The rules and restrictions for travelers foreign and domestic continue to change at mind-numbing speed. Trying to keep up with these new rules often feels like attempting to chase down a charging cheetah with a tricycle. Just when you figure you've got it all down pat, the Department of Homeland Security changes the terror threat level and bans liquids in carry-on luggage, the State Department revises documentation requirements, the airlines update baggage or ticketing procedures, and a foreign government announces new visa restrictions.
Even more crucial: New passport restrictions are now being phased in -- see below for more detail -- and travelers who don't heed them may find themselves banned from their cruise.
At best, the overview provided here is a snapshot. While we plan to update changes as they occur, we've also provided you with your very own toolbox of Internet resources. And be sure to check out our just-updated Nine Steps to Stress-Free Travel.
Ultimately, wherever you are headed, remember this -- in a rapidly changing world it is good to take Ronald Reagan's advice to heart: "Trust, but verify."
Travel Documents
Passports: At one time, the hard and fast rule for travel in North America (and we're including the Caribbean in that region) was that a certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID was acceptable in lieu of a passport. File that away with your slide rules and buggy whips: The U.S. State Department has announced that passports are now necessary for all air travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
At first, the U.S. State Department had announced that passports were to be necessary for all air travel to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, effective January 23, 2007. Though the State Department temporarily eased the requirements due to an overwhelming backlog of passport applications, the January 23 rules for air travel are back in effect. For more information, check out IndependentTraveler.com's up-to-the-minute Passport Center.
On January 31, 2008, the State Department implemented the second phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires U. S. citizens to possess a valid identity document (e.g. U.S. driver's license) and citizenship document (e.g. U.S. birth certificate) to cross land borders and sea borders between U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region. (In actuality this was nothing new for cruise passengers, who had already been following those documentation rules for some time.)
The third phase, the one which is most problematic, requires the possession of a U.S. passport -- or equivalent -- for any travel by land, sea or air, anywhere outside of the United States. The implementation date for Phase 3 was June 1, 2009.
Fortunately, some cruise passengers continue to be exempt from the passport requirement. Passengers on any "closed-loop sailing" -- an itinerary that begins and ends at the same U.S. port -- do not require a passport or other WHTI-compliant document in order to re-enter the U.S. They do, however, still need to present a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or similar documentation). Passengers without acceptable identification will not be allowed onboard and will not receive a refund if they miss the cruise for lack of correct documentation.
The 2009 rules do, on the other hand, impact cruise travelers not sailing roundtrip voyages to and from the same U.S. city. These cruisers need to show a U.S. passport or WHTI equivalent.
Included in the category of "equivalents" are U.S. Passport Cards and Trusted Traveler Cards. Passport Cards are DHS-approved limited use passports reduced down to wallet card size, valid for land and sea travel only between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Canadian travelers will have to present their own passports to enter the U.S. -- as will folks from Mexico and Bermuda.
Visas: For Americans, a few "typical" cruise destinations require visas. The most common of these are Turkey, Russia and Brazil. Check with your cruise line because country policies can vary. For instance, in Russia, if you plan to purchase a ship's shore excursion, the visa requirement is waived. If you choose to tour with an approved independent tour operator, you may also bypass the visa restriction. But if you plan to wander around St. Petersburg on your own you'll have to secure a visa ahead of time -- look for a consulate or embassy near you (or a visa may also Visas can be obtained through visa services (like Zierer Visa Service; you will pay an extra processing fee for the convenience.
Other countries, like Egypt and Turkey, will allow cruise ships to acquire "blanket visas" that cover all passengers. In this case, you typically won't have to do a thing (though do check with your cruise line beforehand, just in case).
And in still others, countries are choosey about which countries have access to visas. If your Mediterranean itinerary offers a call at Libya's Tripoli, Americans won't be allowed off the ship at all, while Brits and Canadians who go through onerous procedures to obtain a visa are permitted to debark.
Bottom line: the visa requirement is your responsibility not the cruise line's in most cases so do the homework necessary well before you leave home.
Note: In addition to other visa information, the State Department site also includes the following important notification: "Some Middle Eastern or African countries will not issue visas or allow entry if your passport indicates travel to Israel." For this information the Foreign Entry Requirements site is also invaluable.
