In today's highly sensitive security world taking the proper documents is paramount. Your Cruise agent may say to you that it's not necessary to take a current passport for instance but we advise the opposite. And a very prudent thing to do first while in the planning stages of your cruise is to find out where your US embassy is located in the areas you will be traveling around, through, near...just in case! One never knows! And wouldn't it be comforting to just have that needed extra bit of information in lets say a moments notice. That information is at this site http://usembassy.state.gov/. Now which documents do you actually need? Visa, Passport? Birth Certificate? How about the kids? Inquire and prepare for your children thoroughly. For instance, in certain countries, adoptive parents, legal guardians or persons separated or divorced are advised to keep legal and other relevant documents available in order to clarify custody rights. Children under 16 years of age do not require a picture ID card according to the International Council of Cruise Lines. However! We wouldn't dream of not taking a photo of our little loved ones, PLUS also leaving that same photo copied and left in charge of responsible hands back home. That just seems obvious and logical. How about driving permits in case you want to drive around while visiting a port? An excellent site for all this kind of information is CIBT Global Visa and Passport Professionals. http://www.cibt.com/ There you will discover most the major Cruise Lines and what each document requirement is. The perfect place to GET your Birth Certificate, Visa, Passport and learn actually what you need and what you don't is here, "Travel Documents" click to solve all your document needs: http://www.ourfirstcruise.com/cruise-articles.html. Few people EVER think about this little extremely important tip...whatever documents you do take with you on your Cruise, always leave a photo copy of each document in reliable hands back home hopefully including a handy fax machine for a split second fax source. The more you can think ahead and anticipate the worst case scenario the better off you will be and fellow travelers who do get stuck will think you are a genius for preparing so insightfully! What if you are a non-US Citizen or are traveling with one? Valid passports and Visas ARE required in addition to "green" cards. These cards are called by the authorities, ARC or Alien Registration Cards. That's only if the individual is a RESIDENT ALIEN living in the US. If not a resident of the United States, then documentation must come from the individual's country and be approved if traveling within the United States, and other countries included in the voyage. Preparing responsibly will allow you to sleep very well each cruise night so that you can relax, laugh and play each day. Have an outstanding Cruise! |
