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Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative!



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 9th, 2005, 10:18 PM
Ray Goldenberg
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Default Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from The International Council of Cruise
Lines (ICCL) and thought it would be of interest. If you have missed
any of my news' postings, they are available on my web site.

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


ICCL Statement: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

(ARLINGTON, Va.) June 9, 2005 – The 2005 Intelligence Reform Bill
contained a provision, based on the recommendations of the 9/11
Commission, that addressed future passport requirements for all U.S.
citizens. Under Section 7209, the Department of Homeland Security is
required to devise a plan to require a passport (or other accepted
document) for all U.S. citizens for any travel they may incur from
foreign countries into the United States, eliminating the current
passport exemption for travel within the Western Hemisphere. The
implementation date is January 1, 2008.

To implement the law, currently referred to as the Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative (WHTI), the government proposed a phased-in approach
for different regions in the Western Hemisphere under the following
timeline:

• December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for
all air and sea travel to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central
and South America.

• December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for
all air or sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

• December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for
all air, sea and land border crossings.

The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has serious concerns
with these timelines as it does not allow sufficient time for
travelers to comply with the requirements, and treats the Caribbean,
Bermuda and Central and South America unfairly. The Caribbean is the
most heavily visited cruise destination in the world, accounting for
approximately 45% of all cruise ship visits. In many instances, cruise
passengers traveling to the Caribbean have already booked their
cruises for 2006. Currently, the State Department estimates that only
20% or less of all Americans have passports.

The ICCL’s highest priority is the safety and security of our
passengers and crew, and we clearly understand that the government has
a legitimate need to enhance the security at the borders. Requiring a
standardized identification document, (e.g. passport) is an important
aspect of that effort and it simplifies the process of border
crossings to have a single recognized document in place. The cruise
industry supported the inclusion of the provision as a policy, but
asked that when the government proposed regulations to implement the
program, sufficient time be allotted to allow for the public to
understand the new rules, and for the industry to be able to
communicate the new requirements to their customers, and most
importantly, for the public to obtain their passports.

There is no basis for treating travelers to the Caribbean, Bermuda,
and Central and South Americans any differently from others.
Implementation of all phases of the WHTI should be delayed until
January 2008. Delaying the implementation date will give much needed
time to the federal government, the travel industry, and most
importantly, the traveling public, to adapt to the new passport
program.


About the ICCL: The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL)
represents the interests of 16 passenger cruise lines that call on
major ports in the United States and abroad. ICCL member lines
include: Carnival Cruise Lines; Celebrity Cruises; Costa Cruise Line
N.V.; Crystal Cruises; Cunard Line; Disney Cruise Line; Holland
America Line; NCL America; Norwegian Cruise Line; Orient Lines;
Princess Cruises; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; Royal Caribbean
International; Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises; and Windstar
Cruises. These vessels account for approximately 90% of the North
American passenger cruise line industry.
  #2  
Old June 10th, 2005, 12:13 AM
Dillon Pyron
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :

Hi Everyone,



ICCL Statement: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative


snip

The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has serious concerns
with these timelines as it does not allow sufficient time for
travelers to comply with the requirements, and treats the Caribbean,
Bermuda and Central and South America unfairly. The Caribbean is the
most heavily visited cruise destination in the world, accounting for
approximately 45% of all cruise ship visits. In many instances, cruise
passengers traveling to the Caribbean have already booked their
cruises for 2006. Currently, the State Department estimates that only
20% or less of all Americans have passports.


People have over six months to get off their duffs and get a passport.
And they've already had almost 3 months.


The ICCL’s highest priority is the safety and security of our
passengers and crew, and we clearly understand that the government has
a legitimate need to enhance the security at the borders. Requiring a
standardized identification document, (e.g. passport) is an important
aspect of that effort and it simplifies the process of border
crossings to have a single recognized document in place. The cruise
industry supported the inclusion of the provision as a policy, but
asked that when the government proposed regulations to implement the
program, sufficient time be allotted to allow for the public to
understand the new rules, and for the industry to be able to
communicate the new requirements to their customers, and most
importantly, for the public to obtain their passports.


