meanmomma40 Posted November 13, 2006 #1 Share Posted November 13, 2006 We have our first cruise scheduled for 12/14/06 on the Holiday out of Mobile. We have been told that passports are not required until Jan 07. However, I have been told by some friends that have been on cruises before that we will need passports. I am still trying to get a definate answer on this but was wondering I could find out from anyone here. We only have 31 days until our cruise so I am hoping we don't need one. Another quick question. Were is the best place to park when we get to Mobile? thanks you in advance, Gayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aske Posted November 13, 2006 #2 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I think they are highly recommended by the cruise lines as it will make things a lot easier, but not required. Best to check out the US State Department for your answers regarding the regulations, as they will be it. On January 8, 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. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries. Taken from the State Departments Website. As for the parking part of your questions, I can't help much there. Sorry. Hope this helps your passport question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihavecandy123 Posted November 13, 2006 #3 Share Posted November 13, 2006 We're leaving Jan. 1 2007. Originally our cruise vacation planner said we needed one, so we went and got one. When we paid our balance, he told us the government extended it to 2008, so we didn't need it. Oh well, it was already on it's way to us. He told us to bring them along anyway because it will make things easier although they're not required for 2007 cruises. We'll need it in the future though, and passports aren't a bad thing to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihavecandy123 Posted November 13, 2006 #4 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Parking- we talked to our vacation planner about this also. He said Mobile has a port parking that's covered and secure. I think he quoted us about $60 for the whole trip (our 5 day cruise). Not bad! I don't know where it is though, maybe you could call Carnival? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Dutchman Posted November 13, 2006 #5 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I would get a passport, if you have any problems and need to fly home you could have problems after Jan 8, 2007. After Jan 8, 2007 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. I think RCI will require a passport from Jan 8, 2007. They are not waiting for 2008. I think CCL should require one also (don't waite) just to cover alot of problems that some cruisers could have. JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac4cruise Posted November 13, 2006 #6 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I would get one it makes traveling a lot easier with one even if one is not required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meco21 Posted November 13, 2006 #7 Share Posted November 13, 2006 We have our first cruise scheduled for 12/14/06 on the Holiday out of Mobile.We have been told that passports are not required until Jan 07. However, I have been told by some friends that have been on cruises before that we will need passports. I am still trying to get a definate answer on this but was wondering I could find out from anyone here. We only have 31 days until our cruise so I am hoping we don't need one. Another quick question. Were is the best place to park when we get to Mobile? thanks you in advance, Gayle With only 31 days till you cruise, it might be to late? Someone else might know if you can get a passport that quick, but anyway i think it would be cutting it close Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXHappyCruiser Posted November 13, 2006 #8 Share Posted November 13, 2006 You can get a passport in about two weeks if you pay the extra money for a rush. I don't know if I would chance it, though. It is not required. You will be able to get on the ship with your drivers license and birth certficate. To get your passport, you will need to send your birth certificate in with your application. If there is an issue getting your passport for some reason, you won't have your birth certicate for boarding. Most people can get another copy quickly, but I don't know if I would chance it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DqALEX Posted November 13, 2006 #9 Share Posted November 13, 2006 When you get home don't wait, go and get one. IM sure you will be hooked on cruising like the rest of us, and it is always good to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanusLight Posted November 13, 2006 #10 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Another quick question. Were is the best place to park when we get to Mobile? thanks you in advance, Gayle Gayle, parking at the port is available. The price quoted previously is correct. It's covered and secure. Pull up, drop your luggage off with a porter, find a parking place, take the elevator back down. Couldn't be simpler!! Enjoy your cruise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrippDiver Posted November 13, 2006 #11 Share Posted November 13, 2006 To answer your question, It is much easier to have a passport but the requirements are listed below: New Requirements for Travelers Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) The proposed implementation timeline has two phases: * In January 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. * As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrippDiver Posted November 13, 2006 #12 Share Posted November 13, 2006 To answer your question, It is much easier to have a passport but the requirements are listed below: New Requirements for Travelers Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) The proposed implementation timeline has two phases: * In January 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. * As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkgcars Posted November 14, 2006 #13 Share Posted November 14, 2006 You do not need a passport. If you don't have a passport then you must have one of the following: - Original birth certificate - State-issued certified copy of a birth certificate from the Department of Health and Vital Statistics - Naturalization papers In the old days it used to say "original birth certificate or a copy with raised seal" - but I think these days in the age of computers it's possible that a copy with a raised seal isn't as common. Carnival notes the requirement as below: U.S. citizens must present proof of citizenship in the form of a passport (valid or expired for less than 10 years), original birth certificate, state-issued certified copy of a birth certificate from the Department of Health and Vital Statistics, or original Naturalization papers. Carnival strongly recommends its guests travel with a passport since it will greatly expedite clearance by the Department of Homeland Security. Found on this page: http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templates/EMB_travel_document.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halifaxrocks Posted November 14, 2006 #14 Share Posted November 14, 2006 i would go ahead and get the passport to be safe. some ports require it as of Jan 8 2007 as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aske Posted November 14, 2006 #15 Share Posted November 14, 2006 I would send in for it. If you do not get it in time, head to the Court House and get your birth certificate. They just print it off after you prove who you are, and raise it with a seal. Easy, $18 bucks. Or you could pay the $97 for the passport fee, and the $60 to expedite it, and you would be in great shape, and also set for 10 years. Totally your call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VentureMan_2000 Posted November 14, 2006 #16 Share Posted November 14, 2006 If you like to travel... just get your passport now. You are going to need it in the future anyway. And do it now before all the knuckleheads that wait 'til the last minute to apply. You don't want to fall into the knucklehead category, do you... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meanmomma40 Posted November 14, 2006 Author #17 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Thank you all for the responses. We spoke with Carnival today and we were told that we didn't need one but would need one in the future. We have decided to get passports as soon as we get back. Thanks again to everyone for the responses. thanks, Gayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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