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Travel Documents

 

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the countries of the Caribbean (Western Hemisphere countries).  When traveling to all other countries (including Panama, Costa Rica and Columbia) all U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport.

EXCEPTION:  U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port) and visit Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and/or countries of the Caribbean will be able to enter or depart the US with a birth certificate and government issued photo ID. 

But please remember:

If the ship departs from and returns to the U.S., a passport is required in both of the following unexpected situations:

·         To fly to a foreign port to catch up with the ship if your clients miss its U.S. embarkation, or;

·         To fly home to the U.S. from a foreign port if they are forced to cut their trip short.

Please see the following link for helpful information   www.getyouhome.gov and click on Special Groups.

For further information see U.S. Customs and Border Protection's website Ready, Set...Go!

updated 4.10.2009

 

May 26, 2009

There has been much attention on the new travel requirements for U.S. Citizens going into effect on June 1, 2009, and we would like to clarify this for you.  While the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license.  Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.

Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.  

If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises.

For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that ALL guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued.  

Thank you for your support!

Lynn C. Torrent
Senior Vice President of Sales and Guest Services
Carnival Cruise Lines