The first question readers of this blog probably have, is “What’s the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
Basically, it’s the new government rules that go into effect finally on June 1, 2009 for Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The short version: Almost everyone will need a passport or passport card for travel to those regions on that date — but, it’s not quite that simple.
There are three main exemptions. The first is for children under 16, who will still only need to present an original or certified copy of their birth certificate.
In addition, children ages 16 or 17 traveling with a group under adult supervision will only need a birth certificate. (This rule was designed to facilitate travel for sports teams, as well as social, religious and school groups.) However, for parents who can afford it, a passport is not a bad idea; if for any reason the child is delayed or separated from the group, or needs to return early, there will be a problem.
The other exemption is for “closed-loop” cruises from the United States. In plain English, a closed loop cruise is a cruise that returns to its original departure point. Which describes most three to seven day cruises. About the only non “closed-loop” sailings are Panama Canal cruises that originate on one coast and terminate on the other.
So this does mean that Americans on a budget who like the often discounted cruises out of Miami and now many other domestic ports can still save the cost of a passport or passport card. Which may mean good news for cruise lines, as they can still present themselves as a potentially less expensive alternative to a short vacation to the Caribbean or Mexico.
The new rules also could provide a significant price break for travelers who choose a roundtrip Seattle cruise to Alaska over the same cruise from Vancouver, because the Seattle cruise will only require a birth certificate.
Although in any of these and other situations, there is an advantage to going through the hassles and expense of getting the passport. If, for any reason, a traveler must return mid-cruise they will not be able to fly home from a foreign port without one. Even with travel insurance.
My personal suggestion — get a passport for yourself and your family. In the long run it will give Americans full flexibility.
There is one potentially ironic wrinkle to this new policy coming up in a year or two. If President Obama opens travel to Cuba, Americans might be able to travel on a “closed-loop” cruise from Miami to Cuba without a passport, but still need a passport to, say, see Niagara Falls in Canada.
Go figure.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
