New Passport Guidelines for Honeymooners - DOUGLAS TRAVEL blog at BridesClub.com

How do the new passport rules affect you and your honeymoon plans? Well, for starters, gone are the days when we can hop on a plane or cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean with a swimsuit, a photo ID and a birth certificate. Big changes are ahead for us all.

Everyone will be required to show a valid passport when traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central & South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

THE GOOD NEWS: if you are going to a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands (St Thomas, St John, St Croix), you can still travel with your birth certificate and a government issued photo ID.

EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS: many islands and resorts have a 'Passport Promo' where they will refund you for your passport purchase or renewal, or give you a room credit for meals and beverages equal to the cost of your passport. Your honeymoon travel agent will have all the details.

WHEN DO THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS GO INTO EFFECT?
The deadline keeps changing so check with your travel agent often for travel updates.

Currently, if you are traveling by air, you need a passport starting on January 23, 2007. Yes, the deadline has already passed! This means that if you are traveling outside of the U.S. on your honeymoon, you must have a valid passport or you will be denied airplane boarding.

If you are traveling by land or by sea, you need a passport starting January 2008.

I strongly advise all cruise passengers to get a passport. If you miss the ship (for any reason, including weather) and have to catch up in a foreign port, you are going to have a problem flying there without a passport! The cruise lines consider this a 'no-show' and you will not be eligible for a refund.

APPLYING FOR YOUR FIRST PASSPORT
To get your first passport, you need to go (yes, in person) to a passport agency. Bring with you:
* Two photographs of yourself;
* Proof of U.S. citizenship (ex: your birth certificate);
* A valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license;
* A passport application form.

Passport agencies are usually a post office, government office or public library. You cannot apply for your first passport online. To find an agency near you, visit: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

Your first passport will get you through the next 10 years and will cost $97 for ages 16 or older. (Over a 10 year period, the cost is about the same price as one of those fancy island drinks with umbrellas in them.) Child passports last for five years and cost $82.

Passports generally take about 6 weeks to process, during busier vacation months the wait can be as long as 12 weeks. Leave plenty of time for passport applications/renewals or utilize expedited passport services (for an additional hefty fee).

PASSPORT RENEWALS
Good news -- skip the lines and renew by mail.

The Bottom Line: Don't delay - get a Passport today!

Information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. Passport can be found on the State Department's Web site at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport

U.S. Citizens may find the following web site helpful in planning their trip: http://travel.state.gov

Foreign Nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain details regarding current passport requirements and application procedures.

Remember, there are many special offers by islands in the Caribbean very willing to entice honeymooners with passport promotions. Take advantage of these offers - it takes very little effort on your part to provide the information and can result in a substantial savings for you. Your travel agent will have all the details and should be able to steer you towards the islands and resorts offering these promotions, as well as forwarding your paperwork for reimbursement. And if it's too late to think about passports - the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are fabulous honeymoon destinations!

Explore your dreams...
Christine