best travel websites,best travel deals,around the world plane tickets,discount carribean cruises,cheap cruise deals,all inclusive resorts,all inclusive vacations,las vegas vacation packages,las vegas travel packages,carnival cruise lines,Empty nesters tra

New Passport Information

Passport Required

The U.S. Government is implementing provisions to the Intelligence Reform Bill, passed in December 2004, which requires that the current Western Hemisphere passport exemptions be phased out. Going forward, a Passport will be required for U.S. Citizens who travel by air and sea to and from the Caribbean , Bermuda , Central and South America , Canada and Mexico .

Subsequently, Passports or other accepted travel documents will also be required for U.S. land border crossings to and from Canada or Mexico .

The dates for these new Passport rules for all U.S. Citizens, and other travelers coming to and leaving from the United States , will be put in place on the following dates:

December 31, 2006 - Passport or other accepted document required for all air or sea travel within the Western Hemisphere .

December 31, 2007 - Passport or other accepted document required for all U.S. land border crossings.

With cruise vacation booking windows lengthening, it is more important than ever that you recommend act now!

By 2007, all U.S. Citizens departing and returning to the United States will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport. The Passport office is already busy and this will undoubtedly cause a backlog that could result in lengthy issuance delays as these rules take effect.

Remember, without a Passport, you will not be able to travel outside of the United States.. In addition, after the implementation date, U.S. clients who arrive at their Port of Embarkation Port without a valid U.S. Passport will not be permitted to board the ship. Information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. Passport can be found on the State Department's Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html .

Information to remember and consider:

	Avoid the rush and the possibility of not being able to travel where they wish without a passport.
	Booking future travel to the Caribbean , Bermuda , Central and South America , Canada and Mexico will require a valid Passport to re-enter the U.S.
	A Passport can open the doors to travel that you may not have considered before, such as cruising in Europe , Australia and Asia .
	Remember that Passports are valid for ten years and if you are repeat cruisers or frequent travelers, you can consider the initial price of that Passport ($97 for a new passport and $67 for a renewal) as amortized over time. If you take two vacations per year, the initial cost of the Passport per vacation is less than a frozen drink with an umbrella at the pool.
	Even with a confirmed booking for travel abroad, you will be denied boarding in the event they do not possess a valid Passport.

And finally, a U.S. Passport is easy to obtain by visiting one of the 6,000 passport acceptance facilities across the U.S. For more information about applying for a Passport, U.S. citizens may visit www.travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY: 1-888-874-7793. Foreign Nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain details regarding current Passport requirements and application procedures