lovetotravel06

Just now, Gretchendz said:

And, since it seems related, passport processing times are back to being speedy lately. My husband's renewal came back in two weeks, which shocked us, but in a good way 🙂

That's good to know and what I've been hearing of late. 👍 

6 hours ago, garycarla said:

I am amazed at how complicated folks want to make this.

 

1 - Passport is not needed on closed loop cruises as per the U. S. Government.

2 - Virgin has been big on requiring it, but has loosed up a bit if you have govt ID and birth cert.

3 - If your ONLY id is going to be a passport, then the 6 month rule kicks in.

4 - What any other cruiseline says or does means close to nothing.

5 - Virgin has their requirements right on the website.

6 - And yes, there are good reason to take a passport, even if not required.

 

And please not get into the argument about leaving it on the ship or taking it with you.  That argument is as old as a few other things that will not be resolved in our lifetime.

Agreed on the bold. Couple of the other points not completely but whatever.

1- Indeed

2-Had no clue and have all 3 (PP, govt ID and BC) but don't bring Birth Cert

3-Not so much apparently.

4-Could be so, thus my surprise when Virgin "seemed" all about the 6 month deal until they really weren't.

5-I'm sure they are, I never bothered to look.

6- Obviously. Never travel without it.

Good grief. As stated ad nauseam, my first time ever on Virgin. Was surprised. Not like I'm a complete newbie to cruising and extensive travel in general. Anyway, checked in, no problem, called, rep says no problem and lastly Virgin Terminal Operations emailed me immediately and said no problem. Not sure what's so difficult to comprehend at this point. Clearly they don't worry about closed loops but my initial email from them caught me off guard when the first thing I was to "triple check" was the 6 months deal. 

 I came back to this thread to report back (hate it when people post a question or problem and never return with the outcome). That's all. 

57 minutes ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

It's literally the first thing in Royal Caribbean's Travel Documents FAQ. "The passport must be valid for six months after the day your cruise ends...

I've never read cruise travel documents FAQ's at least that I can remember. 20 years ago maybe I did, who knows, Never a need to. Virgin emailed me and that was THE first thing they brought up wasn't FAQ's in a cruise contract. Royal/X has never emailed me squat (specifically) referring to the 6 months thing. 

 Just a fluke that I hadn't renewed my passport yet.. Also, have seen more than my fair share of people cruise with a Birth Certificate and DL. Don't even HAVE to possess a passport closed loop (that applies to Virgin as well) but would fall under the "exception" with them apparently although I'd never go without. Chill for crying out loud.

5 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

It's the same rule for all cruise lines. 6 months after sailing date for all cruises, yes including closed loop cruises. VV can issue an exception, but are not required to. 

That's all fine and dandy but I've NEVER seen or heard anything about it on the many closed loop cruises I've taken on Royal and Celebrity. Not once out of MANY closed loops. SO, when I got the VV email and the very first thing I saw to "remember" was to "triple check my PP is valid for at least 6 months after the voyage end date" maybe you could understand where I was like WHAT?

 I'm sure the language is in the fine print somewhere on RCI or X but I've never seen or heard of it nor anything about making exceptions let alone the #1 thing I needed to "triple check".  Thus this thread. 

Edit.. Not only did they offer the "exception" phone rep said no problem at all right off the bat and a very swift email from a Virgin Terminal Operations Crew member stating the same kind of led me to believe this wasn't the only time they'd had someone inquire "what are you talking about". Both assured me no problem since it was a closed loop which is what I assumed to be the case all along. Hardly an "exception" in my opinion but whatever, I digress. 

Thanks to all that chimed in. 

23 hours ago, cantgetin said:

Fingers crossed for you, but I strongly suspect that VV will issue the exception.
 

I went ahead and called just to be sure. Rep said I would be fine but to go ahead and complete my check in (pic of Passport, etc) and see if what happened. He allso put in a call to terminal operations (think that's what he called it) and explained he situation to them. Was to receive email from them within 72 hours. 

 Check in did flag the 6 months thing but allowed me to continue. After completing that received email stating that I was all set to go. 

 Terminal Operations Crew lady emailed this AM at 9:30 and said I was all good to go as well. 

SO, what threw me for a loop for a bit has all been resolved now. Wanted to check back in and let CC know what transpired. 

Thanks for the comments and now I will be seeing how I like Virgin very soon! I've done enough research on youtube and here to know that it's going to be quite different that what I'm accustomed to! Looking forward to it actually! 

Thanks again, Sailors! 

