Passports for cruisers...not needed? - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

sue0067 · October 18, 2006, 07:49 AM

My mom told me yesterday that she read an article saying ...now...the need for passports for people going on cruises will be extended another 17 months from Jan 07. Has anyoune heard this?

Thanks,
Sue

Dave M · October 18, 2006, 09:43 AM

A lot depends on where you will be cruising. The current rules are as follows:

Passport rules are different for each country. Thus, if you are cruising to a country that requires a valid passport for entry, you need one. Determining what the requirements are for each country is your responsibility, although your cruise line should be able to help. You can see the current requirements for each country here.

If you are cruising within North America or to the Caribbean, Bermuda or South or Central America, you won't need a passport to return to the U.S. in 2007. The current plan is that a passport or a comparable (as yet undefined) document will be required starting on January 1, 2008.

Most people recommend having a passport when traveling internationally, whether you need one or not. Having one simplifies reentry to the U.S.

Here are the specific rules as currently proposed. Nothing has been finalized yet, indicating there is a good chance at further extensions of the effective dates. However, counting on an extension is risky.

MusicMan (Formerly JP) · October 18, 2006, 11:45 AM

I am really grateful for this delay. My wife and I cruise quite a bit, and have always done so on birth certificate/drivers license. Eventually we planned on getting passports but just hadn't gotten around to doing so. We booked a Disney cruise for our granddaughter (and of course her mom and dad) for next year, with us picking up the cost. The requirement for passposts would have upped the cost of this trip by about $500. While, we will eventually get our own passports, we're gratefull not to have to provide them for this particular cruise.

Bill4728 · October 18, 2006, 02:32 PM

It was announced yesterday that for travel in N. America and the caribean that a "passport card" is being developed. It will be like a drivers lic. and have a chip in it so when you go to the customs check points they will be able to access a database of your person info. It is expected to be about 1/2 the cost of a passport.

here is a link to the new release.

Art · October 18, 2006, 09:54 PM

Check with the specific cruise line that you will be using.

Some of them have requirements that may be stricter than the legal requirements in terms of having a passports. Here is the wording from Celebrity's on-line documentation page:

"Please Note: A picture ID is required for all guests over 16 years old. Each guest must have the appropriate valid travel documents, such as passports, visas, birth certificates and other government-issued photo identification, required for boarding and re-entry into the US and other countries."

What is interesting is that the drop-down menu only offers "passport" as the documentation option.

One of the reasons that Celebrity effectively requires a passport is that they don't want to deal with the issue that Dave raised, namely, which ports of call may or may not require a passport. If everyone on the ship has a passport, then all the passengers can be pre-approved to go ashore by the local immigration authorities and the cruiseline does not have to worry about allowing an illegal to go ashore.

Art

dougp26364 · October 19, 2006, 03:14 AM

I have heard that the deadline for cruise ship passengers has been extended but, not for passengers arriving by airline.

Now consider this, you're on a caribbean cruise and for some reason you miss the ship when it leaves. Now you have to get home but how? If you don't have a passport, flying home could become an issue as you are no longer arriving by cruise ship.

IMO it's best to not rely on the government and hope you don't get caught short in some unfortunate situation. Just get your passport now and don't worry about what the feds do. Eventually, if you travel you're going to end up needing it. Besides, it makes an excellent proof of citizenship or photo ID in addition to your DL. Ours has come in handy for more than foriegn travel at times.

geekette · October 19, 2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougp26364

I have heard that the deadline for cruise ship passengers has been extended but, not for passengers arriving by airline.

Now consider this, you're on a caribbean cruise and for some reason you miss the ship when it leaves. Now you have to get home but how? If you don't have a passport, flying home could become an issue as you are no longer arriving by cruise ship.

IMO it's best to not rely on the government and hope you don't get caught short in some unfortunate situation. Just get your passport now and don't worry about what the feds do. Eventually, if you travel you're going to end up needing it. Besides, it makes an excellent proof of citizenship or photo ID in addition to your DL. Ours has come in handy for more than foriegn travel at times.

I could not agree more. It's just not worth the potential worst case scenario and they are good for many years.

fnewman · October 20, 2006, 10:07 AM

I agree - just go ahead and do it! Sooner or later you won't have any choice. The new version with the RFI chip will be coming into use soon, but I haven't seen anything that said they were, for sure, going to be less expensive. If anything, they could cost more as they will cost more to produce. When is the last time you saw the federal government lower a 'user fee'?

