Newest Passport Ruling

With so many changes in passport rulings, it is hard to keep up with them. As of June 1, 2009, the lastest passport ruling is going into effect.

This came from Carnival Cruise Lines for those passengers who are sailing a "closed loop" itinerary- meaning their cruise will start and end in the same US port.

While the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.
U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license. Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.
Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend that all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required for any of our Europe cruises.
For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov
REMINDER - all guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued. We strongly encourage your clients to invest in a passport since it is the preferred document of choice for proof of citizenship.

It is My Vacation Lady's strongest recommendation that ALL CRUISE PASSENGERS use a valid passport when taking a cruise regardless of the this latest ruling. If, for any reason you must leave the cruise early (illness, injury or family emergency) and must be flown home from Mexico, Canada or a Caribbean Island that is not a part of the United States, you will not be allowed back into the country without a valid passport. For adults the passport application is $97 and is valid for 10 years- that is the best form of ID you can have at the cost of less than $10 per year. For kids 15 and under, the passport is at a lower cost but only is valid for 5 years.

Please get your passport now!