Passport Agency Blames the Cruise Lines!!!

[arabrab]

I applied for my daughter's passport renewal on January 31st, back when the State Department's website was touting a six week regular turnaround. It's been 11 weeks, and still no passport. I sent an email inquiry, and got a reply from Agent 007 (really) telling me that it was in process in Seattle, and to allow 10 weeks. I guess we do math differently around here.

I finally got through to a human being at the Passport 800 line this morning, only to find that she couldn't directly help me because their computers were down -- probably the reason I was finally able to get through rather than being summarily disconnected by the voice response system.

She told me that processing time is now 12 weeks, and when I expressed unhappiness at the lack of planning on the part of the State Department for failing to staff up for the completely predictable deluge, she said it wasn't their fault, "it's the fault of the cruise lines."

Huh? Well, according to her, the cruiselines have been telling people that they ought to have passports in case they get sick on the trip and need to fly home. They should have known that in emergencies like these that the airlines make accommodations for people without passports. (Who knew?) They never planned for the passport volume generated by all these people taking Mexican and Caribbean cruises, and that's why my daughter doesn't have her passport on time.

It's the cruiseline's fault.

Now you know. :rolleyes:

I wonder if I can get on-board credit for this?

[babyher]

And you actually called a government agency and expected
A) fast and competent service
B) A straight answer
C) Someone to actually take any sort of personal or departmental accountability for a situation.

I consider the fact that you actually got a person (and I use that term in its broadest sense) on the phone to be a home run :)

All kidding aside , I do hope your daughter gets her passport soon, I know it has bee crazy with them.

[ak-bound]

Have you contacted your local congressman's office? Most US congressmen have a staff member who can talk to the passport office and expedite the process.
Zane

[localady]

I think that passport agent needs a cruise!!!:rolleyes:

P.S. I believe what she said is the all too well known administrative procedure known as "passing the buck".:cool:

[BruceMuzz]

arabrab,

I beg to differ. You have been mis-informed.
My ship is cruising in Mexico this week. We have medically disembarked 3 American passsengers in the past 2 days. Two of them are quite ill, but will survive, the third is dying. None of them has a passport. All three want to be flown home to the USA. The airlines have refused to fly them back to the USA, citing the new passport law. US Government Reps in Mexico have told us, "No passport = no flight".
Case closed.
It is a crying shame.

GET A PASSPORT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[localady]

arabrab,

I beg to differ. You have been mis-informed.
My ship is cruising in Mexico this week. We have medically disembarked 3 American passsengers in the past 2 days. Two of them are quite ill, but will survive, the third is dying. None of them has a passport. All three want to be flown home to the USA. The airlines have refused to fly them back to the USA, citing the new passport law. US Government Reps in Mexico have told us, "No passport = no flight".
Case closed.
It is a crying shame.

GET A PASSPORT !!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!! Sorry to hear about those folks.:o It does make for an impressive argument for having a passport!!!!:eek:

If there was ever a reason to have a passport that is it !! Forced to be treated at a Mexican hospital because you are unable to fly home to the US without a passport!! That is truly scary!!:eek:

P.S. I hope the rest of your week goes more smoothly onboard!!:cool:

[waterrats]

arabrab,

I beg to differ. You have been mis-informed.
My ship is cruising in Mexico this week. We have medically disembarked 3 American passsengers in the past 2 days. Two of them are quite ill, but will survive, the third is dying. None of them has a passport. All three want to be flown home to the USA. The airlines have refused to fly them back to the USA, citing the new passport law. US Government Reps in Mexico have told us, "No passport = no flight".
Case closed.
It is a crying shame.

GET A PASSPORT !!!!!!!!!!!!

Get off these boards and enjoy your cruise.

PS. Thanks for the info.

[waterrats]

And you actually called a government agency and expected
A) fast and competent service
B) A straight answer
C) Someone to actually take any sort of personal or departmental accountability for a situation.

I consider the fact that you actually got a person (and I use that term in its broadest sense) on the phone to be a home run :)


This goes for calling the cruise lines as well. The one difference is that you can actually get someone on the phone when calling the cruise lines.

Joe

[jhannah]

That certainly is a great motivation for those who don't have passports to get them. Let's hope things work out okay.

[Druke I]

The American Way - point fingers and assign blame elsewhere!

[mikedw]

We've been telling all of our clients to get passports before going on a cruise. I have a couple first time clients who got upset that they spent the money for a passport then found out that technically they don't need them yet, but I rather lose a client then all the aggravation I would get if they got stuck somewhere.

