Passport Rules Back On?

[JsMom2]

I just saw on the news - and the State Dept website that passports are required as of 1 October for airline travel to Mexico, Caribbean and Canada. I'm assuming this means cruise travel too??


ETA: Okay I did further research and the deadline for Sea Travel is still January 31, 2008.

 

[thesoldtrain]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but..........

Okay, I am confused and sure would appreciate any expert knowledge. We are sailing on 1/5/08 Eastern itinerary. Always used birth certificates before and I know passports are handier, but if NOT REQUIRED for 1/5, I would rather save that chunk of change for cruise fun. I booked through DVC and they said passports required, but then I researched too and saw the 1/31/08 date for passports?

Anyone know FOR SURE if we will DEFINITELY need them for 1/5/08?

Thanks!
Jeanette

 

[JsMom2]

Sorry to hijack your thread, but..........

Okay, I am confused and sure would appreciate any expert knowledge. We are sailing on 1/5/08 Eastern itinerary. Always used birth certificates before and I know passports are handier, but if NOT REQUIRED for 1/5, I would rather save that chunk of change for cruise fun. I booked through DVC and they said passports required, but then I researched too and saw the 1/31/08 date for passports?

Anyone know FOR SURE if we will DEFINITELY need them for 1/5/08?

Thanks!
Jeanette

I got the Jan 31st date from the DCL and State Dept websites. I would ask DVC where they are getting their info from.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Although it's not required for sea travel until 1.31.08, please consider the risks as well. If, God forbid, something would happen that would cause a need for you to travel back to the US via the air (or if you miss getting to the ship in PC and need to catch up with the ship at the first stop), you will be detained from doing so without the passport. Obviously a personal choice to accept the risk or mitigate it, but I'm on the side of peace of mind.

Enjoy your winter getaway!

 

[jhannah]

I think it's moot at this point. You're just two months from your cruise. While passports are coming back MUCH quicker now than before, that's pushing it, IMO. (Although you can probably pay the fat fee to have them expedited and get them in time.) If you order them and they haven't arrived in time, then neither have your birth certificates, which you must send with the applications. I'd not be comfortable risking it at this point.

Hopefully, all will be okay and you won't need to fly back into the U.S.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I think it's moot at this point. You're just two months from your cruise. While passports are coming back MUCH quicker now than before, that's pushing it, IMO. (Although you can probably pay the fat fee to have them expedited and get them in time.) If you order them and they haven't arrived in time, then neither have your birth certificates, which you must send with the applications. I'd not be comfortable risking it at this point.

Hopefully, all will be okay and you won't need to fly back into the U.S.

Actually they are just over three months out from their cruise and should have no problem getting the passports if they wanted them. They could also pay for expediting to make sure they arrive on time.

That said, I wouldn't worry about it. Yes, there is a small chance that you would need them, but it probably isn't enough to worry about. Just remember that they are going to be needed for any international travel after 1/31/08 so you'll need them at some point. We got ours after 9/11 and I'm glad we have them. It's just one less thing to worry about.

 

[yndygo]

I think it's moot at this point. You're just two months from your cruise. While passports are coming back MUCH quicker now than before, that's pushing it, IMO. (Although you can probably pay the fat fee to have them expedited and get them in time.) If you order them and they haven't arrived in time, then neither have your birth certificates, which you must send with the applications. I'd not be comfortable risking it at this point.

Hopefully, all will be okay and you won't need to fly back into the U.S.

Actually, we booked and cruised 5 weeks out last March and got our passports in advance.

But what makes me really wonder here is why everyone only seems to have 1 copy of their birth certificates.
The last time I ordered mine, I got 2 - b/c they sent 2 when my DD was born and it occurred to me that it never hurts to have more than one copy - for situations just like this...

 

[lg3]

Please, just get your passports and enjoy!

 

[thesoldtrain]

Thanks, we did go ahead and apply today since you never know! I called DCL and the cm said she was surprised about the 1/31 date....she went and checked herself and then spoke with a supervisor who stated to get them anyway, regardless.....better safe than sorry!

Thanks,
Jeanette

 

[jhannah]

Actually they are just over three months out from their cruise ...

The ticker says 2 months and 6 days. I would not risk ordering a passport now if it were me, and I had just 2 months.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Thanks, we did go ahead and apply today since you never know! I called DCL and the cm said she was surprised about the 1/31 date....she went and checked herself and then spoke with a supervisor who stated to get them anyway, regardless.....better safe than sorry!
Thanks,
Jeanette

I agree! Glad to hear that you'll have a peace of mind knowing you're all prepared for whatever come what may.

 

[JsMom2]

The ticker says 2 months and 6 days. I would not risk ordering a passport now if it were me, and I had just 2 months.

I think you're looking at my ticker.

I live in Belgium, so my DD and I have 4 US passports between us. The lady who was asking the question doesn't cruise until Jan 08. So she has plenty of time.

 

[JsMom2]

Thanks, we did go ahead and apply today since you never know! I called DCL and the cm said she was surprised about the 1/31 date....she went and checked herself and then spoke with a supervisor who stated to get them anyway, regardless.....better safe than sorry!

Thanks,
Jeanette

You are smart. I mean if DCL doesn't even know the rules......

Yes, much better safe than sorry!

Have a great trip!

 

[jhannah]

I think you're looking at my ticker.

D'oh! Right you are. My bad!

Yes ... they have plenty of time.

 

[CraftyMouse]

The ticker says 2 months and 6 days. I would not risk ordering a passport now if it were me, and I had just 2 months.

Sorry, I was looking at the second poster who is sailing in early January!

 

[bertalander]

Just being curious, when the heck did it change to the 1/31/08? Just a few days ago is was 1/1/08!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish we could save the money on passports (we need FIVE of them) but I knew we'd better get them just be to safe. We sail 1/19/08......

 

[Dani Dani Dani]

I called DCL yesterday to inquire about the passport rules. I was told that if we were cruising late december (which would run into January) that we'd need a passport.

I called again last night to ask (as I tend to get multiple different answers when calling DCL) and was told that we wouldn't need passports until 1/31/08.

So I called yet again this morning and was told that travel through 12/31/07 no passports are required however beginning 1/1/08 everyone will need a passport for sailing. I would call again however I've asked for a supervisor 3 times and the info above is what I was given.

I definitely need to know if passports are required as we're either sailing 12/9 or 1/6....and it would help me with any added $$ issues. I guess we might as well just go get them. It's better to be safe than sorry I guess. And although I can't stand living in MI- I'm not sure how I'd feel about being stuck in the Caribbean

 

[Annie8387]

We ordered our passports (just in case) and received them in exactly 2 weeks -- apparently the government has caught up!

 

[bertalander]

I can only see the benefits of having them...

Oh but to save that money right now. Sigh.