Message: Am I the only one that didn't know that Barbados started requiring a passport for U.S. and Canadian citizens, effective March 1, 2004? I stumbled across this "gem of wisdom" at Caribe On-Line, and was shocked. We are going in May, so we have time to get them, but that would have been a disaster if I had not stumbled upon that. We booked back in the fall. I just wanted to get the message out, so no one gets snagged on this at the last minute (worse yet, at the airport).

In this day and age, I would think it unwise to leave one's country without one's passport.

I believe that the original poster was merely trying to be helpful to those who may not have been aware of the change or for whom it may be the first trip out of their home country.

Is it really necessary to be so condescending?

Good catch Idscruggs. I think your getting a passport now will repay you many times over in the coming years. It's a good idea to check on passport and visa requirements whenever you are contemplating travel. Things change more often now (post 911). My passport is in my computer bag next to my desk right now with all my FF cards lol. I might be going to the caribbean next week, then again I might not be!!
My friend needed a passport in a hurry and had to pay a premium to get the service expidited.

Hi,
Who did you book your trip with? I would think a travel agent or a tour operator, even an airline, would have some responsibility for letting you know about the change.
I don't mean they they would have a legal responsibility but just a responsibility to you as a customer. I heard about the Barbados requirement on another newsgroup, too.
I do know that you get turned away at U.S. airports if you can't show a passport and your destination requires one.