Cruising and Passports

Cruising and Passports

Cruising has become an extremely popular vacation in the past few years. With all of the changes in our national security people are confused about the need of a passport on a cruise vacation. Years ago you didn't need a passport to take a cruise to the Caribbean. As long as you returned to the port you left from.

After 9/11 things changed. Our border security was tightened and more regulations put in place. You can still cruise without a passport, but its not a good idea! Three years ago we did it! We went on the Disney Wonder and you didn't have to have a passport, an original birth certificate was all you needed. Now, you can still use your birth certificate but it won't get you back in the U.S. if miss the ship, or something happens medically and you are transported to a hospital.

Protect yourself and your family. Get a passport. There are now two options when getting a passport. You can get the Passport Book which is the full passport. You can fly anywhere in the world, cruise on any cruise ship and cross any borders you want (as long as you don't need a visa to visit that country too!).

The Passport Book costs $110.00 plus a processing fee of $25.00 if you don't apply yourself online and/or are getting a renewal passport. There is an alternative to the Passport book. The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

The price for the Passport Card is $55.00 for first time adult passport applicants or $30 for an applicant that has held a passport before. That is a great savings if you never plan on flying to Europe!

Still confused? No worries! Consult a travel professional before making any decisions. It could be a savings and certainly a savings of your sanity!!

Cruise Weddings - Carnival

CARNIVAL’S ALL-INCLUSIVE WEDDING PACKAGES OFFER COUPLES UNIQUE WAY TO SAY ‘I DO’

 Convenience, Affordability Cited as Key Factors in Carnival Hosting Nearly 2,200 Weddings This Year

With today’s couples increasingly seeking affordable, hassle-free wedding alternatives, Carnival Cruise Lines’ wedding packages offer not only a memorable way to “tie the knot” but also all the “extras” found in traditional land-based ceremonies – with prices to match any budget.

Because of the convenience and affordability provided by Carnival’s wedding packages, the company expects some 2,200 couples will marry aboard the “Fun Ships” this year – a nearly 60 percent increase from a decade ago.  Wedding vows renewal packages are also available. 

“‘Destination weddings’ – in which the wedding and honeymoon are held at the same location – are becoming increasingly popular and any one of these all-inclusive packages provide a unique, cost-effective alternative to traditional land-based ceremonies,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Prices for Carnival’s “Just for the Bride & Groom” package start at $1,195 and includes an official civil ceremony, a champagne toast with keepsake flutes, flowers for both bride and groom, a wedding cake with cake topper, pre-recorded wedding music, a decorated bridal aisle and photographic services.

The “Welcome Aboard” package costs $1,635 and offers all the amenities of “Just for the Bride & Groom” as well as a reception with one-hour open bar and hot-and-cold hors d’oeuvres, a traditional two-tiered wedding cake and coffee service.  Couples may also select the “Deluxe Romance” package for $1,795, which includes a one-and-a-half hour reception and an ice carving, as well as all the features of the other programs.

A wide variety of options such as videography services, live music and tuxedo rental are also available at additional cost.

Shipboard ceremonies are available on embarkation day in any of Carnival’s continental U.S. ports, as well as in Vancouver during the line’s summer Alaska season.  On-island ceremonies combining a variety of all-inclusive amenities with a romantic tropical setting are available, as well.

The nearly 2,200 couples expected to marry aboard the “Fun Ships” this year will be among the tens of thousands of newlyweds who choose to spend their honeymoon on Carnival, which has been cited as a top honeymoon cruise choice in surveys conducted by Bride’s and Modern Bride magazines.

Couples can enjoy numerous amenities during their “Fun Ship” honeymoon cruise, including fine dining, pampering service, spacious accommodations and expansive spa facilities.

For additional information on Carnival’s wedding packages, call the line’s Bon Voyage Department at 1-800-933-4968.  Information and reservations on Carnival’s “Fun Ship” cruises can be obtained by contacting any travel agent, calling 1-800-CARNIVAL or visiting the line’s Web site at www.carnival.com.

NOW Let's go PLAN!!