Jan 28, Applications Now Available for U.S. Passport Card

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U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for the new U.S. Passport Card beginning Feb. 1, in anticipation of land border travel document requirements.

The State Department said the cards should be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card may not be used to travel by air. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and will be adjudicated to the exact same standards.

The passport card is being issued in response to the needs of border resident communities for a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport book. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.


Source: Modern Agent

Jan 9, Crystal Cruises to Ban Smoking on Balconies

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Crystal Cruises, starting in May, will prohibit smoking on verandas of all staterooms and suites aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. In keeping with lifestyle trends, most areas of Crystal ships have been non-smoking for several years, including restaurants and the main entertainment lounges. Non-smoking areas dominate most bars and lounges, although there are some tables that permit smoking. Cigarette smoking is permitted in private accommodations, although pipe-smoking and cigars are only permitted in the Connoisseur Club and most open decks.


“The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travelers are used to more non-smoking environments today,” said Gregg Michel, Crystal president. “We respect that smoking is a personal lifestyle decision but there is growing discomfort from non-smokers about veranda smoke negatively impacting the enjoyment of their personal outdoor living space.” As with the current policy, guests who do not observe the non-smoking policy will first be asked to comply. Failure to do so can result in a guest being asked to leave the ship at his/her own expense. The new smoking policy takes effect with the May 7 London-to-Rome cruise on Crystal Serenity and the May 25 Athens-to-London cruise on Crystal Symphony.


Source: Modern Agent