New Passport Requirement –
READ IMMEDIATELY!
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the passport requirements currently in place, the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State have issued advance
notice of the plan to require all individuals, regardless of age, traveling to and
from the United States to have valid passports as indicated in this notice. The
requirement is scheduled to be implemented as follows:
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2007:
Passports will be required for all border crossings, whether by air, sea, or land.
OBTAINING A PASSPORT
U.S. citizens may visit the passport section of the U.S. Department of State
website (www.travel.state.gov) or call 1-877-487-2778 for information on how to
apply for a passport. A passport is easy to obtain by visiting one of the 6,000
passport acceptance facilities across the U.S. Acceptance facilities include many
federal, state and probate courts, post offices, and a number of county and
municipal offices. To obtain a new passport, you will need to go to one of these
mentioned facilities with two passport photographs of yourself, proof of U.S.
citizenship (a certified birth certificate) and a valid form of photo identification
such as a driver’s license. Passports are valid for ten years and cost $97 for a
new passport and $67 for a renewal. The Department of State suggests that you
allow a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks for processing passport applications.
PLEASE NOTE: CRUISE PASSENGERS WHO DO NOT HAVE PROPER
IDENTIFICATION IN THEIR POSSESSION AT THE TIME OF CHECK-IN WILL
BE DENIED BOARDING WITHOUT COMPENSATION!