CHINA VISA APPLICATION.... Due February 15th!

Below are the general guidelines that Alex has provided for us to follow for our China Visa Application. I understand those cruisers out of the Southern California region have been contacted directly by Alex. There is a VisaCentral Application Kit that I will be sending to you via email. So please check your Inbox. Remember, all of your information needs to be delivered and received by the following date below, no exception. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Alex or myself. 
Countdown Time Everyone,
Diana

IMPORTANT DUE DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013 - Before 5pm

Cruisers that are living in Southern California can opt to drop off their passports and paperwork with the receptionist at my office in Newport Beach.  Innovative Travel Planner, Inc, 4570 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.   If the receptionist is not there, she may have stepped away for a few minutes.  Call me if you have any problems.  I will go over all the applications and take them in together.

The following should be included:

1. Filled out and SIGNED APPLICATION.  Whatever question you are not sure of, leave it blank and I will fill it in.  Please use a black inked pen so that it's easier to match.

2.  Valid passport (must have at least 2 full blank pages for our 2 entry visa)

3.  A good color copy of your passport AND a good color copy of your Driver's License.

4.  1 Passport type color photo with a white background.

5.  A check for $208 per person for consulate fees and processing made out to Innovative Travel

6.  If you did not do your air with me, a copy of your air itinerary.  I will provide the rest.

7.  If you do not live in Southern California, I can still process your visa for you but there will additional Fed Ex charges to ensure the safety of your passport.

8.  Those of you doing the 16 day cruise, we will be staying at the Beijing Crowne Plaza, Phone: 86-10-5911999

9.  We will be doing 2 entries.  We will be visiting Shanghai, China on April 28, 2013 and Beijing, China 0n May 3, 2013 (16 day cruisers, from 3-5 May, 3 days), unless your return flight is different than May 5th.

Most importantly, relax, it's just a process.  We just have to make sure all our t's are crossed and i's dotted.  I will be on jury duty as of Tuesday, Jan 29th so not reachable by phone but just email me.  I will be checking emails throughout the day.

Can't wait to start having fun on our Asian adventure!

Alex
Innovative Travel Planner, Inc.
4570 Campus Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

It’s Time for Your US PASSPORT!

Did anyone check my Asia to Alaska Timeline I placed on the blog? Well if you did, you would see that I had noted for your action list for September is to handle your US Passport needs. I know this may seem a bit early. But I agree with our experienced travel agent, Alex that since this is such a crucial piece of travel document, early is better. To help guide you further I have highlighted the US Passport Checklist that Independent Traveler provided. Please double check the fee as I did not verify with the actual US Department of State for the current fee. And finally, be sure that your expiration date on your passport is valid for at least 6 month prior to your return date to the States. The check list is noted below and if you would like to read the full article I have provided the following link address : 

Passport Applications and Forms

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/passports-and-international-travel/passport-applications-and-forms

US Passport Checklist

First-Time Passport Applications (Adults Age 16 and Up)

Form DS-11

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Proof of U.S. citizenship or nationality (such as a certified birth certificate)

Proof of identity (such as a driver's license) and a photocopy of that ID

Application fee ($135)

First-Time Passport Applications (Minors Under 16)

Form DS-11

Form DS-3053 (necessary if only one parent is appearing with the child at time of application)

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Proof of child's U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate)

Proof of adult's relationship to child (birth certificate may suffice)

Proof of adult's identity (such as a passport or driver's license) and a photocopy of that ID

Application fee ($105)

Passport Renewals (Adults Age 16 and Up)

Form DS-82

Existing U.S. passport

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Renewal fee ($110)

Passport Renewals (Minors Under 16)

Form DS-11

Form DS-3053 (necessary if only one parent is appearing with the child at time of application)

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Proof of child's citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate)

Proof of adult's relationship to child (birth certificate may suffice)

Proof of adult's identity (such as a passport or driver's license) and a photocopy of that ID

Application fee ($105)

Passport Card (Adults Age 16 and Up)

Form DS-11 OR

Form DS-82 (if you previously had a regular passport and are applying for the passport card as a renewal)

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Proof of U.S. citizenship or nationality (such as a certified birth certificate)

Proof of identity (such as a driver's license) and a photocopy of that ID

Application fee ($55 for first-time applicants, $30 for those who already have a passport book and are applying for the card as a passport renewal)

Passport Card (Minors Under 16)

Form DS-11

Form DS-3053 (necessary if only one parent is appearing with the child at time of application)

