Real ID Requirement – Extended to May 2025

Article written by Matt Turner, Travel Agent Central

The requirement for REAL IDs will not go into effect for another two years. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), enforcement of the REAL ID will not begin until May 7, 2025—two full years after the previously set date of May 3, 2023. In the interim, this means people traveling domestically within the United States can continue to use their existing form of identification.

“Under the new regulations published to execute this change, states will now have additional time to ensure their residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act,” the DHS said in a statement. “As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards.”

This means, every traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.

The extension was “necessary,” in part due to delays in people’s ability to obtain the ID as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new regulations, beginning May 7, 2025.

“Extending the REAL ID deadline is the right decision, and U.S. Travel appreciates DHS leadership for recognizing that with more than 100 million Americans still lacking a REAL ID, now is not the time to create significant travel disruptions. This delay helps give travelers the time necessary to get the credential needed to fly domestically,” said U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes in a statement.

“It remains critical that DHS identify ways to modernize identification standards to make the entire travel process more efficient. We will continue working with our partners in the travel industry and DHS to advance these solutions and get the traveling public fully prepared for the implementation of the REAL ID Act in 2025,” she added.

The Real ID Act was originally passed by Congress in 2005 following the attacks on September 11, 2001. It was supposed to go into effect in 2008 before being pushed back to 2014 for certain federal agencies. All states have become compliant in the meantime but enforcement continued to be pushed back, first to 2021, then 2023 date and, now, 2025.

The Washington Post reports that just under half of Americans who have a license or state identification card have a Real ID-compliant document (identifiable by a star in the upper righthand corner).

The Cruise Travellers – Alaska Certified Experts

Alaska Certified Expert

There’s no denying it: Alaska is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with endless opportunities for play year-round.


The Cruise Travellers is proud to announce that they have become Alaska Certified Experts! We can help you turn your thought of an Alaska trip to a truly memorable voyage that you will cherish for a lifetime!

Walt Disney World

Celebrate the Spirit of the Season – November 11 to December 31, 2022!

Get wrapped up in all things merry and bright with sensational sights and dazzling delights. Prepare to be enchanted this holiday season during the 50th Anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort.

Highlights include:

  • Castle Projections – Watch in awe as Cinderella Castle is transformed with cheerful holiday projections—which rotate with the Beacon of Magic projections (presented on nights when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is not offered). 
  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – A beloved holiday event is returning in 2022! Join Mickey for a festive celebration with live entertainment, spectacular fireworks, an oh-so-jolly parade and more—select nights November 8 through December 22, 2022. Separate admission is required for this special event.
  • Seasonal Décor – Explore holly, jolly trimmings and theming throughout Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Limited-Time Treats – Indulge in holiday-inspired food and beverages available for purchase at select locations.

