Passports or not

[christisamantha]

We are cruising Jan of 2006 - I have heard that you now need passports for all members of your party ( birth certificates will no longer suffice).

Is this true?

Sorry if this is repeat!

Thanks.

 

[KKB]

The government put out proposed deadlines in April.
As of Dec. 31, 2005, everyone who has gone to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bermude & S. America will need passports to enter the US.
Admittedly these are still proposed dates, but there has been no action since they were proposed.
We disembark ON Dec. 31...we are giving it until mid-Aug., and if no further action on the timeline has been made, we will bit the bullet for a family of 5.
It normally takes 6-8 weeks to get passport; if deadlines are made official, there could be a rush on passports.
As much as I hate to spend the $, I'd hate it worse to miss the cruise!
You can download the forms; I googled passports, and it will take you to the gov't site, and you can get the forms.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[DrCavin]

We disembark ON Dec. 31...
Kristin

If you are leaving the ship on Dec 31, 2005 I do not think you are going to need passports, I would contact DCL to clarify....

 

[KKB]

the effective date is Dec. 31, 2005--that means we would need them effective that date. And since we will be returning from the Caribbean on that date, we would need them.
I agree--WHO has the start date on the last date of the year??!!
Kristin

 

[ivanova]

The government put out proposed deadlines in April.
As of Dec. 31, 2005, everyone who has gone to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Bermude & S. America will need passports to enter the US.
Admittedly these are still proposed dates, but there has been no action since they were proposed.
We disembark ON Dec. 31...we are giving it until mid-Aug., and if no further action on the timeline has been made, we will bit the bullet for a family of 5.
It normally takes 6-8 weeks to get passport; if deadlines are made official, there could be a rush on passports.
As much as I hate to spend the $, I'd hate it worse to miss the cruise!
You can download the forms; I googled passports, and it will take you to the gov't site, and you can get the forms.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

Actually the proposal as found on the State Dept website is:

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.

 

[musicgirl]

In regards to the date, remember the reason you need the passport is TO GET BACK into the US. If you are getting back into the US on 12-31-05..........

 

[ljql_5969]

I heard from my TA on Wednesday and she said that DCL is requiring them for all travel in 2006.

 

[Angie_Ohio]

I got an email this week from my TA for our June '06 cruise. She says we need to get passports for this. I would assume that DCL or your TA would have that info.

 

[Disney with Triplets]

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 $80
Having a blue cover on a passport at a foreign embassy during a crisis: PRICELESS