Texas Cruise Company says: Get a passport to travel
The new passport requirements for U.S. Citizens went into effect on June 1, 2009, and we would like to clarify all the details for you. The new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises. That leniency refers to cruise sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port. One such sailing for example would be a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Conquest that originated in Galveston and ended back in Galveston. 
U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license. Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.
Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency such as a sudden illness, injury, or family emergency back home.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our European cruises.
For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov
ALL guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued by any of the cruise lines….sorry.
We hope you will take the time to share this important information with everyone you travel with and encourage them to invest in a passport; The preferred document of choice for proof of citizenship.
As far as our customers who travel to Mexico for business or pleasure or those who live along the border, north or south, the rules are simple. You have to have a passport. Lots of us here in Texas have long taveled at will back and forth across the border at Del Rio, Presidio, or El Paso. No Mas. You have to have a passport now or a special driver’s license that can also be used to cross the border.