33 minutes ago, neverendingcruising said:

Yes, if you were late picking a time this could be normal. They don't let people on the ship until 1:30 at the earliest. Conversely, you don't have to be off the ship until 10:30

VERY late picking a time would be an understatement. Many times we travel spur of the moment and this cruise was one of those times. Glad to hear that 4:15 isn't unusual. On RCI and Celeb you'd be left behind if you showed up at 4:15! 🙂 

I suspected that that later disembarkation might be the reason. I'm a fan of that! We're normally about the last ones off the ship and are fine with that. 

2 hours ago, fsdorado said:

 

It also matters what ports you're stopping in.  For example, for Columbia, you MUST have a password with at least six months left.  This is the law in Columbia, not a cruise line policy.  I think there are one or two other islands in the Caribbean that require passports but most do not.

 

 

Frederick

Yes, I know that. This is a little Caribbean 5 night cruise that most certainly doesn't "require" passports. Cozumel and Bimini. That's why I was so surprised at the notice at the top of my email from VV's "to do" list....I'm quite well traveled and wondered what in the world they were going on about. 

Thanks for the reply.

4 hours ago, rebeccac said:

Actually, if you go to the FAQs for both Royal and Celebrity, they do have the 6 month language in there.  It is pretty standard language for all cruise lines.  It is put in there as a CYA since there are certain countries around the world that do have that requirement.  That being said, it is rarely a requirement from most of the Caribbean countries you will likely visit from Miami.  I am honestly not sure if the cruise line "requirement" or the individual country requirements are the ones to follow.  

Thanks for the reply...as I mentioned, I have a fair amount of experience. I've never heard of the 6 months deal on a passport on a closed loop out of FL, EVER. VV made it the first thing I needed to understand, etc...Way different experience from any of my 35 prior cruises so was surprised...just so happened it was the first time I'd not renewed my PP pretty far in advance, 

Another quick question..after "checking in" shows 4:15 as the earliest time available. Is that right? Royal and Celebrity are normally about ready to set sail by then! Sound right to all you VV regulars?!

Thanks and thanks to all who replied. 

2 hours ago, cantgetin said:

That is VV's normal requirement at all ports rather than make different rules for different nationalities or departure ports.  They have, in the past, made exceptions IN ADVANCE for US citizens on closed loop cruises out of Miami who did not have time to get a renewal before their cruise.

Sounds like they are a little lazy in that department. How hard is it to adhere to closed loops out of MIami not even legally requiring a passport let alone the 6 month deal?

 

Most other lines also follow the government requirements of allowing cruisers to cruise on a birth certificate and photo ID; VV does not unless an exception is granted.

 

Indeed, most other lines (ALL) do.

When do you cruise?  How long as passport renewals taking now (our experience has been that they take the same or less time than they are showing on line.). If you don't have time for a renewal, contact VV as soon as possible and see if they will issue you an exception letter.  Print this out and take it to th cruise terminal with you; you don't want the terminal people claiming that they can't find it in their records. The passport is good for re-entry into the US until the expiration date.
Cruise coming right up. Passport good for another 3 months. Will contact them tomorrow. I saw no reference to needing 6 months remaining on a valid passport when booking. Only when I received email today did I notice that.

 

Another point might be the "what if something happens and you need medical care in a foreign hospital that extends beyond the date on your passport?"  Yes, the State Department has provisions for issuing an emergency passport, but is that really what you want to be doing at an already stressful time?

Thanks for the additional info on Passport knowledge. I've had one since 1984 though so,.....Kind of know the ropes. 35 cruises and a good deal of world travel under my belt. I know about the 6 month thing when traveling abroad to some countries. Never heard of a closed loop cruise out of a US port needing the 6 months remaining on the valid passport though. 

 Appreciate your input.

31 minutes ago, garycarla said:

There are many posts if you scroll down the page abouts passports.

 

They also list the requuirements on the Virgin website.

I didn't scroll too far out but did use the search option. Didn't see anything pop right up so thought I'd just post.

Title pretty much says it all. Surely that's not required for a closed loop out of Miami is it? (the 6 months thing) Have sailed Royal MANY times and lately a couple Celebrity, never heard such language. 1st time on VV!  Got an email saying the exact quote in title (among other info). Sailing soon on Scarlet Lady Riviera Maya and was for sure surprised. My PP expires and 3 months or so (I know, I need to get on renewal). 

TIA for any real world info! 

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Guests will not be permitted off or on the ship without the SeaPass Cars and Photo Identification (Government Issued). 
 

