Passports

[KeithG]

If you travel a lot picking your passport renewal slot sometimes requires extra thought to find a timeslot when you do not need the passport for a while.

Renewal process differs across countries / regions. Since I live at the centre of the universe with a passport office within 2 miles of my home, we walk in and submit with mail return. Generally less than 1 week turn around. About 3 weeks if we mail it in.

Last time I paid extra for a 10 year passport only to discover it has the same number of pages as a 5 year one. Mine will be full way before the 10 years.

 

[flyboy08]

10 years is standard issue? You could have paid a bit more for more pages though.

 

[KeithG]

10 years is standard issue? You could have paid a bit more for more pages though.

Up here in canukstan 5 years is standard issue for $120. You can pay extra ($160) for a 10 year expiry, but it is the same number of pages. They fooled me once

Canadian passport - Wikipedia

 

[outofofficebrb]

If you live near a passport office and can prove you’re flying in the next 2 weeks, you can get it done same day or overnight. I’ve done it before.

Most travel insurance policies will likely not cover your lack of having a passport or a passport delay. Some might; read the fine print.

 

[KeithG]

...
Most travel insurance policies will likely not cover your lack of having a passport or a passport delay. Some might; read the fine print.

As noted above this is a very good point. I have never seen any policy that covers this type of stupidity.

This concept also extends to obtaining the proper travel visas. On a recent trip we required a multiple entry visa, a few passengers screwed up and only held single entry visas. The tour group leader was not amused.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Thanks for the updates! So it will cost me an additional $60.00 over the $110.00 for an expedited version. And I will do that.

But it will keep me on track. And unrelated topic, I'll be paying $100.00 for a seaplane from Manila to Puerto Galera. Apparently the views from the aircraft are worth paying for.

 

[Bubblesong]

How helpful is the “TSA Pre-Check” ? I’m not sure if it is worth the cost and hassle to get interviewed, but my daughter has it, and it did short cut a long line at the Airport going to St.Croix, although it did not on return flight. Anyone else have experience using it?

Regarding pages in passport, we had to pay extra, and send in passport book too, for more pages when it was full, 20+ years ago, but since then, we barely have any stamps because we cross the borders don’t seem to stamp as much. We have had to ask, and in Bermuda this meant a trip to the import/export office.

While on subject of stamps, what is the coolest passport book stamp you’ve seen? They seem to be very boring these days, while in the past we got some more decorative passport stamps.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

^ Interesting question. If it's easy I would definitely do it. Let's see if anyone else knows. Good to see you Bubblesong. I'll be looking for Sea Snakes. I think you know my background.

 

[Bubblesong]

Yes, and i hope that you, (Safely!!!) discover new species. Meanwhile, I was just in Firth of Forth and right next to boarding ramp for my tourist boat was an 18” wide “lion’s main” jelly, undulating as if to say, “Jump in, water’s fine!” There were plenty of small fry fish for it to eat, but it was a single boat strike away from becoming many little jellies.
Thankfully not diving that location.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

^ I wish I could say this was a scientific trip but it's going to be common Sea Kraits black and white banded. Which are referred to as Sea Snakes.

And I wont be exclusively looking for them. Just enjoying seeing them when it happens. Lots of other interesting animals to see.

Luckily the Lion's Mane Jellyfish in your neck of the woods is a "nuisance" stinger. Not particularly dangerous unless you are diving and get entangled. Then you might drown due to being surprised by the stings.