PASSPORT required after 12/31/05

[stingmom]

Gosh darn it!! We FINALLY decided to take the plunge and go on our FIRST cruise ever (DCL, of course!) and when I called to book for January 2006, I was informed that we would all be required to have PASSPORTS to re-enter the US after 12/31/05! Ok, so now, not only do we have to pay for the cruise, plus $500 in tips for our family of 5, now we would have to buy passports too! ($97 adults and $82 for kids!!) It's called "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative." I am SO bummed right now!!! DH called and asked if I had booked it yet and I had to tell him the crummy news. Crummy!!! Passports were not that expensive last time I checked. I just LOVE how the government nickles and dimes us. We decided a Janaury cruise would be best due to the lower cost and we could finally get a "taste of heaven" on our budget. Guess we'll have to stick with WDW for longer now!

Thanks for letting me vent!!

 

[DrCavin]

Spending $500 for passports is just the beginning when spending $6K+ on a DCL vacation... It is going to be very interesting to see how many people "just found out" about this & are leaving in X weeks.....

 

[lbgraves]

Is there any way at all that you can squeeze in a December cruise before the new requirements? Actually, they aren't officially in place but I don't see them not enforcing the recommendations.

 

[goofymama]

Yes, this is all true and very frustrating when you are trying to travel on a budget. We are going next January because the rates are good and just got our passports in the mail this weekend. But here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

- the passports are good for 10 years for adults (5 years for minors under the age of 16, I think). So if you have any potential for traveling outside of the US at any time in the next 10 years, you would need them anyways.

- have you checked with several different travel agencies to see if there are any group bookings available? We saved about $700 by booking under a group booking with The Mouse For Less for our January cruise which more than offset the cost of the passports. Dreams Unlimited had the same group rate offering for our January cruise.

Good luck, I hope you can work it out so you can cruise!

 

[spellhex]

My family did that too, for our cruise this friday. They said the passports weren't required, but it'd be easier. My dad already had one from traveling for business, but my mom and brothers and I had to get them, and then she had to expidate (sp?) them because she found out about it 5 weeks before the trip. So that cost even more money. So its better getting your passports early than having to pay extra to get them there on time!

I thought that we didn't need passports for Mexico. My family, when vacationing in San Diego, goes to Tijuana to shop and we never needed passports.

 

[stingmom]

I thought that we didn't need passports for Mexico. My family, when vacationing in San Diego, goes to Tijuana to shop and we never needed passports.

yep, Mexico and Canada will be included:

Proposed Timeline for Implementation for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Requirements

The travel initiative requirements 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 implementation timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

 

[stingmom]

Yes, this is all true and very frustrating when you are trying to travel on a budget. We are going next January because the rates are good and just got our passports in the mail this weekend. But here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

- have you checked with several different travel agencies to see if there are any group bookings available? We saved about $700 by booking under a group booking with The Mouse For Less for our January cruise which more than offset the cost of the passports. Dreams Unlimited had the same group rate offering for our January cruise.

Good luck, I hope you can work it out so you can cruise!

Thanks goofymama! I'll have to check into that! We could cruise our family of 5 for $3000 (incl. tips), which is FAR less than the summer rates! (About HALF!) It's hard to squeeze Disney and Budget into the same sentence! We had it done, but another $500, plus getting to the port, etc. Oy!!

 

[Disney with Triplets]

What a disappointment on the heels of what I hope was a great trip to WDW. I truly feel for those that the one-time cost for passports truly makes the trip out of reach financially.

We are traveling in 2005 with a large party and are getting passports for all of the children - the adults already have them for various reasons. I cannot imagine leaving the borders of the USA without them. I want no questions whatsoever in the very unlikely event that I am at the mercy of an embassy abroad...