 

That's really something. Odd actually. I don't doubt the compasses say so either.

  Without looking I'm thinking over 30 cruises for me, D+ (rarely suites/double points, etc) and I've never once had it happen to me (being told/ordered to bring photo ID or you don't get off the ship). Good idea actually so whatever. I don't really care but it was slightly annoying to have to go back up to the cabin and retrieve my passport. One passenger after the next was just as perplexed as me as most of us were headed back to the elevators to go get our ID's. Sea pass card IS an ID to me. You don't get a sea pass card or board the ship without ID! lol

No big deal, I found it interesting is all. 

In other news...Celeb continues to impress in almost every way. Ship included.

34 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Like the old saying goes, there's a first time for everything. 

Isn't that the truth! lol  1st time after 30 plus cruises on RC we try Celebrity. 1st time ever on a "special" cruise like this one. Lastly, 1st time ever been told to have photo ID or you weren't getting off! 3 firsts on one cruise! 🙂

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

Were just glad to be able to stop at Key West. No biggie showing both forms of ID. We've had to show both at a port or two before. Not a RC requirement. 

This WAS an RC (Celeb) requirement. People were pretty annoyed having to go all the way back to their staterooms to get photo ID's. Apparently a lot of others like me who've NEVER had to do it. 

I have brought my passport with me before on my own because it's not the worst idea in the world but have never been ORDERED to get photo ID and "sea pass" card before. 

Question...at the stop in Key West they were completely nuts in that you needed a picture ID and your "Sea Pass" card. In all my years on Royal I don't think I've EVER took pic ID with me off the ship. ???

At least it's not nearly full!! lol

37 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

Thanks for the heads up on your impressions of the ship/line. We cruise next week on Apex and are really excited. Found this in answer to your question.  Many cruises have groups sailing, and this is one of the groups aboard currently : 
 

https://www.purplelightvacations.com/package/2022-post-thanksgiving-gay-group-cruise-on-the-celebrity-apex-pied-piper/

Wow. LOL  What are the odds?! 🤣 Thanks for the info. I figured it about had to be something like that. I could care less but as a straight guy it probably wouldn't be at the top of my list of choices for my 1st Celeb cruise ever.  

I don't want to come off "wrong" but ladies around the pool during the day and all dolled up in evening is more my speed. 

Shaking my head and laughing out loud (literally). What else can ya do?! 

Well, ended up on Apex currently. Much different that RCI imo so far. Haven't "discovered" everything yet but the ship is for sure nice. Crew, etc all very nice. Much more friendly and welcoming as I kind of expected. Buffet seems hands down better. Haven't been on long enough to check everything out yet.

Interestingly enough (surely not the norm) but has to be close to 20-25% of people on board are male couples. "Not that there's anything wrong with that" of course! lol Close to zero kids as well.

Have some more exploring to do today as you definitely don't know where everything is on X! As a D Plus on RCI the ship it's quite different and for sure "up" a notch or two more than anticipated. 

Not sure what the deal is with all the aforementioned couples? 

Thanks for the info....was able to get my CC# online for what it's worth. I don't think the Concierge class would be worth the price difference (around $500 for 2 of us) for me anyway.                                                Be interesting cruising a "new" line and a "newish" ship (Apex it looks like). Half excited about it actually! lol

Thanks again for all the info everyone! Looking very forward to giving them a try.  If I may ask, what's the difference between a Concierge balcony and a Veranda? Seem the same but am a total newbie with Celeb!  One other thing...to be clear I can just use my RCI C&A #  and they will automatically know I'm D+ right? (or "Elite" with them)...

and from IL so never an easy hop on a cruise and go like so many Floridians! 😉

38 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I found the customer service as well as the overall vibe on Celebrity to be quite good.

but as for perks, well I was not overwhelmed.  I got more being Aqua than I did elite.

 

I sail on 5-6 different lines so for me perks are not important.  I am half way to Pinnacle but I do like HAL and NCL as well.   

Thanks for the input. I feel like I'm getting there too (perks not as important as they once were but still like some of them!)..For sure could care less about making Pin but did enjoy the journey to D+ and what came with it. Got there via very few suites (mostly balcony) and not one repositioning I might add. Looking forward to Celeb. Thanks again.

The customer service mentioned above being another reason I want to give Celeb a try. Have been very loyal to Royal but here and there I think a little better experience could be had for sure.

Thanks for the replies so far!! I've been thinking about Celebrity for awhile now. As D+ on Royal that'll be as far as I'm going to go. Have no intentions of seeking Pin.