Friday, March 30, 2007

Passports – If You Don’t Have One, Apply Today!

For travel by land or sea to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, US citizens are encouraged to travel with a passport (valid or expired). In the absence of a passport, a birth certificate (original or certified copy), plus a laminated picture ID card issued by a federal, state, or local government agency is required. PLEASE NOTE: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable, and a voter registration card or Social Security Card are not considered to be proof of citizenship.

Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. In the event that the cruise itinerary changes, or in the event that an emergency requires you to fly home before the end of the cruise, you will need a passport.

DON’T DELAY: February-April is the busiest time of year for Passport Services. In addition, new rules require many people to have passports for almost any travel outside the US by 2008. As a result, processing time is much longer than usual. At present, the National Passport Information Center is estimating a 10 week waiting time for normal processing once your completed application has been accepted.