aTIPPYcal Travel

Travel by Air Between the U.S. and Canada/Mexico/Caribbean/Bermuda

As of January 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by AIR between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to carry a valid passport.  Therefore, in order to either join or finally disembark a cruise vessel outside of the United States, a valid passport is required for travel.

Even if your cruise does not involve air travel outside the U.S., should you be required to unexpectedly depart a vessel prior to the end of the sailing, a passport would be required to re-enter the U.S. by air.  More information regarding passport requirements is available at: www.getyouhome.gov.

Bringing Minors In to Canada

Canadian entry requirements stipulate that a child under the age of 18 traveling alone, or with person(s) other than both parents, should be in possession of a letter (preferably notarized) from the parents or legal guardian containing:

• authorization for the child to travel with another person and to be outside the country;
• the name and a 24-hour contact telephone number of the parents or guardian; and,
• the destination and length of stay in Canada.

Adoptive parents, legal guardians, or persons separated or divorced are advised to keep legal and other relevant documents available in order to clarify custody rights.

Travel Warnings

For updated travel warnings, please visit:  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.

Need More Information?

Documentation Resources

Birth Certificates:

To obtain an original or state-certified copy of a birth certificate, you can contact your hospital of birth or the Vital Statistics Department of the county or state where you were born. 

To obtain a birth certificate if you were born in Pennsylvania, please visit:  http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/birth_and_death_certificates/11596.

If you need an expedited copy, you may also visit: http://www.vitalchek.com/.

Passports:

For more information on obtaining a passport, please visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, or Zierer Visa Service at: http://www.zvs.com.

Photo Identification Cards:

For photo identification cards, every state issues identification cards --usually from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles.