VERY IMPORTANT!
New Passport
Requirements:
Very important! Please read the following information
regarding changes to passport requirements. These changes impact US
Citizens and non-US Citizens. Please read the following information
carefully.
All
international travelers are urged to carry a valid passport.
Government initiatives are being considered, which would require
U.S. and Canadian citizens to be in possession of a valid passport
for all destinations. We strongly recommend that all travelers
secure and carry a valid passport.
Please see:
U.S. State Department to learn how to obtain a passport.
MACHINE-READABLE PASSPORTS
Effective June 26, 2005, travelers from the 27 countries
participating in the United States' Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
must have a machine-readable
passport to enter the United States.
If you are in
possession of a passport issued by any of the 27 countries listed
below, please contact the passport issuing authority to ensure that
you are in possession of a machine-readable passport.
The 27 countries
participating in the Visa Waiver Program
include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Additional information
regarding the Visa Waiver Program is available online at
www.dhs.gov.
Please note that boarding any vessel may be denied to travelers from VWP
countries that do not have machine-readable passports.
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November 2006 - The U.S. Departments of
State and Homeland Security have announced the official requirements
for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to
present a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States. The
implementation schedule is as follows:
-
January 23, 2007 -
Valid passport required for all air travel into or out of the
United States.
-
As early as January
1, 2008 - All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling
between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South
America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by air, land or sea, will be
required to have a valid passport.
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The U.S. Department of State is
considering alternative documentation that may be presented instead
of a passport. However, no final determination has been made
concerning acceptable alternatives. For more information, please
visit
www.travel.state.gov/passport or call the National Passport
Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY at
1-888-874-7793. Foreign nationals should contact their respective
governments to obtain details regarding current passport
requirements. All travelers must have passports for travel
terminating on or after January 1, 2008.
For U.S. and Canadian citizens whose travel will terminate
on or before January 1, 2008, and who are not entering or
re-entering the U.S. by air, the following documents are
permitted for Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii or New
England cruises:
EITHER
1. A valid passport
OR
2. A U.S. or Canadian government-issued picture identification;
plus an original or certified copy of a U.S. or
Canadian birth certificate, U.S. or Canadian Naturalization
Certificate.
THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE CHANGING AS THE HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEWS
BORDER CONTROLS. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT A VALID U.S.
PASSPORT BE USED.
For more information,
please see the
U.S. State Department website for passport information, and
follow the links to "New Requirements for Travelers Between the
United States and the Western Hemisphere duration of the cruise and
necessary visas. Expired passports are not acceptable.
Although passports
are currently not yet required for some cruises, we strongly
recommend that you carry one while traveling. The unforeseen
possibility of a medical disembarkation or early cruise termination
may require that you have a valid passport to enable you to continue
travel.
Non-U.S./non-Canadian
citizens: You must have a
valid passport and any necessary visas. Please carefully verify the
existing identification requirements for your particular travel
situation. In addition, non-U.S. citizens who have previously been
admitted to the United States for permanent residence must carry
their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a
Green Card. Resident aliens not in possession of this must obtain
one at the nearest office of the U.S. Immigration Service.
Visas:
Some countries require that you obtain official authorization
(called a visa) before entering the country. Usually there is a fee
required. You are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas. If
your itinerary requires a visa prior to boarding, Holland America
Line will send a visa information letter to your travel agent. The
visa letter will have information for U.S. and Canadian citizens.
Citizens of other countries should contact the nearest
representative embassies or consulates for the proper information.
Non-US
or Canadian citizens may be required
to hold a Canadian Visa when traveling to Alaska or Canada. Please
visit the Canadian government website at
http://canada.gc.ca
to verify your nationality's requirements.
Schengen
Visa holders (applies to those EU-Member citizens only): New
requirements pertaining to proof of medical insurance coverage have
been adopted for all Schengen Visa holders. This requirement does
not apply to US or Canadian citizens. All guests should keep
themselves advised of changes in government requirements. If you
have questions about visa requirements, call Zierer Visa Service at
866-788-1100 or 954-791-1530.
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