Cost of passport photo $15
Cost of Passport $82 (for kids0
Having a blue cover on a passport at a foreign embassy during a crisis: PRICELESS

 

[Jillpie]

yep, Mexico and Canada will be included:

Proposed Timeline for Implementation for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Requirements

The travel initiative requirements 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 implementation timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

According to this, the Mexico requirement isn't until Dec. 31, 2006. Isn't the OP going in Jan. 2006? I'm still very confused over whether we need them for our June trip as well on the Western. I'm still going to wait and see. We're a family of five too, very expensive.

 

[stingmom]

According to this, the Mexico requirement isn't until Dec. 31, 2006. Isn't the OP going in Jan. 2006? I'm still very confused over whether we need them for our June trip as well on the Western. I'm still going to wait and see. We're a family of five too, very expensive.

the info I posted is direct from the govt. passport site:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

 

[DrCavin]

I'm still very confused over whether we need them for our June trip as well on the Western. I'm still going to wait and see. We're a family of five too, very expensive.

You are going to need them to re-enter the USA after 12/31/05 if you are coming from Caribbean, Bermuda, Central or South America. Are you thinking that since your going to Mexico on the Western you wont need them until 12/31/06?? DCL gets caught in the "Caribbean" for all its cruises out of PC.

Start saving, since you have awhile until your cruise....

 

[Papa & Mamaw]

It takes 6-8 weeks to get a passport, sometimes they are able to process them faster. I do have a passport and have had it for years.

When reading the information on the US Department of State website - it states that the 'proposed timeline is as follows'. This is not firm or required at this point. So, those of you traveling in 2006 and don't want to spend the extra money, I would not cancel your cruise vacation yet. I would wait until this proposed timeline is stated that it is required or confirmed. I am sure there will be an update or more info posted in the near future.

If traveling at the first of the year, you would need to apply by about the beginning of November. I would give it until then as this 'proposed' timeline is not set in stone yet.



When will the new travel initiative requirement be implemented?

The travel initiative requirements 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 is as follows:

December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

 

[musicgirl]

I'm on the same cruise as Jillpie. If and when this goes into effect, even those on the western will have to have them because CC is considered to be in the Cari/Nassau area.

I'm a wait a see person, but.....

When the heck are they going to make a decision??????????? The first PROPOSED date for passports is coming close. It is 5 1/2 months away. They really need to get off of their seats and make a decision either way.

It's not like they are trying to decide a minor, trivial idea. They will need to get the word out. Not everyone is on the dis boards or has a TA.

 

[tvguy]

Make sure BEFORE you book a cruise that it is within your budget. Your cruise fare does not include port charges, tips, souveniers, excursions, alcoholic beverages, massages, passports, food for the trip to and from the ship.
Have a RESERVE in either cash, travelers checks or available credit on your credit card. Make sure you come home with some of that reserve.
What are you doing to do if your flight home is delayed by weather? Even if you have travel insurance, YOU will have to pay the difference out of pocket, your insurance will reimburse you later. Right now I show a 1 way last minute ticket from Orlando to Chicago, a heavily discounted route, costs $312 per person. That's an outlay of over $1200, plus you face the possibility of hotel bills and additional meals, that can add hundreds to the total. If you live further away, your cost will be even higher. Orlando to San Francisco is $650 per person one way at the last minute.
As for passports, IF the cost of passports, 6 months ahead of your trip is creating a financial crisis, maybe you need to reexamine your plans.
Passports may be a hassle, but by taking the trip, you face the possibility of even greater expenses without warning.

As for my kids, who are 14 and 18, they have had passports since age 2. I have family in Canada, so we go there every few years. We had a huge hassle with Canadian immigration in Calgary back in 1989 when we took my son for the first time. We only took his birth certificate. They told us if he had a passport, we would not have had the problem. It is just sooo much easier, even on domestic trips with a passports. And with school age children, you will be facing the prospect of overseas trips through school, usually at bargain prices. (my son went to spain and france last year for 2 week, air fare, hotel and food, $1700). Already having the passport means you children are set if that opporuntity comes up.

