WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE A VALID PASSPORT

I always receive passport related questions from clients so I compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions and I'm answering them for you... Do Children Need Passports? Yes! Everyone traveling internationally, no matter what age needs a passport. Children's passports expire every 5 years. Both parents must renew in person with the child. Do I Need a Passport for a Caribbean Cruise? I strongly recommend all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This is very important in case of unforeseen circumstances: A traveler may need to fly back to the US from one of the islands due to any of the following... medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship's departure, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons. In these cases a passport will be required. I’m going on my Honeymoon, can I travel under my new Last Name? NO! You must travel with the name as it appears on your passport. The name given to the airline when purchasing your tickets must match your passport exactly. Not to worry, once you are back from your honeymoon you can change your name on your passport and take many more trips with your new name!

The Six Month Validity Rule... If your passport is set to expire less than six months beyond your travel dates you'll want to make sure you renew before you travel. Many countries require a six month buffer on your passport’s expiration date and you may not be able to board the plane if your passport expires before the 6 months.

Even if the country you are visiting does not enforce the 6 month validity rule, it is smart to travel internationally with a passport that does not expire within 6 months. In the event your flight is re-routed you don't want to have passport expiration issues.

What to do if you lose your passport while traveling? Always make a copy of your passport and keep it in a safe place. If you lose your passport contact the local US Embassy or Consulate for assistance.

Lastly, why I prefer to fly anywhere with a Passport (even within the US)... You never know when your plane might be diverted and needs to land outside the US. This may be rare but it could happen! So since I always have a valid passport, why not take it with you as your form of ID when flying?

I hope this information was helpful. If you struggle to find time to plan your vacations or even to decide on where to travel, I would love to help you. We can discuss your preferences and travel style before recommending a destination and designing your itinerary. Complete our Travel Planning Questionnaire to get started.