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The U.S. Passport Agency announced new rules for the issuance of passport cards and for children under 16 applying for passports.

New forms allow applying for a passport book and/or a passport card:   

The application form for applying for a new passport has been amended so that applicants can check whether they are applying for a passport book (the traditional passport), a passport card or both.  The new Application for Passport form DS 11, which is the same number as it has been previously, must be used for all persons applying after February 1, 2008.

The passport card is not valid for travel by air.  It is valid only for land and sea crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region.  The passport card has the same validity as the passport book: 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16.

Also, effective February 1, 2008, there are new forms that must be used for passport renewals, adding pages to a passport book, name changes and parental consent for a minor under 16 to apply for a passport. 

Change in the age for parental consent and issuance of passports to minor children:   

Effective February 1, 2008, both parents must appear or sign consent forms for a child under 16 to apply for a passport.  Formerly, the requirement for both parents to consent was for children under 14.  It is now required for children under 16.

Effective February 1, 2008, a parent may request that their minor children’s (under 18) names be entered in the U.S. Passport name-check system.  Once entered into the system, the program known as the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) will notify the parent if a passport application is submitted in behalf of his/her minor child(ren), and will deny the issuance of a passport if there is an appropriate court order on file with the CPIAP.

The new fees for passport cards and passport books are as follows:  

Passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage beginning Jan. 1, 2008 once new federal safety rules take effect. The new regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags. Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones, and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage. For more details, visit http://safetravel.dot.gov.

NEW HIGH-SPEED RAIL SERVICE is up and running between London and Paris, shaving 20 minutes off the travel time between the two world capitals (the trip now takes two hours, 15 minutes). The $12 billion project included a renovated Eurostar terminal and the completion of a 68-mile section of high-speed line on the British side.

AMERICAN AIRLINES is set to launch nonstop daily flights from New York Kennedy to Barcelona, Spain, beginning April 24. The flights will feature two-class service aboard Boeing 767-300 aircraft, with 30 seats in business and 191 in coach.

Doubletree Hotels & Resorts ring in 2008 with the opening of two hotels in Costa Rica -- the first full-service Hilton family hotels in the country. Both properties have undergone extensive renovations and brand training. The Doubletree Cariari by Hilton San Jose is just five miles from Juan Santamaria International Airport and seven miles west of the city center. The hotel is situated on 15 acres of landscaped grounds with an extensive collection of indoor conference and event space with outdoor venues. Extensive upgrades and improvements have been made on the hotel's 174 guestrooms and 48 suites. Recreation options include a casino, a fitness center, and outdoor swimming pool. The hotel offers two restaurants and a pool bar. Rates start at $199 per night single or double occupancy. The Fiesta Resort in Puntarenas has been extensively renovated and will continue as the Doubletree Resort by Hilton Puntarenas. The 314-room, 25-acre, all-inclusive resort offers four specialty restaurants, four large swimming pools, seven bars, an upgraded fitness center, tennis courts, a kid's club, watersports, a casino and nightly entertainment. For more information, contact Bruce Frankel at bruce@themindfultravler.com

RIU HOTELS & RESORTS began construction on its 14th Mexican resort, the Riu Palace Pacifico in Puerto Vallarta. Situated nine miles from the city's downtown district, the all-inclusive Riu Palace Pacifico will have 484 junior suites, several bars and restaurants and what Riu described as the company's "highest level of luxury, comfort and service." The resort is scheduled to open in October 2008 near Riu's two other Puerto Vallarta properties, the Riu Jalisco and Riu Vallarta. For more information on this and other quality all-inclusive resorts email success@themindfultraveler.com

NEWS FROM VEGAS

THE MIRAGE, meanwhile, has announced plans to launch a $110 million room redesign in early 2008. New design plans for Deluxe and Tower Deluxe rooms include "a neutral color palette accented with vibrant pops of color, cool metals and warm woods." Rooms will feature one of four color schemes: ruby, orange, saffron or mulberry. New amenities include pillow-top mattresses, down comforters, 42-inch LCD televisions and iPod/MP3-compatible clock radios. Deluxe King and Queen accommodations promise more subdued colors: whites, browns and tans, and additional amenities like fully stocked minibars and flat-screen, wall-mounted televisions.

THE GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL & CASINO in downtown Las Vegas has completed a $60 million expansion. The hotel's latest addition includes an events center, an expanded gaming floor, a new sushi restaurant and a new nightclub called Gold Diggers, which boasts a 180-degree balcony with views of Fremont Street, the Fremont Street Experience and the First Street outdoor performance stage.

Cruise News!

Holland America Offers Savings on 2008 Cruises

Cruisers who book Holland America Line through the end of February will be rewarded with savings on select sailings across all Holland America cruise destinations. With the View and Verandah promotion, clients can upgrade from an inside stateroom to an outside for as little as $100 depending on the sailing. View and Verandah promotion fares on Alaska cruises and tours offer a savings up to $450 per person off brochure fares depending on sailing date.

With eight ships sailing Alaska itineraries and 29 different cruise tours, Holland America Line offers numerous adventures exploring Alaska's great frontier, from the Inside Passage to the Arctic Circle, and through the expansive wilderness of the Yukon Territory. Holland America's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The View and Verandah promotion runs through Feb. 28, 2007. Space is limited to a first come first serve basis. For more information, call 336-497-3179 or email bruce@themindfultraveler.com

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE will invest an additional $50 million into its dining program as part of a fleetwide product upgrade initiative expected to be implemented by summer 2008. NCL CEO Colin Veitch said that as the transaction with Apollo Management neared completion, and the subsequent $1 billion investment comes into the company, NCL would launch the initiative, to be called Freestyle 2.0. Besides major improvements to its dining program, the line will make onboard enhancements including upgrades to cabins; additional recognition, service and amenities for the line's balcony, suite and villa guests; and a relaunch of a tiered Latitudes past guest recognition program. Contact bruce@themindfultraveler.com  for this and other NCL updates.