Cruise Ship Weddings: Why You Might Need An Expedited Passport - Expedited Passports

Something old? Check.  Something new? Check. Something borrowed? Check. Valid passport? Hey,wait a minute…

These days, cruise ship weddings are replacing more expensive destination weddings as the ceremony of choice for budget-conscious couples who love to travel. The NileGuidance blog reports that the number of couples getting married on a cruise ship has risen by 60% in the past decade.  Cruise ship weddings are quite affordable, even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend-Carnival Cruise’s basic ceremony costs $1,195, and for an additional $600, you get a reception with your family and friends before the boat sails. Just make sure nobody tries to stow away in your cabin!

According to SmartMoney.com, the average wedding in the US costs between $21,000 and $24,000, making the cost of a cruise ship wedding seem downright frugal in comparison. Plus, you don’t have to worry about planning your honeymoon-just sail off into the sunset once you’ve said your vows.

If you’re sailing out of the country, one must-have cruise ship wedding accessory is a US passport. Since June of 2009, a passport has been required to cross the border into Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by land or sea. Technically, you can get by with just a driver’s license and birth certificate if you are sailing to one of those three regions and your cruise begins and ends at the same US port.  However, passports are required for all international air travel, so you’re much better off if you have one with you just in case something comes up during the cruise and you have to fly back.

Applying for a passport usually takes approximately 6 weeks for regular service and three weeks for the government’s expedited service. You can get an expedited passport more quickly bu using a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com.  We provide detailed, clear instructions to help you complete your expedited passport application; and then we hand-deliver it to the US Department of State.  With our service, your expedited passport could be on its way back to you in as little as 24 hours!

Apply for your expedited passport today!

Are you looking for an excuse to get away? How does a free hotel room sound? Marriott has an awesome special running right now, where you can stay for three nights and get one night free. However, the offer is only good at Marriott hotels located outside of the US and Canada. So, to take advantage of it, you’ll need to have a passport.

You’ll also need to book your rooms (and flight)  by August  21st. Fortunately,  there are a  lot  of  last-minute international flight deals available right now, too. Compare prices on flights using one or more of the major travel search engines, and you’ll be amazed at what you can find! Of course, leaving at the last minute is only possible if you have a passport ready. Getting a passport can take 6 weeks or longer if you apply with normal processing. If you apply for an expedited passport directly through the government can take at least 3 weeks.

However, there is a faster way to apply for an expedited passport. By applying through a private passport expediting company, you can your expedited passport application processed in as little as 24 hours. Plus, you’ll get personal assistance with your passport application from a knowledge passport professional, to help you get your application processed quickly the first time.

So, go ahead, start planning that last-minute vacation-apply for your expedited passport today!

Adopting a child is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, it can be a rather bureaucratic process even under the best of circumstances.  Compared to biological parents, adoptive parents often  have to deal with an extra layer of red tape,  especially if they adopted their child from overseas. If you need an expedited passport for your internationally adopted child, here’s what you need to know before you apply.

Make Sure Your Child is a Citizen

In order to get a US passport, your adopted child must have US citizenship. Per the The Child Citizenship Act of 2000, most children adopted by parents who are American citizens gain citizenship automatically once the adoption is “full and final.”

Usually, if your child came to the US on a IR-3 visa, that means that the adoption process was completed in the foreign country and the adoption is considered “full and final.” If your child came in on an IR-4 visa, you will need to have the adoption finalized in the US before you can apply for a passport.

Gather All Relevant Documents

To get an expedited passport for your internationally adopted child, you will need the following documents:

• The adoption decree
• Both adoptive parents’ US birth certificates OR the child’s Certificate of Citizenship.
• 2 passport photos.
• For children under the age of 16, both parents must appear with their child, bring proof of identification, and provide consent for the child to be issued a passport.
• If both parents are unable to appear at the acceptance agency to give consent, read this post on getting a child passport to learn about other options for meeting the parental consent requirements.
• Minors age 16 and 17 only need one parent to appear with them when they apply for an expedited passport. (more…)

Spring is just around the corner, and college students everywhere are gearing up for the annual week-long party that is Spring Break.  Despite the slowing economy, many students still have plans to travel, and many popular destinations are offering great last-minute deals.

For example, Boncherry.com has a great post up that gives suggestions for popular Spring Break destinations, including Cancun and Acapulco in Mexico, Ibiza in Europe, Nassau and Jamaica.

Over at TripSay.com’s blog, there is an excellent list of the top 10 Spring Break destinations, along with the 5 worst places to go. Naussau, in the Bahamas, is listed as one of the top 5 party destinations, while Montego Bay, Jamaica and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are two of the “Spring Break Rising Stars.”  Not into the stereotypical “beach vacation?” Whistler, Canada is another up-and-coming destination. TripSay recommends that you stay away from  Fargo, ND and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. No arguments there!

Remember, if you’re planning a Spring Break adventure in another country, it’s a good idea to pack your passport. If you’re going to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, you’ll need a passport if you’re traveling by air. If you’re traveling by land or sea, you may be able to get by with just your birth certificate and government-issued photo ID (at least until June 1, 2009). However, it’s best to bring your passport, anyway,  in case you have an emergency and need to catch a flight home.

To get a passport before Spring Break,  request expedited passport service. The easiest and fastest way to get an expedited passport is to use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company will submit your expedited passport application directly to the US Passport Agency for faster processing, so you’ll have it in time for Spring Break.

For an unforgettable spring break vacation, find an awesome last minute deal and order an expedited passport today!

What are your Spring Break travel plans?

Christmas is over, and New Year’s Eve is almost here. Where will you be when 2008 turns into 2009? If you don’t have New Year’s plans yet, CheapOAir Buzz has an excellent guide to the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. What could be more exciting than ringing in the new year in a new place? There are incredible New Year’s Eve celebrations all over the world. CheapOAir Buzz recommends watching an explosive fireworks display over the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, for example. There’s also a huge parade in London, England, to enjoy on New Year’s Day. Or, check out the first of three exciting New Year’s celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand, with fireworks and dancing.

However, if you want to travel out of the country for New Year’s Eve, you’ll need an expedited passport if you don’t have one already. At this point, the best way to get an expedited passport is through a private passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com. It’s not too late to toast the New Year somewhere exotic-a private expediting service can have an expedited passport for you in as little as 24 hours! Plus, you’ll have professional help with your expedited passport application, and you’ll be able to track your order through the application process until it arrives at your door.