20-Nov-2022 Hot Deals

FEATURED DEALS P/P from
Carnival3 Days Bahamas • Carnival Conquest • 2023-01-06Inside $119
Celebrity Cruise3 Days Bahamas • Celebrity Millennium • 2023-01-03Inside $149
Disney4 Days Mexico-Baja • Disney Wonder • 2023-02-02Inside $513
Holland America Line3 Days Bahamas • Eurodam • 2023-02-15Inside $149
Margaritaville2 Days Bahamas • Margaritaville Paradise • 2022-12-26Inside $79
Norwegian Cruise Line3 Days Bahamas • Norwegian Sky • 2023-02-03Inside $189
Princess4 Days Mexico-Baja • Discovery Princess • 2023-02-16Inside $278
Royal Caribbean4 Days Bahamas • Freedom of the Seas • 2022-11-28Inside $114
Carnival Cruise Line3 Days Party Cruises • Carnival Luminosa • 2022-12-15Inside $125
MSC6 Days Europe Coastal • MSC Virtuosa • 2022-11-19Inside $149
American Queen6 Days US & Canada River Cruises • American Empress • 2022-11-25Balcony $1099
MSC2 Days Caribbean-Western • MSC Meraviglia • 2023-01-06Inside $109
Margaritaville2 Days Bahamas • Margaritaville Paradise • 2022-12-26Inside $79
Cunard39 Days World & Exotic • Queen Victoria • 2023-01-20Inside $7829
Cunard50 Days World & Exotic • Queen Victoria • 2023-01-09Inside $10599
Cunard74 Days World & Exotic • Queen Victoria • 2023-02-07Inside $13039
Norwegian Cruise Line9 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Norwegian Epic • 2022-12-07Inside $369
Norwegian Cruise Line14 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Norwegian Gem • 2022-12-08Inside $469
MSC15 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • MSC Seaside • 2022-11-18Inside $489
CroisiEurope8 Days Zambezi River (S. Africa) • RV Zimbabwean Dream • 2022-12-12OceanView $6841
CroisiEurope8 Days Zambezi River (S. Africa) • RV Zimbabwean Dream • 2023-02-03OceanView $7179
CroisiEurope8 Days Zambezi River (S. Africa) • RV Zimbabwean Dream • 2023-02-06OceanView $7179
MSC6 Days British Isles • MSC Virtuosa • 2022-11-18Inside $149
MSC6 Days British Isles • MSC Virtuosa • 2022-11-21Inside $149
MSC6 Days Europe Coastal • MSC Virtuosa • 2022-11-23Inside $199

15-March-2020

Do you have the cruising blues? We all are waiting for the cruise lines over the next month to re-open their ships, so those of us that LOVE cruising can get back to what we are passionate about!

MSC Cruises 7 Days Caribbean-Western • MSC Armonia $249
Royal Caribbean 11 Days US & Canada Eastern • Empress of the Seas $336
Carnival Cruise Lines 4 Days Mexico-Baja • Carnival Inspiration $119
Holland America 14 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Nieuw Statendam $499
Princess 10 Days Australia/New Zealand • Sapphire Princess $279
Cunard 3 Days US & Canada Pacific • Queen Elizabeth $199
Oceania 12 Days Alaska-N./S. Bound • Regatta $2499
Riviera River Cruises 7 Days Europe-Rivers • MS George Eliot $2219
Azamara 10 Days Europe Coastal • Azamara Quest $1499
Emerald Waterways 10 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • Emerald Sky $3890
Secenic 14 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • Scenic Crystal $6345
Bahamas Paradise 2 Days Bahamas • Grand Celebration $99
Crystal 16 Days Middle East • Crystal Symphony $3943
Disney Cruise Line 12 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Disney Magic $1483
Regent 14 Days US & Canada Eastern • Seven Seas Navigator $4999
6 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • MS Seine Princess $1916
Seabourn 14 Days British Isles • Seabourn Quest $5499
Viking Ocean Cruises 14 Days Scandinavia & Fjords • Viking Star $6499
Viking River Cruises 14 Days Danube River • Viking Gefjon $4999
Norwegian 4 Days Bahamas • Norwegian Breakaway $195
Celebrity Cruises 10 Days US & Canada Eastern • Celebrity Summit $524
Hurtigruten 11 Days Scandinavia & Fjords • MS Finnmarken $2592
AMA Waterways 14 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • AmaDolce $4388
Costa 5 Days Mediterranean-East • Costa Mediterranean$159

We Reward Loyalty!!!

We don’t just talk about rewarding you – we put our words into action! Today we are proud to announce to you our “Valued Customer” that we are rolling out a Loyalty Reward program, called the “Travellers Club“.

The “Travellers Club” has four tiers, and you can start earn benefits as soon as your second cruise that you book with us. From on-board credits, cruise discounts or Amazon.com Gift Cards (ranging from $50 to $750 depending on the type of cruise and stateroom booked) along with discounts on major shore and resort partners to include: Shore Excursions, Shore Trips and Resort For A Day.

The rewards club credits can be combined with other sales on The Cruise Travellers, just consider these benefits as the cherry on the top of a decadently frosted cupcake.