As if this hasn't been in the news for months. Not that the average
American watches anything other than the sports coverage.

I always ask my clients if they have a passport. And I carry passport
applications with me when I visit.


There is no basis for treating travelers to the Caribbean, Bermuda,
and Central and South Americans any differently from others.
Implementation of all phases of the WHTI should be delayed until
January 2008. Delaying the implementation date will give much needed
time to the federal government, the travel industry, and most
importantly, the traveling public, to adapt to the new passport
program.


I agree. Make the provisions apply to all travel as of December 31,
2005.

--
dillon
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
  #3  
Old June 10th, 2005, 12:24 AM
George Leppla
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Dillon Pyron" wrote in message
...
Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :

Hi Everyone,



ICCL Statement: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative


snip

The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has serious concerns
with these timelines as it does not allow sufficient time for
travelers to comply with the requirements, and treats the Caribbean,
Bermuda and Central and South America unfairly. The Caribbean is the
most heavily visited cruise destination in the world, accounting for
approximately 45% of all cruise ship visits. In many instances, cruise
passengers traveling to the Caribbean have already booked their
cruises for 2006. Currently, the State Department estimates that only
20% or less of all Americans have passports.


People have over six months to get off their duffs and get a passport.
And they've already had almost 3 months.



I agree. I and other TA's have been harping on this for months now, both
in this newsgroup and other e-communities and in newsletters. As further
protection and warning, all travel agents should be telling all their
customers about this.

In this day and age, there is no excuse to not have a passport if you are
going out of the country.

Yes, there is a slight chance that this timetable will not be put into
effect as written, but why take the chance? Please, if you are going to
travel out of the country, get a passport NOW. You will need it later....
maybe sooner.


--
George in PA http://www.countryside-travel.com

The Mother of All Group Cruises 2 - http://www.moagc2.com/
May 2006, Caribbean Princess - http://cruisemaster.com/caribprin.htm
October 2006 - SLEAZY 4!


  #4  
Old June 10th, 2005, 12:54 AM
Cal Ford
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Right on George. There is no excuse not to get a Passport.

Not only for future travel but it has many domestic uses also. Applying for a
job, opening a bank account, real estate transactions, in short just about
anytime you need to prove who you are. Nothing trumps a Passport.

Cal Ford
Lido Deck Cruises



In article , George Leppla says...


"Dillon Pyron" wrote in message
.. .
Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :

Hi Everyone,



ICCL Statement: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative


snip

The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has serious concerns
with these timelines as it does not allow sufficient time for
travelers to comply with the requirements, and treats the Caribbean,
Bermuda and Central and South America unfairly. The Caribbean is the
most heavily visited cruise destination in the world, accounting for
approximately 45% of all cruise ship visits. In many instances, cruise
passengers traveling to the Caribbean have already booked their
cruises for 2006. Currently, the State Department estimates that only
20% or less of all Americans have passports.


People have over six months to get off their duffs and get a passport.
And they've already had almost 3 months.



I agree. I and other TA's have been harping on this for months now, both
in this newsgroup and other e-communities and in newsletters. As further
protection and warning, all travel agents should be telling all their
customers about this.

In this day and age, there is no excuse to not have a passport if you are
going out of the country.

Yes, there is a slight chance that this timetable will not be put into
effect as written, but why take the chance? Please, if you are going to
travel out of the country, get a passport NOW. You will need it later....
maybe sooner.



  #5  
Old June 10th, 2005, 02:24 AM
How B
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Dillon Pyron wrote:
Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :
Hi Everyone,
ICCL Statement: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

snip
The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) has serious concerns
with these timelines as it does not allow sufficient time for
travelers to comply with the requirements, and treats the Caribbean,
Bermuda and Central and South America unfairly. The Caribbean is the
most heavily visited cruise destination in the world, accounting for
approximately 45% of all cruise ship visits. In many instances, cruise
passengers traveling to the Caribbean have already booked their
cruises for 2006. Currently, the State Department estimates that only
20% or less of all Americans have passports.


