Caribbean organizations lobby Congress to postpone passport rule

[Dreamer333]

I still think everyone should get passports just to be on the safe side, but I wanted to share this info:

 

 

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) are lobbying the State Department and Congress for a postponement on new regulations that require U.S. citizens to show passports when re-entering the U.S. from the Caribbean.

Starting Jan. 1, Americans traveling to the Caribbean will need passports, according to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative issued in April.

Only eight of CTO’s 30 Caribbean member countries now require passports of U.S. citizens -- the other destinations accept birth certificates or drivers licenses with a photo.

The new regulations will not apply to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“The Caribbean region would like the same introductory date as Mexico and Canada of Jan. 1, 2008 to level the playing field, to give travelers time to apply for their passports and to make them aware of the new regulations,” said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, CTO’s newly designate secretary general.

Pamela Richards, CTO’s chairman, said that “we are encouraging each nation to have its minister of finance, heads of government and tourism officials send individual letters to the U.S. State Department to state their position on this.”

In addition, joint efforts will be undertaken by the region’s associations, as well.

Berthia Parle, CHA president, pointed out that more than $2.5 billion and 188,000 jobs could be at risk “because the new passport requirements might dissuade spontaneous travel to the Caribbean by Americans who do not yet have passports.”

 

[Northender]

Thanks for the update.

 

I don't think that the CHO and CTA are up to running our Homeland Security Dept. just yet.:D

If they manage to delay the dates set everyone will just say - "Oh, now I have plenty of time....."

The Princess brochures have been stating that a passport is needed. I am sure some of the Islands will let you in their country with the usual birth certificate, etc., but what is going to happen when you try and get home :(

 

I truly believe that most folks that travel to the various Carib Islands already have passports and if CHO, etc. want to help themselves, they should take out ads in our travel sections reminding people that they will need passports!!!!:)

[atlcple2]

I have traveled out of the country many times and have never gotten a passport...just a hassle. Am I understanding it correctly that until January 1, 2006, we won't need one to go the Caribbean? Just checking. We are on the CP 9/3/05 to the Eastern Caribbean.

[Toto2Kansas]

I have traveled out of the country many times and have never gotten a passport...just a hassle. Am I understanding it correctly that until January 1, 2006, we won't need one to go the Caribbean? Just checking. We are on the CP 9/3/05 to the Eastern Caribbean.

 

You will be fine up until Januaray 1, 2006. After that, even those on a 3 day cruise will need a passport to get back into the U.S.

 

It has always amazed me when people balk about spending the money to get a passport when they spend so much on cruises, travel, casinos, drinks, etc. There is no real hassle to getting one, just a few minutes of your time. It is a very small price to pay to assist in homeland security, IMHO of coarse.

[atlcple2]

You will be fine up until Januaray 1, 2006. After that, even those on a 3 day cruise will need a passport to get back into the U.S.

 

It has always amazed me when people balk about spending the money to get a passport when they spend so much on cruises, travel, casinos, drinks, etc. There is no real hassle to getting one, just a few minutes of your time. It is a very small price to pay to assist in homeland security, IMHO of coarse.

 

I agree. I wasn't complaining, I have just never had to have one so I haven't gotten one. We will definitely have one before our cruise next year.

[Northender]

I agree. I wasn't complaining, I have just never had to have one so I haven't gotten one. We will definitely have one before our cruise next year.

 

I have the Carib/Mexico brochure for 2005/2006 and somewhere in there it states that they want passports and the statement was not date specific.

You may want to check with your TA or if you have the brochure, read it over.:)

[Toto2Kansas]

From the Princess Website:

 

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE

On Tuesday, April 5, 2005, the U.S. State Department announced details of the proposed "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative." If the proposed rules are enacted, U.S. and Canadian citizens will be required to carry a passport for travel to or from certain countries/areas that were previously exempt. The proposed implementation is as follows:

* December 31, 2005 - Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

 

* December 31, 2006 - Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

 

* December 31, 2007 - Passport required for all air, sea and land border crossings.

 

Once the proposed rules are finalized - either in their current form or a modified form - the cruise industry will communicate that information to our travel agent partners and guests. In the meantime, individuals with future travel plans that would be affected by the proposed new rules are strongly encouraged to obtain a passport now.