Take care,

Michael

[waterrats]

For adults they are good for 10 years and come January everyone will need one. We got passports for our kids for the cruise we just completed. We didn't want any hassles with birth certificates. Customs was a breeze for us.

Joe

[WindyCity]

I work for an air ambulance company and I can unequivocally tell you that a passport is needed to get back to the US, if you have to be medevaced from a foreign country.

I can't understand why people are so dead set against getting a passport - it is the easiest and best form of identification.

[Jade13]

I guess it helps to live in a city where you can get a passport. It only takes an hour if you have a copy of your airline reservation.

[Bobnapples]

Brucemuzz

I always thought it was required to have a passport to get on the ship anytime one was leaving U.S. soil. If not it should be required as the tree who had to leave the ship for medical reasons have found out the hard way.

Bob :confused:

[BruceMuzz]

Bobnapples,

It SHOULD be required that one must have a passport before boarding a cruise ship that leaves the USA and then returns. But it's not. It was supposed to be required by the US Government as of this past January - and the January before that.
In a country so worried about International Terrorism and Illegal Aliens, it is way beyond mind-boggling that Passports are not mandatory.

But the great American Public keeps dragging their feet getting passports. As of March 2007, only 21% of Americans own a passport. It took 4 years of threatening and pleading from the US Government to get that number up from 16%. At this rate, it will be decades before most Americans have a passport.

Currently it is perfectly legal to board an international cruise ship in a US Port, carrying only a driving license and a birth certificate. It is perfectly legal to disembark from an International Cruise Ship in a US Port, carrying only a driving license and a birth certificate. At this poinit, only the government can legally force you to have a passport to cruise - and they are not doing it.

Travel Agents and Cruise Lines all strongly recommend that passengers get a passport, but nobody is listening. It's only when disaster strikes that everyone wakes up and says, "Gee, I should have gotten a passport - and maybe a little travel insurance too".

Isn't it amazing that they are confiscating matchbooks from Air Travelers, but letting anyone with a Birth Certificate or Driving License that can be fabricated on any home computer into the country ????

[Bobnapples]

Very well put, bruce. :) Oh I forgot, I belong to localady.

[middle-aged mom]

Very well put, bruce. :) Oh I forgot, I belong to localady.


Oh my goodness gracious me! How do you do, Bob? What an honor to meet Sher's husband!!:) Our families almost cruised together this past Christmas. Only you went on the Volendam, and we went on the Amsterdam.......

Oh, to keep this on track, I have to say "thanks" to arabrab (Barbara) for her very entertaining post. Barbara, I hope your daughter gets her passport soon. I've had a passport my entire life, since I was a baby, and I'm so glad I don't have to renew right now!!:eek:

Karin

[cruzermon]

Bobnapples,


Currently it is perfectly legal to board an international cruise ship in a US Port, carrying only a driving license and a birth certificate. It is perfectly legal to disembark from an International Cruise Ship in a US Port, carrying only a driving license and a birth certificate. At this poinit, only the government can legally force you to have a passport to cruise - and they are not doing it.



And, just who lobbied the government to exclude only the cruise lines from this requirement to (understandably, IMO) protect their revenue stream. Hmmm, the airlines, perhaps? :rolleyes: If the cruise lines would have really wanted people to have passports, they wouldn't have requested a temporary exemption from the passport requirement.

Sorry, they cruise lines are crying crocodile tears when they talk about the need for a passport.

Just to be clear, the Passport office is also full of it.

[sail7seas]

I'm so glad I chose to renew ours early. I saw this flood of applications coming, knew our passports needed renewing within 9 months. I chose to 'waste' a few months and I beat the rush. When we had a 'lull' in our cruising, a period when I knew we could give up our passports, I sent them for renewal. Had them back in about 8 weeks. Glad I forfeited a few months in order to not stress about the renewals.

I didn't have to bother with expedited and pay the additional sum.

[localady]

Fact still remains that it's a true Buyer Beware situation when you don't have a passport.:eek: Of course, the only time it presents a problem is when there is an emergency.....then I know most folks would want to be able to be flown back into the US for treatment if in Mexico.

