I understand that as of June 1, 2009, a valid Passport will be rquired for every person in my party regardless of age, for all travel outside of the United States. While a passport card is only valid for land & sea travel betwen the US & Canada, Mexico, the Caribean region and Bemuda, the passport card is NOT acceptable for any air travel to or from the United States. A Passport Book is the ONLY accepted document for international air travel, according to the U.S. Department of State.
By signing this Waiver of Liability, Hat's Off Adventures Travel is released from any liability, which may be incurred by failing to obtain a passport book. Hat's Off Adventures Travel has disclosed the potential situations for using a passport card or birth certificate in lieu of a passport book and answered all questions regarding this practice. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (i.e. cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port will be permitted to depart or enter the U.S. with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, but a U.S. passport is preferable. Check with the cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documentation. U.S. citizen passengers leaving their cruise ship and returning, for any reason, by air to the U.S. will be required to present their valid U.S. passports to airline officials before being permitted to board the aircraft. Hat's Off Adventures Travel strongly urges you and your party to obtain a valid passport book for your upcoming travel, as you will need it in case one of many potential scenarios occur, such as missing the ship either in the port of departure, or interim ports during the itinerary, or if a medical emergency arises. Having the proper documentation is the sole responsibility of the traveler. Travelers who fail to present the necessary documentation will be denied boarding, and be solely responsible for all fines, cancellation penalties, fees and additional expenses. Travel Insurance will not reimburse anyone for their travel expenses if they are denied boarding for not having a valid passport. Your passport should not expire for at least 6 months following the return of your travel. The following are links to websites that you should investigate thoroughly to understand the use of passports:
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative This site outlines the use of passport cards vs passport books and is a “Must Read”. http://travel.state.gov/content/studentsabroad/en/travel-docs/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.html
Apply for a Passport This site has detailed information about your passport. http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/apply.html