New Passport Card and On-Line Check-in - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Krazy Kruizers · 08-27-2008, 05:20 PM

New Passport card and On-line Check-in

I saw this on another board, thought it might be of interest.

My MIL is cruising with us in January 2009, and when she attempted the on-line check-in with her Passport card, the web-site wouldn't accept it. (Holland America.) I called this morning, and they don't expect their software to be updated to accept the new passport card numbers until sometime in 2009. They will send her the forms, for her to fill out manually, and send back in. They expect to send the forms out about 45 days prior to sailing. (So they can get them back in time to check the information.)

From: travel.state.gov

Quote:
We began production of the U.S. Passport Card on July 14. To date, we have received and adjudicated well over 350,000 applications for the U.S. Passport Card. Customers who submitted an application for the U.S. Passport Card prior to production, will receive their Passport Card between now and early September.

The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and is adjudicated to the exact same standards.

The Department of State is issuing this passport card in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card has the same period of validity as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.

nealberk · 08-27-2008, 09:25 PM

Sounds like the new Passport cards which were a stopgap measure are not as good as the real things!

LuLu · 08-27-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nealberk

Sounds like the new Passport cards which were a stopgap measure are not as good as the real things!

Exactly!

Thanks for posting this YONNIE!

Krazy Kruizers · 08-28-2008, 10:12 AM

I got the same impression.