Passports for Barbados update

S

sevets

Guest
I just received a letter from Princess dated Febuary 11,2004 stating that U.S and Candian citzens do no longer need a passport to visit Barbabos by ship. A passport is still the best way to go but all of us who where caught needing to get a passport at the last moment can breath a little easier now


Enchantment of the Sea
Disney Wonder
Grand Princess
Carnival Pride
Dawn Princess March 28 2004
 
P

PeabodyNVL

Guest
You don't need them to cruise, but suppose you somehow got stuck on the island while the ship sailed? I think then a passport might come in pretty handy, as you are no longer "in transit".

Pea
 
S

sevets

Guest
As of Feb 1st Barbados was requiring passports for all vistiors land or sea, and i agree a passport is the way to go but for those who did not have one the time frame was a little tight. By the way other islands are going to soon follow the need for passports if you travel by plane or ship.
 
P

PeabodyNVL

Guest
Actually, cruiseship passengers are considered "in transit" and are exempt from needing passports. An official memo came out recently regarding this:

In reference Barbados’ new passport regulations which will require all US and Canadian citizens entering Barbados to be in possession of a valid passport effective March 1, 2004, the Chief Immigration Officer has provided some clarification as to its relevance to cruise passengers. Please be advised accordingly that there is little change to current practice as it relates to cruise passengers as outlined below:

1. “Only those cruise passengers who are disembarking at Barbados are processed by Immigration and therefore are required to be in possession of a valid passport.

2. Cruise passengers who are “intransit†to join flights at the Grantley Adams International Airport are required to be in possession of a valid passport.

3. All other passengers who are continuing the cruise are treated as “in-transit passengers†and consequently not subject to immigration control. Such passengers are permitted to go ashore and return to their vessel without hindrance using their ship’s magnetic identity card.

4. Cruises to the region which commence and end at Puerto Rico or any U.S. Port rarely have passengers disembarking before the itinerary ends. Consequently the only US and Canadian passengers who would be affected by the new passport arrangement would be those persons whose cruiseends in Barbados.â€Â
 
L

ljeanbrown

Guest
I would not want to take a chance that something happens and I have to stay there and have no passport. I think they are the best form of I.D.
 
P

PeabodyNVL

Guest
It's true...if you somehow got stranded on the island, you would be in trouble without a passport.

I just don't understand why people are so apprehensive about getting passports. Maybe they don't realize how convenient getting a passport makes everything. I mean, if you have a passport, you don't have to ask any of these kinds of questions or worry about anything. To me, that is more than worth the money spent to get one.
 
S

sevets

Guest
Not every one does have a passport , a family of 5 might not want to spend the money for a passport for a onetime trip, but thats not the point the problem was that Princess and many other cruise lines was sending out notices that passports where needed and there was not a lot of time given to get one but that issue does seem to be resolved now .
 
P

PeabodyNVL

Guest
They had to send out the notices in time for people to get passports in case the issue was not resolved. There was no guarantee it would be resolved, so the cruiselines were merely doing the correct thing. Suppose it had not been resolved and passports were needed and the cruiselines hadn't sent out the notices? People would have been screaming if they couldn't board, or if the cruiseline had to change it's itinerary to avoid that port. Either way, people are ticked at them.
 
Top