 

[Jillpie]

In my instance, it is not an affordability issue. We can afford passports for my family of five. It is a mere principal issue. If we don't have to put the money out for all these passports, I'd rather not do so. I respectfully argue with the folks that are saying it is so much easier to have one, when birth certificates are just as easy. I have no problem keeping BC's safe and just as accessible as a passport.

So I am with Musicgirl on this one. I too will wait for the official word (anxiously waiting!).

 

[TootyJane]

In my instance, it is not an affordability issue. We can afford passports for my family of five. It is a mere principal issue. If we don't have to put the money out for all these passports, I'd rather not do so. I respectfully argue with the folks that are saying it is so much easier to have one, when birth certificates are just as easy. I have no problem keeping BC's safe and just as accessible as a passport.

So I am with Musicgirl on this one. I too will wait for the official word (anxiously waiting!).

I agree. We are also a family of 5. However, dh and I decided to go ahead and get passports. Yes, BC's can be kept just as safe as a passport and as accessible as you make them. The decision to go ahead and get them was (1) to get them before the fee increase; and (2) my Mom travels out of the country (usually alone and on a tour group) and if something were to happen to her I, or my dh, wouldn't have to go through the redtape (obtaining an emergency Visa, etc.). As it turned out last year she surprised me by taking me on a cruise through the Panama Canal. We boarded the ship in Costa Rica and I needed that passport. So, you never know when a passport will be needed.

 

[Rence]

It takes 6-8 weeks to get a passport, sometimes they are able to process them faster. I do have a passport and have had it for years.

When reading the information on the US Department of State website - it states that the 'proposed timeline is as follows'. This is not firm or required at this point. So, those of you traveling in 2006 and don't want to spend the extra money, I would not cancel your cruise vacation yet. I would wait until this proposed timeline is stated that it is required or confirmed. I am sure there will be an update or more info posted in the near future.

If traveling at the first of the year, you would need to apply by about the beginning of November. I would give it until then as this 'proposed' timeline is not set in stone yet.

It is my understanding that Proposed means that the regulations are subject to change prior to implementation. If nothing is done between now and 12/31/05 that they will go into effect. So it is more likely than not that this will go into effect. I believe that all major cruiselines and travel agencies are now telling folks that passports are required for next year.

Waiting to see what happens could be a prudent course, but I do disagree with waiting until 8 weeks out. With the rush to get passports, the passport office is already starting to get a bit backed up. Late this year and probably throughout 2006, the lead time for passports is apt to get longer and longer. If you want to wait, I wouldn't get closer than about 12 weeks before applying.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

We just bit the bullet and applied for our passports last week. Luckily, DW had one from a business trip, so we only needed four. I'm sure we'll travel outside the country again (hopefully on a 7 day DCL cruise), so I guess the cost will be worth it. My parents are also going on the cruise with us in January. There is a good chance that this will be their one and only trip out of the country. It stinks for them to have to get passports for one trip.

Mike

 

[musicgirl]

Mike, I have to agree about the fact that for your parents it does stink for this one trip.

Even though I hate the passport threads because it brings about such controversy, I have to post a bit more info.

In looking over press releases at travel.state.gov, I found a question and answer section concerning this issue.


1st, one thing that was clear was that it is a law that passports will be required by 2008.

2nd, the discussion about the proposed timeline was that it was just that and that they were open to hearing opinions concerning this.

3rd, they felt that they would have a definite timeline sometime in the fall, if not sooner.

Here's the link if you are interested http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/44286.htm

 

[ivanova]

I respectfully argue with the folks that are saying it is so much easier to have one, when birth certificates are just as easy.

But BCs aren't "just as easy" - sometimes having a BC over a passport means standing in longer immigration lines, sometimes means being hassled (like the previou poster hassled by Canadian immigration in 1989).

Having a passport for my DD(15) has been a godsend at the airports for domestic flights ... makes everything run just a little bit smoother.

And yes, the cruise lines are starting to make it a requirement ... I heard a recording yesterday while on hold for RCCL that starting 1/1/06 they are going to require passports.