U.S. Travelers to Neighboring Vacation Hotspots Be Prepared for New Passport Rules May 22, 2009
Posted by John Copain in : Timeshare Resource , trackbackValid Passport Required, Even for Short Distances.
American timeshare owners with properties in Canada, The Caribbean, or Mexico may not be used to bringing their passport with them, but starting June 1st, 2009 a valid passport should be the first thing they pack. Prior to the June 1st deadline American travelers have only needed proof of identity, such as a photo ID, and proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Now only a passport will be accepted in order to cross the border in to Canada, Mexico and most Caribbean Islands.
In some ways this can be an improvement in vacationing as many tasks and activities inherent in traveling can be executed easier with a valid American passport – activities such as renting a car, securing tours and adventure trips and even transportation to another area of the same country. A lot of vacationers say they feel safer carrying a passport. On the other hand having to carry a passport can be the source of increased anxiety for travelers, usually for fear that it will be lost or stolen. A good strategy for keeping your passport safe is to keep it locked in a room safe in your timeshare unit and when you bring it out wear it inside a layer of your clothing with a small passport-sized bag or pack.
Also, timeshare owners with upcoming vacation weeks are going to have to plan ahead to make sure they procure a new or renewed passport. Getting government passports fast can be tricky because these new passport rules have caused a surge in applications for passports. A passport request can take up to six weeks to produce results and cost over $70 in some states. There is an expedited passport option which can speed up the process to about two weeks for an additional $60 or so.
This new implementation will affect thousands of timeshare owners as some of the world’s most popular timeshare resorts are in the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico. In fact, Mexico is one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations with more than 20 million visitors every year.
Resort families such as the Mayan Palace and Pueblo Bonito are just a couple of Mexico’s coveted establishments that attract so many visitors. And you can’t forget about Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta and its 500 rooms that overlook Banderas Bay. The Caribbean is another highly desired vacation destination that will for the most part require travelers to posses a valid passport.
Thousands are attracted to the Caribbean by timeshare resorts like the Marriott Aruba Surf Club, and Harborside at Atlantis among many other resorts. Not all the Caribbean Islands will require a valid U.S. passport, however. The US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are exempt, but the other 17 territories will. For more details you can check the U.S. Department of State’s website about the Western Hampshire Travel Initiative.
Canada completes the trifecta of Western Hemisphere countries in the intiative. Banff Gate Mountain Resort timeshare owners will have to be prepared as of the 1st as will Club Intrawest Whistler.
Keep in mind a valid passport will be required to re-enter the United States as well, so hold on to that thing!
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