People have over six months to get off their duffs and get a passport.
And they've already had almost 3 months.

The ICCL’s highest priority is the safety and security of our
passengers and crew, and we clearly understand that the government has
a legitimate need to enhance the security at the borders. Requiring a
standardized identification document, (e.g. passport) is an important
aspect of that effort and it simplifies the process of border
crossings to have a single recognized document in place. The cruise
industry supported the inclusion of the provision as a policy, but
asked that when the government proposed regulations to implement the
program, sufficient time be allotted to allow for the public to
understand the new rules, and for the industry to be able to
communicate the new requirements to their customers, and most
importantly, for the public to obtain their passports.


As if this hasn't been in the news for months. Not that the average
American watches anything other than the sports coverage.
I always ask my clients if they have a passport. And I carry passport
applications with me when I visit.

There is no basis for treating travelers to the Caribbean, Bermuda,
and Central and South Americans any differently from others.
Implementation of all phases of the WHTI should be delayed until
January 2008. Delaying the implementation date will give much needed
time to the federal government, the travel industry, and most
importantly, the traveling public, to adapt to the new passport
program.


I agree. Make the provisions apply to all travel as of December 31,
2005.


Ditto all that. According to the ICCL, we need 2 1/2 *years* to tell
cruise travelers they need passports? Give me a break. This is 2005,
not 1905. Take air travel. You call to make a a reservation to most
international destinations, they ask if you have a passport, that's it.
Why can't the cruise industry do the same?

How B

  #6  
Old June 10th, 2005, 06:54 AM
Chrissy Cruiser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 23:13:54 GMT, Dillon Pyron wrote:

cruises for 2006. Currently, the State Department estimates that only
20% or less of all Americans have passports.


People have over six months to get off their duffs and get a passport.
And they've already had almost 3 months.


This is a cluster**** in the making. Did the State Department send out
notices to those with and without?

Like they don't have all the data?
--
http://www.no2id.net/content/flash02.html
  #7  
Old June 10th, 2005, 06:55 AM
Chrissy Cruiser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 9 Jun 2005 19:24:59 -0400, George Leppla wrote:

In this day and age, there is no excuse to not have a passport if you are
going out of the country.


What about the new passports, George, are you telling your clients that
they might very well have to buy this one, another one in less than 3
years, and a $250 national ID Card?
--
http://www.no2id.net/content/flash02.html
  #8  
Old June 10th, 2005, 06:56 AM
Chrissy Cruiser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On 9 Jun 2005 16:54:12 -0700, Cal Ford wrote:

Right on George. There is no excuse not to get a Passport.

Not only for future travel but it has many domestic uses also. Applying for a
job, opening a bank account, real estate transactions, in short just about
anytime you need to prove who you are. Nothing trumps a Passport.


Sorry, Cal, but the National ID Card trumps everything.
--
http://www.no2id.net/content/flash02.html
  #9  
Old June 10th, 2005, 06:57 AM
Chrissy Cruiser
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 18:24:45 -0700, How B wrote:

You call to make a a reservation to most
international destinations, they ask if you have a passport, that's it.
Why can't the cruise industry do the same?


Because if you spend x on a passport, then you might have x less to spend
on their product.
--
http://www.no2id.net/content/flash02.html
  #10  
Old June 10th, 2005, 09:17 AM
Jim
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

So your website is REALLY just an excuse to further your particular
political beliefs and attack the sitting President of the United States? I
thought it was supposed to be about cruises? It is just disgusting that you
are posting such vile accusations, (without any proof or even indications I
might add), about political matters while pretending to run a cruise
information site! You have to be IMPARTIAL to politics to be credible.
Jim


"CruiseJournals.com" wrote in message
oups.com...
Most Americans don't have passports because they don't actually
understand that there are other countries out there. Let's face
it...even your president never had a passport until he was voted in
(well, appointed...he actually lost the election).

As far as the National ID card...you can have it. Do you ever get the
feeling like you're living in Germany in the late 30's? You should
study your history, because it's repeating.

You're losing your democracy...and you don't even seem to care.



 




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