I had originally heard that passports would be required to Caribbean destinations starting in 2007. But, I also saw on the news today that the government has postponed that law until 2009. Anyone else heard this? If it is true, I just saved around $600 on my family's cruise next April.

Josh

Here is the information from CCl's website: Hope it helps!!

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/New_Passport_Requirements.aspx

Billy

Thanks...hopefully they won't implement it in the next 6 months. Wait...this is the federal government. No worries! lol, j/k

Josh

As an agent I am still suggesting to all my clients to get those passports. The new requirements are so wishy washy. If you check the Royal Caribbean site they are still requiring the passports for all cruises that will return to the states after Dec. 30 2006. Also, if you have to fly to your embarkation port it looks like you will still need the passport. I say its better to be safe then sorry.

One of the scenerios that has come up is since you are required to have it to fly in and out of the country, suppose you are on the ship and a medical emergency comes up and you are air lifted off the ship, what happens if you do not have the passport?

I would still look in the possibility of getting the passports especially if you plan on cruising in the future.

By the way, President Bush has NOT signed this bill as of yet, it is before him, but no word as to him signing.

I plan On getting a passport anyway for next year. Due to my original Birth certifacate is getting Close it's Experation Date...

I was just holding out just incase we were all required to get Numbers tattooed on our wrist..why spend the money on a passport. Maybe that will be next year.

Untill then I can see how much easier it is to just travel with a passport even if I just usually go to the Bahamas and Mexico. the emergency example was a paramount example of passport convienence.
Me

I agree with Carol. The cruise we just returned from had someone at customs going thru all sorts of headache because her birth-cert did not have the "raised seal." We walked right thru customs once the agent saw our U.S. passports. Not that it happens all the time, but it certainly makes travel as a U.S. citizen a whole lot easier. If it were me, to Carol's point, get the passports. With this govt we have, who knows when it will change, if at all.

Cheers,

Billy

Even with passports we spent what seemed like several minutes with an especially solemn Immigration and Customs officer this past June. It was in Miami after the Freedom Of The Seas cruise. I have some really nice leather passport cases. His first words were "remove the passports from the cases". We then received the third degree at a much higher level than I've ever seen. Not sure why. He even asked if we had any sea shells. Why? Because they are considered an animal and not allowed to enter the U.S. Even a clam shell that has been laying on a beach in Jamaica for the past 50 years, or so it would seem. I thought my son did gather some shells, and told the officer. He asked where they were. They were in our checked luggage, and I thought we were in for a long morning. But he told me to dig them out once we get our luggage and hand them over to one of the officers down at the baggage area. However once we got there I couldn't find any shells. My son must have left them aboard the ship. Still, we had to dig through our baggage in what was a bad mob scene (they screwed up luggage transfer very badly on that first revenue cruise of the Freedom).

I can't agree more with having a pass port. I have always traveled with on even when i am in Canada. Even thought the US will still accept birth cert i always carry both in different bags just in case one goes missing. You can never be to carfull with that sort of thing.

IMHO,

The whole thing is nuts.

You got CCL saying is ok with certified BC, You got RCI saying they require a passport six months before expiration to board.

As Carol said is wishy washy. I am certain I don't need one on my cruise. But will be my last without one. Now you got the Government trying to guess when will be implemented, and may issue "Pass Cards" instead.

Dave, Have had no problem with Immigration. But once Customs made me hand over a little peice of coral I found on the beach on Grand Cayman, while the person behind me walked through with fruits and nuts from the gift basket.

I am not a political man, and don't want any flack from this, as this is no place for politics even if I could figure it out.

But, we do need to have some consistency about travel regulations in this day and age no matter who is in charge.

IslandCruz

I am leaving on the Glory in Jan 07 and just to be on the safe side we got one.