October 18, 2006, 07:49 AM	#1
sue0067 Guest BBS Reg. Date: Mar 9, 06 Location: Ma. Posts: 72 Resorts: Bentley Brook Wk52+ Fairfield points, Newport LongWharf, Powhattan Plantation, FF Grand Desert, Kingsgate.	Passports for cruisers...not needed? My mom told me yesterday that she read an article saying ...now...the need for passports for people going on cruises will be extended another 17 months from Jan 07. Has anyoune heard this? Thanks, Sue

October 18, 2006, 02:32 PM	#4
Bill4728 Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Lake Tapps, WA Posts: 7,305 Resorts: Club Intrawest, Monarch Grand Vacations, Mountainside Lodge, Marriott Newport Coast	It was announced yesterday that for travel in N. America and the caribean that a "passport card" is being developed. It will be like a drivers lic. and have a chip in it so when you go to the customs check points they will be able to access a database of your person info. It is expected to be about 1/2 the cost of a passport. here is a link to the new release. __________________ Bill All my posts should be considered my personal opinion or experience unless otherwise noted. Last edited by Bill4728 : October 18, 2006 at 02:36 PM.

October 18, 2006, 09:54 PM	#5
Art TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 414 Resorts: Marriott Ocean Pointe Kona Coast Resort Harbor Ridge Marriott Grande Ocean	Check with the specific cruise line that you will be using. Some of them have requirements that may be stricter than the legal requirements in terms of having a passports. Here is the wording from Celebrity's on-line documentation page: "Please Note: A picture ID is required for all guests over 16 years old. Each guest must have the appropriate valid travel documents, such as passports, visas, birth certificates and other government-issued photo identification, required for boarding and re-entry into the US and other countries." What is interesting is that the drop-down menu only offers "passport" as the documentation option. One of the reasons that Celebrity effectively requires a passport is that they don't want to deal with the issue that Dave raised, namely, which ports of call may or may not require a passport. If everyone on the ship has a passport, then all the passengers can be pre-approved to go ashore by the local immigration authorities and the cruiseline does not have to worry about allowing an illegal to go ashore. Art Last edited by Art : October 21, 2006 at 03:33 PM.

October 20, 2006, 10:07 AM	#8
fnewman TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: Dublin, GA Posts: 730 Resorts: Club Sunterra *Cypress Pointe I* Powhatan Plantation *San Luis Bay Inn*	I agree - just go ahead and do it! Sooner or later you won't have any choice. The new version with the RFI chip will be coming into use soon, but I haven't seen anything that said they were, for sure, going to be less expensive. If anything, they could cost more as they will cost more to produce. When is the last time you saw the federal government lower a 'user fee'? __________________ Frank Newman

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October 18, 2006, 09:43 AM	#2
Dave M Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 16, 04 Location: Sun City Hilton Head, SC Posts: 11,351	A lot depends on where you will be cruising. The current rules are as follows: Passport rules are different for each country. Thus, if you are cruising to a country that requires a valid passport for entry, you need one. Determining what the requirements are for each country is your responsibility, although your cruise line should be able to help. You can see the current requirements for each country here. If you are cruising within North America or to the Caribbean, Bermuda or South or Central America, you won't need a passport to return to the U.S. in 2007. The current plan is that a passport or a comparable (as yet undefined) document will be required starting on January 1, 2008. Most people recommend having a passport when traveling internationally, whether you need one or not. Having one simplifies reentry to the U.S. Here are the specific rules as currently proposed. Nothing has been finalized yet, indicating there is a good chance at further extensions of the effective dates. However, counting on an extension is risky.

October 18, 2006, 11:45 AM	#3
MusicMan (Formerly JP) TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 8, 05 Location: Poquoson, VA Posts: 151 Resorts: Ocean Villas II (Nags Head, NC)	I am really grateful for this delay. My wife and I cruise quite a bit, and have always done so on birth certificate/drivers license. Eventually we planned on getting passports but just hadn't gotten around to doing so. We booked a Disney cruise for our granddaughter (and of course her mom and dad) for next year, with us picking up the cost. The requirement for passposts would have upped the cost of this trip by about $500. While, we will eventually get our own passports, we're gratefull not to have to provide them for this particular cruise.

October 19, 2006, 03:14 AM	#6
dougp26364 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 5,357 Resorts: Polo Towers, Marriott's Ocean Pointe & Grand Chateau, HGVC LV Strip, Grand Regency, French Quarter resort Branson, MO	I have heard that the deadline for cruise ship passengers has been extended but, not for passengers arriving by airline. Now consider this, you're on a caribbean cruise and for some reason you miss the ship when it leaves. Now you have to get home but how? If you don't have a passport, flying home could become an issue as you are no longer arriving by cruise ship. IMO it's best to not rely on the government and hope you don't get caught short in some unfortunate situation. Just get your passport now and don't worry about what the feds do. Eventually, if you travel you're going to end up needing it. Besides, it makes an excellent proof of citizenship or photo ID in addition to your DL. Ours has come in handy for more than foriegn travel at times.