[atlcple2]

I have the Carib/Mexico brochure for 2005/2006 and somewhere in there it states that they want passports and the statement was not date specific.

You may want to check with your TA or if you have the brochure, read it over.:)

 

I actually booked directly through Princess so I could get the previous guest discount having traveled on Carnival several times before. They told me that I didn't need a passport this trip, but would need one next year.

[Breezey]

Personally I think in today's environment, everyone should have a passport and travel with them.

 

We have had ours for years, even use it when we travel to the USA.

Just makes it a lot easier.

 

No big deal. Plus here in Canada we have to renew them every 5 years, at least in the states once you get them I understand they are good for 10!

[cruisnfool]

I agree that everyone should have one.....maybe the increased need can drive the price down....I'm surprised that its taken this long post 911!

[Jay_NH]

Stop Procrastinating.

 

Just get a passport and be done with it. There is no hassle.

 

Just another good reason for getting a passport in the WHAT IF catagory.

 

Your Mom or Dad dies while on vacation in Italy and you need to go to them.

Yes you can get a passport in a couple of days with great expense and effort or you can just reach into your safe, grab your passport and off you go.

 

Jay

[Iamthesea]

The new regulations will not apply to Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Just curious if a person can enter Puerto Rico and come back with an expired passport only? This would not be for cruising, but for a mission trip to PR.

[Iamthesea]

Another question. If we get our 17 year old a passport will it be good for 10 years?

[Iamthesea]

Can anyone help me with the two above questions?

[atlcple2]

Just curious if a person can enter Puerto Rico and come back with an expired passport only? This would not be for cruising, but for a mission trip to PR.

 

If you are a US citizen, you don't need a passport, just a driver's license and birth certificate would do if you were asked. I have been 3 times in the past and wasn't even asked for id.

[Dreamer333]

Although I definitely agree with the opinions that everyone should have a passport, I can also definitely understand the concern of the Caribbean and Mexico tourism boards. I'm sure that the passport issue will cut back on some of the tourism revenue.

For example, a few years ago, my DH and I (and his family) went to San Diego. While we were there, we decided to visit Tijuana (and of course we spent money there)... If the passport rule had been in effect, we wouldn't have been able to go because we didn't bring them with us.

 

I'm not trying to start a debate here about national security... I am just stating that I can understand the "fear" of Mexico and the Caribbean tourism boards, that they may be losing income.

[Iamthesea]

If you are a US citizen, you don't need a passport, just a driver's license and birth certificate would do if you were asked. I have been 3 times in the past and wasn't even asked for id.

The person in question does not have a birth certificate. he is in the middle of a move and can't locate it. He has an expired passport and leaves on Saturday. For some reason, I thought that traveling on an expired passport was not allowed anymore.

 

How about my 17 year old getting one. Will it be good for 10 years or only 5?

 

Dreamer333 - I agree with you. DH and I have ours and we are looking into getting the children one so we can all cruise next spring - when the new law is suppose to take effect.

[JudyK]

How about my 17 year old getting one. Will it be good for 10 years or only 5?

 

Per the US State Department WEB site,

 

How long is a passport valid?

 

16 or Older =10 Years

 

15 or Younger =5 Years

 

US State Dept - FAQ

 

Hope this helps ;)

[Iamthesea]

Yes, thank you...that helps with our decision. Now, if someone could just answer the other question about expired passports to PR.

[donna5]

Yes, thank you...that helps with our decision. Now, if someone could just answer the other question about expired passports to PR.

 

I would assume that since PR is considered the U.S., no passport required if going to PR to or from the U.S. But if you are coming into P.R. from anywhere else, then you need the passport. It would be a good idea to have one when going to P.R. incase your flight ended up in another Island(country.)

[iancal]

It amazes me that some people think it is wrong for other counties to insist on passports yet believe it is perfectly acceptable for their own country to INSIST on passports. Would not travel without one. Not a big deal for us because we travel quite a bit.

[spongerob]

Although I definitely agree with the opinions that everyone should have a passport, I can also definitely understand the concern of the Caribbean and Mexico tourism boards.

 

Well, when it comes to Mexico, I have to disagree. If you want to cross their border, you have to jump through hoops. Once in, you'll find out that rule of law was left behind. They bus their excess population to our borders and complain that some here see it is a serious social, economic, and security issue, or even worse, try to enforce our own laws.