OT- Karin- thanks for the nice welcome for Bob, he hardly comes into the boards but when I told him about the thread he decided to check it out. I am hoping we can meet you by convincing you to join us in Feb. 2008 on the Oosterdam. :D I know Lisa will try to convince you also. :cool:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Well, I must also say Welcome Bob:) This is a CC member I already have met;)


Sher, I have not gotten that far with Karin yet:) but you can bet I will try to twist her arm to join us in Feb. when I cruise with her in June:D

[jtl513]

But the great American Public keeps dragging their feet getting passports. As of March 2007, only 21% of Americans own a passport. It took 4 years of threatening and pleading from the US Government to get that number up from 16%. At this rate, it will be decades before most Americans have a passport.True, but unlike Europeans, the vast majority of Americans have no intention of ever leaving their home country. Actually, I'm surprised that 21% do have a passport.

[SakeDad]

True, but unlike Europeans, the vast majority of Americans have no intention of ever leaving their home country.
And that's a VERY SAD:( statement all to itself!!! To not want to see and be a part of the rest of the world is so limiting. Some of the best things I've ever discovered either about myself or life in general was when traveling internationally. And for THAT I needed a passport:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

For the last few weeks there have been news articles on TV about people waiting up to 4 months to get passports to go to their representives to speed up things.

[Lady Vidora]

I've had a passport since I was an infant, and always wondered why some people are so dead set against it....I assumed it was because it just seems like such a big deal to people who don't travel. But while trying to get a "girls only" trip to Mexico recently a couple of the ladys didn't want to go out of the country. Turns out they haven't paid their taxes!!!! Of course it took me getting pissed before they would admit it....at first they blamed it on expense, or not knowing how, etc. Not that everyone who doesn't want a passport hasn't paid their taxes, but now I wonder.....:rolleyes:

[codyody]

I got my passport for my 50th birthday, as did DH. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

[gatour]

I got my passport 2 years ago when the initial regulatory deadline was the end of 2005 and I am glad I did. Even though I had a 3 hour wait in the post office at the time, I got it in 8 weeks, when the renewal cycle comes up in 8 years I am ahead of the "wave"

There is no one to blame per se. Congress dictated that to do international travel by plane, land, or, sea you need a passport, by 2009. The governmental agencies are trying to phase this in as best as possible

[PatsyAnne]

Having a current passport has always made me feel like I'm ready for any adventure! :D You never know when one is going to present itself.

[Minnesota Lady]

Lets just blame the passport people. They do not make law or invent changes, they process the passports. I was under two weeks, applied early, contacted the passport office and had know problem. Told them we were under two weeks, were more than welling to help us. One time when we called, the computers were down, asked when to call back, did what they said and things were working. We leave in three days, have all passports. Treated the passport workers with respect and was honest, got what we needed three days earlier than our travel. One worker told me they are overwhelmed with people being just nasty and calling daily for a passport that is needed for travel in six months. Plus truly believe they are on to those that lie and change dates for the moment to get what they want. It is those that I mentioned that keep those who are aboard that need to get home for treatment, have an emergency that need a passport now, and those traveling in two weeks, that don't get what they need so that others who cannot wait, are greedy, lie and cheat to get what they want. That is what those who work at the passport offices and senate offices deal with everyday. Give them a break, if you have a real need, they are there to help.

[Minnesota Lady]

Fact still remains that it's a true Buyer Beware situation when you don't have a passport.:eek: Of course, the only time it presents a problem is when there is an emergency.....then I know most folks would want to be able to be flown back into the US for treatment if in Mexico.

OT- Karin- thanks for the nice welcome for Bob, he hardly comes into the boards but when I told him about the thread he decided to check it out. I am hoping we can meet you by convincing you to join us in Feb. 2008 on the Oosterdam. :D I know Lisa will try to convince you also. :cool:
Surprised that you would post this as you have many post under you. The State Department has made arrangements for those that are cruising that do have a passport that need to return to the US because of illness will be able to return with no problems. Please check resources before making such a statement.

[Minnesota Lady]

I work for an air ambulance company and I can unequivocally tell you that a passport is needed to get back to the US, if you have to be medevaced from a foreign country.

I can't understand why people are so dead set against getting a passport - it is the easiest and best form of identification.
The information you are presenting is just not true. Please state the Company you work for as the information you are providing is incorrect.

[localady]

Surprised that you would post this as you have many post under you. The State Department has made arrangements for those that are cruising that do have a passport that need to return to the US because of illness will be able to return with no problems. Please check resources before making such a statement.

