My family is going on a cruise to the Caribbean in July, 07 do we need passports or will birth certificate do?

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puncho72

Me and my wife went in May we didn't have passports. Just make sure you have an original copy (one with the seal) of your birth certificate and a government issued photo ID(drivers license will work). You will show these when you board and will show them again when immigrations boards the ship when you return. Since you are leaving in July it is probably too late to get a passport anyways. Only problem is if you are in the Caribbean and need to fly home you cant with out a passport.

Mildred S

you can still travel with drivers license and passport by sea . but if you get stuck in an island, you will need a passport to fly home in any case you do not sail. therefore it is recommended that you travel with passports. with an itinerary showing immediate travel plans you should be able to get one in person if you live in a state with a passport agency. unfortunatly there may be a rush fee. i would plan to apply either now or in the future because you will need them in the future for sure. the government just makes too much money issuing them ... lol ... and homeland security is now a factor these days. good luck / bon voyage sailing!

roundater

New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens

* Media Notes
* Flyers & Fact Sheet
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Federal Regulations

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
* As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

* U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
* The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
* DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administrationâ€™s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Media Notes

* 02/22/2007 DHS Announces Proposed Passport Flexibility for U.S. and Canadian Children at Land and Sea Borders
* 11/22/2006 Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007
* 10/17/2006 Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Flyers & Fact Sheet

* Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (pdfPDF)
* Fact Sheet - WHTI's Successful Implementation (01/30/07) (pdfPDF)
* Flyer on Passport Requirement for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007 (pdfPDF)
* Hoja de Informacion (pdfPDF)
* WHTI Information Sheet - French (pdfPDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

* Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)

Federal Regulations

*
Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)
*
Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)
*
Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

Other Relevant Links

* Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection

JANET S

According to government regulations you are required to get a passport. Here is a government link that may help you.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Claudia B

best to take passports. each country requires different things but a passport is a sure bet.

Garvin A

I highly recommend getting a passport. You do not need to have a passport for a July 07 cruise, but if someone was to get injured or sick and need a way back to the U.S., you will not be able to enter the U.S. without a passport.

What cruise line are you traveling on? This will make a difference. You should be able to use the birth certificate, but do not get injured or sick where you need to fly back to the U.S.

At this late date, you will need to pay an extra $60.00 for an expedited passport.

Chase

Passports are recommended, but NOT required. This is the last year you can cruise to the Caribbean without one.

I know because I am going on a cruise to the Caribbean in July 2007 also.

PC1761

Funny timing on this one. We're leaving today on a Caribbean cruise with a bunch of friends. It is not yet mandatory on cruise ships however it is strongly recommended. If, for some reason, you get stuck on one of the islands and need to make your way home, at that point you would need your passport. If you want to play it safe, you really should have one. Since it is next month I highly recommend you make an appt. at the Passport Agency and physically go there. You will kill a full day, even if you get an early a.m. appt. because they wait until they have a batch before they bring out all the passports (usually around 2:30 - 3:00 pm). If you try mailing it in, even with expedited service you may not get it on time because they are so far behind with everyone applying after the new rules this year. Unfortunately one of our cruise mates sent theirs in for a renewal over a month ago, showing proof of today's departure date and they still didn't get it back in time. Check with your cruise agent or cruise line to see what other ID you can use in this case. I believe it is something like a certified copy of your birth certificate and your driver's license. Good luck and happy sailing!

sweetxgrace

You can take your ID and a certified birth certificate, but it's strongly reccomended you take a passport.

But if you're leaving in July...I really hope you have your passports now.

jaym1101

You will almost definitly need a passport anywhere that you are flying. Unless you are going to the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico as they are technically territories of the US, in any case I would double check with the state dept.

specialk

u need passports

Spooky

You will nead your passport to go on a cruise....

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