Expert: Matthew Smith - 1/8/2009

Question
We will be taking a transatlantic cruise ending up in Rome.  I purchased a RT ticket on US AIRWAYS.  First leg is from Rome to Phoenix.  Second leg we will not be taking= from Phoenix to Rome.  I am curious if there will be any issues with security since we are american citizens leaving another country???  Will they be very curious as to how we got there and if we will be coming back or not???--I am nervous and don't want to be stuck there or end up paying any fines for not using the other half of out RT ticket.  Thanks so much for your assistance with this!

Chavonne

Answer
No, there are neither security nor airline problems with what you are doing.  The airline isn't really excited about people ditching half an itinerary, but since it's the last leg, you won't suffer any kind of penalty.  As for security, the government would like to think it has tabs on all citizens' movements, but it doesn't.  Heck, I had a job with the TSA for five months and they sent me an e-mail asking me if I was still interested in applying for a job with the TSA.  If they can't even know who their employees are, they can't worry about taking a cruise to exit the US and flying in to enter.  I doubt very much anyone will ask you why you're returning to the US from another country--especially a friendly nation like Italy.

Have fun!  A Trans-Atlantic cruise ending in Rome has got to be very exciting.