• The United States Government is requiring all U. S. Citizens to show valid passports when they re-enter the United States, for further information, please refer to the U. S. Department of State website.
   
• If you would like to talk with personnel at Travel Professionals, please call Monday through Friday, between 9:00am and 4:00pm (EST), toll free at 800-724-9511 or for international calls, 001-845-651-4441.
   
• FAQ's answered on the MSC Cruises website.
   
• At each Irish entertainment venue you will be asked to show your MSC Cruises Card, entrance to the performances are for those that booked through Travel Professionals only.
   
• All of the performers will have CDs, DVDs, videos, books and other items for sale, payable only by cash or check, these cannot be charged to your MSC Cruises Card.

Effective February 18, 2008 - Passengers MUST be on board at least two hour prior to departure

Cruise ships departing from U.S. ports will be required by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to provide the full passenger and crew manifest to the U.S. government 2 hours prior to departure starting Feb. 18, 2008. This means that all cruise guests will need to be on board at least *two hours before the ship’s scheduled departure.

In order for the ship to be able to depart port on time (passengers need to be on board and not waving to the ship from the pier), following these suggested travel tips will ensure an on-time departure for all:

• Each passenger should submit their full and accurate identification information** to the cruise line as soon as possible but at a minimum prior to arriving at the departure port. To avoid last-minute boardings (and possible denial of boarding), ensure your travel arrangements leave plenty of time to make it to the ship. Cruise lines outline suggested arrival times at the pier on their Web sites and/or their cruise documents. Encouraging cruise passengers to arrive the day or evening before and enjoy the port city is the best recommendation for a stress-free start to their cruise.

*Check with the individual cruise line for final boarding times (some are requiring guests to be on board 2 hours prior to departure to meet this new government requirement).

If a passenger does not make it aboard the ship in the allotted 2 hours-before-departure timeframe, they may be denied boarding because their name has not been vetted by U.S. government databases.

** These fields include:

• Last Name
• First Name
• Middle Name (if there is one)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Country of Residence
• ID Type
• ID Number
• ID Country
• ID Expiration Date
• Destination address

Effective January 31, 2008 - Oral declaration of citizenship will no longer be accepted

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that effective January 31, 2008, all travelers, including U.S. citizens, entering the United States through all ports of entry (including land and sea ports) will no longer have the option of orally declaring their citizenship. This previously accepted, but rare, practice of proving citizenship through oral declaration will no longer be sufficient. Cruise passengers must present the appropriate identification or risk being denied boarding.

What does the January 31, 2008 discontinuation of the oral citizenship declaration option mean to you?

Currently, cruise lines generally require proof of citizenship and a government-issued ID for boarding. This typically means a driver’s license along with proof of citizenship in the form of either a:

• Passport
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
• Naturalization papers (for U.S. Naturalized citizens)
• Other forms of Identification recognized by CBP see them at: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm#3

These requirements have been industry standards, but will now be required by regulation and enforced as of January 31, 2008.

Cruise passengers on international voyages who do not have proper citizenship and identification documentation will not be allowed to board their cruise after January 31, 2008.

Once again, as of January 31, 2008, all travelers, including U.S. citizens, seeking to enter the United States through land and sea ports of entry must present documents proving citizenship (passport) and government-issued identification (such as a driver’s license).

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