Steve Call

I am frequently asked, “What documentation do we need if we want to go on a cruise?” I always follow up with my own question, “Where you sailing out of and what are is your itinerary?” This gives me the information to properly answer the question.

Today where you board and disembark from the cruise plays a major role in answering the documentation question properly. For starters I suggest that everyone get a passport booklet or passport card. These credentials fulfill all requirements unless visas are required.

If you are traveling to or returning by air or car to a foreign destination outside the United States you need either a valid passport or a passport card. Valid means that it does not expire during the duration of your trip, no exceptions.

For Caribbean, Mexican, Bermuda, New England cruises and some Alaskan sailings, here is what is current, as of Oct. 10 2010. Other Alaskan cruises are a whole different situation as there are various embarkation and disembarkation scenarios and we need to discuss those on a sailing by sailing basis. Please note that documentation requirements can and do change so check before you go.

This is what you will need to board a cruise departing from the U.S. mainland. This is the kind of information that is not always easily clear to even the most experienced cruisers who may have sailed with different documents in the past. All U.S. citizens must bring one of the following WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant documents in order to sail on a cruise that departs and ends from the same U.S. port: 1) Valid U.S. Passport, 2) Passport Card, 3) Original or legible copy of a Birth Certificate (issued by the Department of Vital Statistics), 4) Certificate of Naturalization, 5) Enhanced Driver’s License, 6) Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card (i.e. Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card) and 7) a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Copies of the following documents will NOT be allowed: 1) U.S. Passports and 2) Naturalization Papers. Originals or copies will NOT be allowed: 1) Baptismal Certificates and 2) Hospital issued “Certificate of Birth”.

As always I recommend that all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port, traveling with a passport facilitates your disembarkation experience. It also makes it easier for you to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port should they miss their scheduled embarkation or need to fly back to the U.S. for an emergency.

Passport booklets or cards are issued by the U.S. State Department. In most cities you can get the process started at your local post office or by contacting your travel agent or supplier. They will advise you “how to” and help you through the entire process. You can also find information on-line at http://travel.state.gov.

Check with the Department of Homeland Security on the current state of travel “dos and don’ts.” Visit their website at www.dhs.gov for current information and guidelines.

I truly believe that an informed traveler is a better traveler.

Did you know that October is “National Cruise Vacation” month? Cruise lines and travel agents across the country have teamed up to provide special offers and discounts for sailing booked during what is termed “Wave season.”

Last year’s World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) was a hit! More than $45 million in cruise sales was booked in just one day. More than 1,300 agencies held physical WLCN events. Nearly 50,000 consumers attended physical WLCN events! Nearly 2,800 agencies participated in virtual WLCN promotions. This year’s WLCN is being held on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

I have been posting some of these promotional offers on-line at www.facebook.com/thetravelprofessor and http://wlcn.cruising.org/TheTravelProfessor. If you prefer the no technology high touch approach then visit your favorite travel agent or contact the Travel Professor at 740.550.9540.