I am sorry you question the veracity of my statement. It may be that the State Department "has made arrangements" to have ill US citizens without passports returned to the US. It also that means that you then have to contact the embassy or State Department, and go thru the red-tape as well the cost to return a US citizen without a passport back into the US.

It is not a cheap process to go through, not to mention the additional stresses it would cause in a time of emergency.

Frankly it seems to be more adviseable to get a passport in the first place and avoid the bad situation entirely!!:cool:

[RuthC]

Please check resources before making such a statement.

The information you are presenting is just not true.
With the conflicting information on this, right in this very thread, including anecdotal information that ill passengers cannot return to the US, may I ask on what basis you are making these statements.

[daveco58]

Since forever, the nearest US embassy or consulate can arrange transportation for US citizens without a passport. But how quickly that can be done has a LOT of variables. If you happened to flop out in front of the Ambassador, it could probably be done right now. If you are put off a ship and into a hospital somewhere a thousand miles from the Embassy....well you do the math.
Too many people just take chances like this, thinking the govt is going to swoop in and help them, but lets face it, the folks working at the consulate are the same ones working for the Passport Agency. I carry my passport everywhere.

[Spender Nui]

Seems to me it all boils down to this ..... No passport ... no shirtee.

[JLC@SD]

It is Amazing.........the news has been out for years.......passports are going to be required........and the due date has even been extended.

But sooooooooo many people waited until the last moment to apply.........and they are upset that the processing time has been lengthened..........hey their staffs are over extended.

It is your fault for waiting............If you Christmas shop on Dec 23rd.......Hey.....the stores will be crowded......:rolleyes:

[newfarmers]

In the times we now live in it amazes me a country has such lax entry requirements for its 'citizens'. I use quotation marks because most kids can find someone who can get a fake driver's licence for them and I'm sure it's not too hard to dodgy up a birth certificate. So how many people are able to gain entry to the US that aren't legit?

I need a biometric (sorry, no idea what this means) passport to get into the US, have my fingerprints and a photo taken as the Immigration Officer smiles graciously at me :rolleyes: but if that's what it takes to make the world a safer place I'm all for it.

My new EU UK passport finally arrived the day before yesterday (to add to my Australian one). I raced home to get to the post office to pick it up. I was so excited.

Like a couple of posters have said once you've got that little book in your hand, the world is yours

[SWeaster]

I applied for my daughter's passport renewal on January 31st, back when the State Department's website was touting a six week regular turnaround. It's been 11 weeks, and still no passport.Mine was set to expire in October 2007. I decided to send it in for renewal when we got home from our March cruise on the Oosterdam.

Not knowing when I may be sent out of the country on business and realizing that the normal turn around was so long, I chose to pay the extra $60 for expedited service. It took less than two weeks, including transit time, for expedited renewal in mid-March 2007.

Bill

[Hflors]

Does anyone know how far ahead of the expiration date on your passport are you allowed to renew? Mine and DH's expire next March. I want to get them in early since we are planning a cruise next Feb.

Thanks

[sail7seas]

You CAN renew very far ahead of the expiration date. You need to renew either 4 or 6 months prior to expiration. Some countries require you you have varying numbers of months (the highest I've heard is 6 months) remaining on your passport in order for them to allow you entry into their country.

Even if your plan is to be there one week, they know emergencies can happen, and you could wind up being there far longer than planned.


I renewed ours about 8 or 9 or so months prior to their expiration as I wanted to avoid this mad rush.....and I was successful at doing so. (I also planned around our booked travel to know when it was convenient for me to give them up for an extended period. I didn't want to pay the expedited service as I didn't feel it was necessary and it wasn't.)

[mamaofami]

I can not understand why people would not want to have a passport. I don't know anything about not paying taxes,( a reason for not applying stated above) but why would that prevent you from getting a passport?



Having a passport just makes life easier in case of an emergency.

[jhannah]

I don't know anything about not paying taxes,( a reason for not applying stated above) but why would that prevent you from getting a passport? They check these things. There was a recent post (could have been on another board) about a girlfriend of the poster who was planning a honeymoon cruise for herself and her fiance. Turns out he couldn't get a passport because of back taxes and back child support. She didn't even know he had kids! Very sad.

[localady]

They check these things. There was a recent post (could have been on another board) about a girlfriend of the poster who was planning a honeymoon cruise for herself and her fiance. Turns out he couldn't get a passport because of back taxes and back child support. She didn't even know he had kids! Very sad.

