On 11/5/2006 6:13 PM Frank F. Matthews plucked Senior Frog's Magic
Twanger and said:


Ray Goldenberg wrote:
On 5 Nov 2006 13:25:36 -0800, wrote:


. The new
federal passport laws go into effect on January 1, 2007.


Hi Everyone,

As a clarification, the new passport law for cruisers was postponed
and does NOT go into effect on January 1, 2007.

Best regards,
Ray LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
--

At this point it is really unclear what the need is for a passport.
As you say they have delayed the requirement that returning US
citizens have a passport when returning with the cruise. What the
situation is if you leave the cruise is unclear. I suppose you can
always swim the Rio G and ask them why they think you were ever out of
the US.

If you fly in it could get touchy at some point.
Regardless. Cruise lines will require a passport after December 31,
2006, as will most airlines for international flights. It doesn't make
sense to bank on not needing one for repatriation after travel abroad.
After planning and paying out bucks for a cruise, I would not want to
risk denial of boarding. I say it's better safe than sorry. I already
obtained my digital passport in 2005.

--
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Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
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