In a nutshell, kids won't have to have passports by January, 2008. Certified birth certificates will be okay. This will really be a godsend to folks wanting to cruise with kids.
Plus, legislation is to be introduced to postpone the current 2008 requirements to 2009.
I don't know ... but isn't it just easier to get the passport and be done with it?
I'm so glad I got mine in 2004. Even with the added expense of acquiring the first one, it provides a great form of ID and it is good for ten years.
Once the feds began jiggling with these passport rules after 9-11, I could never understand why people just didn't go out and get one and be done with it. You're gonna need a passport at some time anyway.
I agree, Rita. It's inevitible at some point. I am glad we have ours.
What's really nice is the deal about kids not needing them right away. There will be 4 grandkids sailing with us next January, and that's going to be a great savings for that trip.
That is really good news for my family! I have two little sisters, so thats saving an extra $150ish. (until they need them) I will be getting my passport soon since I plan on travelling to England this summer, so I will be glad to get that out of the way for future cruising. I do think that everyone having a passport would make for smoother security checkpoints though.
__________________
Kris
Booked Cruises
NCL Dawn 6/21/06 Bermuda
Past Cruises
10/30/08 X Constellation Caribbean
Costa Fortuna 3/08 Eastern Caribbean
Costa Magica 2/07 Western Caribbean
HAL Noordam 11/06 Eastern Caribbean
X Zenith 6/06 Bermuda
HAL Zuiderdam 5/05 Western Caribbean
HAL Maasdam 6/04 Canada/New England
CCL Triumph 12/03 Western Caribbean
CCL Victory 11/02 Eastern Caribbean
What's really nice is the deal about kids not needing them right away. There will be 4 grandkids sailing with us next January, and that's going to be a great savings for that trip.
No kidding. Yeah, I can't see young children needing them. You can let the grandkids get their passports when they are old enough to pay for them on their own.
Rita , Jim: I agree with that everyone should have a passport by now. I mean, come on we have know this was coming for over 5 years!
Although I do think passports for kids are a good idea. With the strange things that go on today, spousal kidnappings, etc. I just think it would be a good idea to have them.
We got our when we started cruising and haven't regretted it.
It beats me why people don't get a Passport.....even still? With all respect, if one wishes to leave the country, it is a cost of doing so. Figure it as a part of the price of your vacation.
The whole world has to have a Passport to travel.
It's time we all get them and be done with it.
One item I overlooked at first in the story I read (link in my original post) is that kids will still have to have a passport to FLY back into the U..S. If everything goes well and they return via ship, no prob. However, if something causes the family to have to come home early (via airline) then there will be much more hassle getting the un-passported kid back through immigration.
The news story said U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 or younger with parental consent will be allowed to cross the borders at land and sea entry points with certified copies of their birth certificates rather than passports.
However, if something causes the family to have to come home early (via airline) then there will be much more hassle getting the un-passported kid back through immigration.
All the more reason, I say, to just bite the bullet and get the kids their own passports. Of course, in your case, Jim, they are your grandkids and I can understand you're not wanting to get four of them passports. That's a major expense. But if I had my own kids who would be traveling with me, I think I'd rather just deal with the expense and avoid possible hassles later on. Eventually, they're gonna need them anyway, so if I plan to travel with them on a regular basis, might as well just get them now.
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Passport Rules Change Again!
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