Mission Viejo, CA - October 2007 - Passports, or traveling without one, seem to constantly be in the news headlines. For now, cruise passengers setting of on a Mexico or Caribbean cruise aren’t required to have a passport for travel.  But you should have one.  Why?  In a phrase, “things happen.” 

Now, let’s be clear.  Nearly every cruise vacation goes off without a hitch. But it’s the unexpected situations that could derail your entire cruise experience. Why take the chance?

Should you encounter a delay and miss your ship’s U.S. embarkation, the next option would be to make arrangements to fly to the next stop on your itinerary. If that’s anywhere which requires a passport for entry (such as Costa Rica, Honduras, and Belize) you might face a rather difficult process making those arrangements. The same difficulties could be met should you miss the ship’s departure from a foreign port.

If you need to cut your cruise vacation short due to illness, a family or business emergency, or you’re involuntary asked to disembark the ship, traveling without a passport may delay or prevent travel. 

In addition, at lease one cruise line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, now requires all cruise passengers traveling to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda, to have a valid passport.

If you have an upcoming Mexico or Caribbean cruise vacation, apply for a passport as soon as possible. You would be wise to do that same for any Alaska cruise vacation, in fact it is essential if your cruise ends in Canada and you plan to fly home. 

All air travelers, including U.S. citizens, are now required to either have a valid passport or proof they have applied for, but not yet received their passport.  Beginning September 30, 2007, passports will be mandatory for all air travelers, period.

Getting a passport is easy, although it requires a little patience given the processing time of 12 weeks or more; expedited is 2-3 weeks. All that’s needed are: two, identical, passport-sized photos; proof of citizenship (birth certificate); and a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license. Your travel expert can advise you of the requirements, how and where to apply, and the fees.

The bottom line is a passport is the best way to prove your citizenship, and a lost or stolen passport is easier to replace when in a foreign country than other forms of identification.

Don’t leave your cruise vacation open to chance, apply for a passport today. For details on passport requirements, contact your local Cruise Holidays travel expert.