Passports required for ALL -kids too in 06

[JJsmama]

Did you all get the word yet? FYI: I got an email from MicDan travel agent stating that starting with the 2006 sailings, DCL will required Passports for everyone sailing, including children. So, if you don't have them, start sending in your forms.

 

[Lew]

I would like to see further confirmation of this from DCL. This new policy is not mentioned on the DCL web site.

As of today, DCL states: All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, original, state-certified birth certificate and picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license, or federal, state, province or local government photo I.D. card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification. These guidelines are based on U.S. government regulations which are subject to change at any time. It is the Guest's responsibility to check with their Travel Agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates prior to their vacation to ensure that they have proper documentation. Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Isn't it the government that is requiring the passports? Not the cruiseline. All citizens leaving the country will need passports in 2006.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

 

[DrCavin]

Melrosgirl is correct, the cruiseline is not deciding this. Have been a ton of posts on this over the last few months. All Seasons Travel sent me an email about a week ago stating that we will be required to have passports for our cruise in May '06

It will be interesting to see how long it is going to take to get a passport once the new requirements begin, something tells me it is not going to be a good experience.

The DCL website does not specifically state that you need a passport, BUT they word it pretty clearly that it is YOUR responsibility to know what is needed, reads like it is a big CYA, Cover Your A** (or theirs in this case).

All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, original, state-certified birth certificate and picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license, or federal, state, province or local government photo I.D. card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification. These guidelines are based on U.S. government regulations which are subject to change at any time. It is the Guest's responsibility to check with their Travel Agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates prior to their vacation to ensure that they have proper documentation. Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

 

[KKB]

If you read the whole bit on the government site, you will see that it says IF these regulations are approved, yes, passports will be needed Dec. 31, 2005.
I guarentee that DCL (and every cruise line) is keeping a VERY close eye on these proposed regulations! They WILL let everyone know if they need one definitively, and they will let everyone know if things get closer and they do not know for sure--DCL is VERY concerned w/ their reputation. They KNOW customer service!
What we are finding is that many people, especially travel agents and passport/postal workers are taking it upon themselves to tell people that they absolutely need a passport (another thread mentions a PO worker that told a DISer that she needed a passport for a cruise this month! She rightly panicked w/ this misinformation! )
I understand being overly cautious and prepared. We actually disembark Dec. 31, 2005, so I am watching things closely. If by the end of summer things aren't definitive, I will bite the bullet and shell out nearly $500 for our family's passports. 4 months is sufficient since they normally take 6-8 weeks. BUT I am not putting out the cash for passports that my children will likely never need again unless I HAVE to!
Keep alert--the regulations must change over the next few years by law. But don't take self-proclaimed experts' word w/o researching yourself.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Without "the rush" it takes 6-8 weeks to process a passport. Waiting too long would be a problem for those traveling in early '06.

There are ways to get a passport quickly--but they are costly and time consuming.

 

[travel with kids]

Without "the rush" it takes 6-8 weeks to process a passport. Waiting too long would be a problem for those traveling in early '06.

There are ways to get a passport quickly--but they are costly and time consuming.

Very good point. In 2003 we had a very tough time getting my daughter's passport. It took us 4 months and in the end we had to drive to Boston (we live in Maine) and get a "quicky" passport which also cost a lot more $$$$. We had ordered my son's at the same time and his passport arrived within a month of applying.

 

[Rence]

The regulations could change, I believe that is why many cruise lines are not yet using the word REQUIRED, they don't want to say that, have their customers go out and get passports and find out that the regulations have changed.

Passports are always a good idea, but if you prefer to not get them unless they are required, I would recommend that you pay close attention to the regulations. Normally I would say that you should apply for your passport four months in advance, but if these regulations stay in place, the delays could get longer and you may be safer applying at five or six months out.

If you are traveling in early 2006 that would mean getting the passports over the summer. You should start making sure that you have everything you need for the passports, visit the state department web site and get all the information. Make sure you have the proper birth certificates etc. for everyone in your party. This way you will be ready to apply if the regulations stay in place.

Don't put off too long or you may find yourself rushing around and paying extra in the end to get the passports in time.

 

[FredS]

If you read the whole bit on the government site, you will see that it says IF these regulations are approved, yes, passports will be needed Dec. 31, 2005.
I guarentee that DCL (and every cruise line) is keeping a VERY close eye on these proposed regulations! They WILL let everyone know if they need one definitively, and they will let everyone know if things get closer and they do not know for sure--DCL is VERY concerned w/ their reputation. They KNOW customer service!
What we are finding is that many people, especially travel agents and passport/postal workers are taking it upon themselves to tell people that they absolutely need a passport (another thread mentions a PO worker that told a DISer that she needed a passport for a cruise this month! She rightly panicked w/ this misinformation! )
I understand being overly cautious and prepared. We actually disembark Dec. 31, 2005, so I am watching things closely. If by the end of summer things aren't definitive, I will bite the bullet and shell out nearly $500 for our family's passports. 4 months is sufficient since they normally take 6-8 weeks. BUT I am not putting out the cash for passports that my children will likely never need again unless I HAVE to!
Keep alert--the regulations must change over the next few years by law. But don't take self-proclaimed experts' word w/o researching yourself.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

Kristin is exactly right. These were PROPOSED changes which would require passports for all by the beginning of 2006, but with every day that goes by and this changes are not approved I think that the chances decrease significantly that they WILL take effect when initially proposed. There has been quite a bit of opposition to them, and I REALLY don't see them being approved at the last minute, as that would definitely cause huge problems for many travelers.