Jim-
Better she find out before she married him and it became her tax debt too!!!

Karma is a b*tch and the only certainty is death and taxes .......:rolleyes:

[jhannah]

Better she find out before she married him and it became her tax debt too!!! You got that right!

[waterrats]

You CAN renew very far ahead of the expiration date. You need to renew either 4 or 6 months prior to expiration. Some countries require you you have varying numbers of months (the highest I've heard is 6 months) remaining on your passport in order for them to allow you entry into their country.


If you are cruising this year and your passport is expired, you can still use it without renewing it. Passports are not required at the moment for travel to many areas in the caribbean by cruise ship. You can still use an expired passport as proff of citizenship. If you needed to fly home, you may then have some problems. Just check out the state departments website for the information needed for the countries you are traveling to.

Joe

[sail7seas]

HAL does not cruise the Caribbean from mid-April through mid-October.

For Alaska cruises, you don't need a passport yet.

For European cruises, you do.... as always.

[waterrats]

For Alaska cruises, you don't need a passport yet.

From the Travel.state.gov website. "Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable."

No you don't unless an emergency arises and you have to be flown home from Canada, then you would need a passport just like for the Caribbean and for Mexico.

Joe

[songanddance]

And you actually called a government agency and expected
A) fast and competent service
B) A straight answer
C) Someone to actually take any sort of personal or departmental accountability for a situation.

I consider the fact that you actually got a person (and I use that term in its broadest sense) on the phone to be a home run :)

.

And some trusting soles think the government can deliver better health care than the private sector. What dupes!

[sail7seas]

From the Travel.state.gov website. "Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable."

No you don't unless an emergency arises and you have to be flown home from Canada, then you would need a passport just like for the Caribbean and for Mexico.

Joe

Yes, of course. We all know (OR CERTAINLY SHOULD BY NOW) that we need a passport to fly internationally.

The comment was about cruising between Canada and U.S. If one boards in Seattle and disembarks in Seattle, one does not need a passport..... YET.

[CruiseBumm]

We applied for my two son's paspoart on January 11 and got them in 6 weeks as expected. Glad we did it early.:D

[Copper10-8]

Surprised that you would post this as you have many post under you. The State Department has made arrangements for those that are cruising that do have a passport that need to return to the US because of illness will be able to return with no problems. Please check resources before making such a statement.

The information you are presenting is just not true. Please state the Company you work for as the information you are providing is incorrect.
Minnesota Lady, if you are going to start challenging posters here on statements they make, you have that right as we all do! Having said that, it would be nice for everyone here (and especially for the folks you are challenging) if you would post/state your authority, experience and/or expertese on which you base your counter point;)

BTW, did you read this post?:

.........My ship is cruising in Mexico this week. We have medically disembarked 3 American passsengers in the past 2 days. Two of them are quite ill, but will survive, the third is dying. None of them has a passport. All three want to be flown home to the USA. The airlines have refused to fly them back to the USA, citing the new passport law. US Government Reps in Mexico have told us, "No passport = no flight"..........

[Sueseb]

When it was first announced, a couple of years ago, that all persons entering the US would need passports we decided it was the right time to get one. Got it in 3 weeks. If people chose to wait till the mandatory date they can't blame the government or the cruise lines because everyone else waited until the last minute, too.

[arabrab]

When it was first announced, a couple of years ago, that all persons entering the US would need passports we decided it was the right time to get one. Got it in 3 weeks. If people chose to wait till the mandatory date they can't blame the government or the cruise lines because everyone else waited until the last minute, too.

I'm the OP. Unlike you, we didn't wait to get our first passports until 3 years ago when the first announcement was made. My daughter has had hers for 4 1/2 years, I've had one since '85, and my husband has had one since '66. Unfortunately, renewals are being subjected to the same kind of delays as new passport applications. I applied for her renewal passport 11 weeks before we needed it, based on State Department guidance that regular processing took 6 weeks. It is still not here. Your comment that those who waited until the mandatory date shouldn't blame the government seems to miss the point: It wasn't unreasonable of us to expect the government to be able to turn around a passport in 11 weeks when their website stated 6 weeks.

[bjbdlb]

A simple rule of thumb. If your passport is expiring within 6 months, get a new one. If you don't have one, get one. Having just done NCL to Hawaii, which reqiured a passport as the ship was going to the wonderful international port of Fanning Island, booking less than 2 weeks in advance, we were lucky to have recently renewed our passports.

