What's the Deal with Passports?

This week, I'll tackle the delima of passports.  How one little book can cause so much confusion is a mystery, but I'll try to simplify it. 

1.  At this time, (notice I said "AT THIS TIME", because in the travel industry, things change daily), you do NOT need a passport to cruise IF the cruise leaves from and returns to the same US port of call.  Meaning, if you sailing out of Galveston and return to Galveston, you don't need a passport.  If you leave from Miami, sail through the Panama Canal and end your cruise in San Diego, you DO need a passport.   If you don't have a passport for the closed loop cruise (Galveston to Galveston), you'll need a certified copy of your birth certificate (raised seal or multi-colored stamp-not the hospital copy with your footprints), and a valid, state issued ID card (drivers license). If you have changed your name from that on your birth certificate (if you got married or had your name legally changed, you may want to take a copy of your marriage license or other court document to prove the name change from birth certificate to drivers license).  All travel documents, cruise ticket, airline reservation, hotel confirmation, etc must match the name exactly. 

While you may not need a passport, it is highly recommended that you get one.  They are valid for 10 years and are so much easier to present for check-in than carrying all the above.  Why get a passport if you don't need one?  Here's why:

If you miss the ship due to cancelled flights, or travel delays, you will need to fly to the first port of call to meet the ship.  If your first port of call is Jamaica, you can't fly to Jamaica without a passport.  Also, if you are on the ship and have to leave in the middle of your cruise to get home for a family emergency, you can't fly without a passport.  If you experience a medical emergency, sprain an ankle climbing Dunn's River Falls and miss the ship, you can't fly to the next port without a passport.  See why that $140 is money well spent? Peace of Mind.

2.  When you apply for a passport (you can fill out the application online at http://www.travel.state.gov/) be sure you fill out the correct form.  Last week, I had 3 clients call me with passport numbers only to realize they got a passport card, not the passport book.  Big deal?  Oh yeah!

While a passport card is less expensive, it is ONLY good for land travel across the border to Canada and Mexico.  It is NOT valid for air travel.  If you were in El Paso and decided to drive into Mexico, you could use a passport card.  If you are visiting family in Seattle and decide to go into Vancouver for the day, you could show a passport card.  If while you are there, you decide to fly home, you can't. 
The passport book is valid for all travel outside the US.  It doesn't matter if you drive, cruise, or fly.  See why it's the better value?

We at Bentley Hedges Travel are travel professionals.  We can help you plan your trip, and make sure you know what documentation you need. You won't get personal service from on online company.  Trust your vacation to the experts.   Email us at veann@bhtravel.com or check out our website at http://www.bhtravel.com/. 

I'll SEA ya next week!