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All Cruise Newsletters
CruiseCompete Currents
Cruise News and Information
October 2, 2006
Cruise Passport Requirement Delayed until 2009
U.S. cruise passengers will not need passports until June 1, 2009 under
new legislation just approved by Congress. The current requirement of a
photo ID and birth certificate will remain in effect until that time.
Government agencies are also discussing implenting a less-expensive,
alternative ID called a "PASScard" that may be made available sometime in
'07 or '08.
At it stands currently, airline passengers will need passports to re-enter
the U.S. beginning January 8, 2007. This will give cruise lines an
additional advantage for passengers travelling to the Caribbean and should
increase demand and probably prices. So if you're considering a cruise
next year, it would be a good idea to book now to lock in your rates.
Keeping Track of your Favorite Ship
Some cruisers have such fond memories of the ships they have sailed on that
they make it a point to return to that ship again and again, wherever it may
be traveling. Not only is the layout familiar, but cruisers often get to
know the ship's officers and crew on a more personal basis. If you are
having a hard time finding a particular ship you once sailed on, it may now
be sailing under a different name. Check out this list:
| New Name | Former Name |
| Celebrity Xpedition | Sun Bay I |
| Costa Europa | Holland America Westerdam |
| Cruise West Pacific Explorer | Temptress Explorer |
| Discovery Cruises MV Discovery | Island Princess |
| Holland America Prinsendam | Seabourn Sun |
| MSC Armonia | European Vision |
| MSC Melody | StarShip Atlantic |
| MSC Monterey | Free State Mariner |
| MSC Rhapsody | Cunard Princess & Cunard Conquest |
| MSC Sinfonia | European Stars |
| Norwegian Pride of Aloha | Norwegian Sky |
| Norwegian Crown | Crown Odyssey |
| Norwegian Dream | Dreamward |
| Norwegian Majesty | Royal Majesty |
| Norwegian Spirit | SuperStar Leo |
| Norwegian Star | SuperStar Libra |
| Norwegian Wind | Windward |
| Pacific Princess | Renaissance R3 |
| Oceania Cruises Insignia | Renaissance R1 |
| Oceania Cruises Nautica | Blue Dream & Renaissance R5 |
| Oceania Cruises Regatta | Renaissance R2 |
| Orient Marco Polo | Alexandr Pushkin |
| Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas | Nordic Empress |
| Sea Princess | Adonia |
| Seabourn Legend | Queen Odyssey & Royal Viking Queen |
| SeaDream I | Seabourn Goddess I & Sea Goddess I |
| SeaDream II | Seabourn Goddess II & Sea Goddess II |
| Tahitian Princess | Renaissance R4 |
| Windjammer Amazing Grace | Orient Express & the Pharos |
| Windstar Wind Surf | Club Med I |
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