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Proof of child's U.S. citizenship (such as a certified birth certificate)

Proof of adult's relationship to child (birth certificate may suffice)

Proof of adult's identity (such as a passport or driver's license) and a photocopy of that ID

Application fee ($40)

Name Changes

Form DS-5504

Current U.S. passport

Certified copy of document specifying name change

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Renewal fee ($110) if you've had your passport longer than one year or if your name was changed for any reason other than marriage or court order

Lost or Stolen Passports

Form DS-11

Form DS-64

One 2x2 inch color photo, taken within the past six months

Proof of U.S. citizenship or nationality (such as a certified birth certificate)

Proof of identity (such as a driver's license) and a photocopy of that ID

Application fee ($135 for ages 16 and up, $105 for children under 16)

Additional Visa Pages

Form DS-4085

Current U.S. passport

Fee ($82)

Photo provided by Flickr:Rakka

Did You Know...PRINCESS CRUISE AIR FLIGHT GUIDELINES

Although Alex is on top of this information as a professional travel agent. Not all of us (myself included) may cross out “t” and dot our “i”. With the website at our access some of you may choose to make arrangements on your own and NOT seek Alex’s professional assistance.  

There MAY be more information regarding our preparation to our cruise. And though I will do my best to share this information, I can’t guarantee that I can do this for you as I am by no means a professional like Alex. Which is why my personal choice and recommendation is to book with her!. So for those who are still working on flight arrangements,  fellow independent cruisers, “Buyer Beware”!  

I came across this important note on the Princess Cruise website.  It was under 
MY PRINCESS > Cruise Personalizer > Travel Summary > Notification.

AIR FLIGHT GUIDELINES
If you have purchased independent air arrangements, please ensure your air
schedule falls within these guidelines as Princess is not responsible for
making any alternate arrangements or for any out of pocket expenses that may
arise should you miss your cruise or cruise tour and/or return flight. The times
listed below are subject to change.

Embarkation:
Bangkok - Latest flight arrivals: 2:30 pm domestic/1:30 pm international

Disembarkation:
Anchorage - Earliest flight departures: 1:30 pm domestic and international

Photo provided by: all-free-download.com

Two Visiting Countries Need Visas

Alex has informed me that we will need two Visas on this cruise. One for Vietnam and another for China. Below are information that I had taken off of “My Princess” of the Princess.com website.

Additionally, Alex has informed me that the Vietnam Visa will be issued upon arrival in Vietnam for all passengers and a Visa fee will be charged to our shipboard account. However, Alex noted since we will be entering, leaving and re-entering China. It is imperative that we get a double entry visa. This must be done either directly with the Chinese Consulate or with ZVS Visa Service. This cannot be done until we are within the 90 day of our travel.

The process takes about 30 days , so you should start end of January 2013. Please make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the day you are scheduled to arrive home. Since we are so far out, the exact cost and application form is not yet available. 

Currently, if you were leaving in a couple of months, the Chinese consulate charges $140 per person plus any shipping charges. UPS or Federal Express is highly recommended to avoid your passport loss. ZVSVisa Service currently charges $50 per person for this service. 

Those of you that live in the Los Angeles & Orange County area and can get your passport to Alex. She has graciously offered to coordinate a big bundle send out to save on Fed Ex Charges. More details will be following, but keep this in mind as a need to do!

Below are information from Princess Cruise Website:

Vietnam Visa Requirement

A visa will be issued upon arrival in Vietnam for all passengers. Therefore,you are not required to obtain a Vietnam visa in advance of the cruise. A visa fee of $31.00 per person will be charged to your shipboard account. For those participating in an overland package in Vietnam, the visa fee is $45.00 per person and a passport-size photo is required. Please note, for both visa types your passport must contain at least one unused page for entry/exit endorsements. Please note, the prices quoted above are in USD and are subject to change. OnDawn, Sea and Sun Princess voyages operating in Australia, the visa fee will be converted to AUD.

China Visa Requirement 

A double-entry visa is required for all passengers on this voyage. This visa must be obtained in advance of your voyage, cannot be obtained upon arrival and is required regardless of whether you choose to remain onboard or go ashore.

Visa Service Information

Visas may be obtained directly from the consulate of the countries visited. U.S. and Canadian passport holders may also obtain visas from Zierer VisaService (ZVS). Please visit ZVS at www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=75009 or call 866-788-1100 in the U.S.

Photo provided by Flickr: HelenK