With laws changing, it does not hurt to be prepared. If you are leaving within 3 months, right now possibly even 4, it is a good idea to pay for an expedited passport. It costs money, but is better than potentially missing out on your vacation because the slow motion state departement isn't fast enough.

[bepsf]

It's the cruiseline's fault.

Now you know. :rolleyes:

I wonder if I can get on-board credit for this?

Nope - Won't get a credit from the Guv-uh-mint either...
:cool:

[RuthC]

Minnesota Lady, if you are going to start challenging posters here on statements they make, you have that right as we all do! Having said that, it would be nice for everyone here (and especially for the folks you are challenging) if you would post/state your authority, experience and/or expertese on which you base your counter point;)
John, I posed the same question a few days ago. Minnesota Lady hasn't come back to post her credentials yet. As far as I'm concerned her post has no credibility without that.

[localady]

I'm the OP. Unlike you, we didn't wait to get our first passports until 3 years ago when the first announcement was made. My daughter has had hers for 4 1/2 years, I've had one since '85, and my husband has had one since '66. Unfortunately, renewals are being subjected to the same kind of delays as new passport applications. I applied for her renewal passport 11 weeks before we needed it, based on State Department guidance that regular processing took 6 weeks. It is still not here. Your comment that those who waited until the mandatory date shouldn't blame the government seems to miss the point: It wasn't unreasonable of us to expect the government to be able to turn around a passport in 11 weeks when their website stated 6 weeks.

I agree, it wasn't unreasonable at all. :o

I want to personally thank you for posting this thread which opened my eyes to the need for a passport!:eek: I have also had a passport for many years now, but I will urge my son to renew asap as his is about to expire!!:cool:

[waterrats]

wow, ok, I'll start, just a friendly cruiser.

What some are not realizing is that just because a state department site says one thing does not mean that all the airline are going to follow that same rule. If I remember correctly, last year, RCI was going to force all cruisers to have passports even if the state department wasn't going to force them. Well, RCI obviously changed their stance on that rule.

Joe

[Goofyisme]

Having just done NCL to Hawaii, which reqiured a passport as the ship was going to the wonderful international port of Fanning Island,

Actually the stop at Fanning Island is why the Passenger's Services Act doesn't apply to that Cruise, that's why they do it. Just coincidence that it now means you need a passport to travel from one US port to another.

[Philip217]

Actually, the Kiribati Republic, where Fanning Island is located, did not require that passengers visiting there must have a passport. (Although their Consulate claimed they required a passport, the Fanning Island Officials have never checked any NCL ship that calls there).

But the US Government REQUIRES that any passenger who has visited the Kiribati Republic and then wants to enter or re-enter the USA must have a valid passport.

[hammybee]

This is from the U.S. department of state listed under FAQ:

Q. What happens to U.S. citizens who attempt to re-enter the country without a passport or an alternative travel card?

Under the law, the new documentation requirements may be waived under certain circumstances. These exceptions include individual cases of unforeseen emergency and individual cases based on “humanitarian or national interest reasons.” In addition, the State Department has processes to assist U.S. citizens overseas to obtain emergency travel documentation for those with lost or stolen passports.

For the general public, people who apply for entry but do not have appropriate documentation will be referred for secondary screening at the port. In secondary, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will evaluate any evidence of citizenship or identity the individual may have and will verify all information against available databases. However, to prevent delay at the ports of entry, we would encourage all U.S. citizens to obtain the appropriate documents before they travel

[newmexicoNita]

I applied for my daughter's passport renewal on January 31st, back when the State Department's website was touting a six week regular turnaround. It's been 11 weeks, and still no passport. I sent an email inquiry, and got a reply from Agent 007 (really) telling me that it was in process in Seattle, and to allow 10 weeks. I guess we do math differently around here.

I finally got through to a human being at the Passport 800 line this morning, only to find that she couldn't directly help me because their computers were down -- probably the reason I was finally able to get through rather than being summarily disconnected by the voice response system.

She told me that processing time is now 12 weeks, and when I expressed unhappiness at the lack of planning on the part of the State Department for failing to staff up for the completely predictable deluge, she said it wasn't their fault, "it's the fault of the cruise lines."

Huh? Well, according to her, the cruiselines have been telling people that they ought to have passports in case they get sick on the trip and need to fly home. They should have known that in emergencies like these that the airlines make accommodations for people without passports. (Who knew?) They never planned for the passport volume generated by all these people taking Mexican and Caribbean cruises, and that's why my daughter doesn't have her passport on time.

