For anyone who may be travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda in the coming year, the following is a summary of new passport laws coming into effect January 2007. This is from my Vacations To Go Cruise Newletter, thus the cruise references. Cruising aside, the general info is very important for all international travel in North America

 

Dear "Traveler"

A few weeks ago, I reported on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will require people traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be affected by these changes.

I explained that the timeline for implementation of these new passport requirements had been amended, again. The new deadline to have a passport for land border crossings and sea travel is June 1, 2009, though Congress left itself lots of wiggle room and could actually move the deadline up under some circumstances, to early 2008. The deadline for air travel remained the same--January 8, 2007.

At the current time, cruise lines that sail roundtrip from U.S. ports to any of these destinations say they will continue to accept a certified birth certificate and government-issued I.D. (such as a driver's license) from citizens of the U.S. and Canada for 2007 departures, in lieu of a passport. However, many cruise lines--including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America--strongly suggest that guests obtain a passport anyway, and here's why.

Guests who cruise after January 8, 2007, and need to fly to or from the United States unexpectedly will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid passport with them. For example, a passenger missing a cruise departure due to a late inbound flight to Miami would need a passport to fly to meet the ship at the next port. Similarly, guests needing to fly to the U.S. or Canada (via the U.S.) before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure from a port of call, or a mechanical problem of some sort with the ship, would need a passport.

Of course, situations like these are extremely rare, but they can happen, which is why I also recommend passports for cruises starting in 2007.

...[snip]...

Sincerely,

R. Alan Fox
Chairman & CEO
Vacations To Go
1502 Augusta Drive, Suite 415
Houston, TX 77057

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Free Cruise Clocks

Hey Tina (or anyone else in the know)~

This is actually pretty timely information as my family is going to be cruising this year for the Christmas holiday - too many emotional happenings this year to partake of our usual traditions so we are hitting the high seas.

At any rate, I am currently the only one in the family that has a passport and both my Mom and sister are currently in the process of getting certified copies of their birth certificates.  Here is my question - since the name on the birth certificate does not match what their current government issued ID's say as both are married, do they also need a copy of their marriage license?  I'm just trying to make sure that we don't arrive at the dock on the 16th and find out that my brother-in-law and I are the only ones allowed to board.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Kim

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live simply - love generously - care deeply - speak kindly - leave the rest to God

Kim -

With all the security measures, potential delays, and travel hurdles these days, I would advise any international travellers to invest in a passport. It is the most expedient form of photo ID for traveling across  borders. You need your birth certificate to get your passport anyway, so getting that first isn't a wasted effort.

It sounds like they will still be able to cruise next year without a passport, but may experience additional delays if they are crossing borders. If it's a holiday, I would encourage them to eliminate any unnecessary hurdles ahead of time.

It's good to have a passport. I have to renew mine again too.

Enjoy your cruise! Cheers.

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Free Cruise Clocks

ALWAYS travel internationally (including from Canada to the US) with a passport and a drivers license -- as well as any other photo i.d.s you might have.

Before you travel internationally, make a copy of the front pages of your passport (with your picture) on the same page as a copy of your driver's license AND a copy of both sides of your health insurance card AND a copy of all of your medical prescriptions.  Make one for anyone traveling with you (if one is held up, all are held up).

Put one of these copies in every single suitcase, backpack, carry-on, purse, etc. that you are carrying with you.   

Prepare a detailed travel agenda, including plane flight info, hotel info, train info, etc., including departure and arrival times.  Put one of these in your suitcases, etc. with your identification verification pages.  Leave a copy of this at home with at least two people. 

Keep the receipt for reservations of any kind -- flight, hotel, train, etc. and don't keep them with the actual tickets.  If the worst should happen, it is much easier to straighten all your reservations out if you have those receipts.   

I've never had any problems traveling.  But the possibility is always there, particularly when you travel by yourself (as I tend to do a lot -- it must be the "band thing") and it never hurts to be prepared.

If you were to lose your identity in a foreign company, it is a great deal easier to re-claim it if you show up at an embassy or police stations with a page such as I've described above -- which includes all of the document numbers the authorities would need -- not to mention pictures of you as yourself. 

Make sure you explore the restrictions of the countries to which you are traveling -- Australia, for example, requires a VISA for entry (a travel visa, not a credit card) which can be purchased online and is good for 2 years.  When you are planning a vacation outside your comfort zone, your computer is your best friend.

The train from Paris to Avignon is quite delightful!  As is the train from San Diego to Los Angeles.  Don't forget to include trains in your travel scheme!

I'm always available for travel advice. 

Carol 

 

 

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I'D RATHER REGRET THE THINGS I'VE DONE THAN THE THINGS I DIDN'T DO!

Another little pointer for Canadians travelling to or through the US.  Think twice if you have ever been convicted of a crime in the US.  My brother and his wife went on a cruise to the Bahamas et. al.  in Sept. My Brother was detained at customs disembarking in Miami because he has a conviction for possession of marijuana from 25 YEARS AGO!!.   He was 18 years old, and got caught smoking up at a Rolling Stones concert in Buffalo.  Customs in Miami gave him 7 days to get out of the states and he is considered an "undesirable alien" and not welcome in the United States.  Ever.  Another guy, on the cruise with his wife, celebrating their 25 wedding anniversay, was taken away in handcuffs, because he has a drunk driving conviction from 20 years ago.  I'm not sure what you'd do to avoid such a thing (unless you know of a time machine) but it's something I would look into before booking the flight/cruise/whatever.  Maybe there's a form you can fill out or something, I have no idea. 

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In the social order, I accept the bottom rung, until the wine is pouring and the Lord commands a song!