IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR VACATION

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE YOUR VACATION

U.S. Citizens

All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and all foreign countries are required to present a valid passport to board the aircraft. 

New Application for a U.S. Passport—U.S. Citizens

To obtain a passport for the first time, you must go in person to a local passport office along with two photographs of yourself, an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.  Passport offices can be found inside many post offices and court houses.  For complete information and instructions please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at:

www.travel.state.gov/passport.

Here you can also print passport forms and search for a passport office in your neighborhood.  New passport applications take a minimum of 6 weeks to process.  Please allow enough time prior to your cruise departure.

Renewal of a U.S. Passport—U.S. Citizens

Check the expiration date of your passport and how your name appears.  Many countries require your passport to be valid for six months after the completion of your travel. It is imperative that the name on the passport exactly match the name on your vacation booking.  Also, your passport must contain blank pages for entry and exit stamps and required visas. Allow sufficient time to renew or update your passport.

Documentation for Non-U.S. Citizens

Non-U.S. Citizens who are permanent residents of the United States must have both a valid passport from the country of citizenship and alien registration card (Form 1551).  You may also be required to have visas to enter certain countries.  Foreign travelers must travel with a valid passport and multiple-entry visa for the United States (B-2 Visitor’s Visa).  For more information, and to learn the entry requirements of the countries on your itinerary, please check directly with each representing embassy or consulate or contact Zierer Visa Services at www.zvs.com.

Travel to Canada—Non-U.S. Citizens

The Canadian government requires a visa for foreign citizens from many countries.  This law affects all travelers on itineraries that begin or end in Canada, as well as those that make a stop in Canada.  Failure to present the required visa will result in denied boarding the aircraft with no refund.  To learn if Canada requires a visa for citizens of your country please call the Canadian embassy or consulate.

Names on Travel Documents

Names on all travel documents must exactly match the name on your passport.  Please check your itinerary carefully and call us immediately if there are any discrepancies.

ALL TRAVELERS

Visa and documentation requirements vary by destination and change from time to time without notice.   Check with the consulate of each country you will visit or with a visa service to verify current regulations. It is your responsibility to have proper travel documentation. 

Travelers who fail to present the necessary documentation for their trip will be denied boarding the aircraft and be solely responsible for fines, cancellation penalties and additional expenses, and neither the tour company nor Cruise Planners is able to offer refunds of any kind.

TRAVELING WITH MINOR CHILDREN

Some countries require special documentation when children travel without both parents.  Adults traveling with minor children who are not their own must present a notarized letter from both parents granting permission for the child to travel and for you to speak for them in case of an emergency.  Single parents traveling with minor children need a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission for the child to travel, unless the traveling parent has full custody.  In either situation if one of the parents is deceased a copy of the death certificate must also be presented.

TRAVEL PROTECTION

We strongly recommend Travel Protection to protect you and your vacation investment.  Travel Protection covers you for penalties incurred due to cancellations for a death or a medical emergency to you or a member of your immediate family.  You may also receive benefits for emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, travel accident, lost/delayed baggage and missed flight connections.  Pre-existing conditions are often covered if insurance is purchased within 14 days of the deposit; however, you must be medically able to travel at time of purchase.