One of the most
frequently asked questions I get as a travel agent is, “Do I need a passport?” The
statement below is from the Cruise Lines International Association website:
The short answer is that it’s always better to have a passport when traveling, though not every trip requires one. If an emergency came up while you were on a cruise and you needed to fly back to the USA, you would not be able to enter the county without a passport. Also, when you visit different countries, the cruise line can have your passport stamped, thus giving you a record of the places you have been. A note on traveling with a passport: When you get one, make sure you make a photocopy of it and bring it with you in case the original gets lost.CLIA recommends a passport on all cruises. While the U.S. Government may not require a Passport for Sea travel on certain “closed loop cruises” originating in the U.S. and for travel only within the Western Hemisphere, other specified documentation is required. For specific U.S. governmental Passport and Visa regulations visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.Be sure to ask your travel agent what passport requirements apply to your cruise vacation. CLIA strongly recommends that all travelers apply for or renew their passports as soon as possible. Government regulations are continually being modified and it is best to be prepared. Besides, a passport grants you unlimited cruise vacation options around the world!
If you choose to
cruise without a passport, you will need current government-issued
identification (e.g. a state driver’s license or ID card) and a certified copy of
your original birth certificate. In this case also, make sure you have an extra
copy in case one is lost. I recommend having one person in your party as the
designated document holder; it works well to keep all that import stuff in one
place. When we cruise, Shirley is in charge of all the papers—she hands
everything out to each of us and then collects it back after we pass through
customs or the check-in areas.
The cruise lines are
very strict when it comes to passport and identification issues; they really don’t
have a choice. Make sure the spelling between your identification and cruise/air
registrations are the same. I run into problems because my first name is “Bill”
(not “William”) and my middle name is “Ricky” (not “Richard”), so I have to
make sure no one made an assumption about what my name really is. Another
problem I run into is that I go by “Rick,” so I have to be sure that I
remembered to register myself as “Bill.” It can be confusing; I still have to
double-check myself! Another very important reason to make sure the names on
the registration are correct is that many companies charge $50-$100 to correct these
issues, a fee which your travel agent will in turn charge you. Some companies
will allow a grace period for misspellings and name corrections before the
final payment is made, but life is much easier if it’s right the first time. Communication
with your travel agent is very important so that issues like this can be
avoided.
If you are a lady
getting married, you the bride should register for the cruise under your maiden
name or the name you used before your wedding. I know you’re eager to start
using your new name, but it is challenging to get your identification or
passport changed in time for your honeymoon. (If you’re concerned about how it
may look to have two apparently single people rooming together in this
scenario, don’t be. Believe me, everyone will know you’re on your honeymoon!)
To obtain a
passport, the forms are available online and through your local post office. Most
post offices require appointments to apply for a passport. Passports are good
for a 10-year period, so it’s worth the investment. If you have any further
questions, just shoot me an email.
Happy New Year!
Rick
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