It's the cruiseline's fault.

Now you know. :rolleyes:

I wonder if I can get on-board credit for this?What a crock of mmmm, in spring their normally is about 4-6 turnover. Obviously with passports being required now when leaving the country in any other way except cruising there will be a long wait. They should have expected this and if nothing else hired a few more agents. NMNita

[vator90]

So, according to the person that the Op spoke with, the cruise lines are generating tons of revenue for the agency. Yet, with the added revenue comes added wait times? Another case of the goverment not acting like the private sector. We had our childrens passports updated this year and it took a solid 10 weeks starting in January.

[Jemima]

On our 4/1 Veendam cruise, passports were taken in the Tampa terminal. They were also checking expiration dates and not accepting passports with less than 6 months. The passports were not returned until 4/18. Everyone received copies of their passports on 4/15. These copies were placed in the mail holder outside the cabins.

[sail7seas]

Talk about lack of security. I would not appreciate having my passport photo (number) being placed in a space where anyone walking by could help themselves to it. They should, at the last, have slid the copies under doors IMO Passport Numbers do not need to be open for anyone to take.

What was the itinerary that required them to hold onto passports? Was that the repositioning to Europe cruise?

[cusyl]

When a child is born they are required to have a social security number right away, maybe they should also require a passport at that time.
However, how many Americans do you know that have never left the town they were born in, much less leave the country. :cool:

[Chivalrygirl]

Golly only 21% of Americans have passports, that is quite amazing. It seems therefore that you have a huge problem, a large percentage don't want passports and a large percentage refuse to give up something else. It seems all quite insane to me, that you can go in and out of the US without passports to a few countries, for me entering the US is a nightmare experience, they sure like to make you feel like an alien and most of them are rather unpleasant and downright churlish in the process. I have flown in and out and through the US a few times since 1975 and it has always been a rather unpleasant experience.

By the way there is absolutely no way any airline operating out of NZ and Australia would let anybody on board without a passport.

[Jemima]

Talk about lack of security. I would not appreciate having my passport photo (number) being placed in a space where anyone walking by could help themselves to it. They should, at the last, have slid the copies under doors IMO Passport Numbers do not need to be open for anyone to take.

What was the itinerary that required them to hold onto passports? Was that the repositioning to Europe cruise?



Yes, it was a repositioning cruise from Tampa to Venice. At check-in in the terminal they kept the passports and we were given blue cards to show when passports were returned. The passports had to be seen by Italian officials at Civitavecchia (Rome) was our next port was non-European Union. I just looked and both our passports were stamped in Civitavecchia. The ship had to return the passports before the next port of Dubrovnik as actual passports must be taken on excursions there. Croatian police boarded our tour bus and we had to show passports.

I did not like the ship putting passport copies outside cabins. Anyone could have looked at them or even taken them. Also, many passengers probably already had copies. My daughter and I always carry copies. I carry our passports and she has the copies. Croatia is the only port where we've ever taken the actual passports ashore.

[SWeaster]

Living this close to Canada I'm amazed at the number of people who like popping over the border to gamble in their casinos but seem unaware of our new passport requirements. Currently, they can drive across the border with only a driver's license and a certified copy of their birth certificate. That changes the beginning of 2008 when passports will be required for all border crossings.

Things are not so loose overseas. A couple years ago everyone one on the bus I was riding from Utsunomiya to the airport in Narita (Tokyo) was required to show a passport before the bus was allowed into the airport. When staying at hotels in Narita last November and this January, a passport was required as part of the check-in process. The same was true at the Kensington Palace Hotel in London and even at a small family run hotel in Ennepetal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany a couple years ago.

Conversely, when driving across the border from Mexico to Texas several times last September nobody on the American side asked to see any identification, let alone my passport. :confused: After the first few crossings that week, I didn't even bother to dig it out of my pocket.

Bill

[DFW-Cruiser]

FYI, I wasn't going to bother renewing my passport, but after I heard the horror stories of getting stuck in case of illness, I mailed in my passport renewal application and begrudgingly paid for expedited service on April 5th because of my upcoming cruise date. I received old and new passports back on April 18th!! After reading about the long delays, I was just hoping it would get here before we sailed. I was REALLY surprised to find it was back so soon!

Linda in DFW

Oosterdam - May 19th