Be forewarned: Airline regulations vary wildly. Here we're offering a sampling, culled from American and Delta (if you're flying on another airline, check for their own specifics).
Checking In: The recommended time to arrive at the airport is currently 90 minutes before departure for domestic (60 minutes if not checking bags)and two hours before departure for international flights.
However, there are important exceptions to this rule, though. From certain foreign departure cities recommended arrival time at the airport for return flights to the United States exceeds two hours. For example, Delta and American recommend showing up three hours ahead for flights from Dublin and Paris (Charles de Gaulle); travelers flying to the U.S. from Istanbul should allow 3 1/4 hours.
Remember, requirements can change on a moment's notice. If you are returning to the States from any foreign destination, check with your airline for their current arrival requirements.
Bags are typically accepted for check-in about 45 minutes prior to domestic departures, and an hour for international. A passenger must have checked in at least 30 minutes and be at the gate no less than 15 minutes prior to departure.
Carry-On Restrictions: All liquids, gels and aerosols being carried on must be in three-ounce or smaller containers (half-used containers with three ounces or less remaining do not count), and must be packed in a single one-quart-sized clear zip-top plastic bag. For more information, visit Airport Security Q & A from IndependentTraveler.com.
Other rules? Both American and Delta limit carry-ons to one (plus a personal item). Personal items include laptop computers, camera cases, child seats (unless child is ticketed), purses, briefcases, diaper bags and the like. Exempted items include crutches, canes, wheelchairs, walkers, one food item (for onboard consumption), outer garments and one item of reading material.
Anticipate a weight maximum of 40 pounds for that carry-on. There's also a size restriction. Maximum linear size (length + width + height) for the carry-on is 45 inches. On some aircraft, especially older ones, this must be derived from a size that will fit under the seat in front of you (9 by 14 by 22 inches).
Checked Luggage: Generally, airlines permit two checked bags but the trick here is the weight restrictions, which have gotten tougher. Both Delta and American allow for "complimentary" checked baggage of 50 pounds or less (70 pounds on some, but not all, international flights); otherwise, plan to pay a surcharge. Travelers should also be aware that during the heaviest travel days around Thanksgiving and Christmas airlines reserve the right to refuse to take excess baggage in numbers or weight regardless of whether the traveler is willing to pay a penalty surcharge.
Packing Restrictions: There are certain items that cannot be packed in your checked luggage. This list, which is too long to print here, changes periodically, so it makes sense to check with DHS and TSA (the agency responsible for airport security).
Passenger Limitations: Many cruise lines will not allow women to sail in the third trimester of pregnancy. Another rule: A single parent traveling with children -- on some itineraries -- may be required to show a letter of permission from the second parent (and it may need to be notarized).
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Requirements: The DHS now requires cruise lines to provide a passenger manifest 96 hours before entering into any U.S. port. This is one of the reasons why cruise lines are increasingly offering passengers incentives to provide their personal information well in advance. For instance, Carnival, which encourages pre-registration on its Web site, gives folks who submit information 40 days prior to cruise date a pass to fast track through the embarkation process. Lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard and Princess, among others, offer e-check-in before you depart for your cruise with no other incentives. But it sure does make the embarkation lines move more quickly for all if most folks have pre-registered.
--by Steve Faber. San Francisco Bay Area-based Faber is a longtime contributor to Cruise Critic and also columnist for Cruise Critic's Cruise News & Reviews. Beyond our publications, Faber's work has appeared in a myriad of outlets, including Cruise Travel Magazine, "The Miami Herald" and "The Total Traveler Guide to Worldwide Cruising." Updated by Editor in Chief Carolyn Spencer Brown
The rules and restrictions for travelers foreign and domestic continue to change at mind-numbing speed. Trying to keep up with these new rules often feels like attempting to chase down a charging cheetah with a tricycle. Just when you figure you've got it all down pat, the Department of Homeland Security changes the terror threat level and bans liquids in carry-on luggage, the State Department revises documentation requirements, the airlines update baggage or ticketing procedures, and a foreign government announces new visa restrictions.
Passports: At one time, the hard and fast rule for travel in North America (and we're including the Caribbean in that region) was that a certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID was acceptable in lieu of a passport. File that away with your slide rules and buggy whips: The U.S. State Department has announced that passports are now necessary for all air travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