People just need to keep up on the status of the proposals, not rush out and buy passports if they don't have any reason to do so than due to an upcoming Disney cruise! I don't think any of us need to spend money unnecessarily!

 

[crisi]

But Kristin and others also have a point. Just in case FredS is wrong and they do approve this last minute, if they are still a proposed regulation this fall, I'd be tempted for the "better safe than sorry" camp. Certain agencies don't really care how much they inconvience citizens and I've had the pleasure of working with the State Department - they are one of those that seems to have the attitude of Lily Tomlin doing her phone company routine from Laugh In.

But it is May, leaving three months to get passports puts you in September before you need to rush out and get them.

 

[KKB]

The travel industry will make sure of this!
I don't believe that the intent of the regulations is to put anyone in a difficult situation--they will either be finalized or delayed w/in an appropriate time line.
That being said...as I said before, I will cover my bases if it gets to close for comfort w/ no decision!
Ah, the eternal optimist in me...or is it the miser who doesn't want to spend such a large amount of money unnecessarily??!!
For those who fret over "what-ifs" the $ may be worth it for piece of mind.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[oldkeywestfan]

Will be cruising in Jan '06, I actually already have the paperwork to fill out for my wife and myself as we were going to go ahead and get anyway. Would my 4 year old requre a passport?

 

[KKB]

As the law stands now, you only need DL/certified BC & DD needs only certified BC.
Whether you choose to get her one since you and DW are is up to you. Children passports are $82 for 5 years.
If proposed regulations are made official, yes, DD will also need passport.
Hope this helps!
Kristin

 

[DrCavin]

Will be cruising in Jan '06, I actually already have the paperwork to fill out for my wife and myself as we were going to go ahead and get anyway. Would my 4 year old requre a passport?

You better plan on getting a passport for EVERYONE. IMO they may move the timeline for crossing into Canada or Mexico, Dec 31, 2006 currently, but I do not think they are going to change the Caribbean/Bermuda one that is effecting people cruising on DCL after Dec 31, 2005.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The travel industry will make sure of this!

Not to be all "The Sky is falling"--like chicken little....but on September 11th--security changed BIG time and the travel industry had little say in that matter. I would hope that if there really is a threat--and really is a need for extra measures--that the travel industry doesn't pull much weight to say--"but it is just TOO inconvenient" for our customers.

I can understand the fuss over the expense--I just get losts at the part where someone has paid lots of money to go on their cruise. And if the passport expense means they can't go horesback riding in Cozumel--then so be it. That's the price we pay for the privilege of traveling.

 

[vossjemi]

I find it interestingly ironic that they are making it tougher and more expensive for us legal citizens to travel and get back in the U.S., yet thousands of illegals cross the Mexican border every year, and now there are talks about legalizing them. If a terrorist wants in our country, Mexico is the way to go. Its sooo easy.

Sorry, will get off my soapbox now.

 

[Laurajean1014]

This is a good thing. 5 years ago, DS4 was going on his first cruise. Mom and Dad had to get their passports, so we decided DS was getting one to, to make everything easy. We use the passport for all of our travels, even interstate travel.

Just remember, children need to get their passports renewed every 5 years, adults every 10 years.

 

[crisi]

The travel industry will make sure of this!
I don't believe that the intent of the regulations is to put anyone in a difficult situation--they will either be finalized or delayed w/in an appropriate time line.
That being said...as I said before, I will cover my bases if it gets to close for comfort w/ no decision!
Ah, the eternal optimist in me...or is it the miser who doesn't want to spend such a large amount of money unnecessarily??!!
For those who fret over "what-ifs" the $ may be worth it for piece of mind.
Happy cruising!
Kristin

Since you are guarenteeing, I'll send you my bill for the cruise if your wrong.

(Don't worry, we have passports already. But unless you happen to be best buddies with Condi Rice, I wouldn't guarentee anything. We did an international adoption, and I've seen State Department regulations change nearly overnight, stranding people's new children overseas for years. If they'll ruin an adoption a week before you are supposed to go pick up a child, they'll think nothing of ruining a cruise.)

 

[KKB]

I noticed that when it posted...I should have said "confident"!
Things are different since 9/11-and things are different since then!
Regarding the cost...we are blessed to NOT be footing the cost of this cruise--if we had to, there would be no cruise! MIL is taking all her kids/grandkids on the cruise for everyone't Xmas present. We don't know if spending $ is covered, we are assuming no. So we are saving for that--and the $500 would certainly hurt that. (she hasn't volunteered to pay for passports...I'm not complaining, really!)
I also notice some on this board nearly proclaiming to be experts as well! Perhaps it is just the optimists vs. the pessimists! I'm going to try to be the realist...hope for the best, plan for the worst (but not forking out the cash just yet to cover the possible worst!)
This topic certainly generates conversation each time it comes up!
Happy cruising!
Kristin