2008 for all travel destinations

 

[musicgirl]

The bottom line is this, if you have time to wait for the new proposed timeline, wait. I'm not going until 6-06. I will wait until Jan. 2006 for a decision. That will give me plenty of time to get them.

Some people do not have that cushion of time. If I were going in Jan. I would probably have my application ready to go, wait a week or two to see if anything happens. If nothing seems to moving, well then I wouldn't risk it.

That's what I would do. This is not advice to anyone!!!! I would hate to have someone believe one way or the other and not be prepared or have spent money on them that they didn't need to.

If you want a definite answer, I would try to contact the department yourself to get the information from the proper people. I'm sure there must be a phone number that can be used.

 

[Jillpie]

Excellent way of putting it Lorie. Thats exactly what we're doing, waiting till about January to make the decision. Not to mention that happens to be when we'll get our tax return to pay for the darn things!! lol. I think January is a safe time to wait, then we'll have to jump on it. Hey, you wouldn't happen to be on our cruise, would you??

 

[musicgirl]

Jillpie, Well yes I am!!!!

 

[mm lover in Ia]

I emailed the address they gave if you had questios and this is the response I got for our trip on 2/26/06:

Each country has specific criteria for tourist and business travelers. You should check with the embassy or consulate of the country that you plan to visit for their requirements.

A list of the entry requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to a foreign country can be found at
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_consular.html



If you have further questions, please email us at NPIC@state.gov. Please include all prior messages or correspondence in your reply so that we may know what has taken place previously. If you prefer, you can call us at (877)487-2778. Our contact center is open Monday through Friday 7:00AM-12:00AM EST.

Thank you. 053
National Passport Information Center

 

[KKB]

St. Maarten & St. Thomas aren't on that list!
SUCH a confusing thing...looks promising now that we won't need them for our cruise that disembarks Dec. 31...but certainly no information to give me a CERTAIN answer...
All I need is that ONE day!
Kristin

 

[musicgirl]

MM...

It looks like the e-mail response was real helpful. Can't they do better than have a "pop up" answer?

Have you tried the 2nd e-mail? I might just have to give it a try myself!!
If you do try the 2nd one, let us know what they tell you.

Thanks for the info!