Don't Leave Home Without It - Did You Get Your Passport Yet?

With less than six months to go, it's absolutely time to get that passport application done.

According to a new regulation, all Americans must carry a passport when traveling by air to and from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean regions. By Summer 2008, travel by land or sea to the above areas, will require a passport.

So, how do you get a passport. First, go to the official web site of the U.S. State Department located at
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

If you are a first-time applicant, you will need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, including a birth or naturalization certificate; a valid photo-id, such as a driver's license and two 2-by-2-inch passport photos. Don't freak about the picture -- nobody has a good passport photo! Current passport costs are $100 (16 and older) or $85 (younger than 16). Finally, you'll need to complete the application form DS-11, which is available on-line.

If you are a first-time applicant, you'll need to apply in person at places like a court house, post office, library, etc. This website will help you find a location close to your neighborhood. iafdb.travel.state.gov

If you apply today, and choose routine delivery, you'll have your passport in 4-6 weeks. If you choose expedited delivery, you'll have your passport in 3 weeks.

Ok, what if you did wait to long -- now what?!? If it is a simple passport renewal, you can apply by mail by sending in the required materials plus an additional $60 and overnight delivery costs. Write "Expedited" on the envelope. This will still take three weeks door-to-door.

If you need a passport in two weeks or less, you must make an appointment with the Passport Agency. Locations are listed at
http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html
Bring with you all of the necessary documents and the extra $60.

And, let's say you need a passport even faster, let's say you just got invited to lunch in Paris on Friday, well, employ a private company that can deliver your passport in about 24 hours. American Passport Express ( http://www.americanpassport.com), lists turnaround times in as short as one to two days -- the price, of course is costly, and can run from $376 (new applicant, one to two days) to $206 (renewal, a week to 12 days). Other companies include Rushmypassport.com, PassportsVisaExpress.com and All American Passports

Remember, passport demand is seasonal with the highest demand period between January and June. So, don't wait.

Six Months to Go

First came the joy and excitement -- We're going on a Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruise in June! And that excitement continued... books were bought, websites were searched and.... I weighed myself everyday and thought... today, will be the day that I lose weight.

Ok, I'll be the first to admit it... I've been trying to lose 10-20 pounds of baby weight for the past 10 1/2 years. I say 10-20 pounds because I've gone up and down -- but here goes, the honesty part... as of today, I'm 5'3, in my early 40s, and weigh 142. I've been as small as a size 4 and as large as a size 12.

My motivation -- I want to weigh 122 pounds. I want to be in shape. I want to wear cute clothes and not think about my weight.

I spent a ton of time on the computer -- probably way too much. As I've been researching information for our cruise, I found that I'm not alone. A lot of women want to lose weight and look good on their cruise. I hope you'll join me on my journey to weight loss. I'll be sharing all the cruise tips that I've learned from friends and the internet too.

Join me as I "Countdown to Cruise!"