| Do I need a passport to go on a cruise vacation? It's a | | | | must have a passport or passport card to enter the |
| big question for many cruise travelers and there's been | | | | U.S. by land from Canada and Mexico. One exception |
| plenty of confusion regarding the U.S. State | | | | is U.S. and Canadian citizens under the age of 16 will |
| Department's new guidelines. Here's what you need to | | | | be able to present a birth certificate instead of a |
| know when you cruise and how the new passport | | | | passport for crossing land/sea borders between the |
| rules launching June 1, 2009 could affect you. | | | | U.S. and Canada. There also will be special provisions |
| Documentation requirements | | | | for children traveling in school, sports or other groups. |
| Currently, U.S. citizens need a passport for cruises that | | | | So, if you drive to Canada to catch a cruise you?ll |
| stop at ports in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, | | | | need a passport. Additionally, the new rule means that |
| Australia and Antarctica. However, U.S. citizens cruising | | | | round trip Alaska cruises from Vancouver will require a |
| roundtrip from a U.S. port to Bermuda, the Caribbean, | | | | passport. |
| Canada, and Mexico do not need a passport under | | | | Passport or Passport Card? |
| the U.S. State Department's Western Hemisphere | | | | What's the difference between a passport and a |
| Travel Initiative (WHTI). These itineraries are called | | | | passport card? The card contains radio frequency |
| "closed loop" voyages. A "closed loop" voyage or | | | | identification on an RFID chip, designed to be read |
| itinerary occurs when a vessel departs from a U.S. | | | | quickly by scanning equipment installed at U.S. points of |
| port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon | | | | entry. However, it is not acceptable for air travel. |
| completion of the voyage. Per the WHTI Land and | | | | There is some cost savings in having a passport card |
| Sea Final Rule, travelers on "closed loop" voyages are | | | | versus a passport, here's what you need to know: |
| not subject to the same documentary requirements | | | | - Standard, first-time passports now cost $100 and are |
| for entry to the United States as other travelers. | | | | valid 10 years. U.S. citizens age 15 and younger pay |
| If your voyage falls under the "closed loop" rule you | | | | $85 for a passport valid for five years. |
| only need to carry a government-issued photo ID | | | | - The new land/sea passport card costs $45 for |
| (such as a driver's license) and a certified birth | | | | adults and would be valid 10 years. Citizens age 15 and |
| certificate (children traveling with an adult are also | | | | younger pay $35 for a card valid for five years. |
| required to carry a birth certificate). A certified birth | | | | - Current passport holders can apply for the card as a |
| certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, | | | | renewal and pay $20. The card costs $10 for those |
| impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and | | | | younger than age 16 who already has a passport. |
| the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's | | | | For travelers who don't want to deal with passports or |
| office, which must be within one year of your birth. | | | | passport cards, there is the "trusted traveler" card |
| Keep in mind this rule is for U.S. citizens cruising from a | | | | issued by the federal government to prescreened |
| U.S. port. If you are taking one-way itineraries you will | | | | travelers (But those won't get you over an international |
| have to have a passport. For example, if you start a | | | | border the way a passport will.) Also, a number of |
| cruise in Vancouver and end in Seward or Whittier, | | | | border states are working on enhanced drivers |
| Alaska you must have a passport. The same is true | | | | licenses containing the RFID chip and other security |
| for cruises starting in Los Angeles and ending in | | | | features that are acceptable for entry at land and sea |
| Acapulco, cruises starting in Miami and ending in | | | | points. |
| Barbados, or cruises starting in Quebec and ending in | | | | Traveling without a passport is risky |
| New York City. | | | | Traveling to foreign countries without a passport |
| One very important item to understand regarding the | | | | carries some risk. For example, if someone who sails |
| WHTI rule is that U.S. citizens who travel by air to the | | | | out of Miami without a passport falls ill when the ship is |
| Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to catch | | | | at sea and needs to fly home from the Bahamas it will |
| their cruise ship must have a passport. Currently, those | | | | be a hassle to get home since air travel from foreign |
| who drive across the Canadian border to a port will | | | | countries requires a passport. |
| not need a passport since land-crossings are currently | | | | Additionally, if you miss embarkation and have to fly to |
| exempt. In that instance the aforementioned proof of | | | | meet the ship at the next foreign port - you would |
| citizenship is needed. | | | | need a passport. These situations are rare, of course, |
| As always, passports are not required for U.S. citizens | | | | but it does happen from time to time. |
| traveling to or returning directly from Hawaii or a U.S. | | | | Lastly, keep in mind that all cruise line passenger |
| territory, including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin | | | | contracts state it is the passenger's responsibility to |
| Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the | | | | have proper documentation when arriving for |
| Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. | | | | embarkation at the pier. If you don't have proper |
| Requirements on June 1, 2009: | | | | documentation you won't be allowed to board the ship |
| On June 1, 2009 all arriving and returning U.S. citizens | | | | for your cruise. |