Where to start?

[texwards]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, but have been sailing for my whole life. My wife and I are in the process of selling our home so that we can purchase a boat and take our children around the world. We, understandably, are constantly seeking advice from other more experienced 'cruisers'. This looks like a great place for that!

Though I have thousands of questions, I'll start with a (hopefully) simple one:

I have never left the country and would like to know what the procedure is? The in and outs, particulars, etc. I have looked at the passport application, and it asks for destination - how do we handle this for multiple destinations? When do we need visa's? I've seen that there are some current issues with Australia customs - does anyone know of any other tricky areas?

...ok, so maybee it wasn't a simple question... thanks for your time

Ed

[Intentional Drifter]

Hi, Ed, and welcome.

RE: Passports and procedures. It is not hard. Go ahead and fill out the application. Don't worry about putting in a destination, or just put in an easy one, like Canada or Mexico. There are some significant delays at some of the processing stations (as they've said in the news), so it is good idea to go ahead and get them, before you "have" to have them.

Visas are needed for some countries, but not others. www.noonsite.com has a section called "countries" that can give you a good rundown on the procedures for different places. Lots of other good info, too.

Some of our Aussie friends here (use the search function and it will pull up the threads) have given fair warning and good advice about their regs. It actually doesn't sound all that onerous, so long as you know about it and can comply. Those who didn't know, or were told otherwise, learned about them, the hard and expensive way. While I personally think Aussie customs is going way beyond reasonable in their regs, it is their country and we would be the visitors, so it is up to us to comply. My personal experience has been that entering the US is often more difficult than most other countries to which I've traveled, so I don't think we've got much right to complain. (Wait till you leave and return, then you'll understand.)

Good luck in your journey!

ID

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Ed,
Welcome aboard!! Hope you enjoy the forum as much as I do. You've already got a lot of answers so I won't try to help until I feel you ask one which I know something about.
I just got a passport renewed and it only took 24 days. I didn't do the special rush order either.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[defjef]

Great idea... Do it!

There are many many good books on cruising which will answer many of your questions. I urge you to google or head off to B&N or Amazon and start reading.

jef
sv shiva

[Weyalan]

Noonsite
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries

All the info you need!

[texwards]

Thank you all for the quick responses! International drifter and Weyalan: Noonsite looks like it will be VERY helpful! Along with this and the constantly growing collection of books I've been reading, I seem to be developing a fairly good idea of what I'm in for ...
but I'm sure I'll still be back with plenty of questions!

[Ex-Calif]

I am assuming you are American so if not the following info may not be as useful.

I have been travelling internationally for 30+ years and the US government consular and international travel info is pretty good.

The consular information sheets at the attached link are pretty helpful.

Consular Information Sheets

Good luck.

[swagman]

Welcome Ed,
Lots of other US people are out there doing what you plan and I'm sure this site will help you pick up needed tips before you depart.
Good luck with the plans.
JOHN

[migot1]

Originally Posted by texwards

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, but have been sailing for my whole life. My wife and I are in the process of selling our home so that we can purchase a boat and take our children around the world. We, understandably, are constantly seeking advice from other more experienced 'cruisers'. This looks like a great place for that!

Though I have thousands of questions, I'll start with a (hopefully) simple one:

I have never left the country and would like to know what the procedure is? The in and outs, particulars, etc. I have looked at the passport application, and it asks for destination - how do we handle this for multiple destinations? When do we need visa's? I've seen that there are some current issues with Australia customs - does anyone know of any other tricky areas?

...ok, so maybee it wasn't a simple question... thanks for your time

Ed

why not approach the local Marina manger, he will have all the red tape to show you?

if you want more advice how to get all the stuff for cruising etc...write to me ..i dio it all the time...lots of fun!

Mike

migot1

[Lynx]

Passport issue is one of a piece of cake. Just go down to the post office and get the application, either go down the the passport office or mail it in with a copy of your birth cert.

Plan a few months just cruising the the states and you will soon find out what you need.