Why Book With Us?
Here at The Cruise Travellers, our customers satisfaction is “our number-one priority”. We know that you have more than one choice when it comes time to book a cruise vacation, and we also know that it can be challenging to figure out who to do business with. We will treat you as we want to be treated when booking travel!

Treated Like Royalty
Everyone wants to be pampered while enjoying a cruise. Let that pampering begin when you start your booking with us. You are not just a number at Cruise Travellers.

Loyalty Rewarded
Like our service enough to come back and book another cruise? We will reward your loyalty! Check out our new “Travellers Club” Loyalty Program

No Hidden Fees
We do not charge a cruise booking fee “ever”. All costs will be reviewed with you in advance, so there are no surprises!

Cruising During a Pandemic – Covid-19

There has been a lot of publicity these days around cruise ships and the spread of Covid-19. The things we do know about the virus is it can be spread by people being in close proximity to one another, and it can have life threatening consequences for those in the older age groups, with co-morbidity.

There are some things that we know we can do to protect ourselves. Cover our mouths with our sleeve or a tissue when we cough or sneeze. Washing our hands on a regular basis, using soap and water, and when not possible using hand sanitizing gel. The cruise lines have experience with dealing with infectious diseases. Noro-virus being one that has cropped up a few times on cruise ships. When my husband and I took our 19th year anniversary cruise in December we were on the NCL Joy that had an outbreak of Noro-virus the previous 2 sailings before. Though we had concerns, we also knew that the cruise line was taking every possible precaution from deep sanitizing of their ship for the third week in a row, to the utilization of Germstar in their hand sanitizer machines…. and the famous “washy washy, happy happy”.

On a cruise you should come prepared for just about everything. From hand sanitizer, to a first aid kit. But how can you help ensure you have a fun, healthy, trip?

  • Do not get on the ship sick with a fever or other flu virus symptoms. I realize that people spend thousands of dollars for a cruise, sometimes saving up for years, but getting on a cruise ship sick with a virus s never a good idea, To help insure your safety and to support their loyal customer base, the cruise lines are offering Cruise with Confidence, a new cancellation policy, while we figure out how Covid-19 is affecting our day-to-day lives. This helping you book with confidence, knowing your investment of a remarkable voyage have not gone to waste.
  • Wash your hands. Now I know this sounds pretty simple, but a lot of people do not know that you need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Making sure you get soap between each finger and thoroughly rinse off and dry.
  • Cover your mouth when you cough with a tissue or your sleeve, and then wash your hands after you do.
  • We touch our faces nearly 2000 times a day, keep your hands away from your face to reduce the chances of contact contamination.
  • Check with your doctor before your cruise and make sure that you are in good enough health to go.
  • Pack enough medications for your cruise and additional week or two. Just to be safe, you should always have spare medications, even when not in times of uncertainty like we are experiencing now.
  • Don’t panic and believe everything you read online. Bookmark reliable sources for pertinent information on Covid-19. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Haven by Norwegian

The Haven by Norwegian
The Haven by Norwegian

Are you celebrating a special event, or just love being indulged? The Haven Experience on NCL cruise is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy your cruise vacation. The Haven exudes luxury at sea. Relax in the secluded Courtyard, enjoy creature comforts like freshly pressed french roast coffee in the morning, unlimited wi-fi, or your own personal 24/7 butler taking care of all of your needs.

