This World Traveler

As security restrictions around US travel continue to get restrictive, the way you travel on cruise ships are changing. Here's a brief summary of three ways that cruising is changing and things to be aware of for upcoming sailings.

1. Passports are Needed
Passports are needed. Or they will be soon. The US government is now requiring Passports or Passport Cards for all travelers leaving the US by plane or car at this time. Used to be able to drive across to Canada or Mexico with just a driver's license and birth certificate, but this is no longer sufficient. For some reason (to be read: Cruise Line lobbying money) cruises in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada and Mexico are not yet affected by this ruling, but by the end of the year, you'll need to get a passport to get on a ship.

But it's a really good idea to have one now, even if the cruise doesn't require it? If there's an emergency that requires a guest to leave the ship and fly home, it'll be a lot easier to make that trip with a passport which is now the required documentation for international flights. Obviously, the US government will work to accommodate its citizens that need to return in an emergency situation, but having the passport to begin with would make that trip home no more stressful than it already would be.

2. Get To The Ship Earlier
Most ships leave Florida around four or five in the afternoon. In order to make the ship, it was generally assumed that you would need to be there about an hour before the cruise left to make it on to the ship without a problem. Due to new federal guidelines that go into effect on Monday, most cruise lines are now requiring that you are checked in 90 minutes prior to departure time for your cruise. Even earlier for some passengers. The reason? The Federal Government is requiring the Cruise Lines to give information of all guests on the ship 60 minutes before the ship is allowed to leave. Not quite sure how the Federal Government will make traveling by ship more safe with this information so early, but that's the way Uncle Sam wants it - so that's the way the cruise lines will do it.

3. Say Hello to E-Documentation
Most cruises now encourage the use of E-Tickets rather than the traditional papers and tickets that used to be sent to passengers a month or so prior to departure. In some cases, like Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, passengers can choose between E-Tickets and traditional documents, provided they have booked far enough in advance. Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines no longer issue paper tickets and all of their documentation is done directly online through their cruise line websites. Holland America Line is the only major cruise line to currently not offer an e-documentation option. This is probably because of their focus on longer cruises that appeal to a mainly older audience.

However, all cruises allow you to pre-register for their sailings online, using cruise line's websites. And there is a huge incentive for doing so. Failure to complete your preregistration online can mean denied boarding for some cruise lines, especially if you are cutting it close to departure time on the day of sailing. If you haven't completed your pre-registration online, Cruise Lines that will allow you to board, require you to be there no later than two or two and a half hours prior to sailing. Again with new TSA disclosure laws that the cruise lines have to abide by, don't look for flexibility from the cruise lines regarding this new rule.

Labels: cruises, security, travel