1-March-2020 Hot Deals

MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises

7 Days Mediterranean-West • MSC Fantasia

From $169 / per person

Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International

13 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Vision of the Seas

From $379 / per person

Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise LInes

4 Days US & Canada Pacific • Carnival Inspiration

From $119 / per person

Holland America
Holland America

14 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Zuiderdam

From $499 / per person

Princess
Princess

10 Days Australia/New Zealand • Sapphire Princess

From $279 / per person

Cunard
Cunard

11 Days Australia/New Zealand • Queen Elizabeth

From $699 / per person

Oceania
Oceania

14 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Sirena

From $2399 / per person

Riviera River Cruises
Riviera River Cruises

7 Days Rhone River • MS Lord Byron

From $2179 / per person

Azamara
Azamara

13 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Azamara Pursuit

From $1399 / per person

Emerald Waterways
Emerald Waterways

12 Days Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers • Emerald Harmony

From $3595 / per person

Secenic
Scenic

7 Days Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers • Scenic Spirit

From $ 2995 / per person

Bahamas Paradise Cruise
Bahamas Paradise Cruise

2 Days Bahamas • Grand Celebration

From $169 / per person

Crystal
Crystal

12 Days Mediterranean-West • Crystal Serenity

From $3539 / per person

Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line

12 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Disney Magic

From $1483 / per person

Regent
Regent

14 Days US & Canada Eastern • Seven Seas Navigator

From $5299 / per person

Croisi Europe
Croisi Europe

13 Days Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers • RV Indochine

From $2866 / per person

Seabourn
Seabourn

16 Days Australia/New Zealand • Seabourn Encore

From $3999 / per person

Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises

13 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Viking Sea

From $1999 / per person

Viking
Viking River Cruises

11 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • Viking Idi

From $2899 / per person

Norwegian
Norwegian

15 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Norwegian Getaway

From $349 / per person

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises

15 Days Middle East • Celebrity Constellation

From $449 / per person

Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten

11 Days Scandinavia & Fjords • MS Kong Harald

From $1949 / per person

AMA Waterways
AMA Waterways

15 Days Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers • AmaDara

From $4186 / per person

Costa
Costa

12 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Costa Magica

From $419 / per person

8-March-2020

MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises

8 Days Mediterranean-West • MSC Opera

From $210 / per person

Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean

13 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Vision of the Seas

From $321 / per person

Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise LInes

4 Days US & Canada Pacific • Carnival Imagination

From $124 / per person

Holland America
Holland America

14 Days Europe Coastal • Nieuw Statendam

From $499 / per person

Princess
Princess

10 Days Australia/New Zealand • Sapphire Princess

From $279 / per person

Cunard
Cunard

11 Days Australia/New Zealand • Queen Elizabeth

From $669 / per person

Oceania
Oceania

14 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Sirena

From $2299 / per person

Riviera River Cruises
Riviera River Cruises

7 Days Rhone River • MS Lord Byron

From $2179 / per person

Azamara
Azamara

13 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Azamara Pursuit

From $1399 / per person

Emerald Waterways
Emerald Waterways

12 Days Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers • Emerald Harmony

From $3595 / per person

Secenic
Scenic

7 Days Vietnam/Cambodia Rivers • Scenic Spirit

From $2995 / per person

Bahamas Paradise
Bahamas Paradise

2 Days Bahamas • Grand Celebration

From $149 / per person

Crystal
Crystal

16 Days Middle East • Crystal Symphony

From $3943 / per person

Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line

12 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Disney Magic

From $1483 / per person

Regent
Regent

14 Days US & Canada Eastern • Seven Seas Navigator

From 4999 / per person

Croisi Europe

6 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • MS Seine Princess Indochine

From $1916 / per person

Seabourn
Seabourn

16 Days Australia/New Zealand • Seabourn Encore

From $3999 / per person

Viking Ocean Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruises

13 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Viking Sea

From $2999 / per person

Viking
Viking River Cruises

7 Days Danube River • Viking Vili

From $1999 / per person

Norwegian
Norwegian

15 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Norwegian Escape

From $300 / per person

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises

15 Days Middle East • Celebrity Constellation

From $399 / per person

Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten

11 Days Scandinavia & Fjords • MS Finnmarken

From $2002 / per person

AMA Waterways
AMA Waterways

14 Days Europe-Tours & Cruises • AmaDolce

From $4388 / per person

Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises

12 Days Transatlantic & Repositioning • Costa Magica

From $419 / per person

Follow by Email
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share