Dilemma

[seagazer]

Cruise all set for Dec 21st, needing to escape holidays this year...Now it seems my husband and cabin mate has lost his passport, ordered a new one and it won't be here in time. What do I do? I can't afford to lose all the money, and I'm already stressed. Do I go alone, even though the intent was to share the trip with him? I'm frustrated and hurt, but also feel guilty. Will the cruise line need advance notice? Can I still go to the dining room alone? Will I be safe in ports on my own? I'm 71 and have always travelled with someone, so I'm unsure how to proceed. I'd appreciate any information or experience you have. Thank you, Sally

[Twickenham]

Two crucial bits of information needed:

 

-Where are you cruising to?

-Is your husband a US citizen?

 

If your cruise is a closed-loop Caribbean itinerary, and if your husband is a US citizen, he probably doesn't need a passport - government-issued photo ID plus birth certificate should suffice.

[BDRebel]

If it is a US Passport, the wait time is usually only about 2 weeks, even though the website says 8 weeks.

Also, Twickenham has a good point.

[SadieN]

Going solo isn’t horrible.  

No need to go to ports alone, take ship excursions.   Join your roll call, attend the get togethers.  

I’ve eaten many times as a solo in the MDR.  If you’re doing Anytime dining ask for a shared table if you do not want to dine alone.  Can also request a shared table for assigned dining if you want.

 

Lots of info on the Cruising solo board.   

Edited November 29, 2018 by SadieN

[Cruz-OR]

Info on how to Renew a Passport fast:

 

How to Renew Your Passport Quickly

Standard processing time for a passport renewal is six weeks from the day you apply, though it can vary depending on how busy the passport office is. However, if you need to get it more quickly there are a few ways to do so:

• Pay an additional $60 expedite fee when you submit your application. The State Department also recommends that you pay for overnight shipping both to and from the passport agency. This will cut the processing time down to about 3 weeks.
• Make an appointment at the nearest passport agency if you’re leaving in 14 days (or 4 weeks if you need a visa).
• Use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport for faster, more personalized service and no need to make an appointment or wait in line.

For more information about the pros and cons of these options, see How to Order a Passport at the Last Minute

RushMyPassport makes ordering a passport easy, fast and convenient. Contact us to renew your passport quickly and painlessly!

[sanger727]

Your cruise is still a few weeks away. I wouldn’t freak out at this point. If he hasn’t ordered his replacement yet I would certainly expedite it or go to a passport center if it’s feasie. If it’s a closed look caribbean cruise and he’s a US citizen he can travel without a passport, just needs his birth certificate and driver’s license.

[new_cruiser]

2 minutes ago, Cruz-OR said:

Info on how to Renew a Passport fast:

 

How to Renew Your Passport Quickly

Standard processing time for a passport renewal is six weeks from the day you apply, though it can vary depending on how busy the passport office is. However, if you need to get it more quickly there are a few ways to do so:

• Pay an additional $60 expedite fee when you submit your application. The State Department also recommends that you pay for overnight shipping both to and from the passport agency. This will cut the processing time down to about 3 weeks.
• Make an appointment at the nearest passport agency if you’re leaving in 14 days (or 4 weeks if you need a visa).
• Use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport for faster, more personalized service and no need to make an appointment or wait in line.

For more information about the pros and cons of these options, see How to Order a Passport at the Last Minute

RushMyPassport makes ordering a passport easy, fast and convenient. Contact us to renew your passport quickly and painlessly!

If he has lost the passport, renewal doesn't apply. The process for replacing a lost passport is different from renewal where you send in the old passport.  The process is here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/after/lost-stolen.html

 

You could also use a passport expediter to help with getting it replaced quickly. I've used CIBT before for quick passport renewal and expediting visas.

https://cibtvisas.com/lost-or-stolen-passport

That might help if an in-person visit to one of the passport agency locations is impractical. CIBT has same day service and 2-7 day service for lost passports so plenty of time before Dec 21. 

 

If it is a round trip from a US port to most of the Caribbean (but not Cuba), Mexico or Canada, he could travel with an ID and birth certificate. 

 

If replacing the passport isn't possible, cruising is a relatively easy introduction to traveling solo and many enjoy it. The solo cruiser's forum has lots of info about cruising solo including posts from people doing their first solo trip.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/

I'm 66 and my husband doesn't enjoy traveling as much as I do. He goes with me on some trips, but some I do solo. Last spring, I did a month long trip - a back-to-back, trans-Pacific cruise from Japan to Seward and an Alaska cruise. If you are nervous about going solo in a particular port, you could take a ship excursion there. 

[zqvol]

3 hours ago, seagazer said:

Cruise all set for Dec 21st, needing to escape holidays this year...Now it seems my husband and cabin mate has lost his passport, ordered a new one and it won't be here in time. What do I do? I can't afford to lose all the money, and I'm already stressed. Do I go alone, even though the intent was to share the trip with him? I'm frustrated and hurt, but also feel guilty. Will the cruise line need advance notice? Can I still go to the dining room alone? Will I be safe in ports on my own? I'm 71 and have always travelled with someone, so I'm unsure how to proceed. I'd appreciate any information or experience you have. Thank you, Sally

 

Unless the government shuts down his passport should be there long before your cruise. Depending on where you are sailing, he may be able to cruise with just his drivers license and birth certificate.

[vacation luvver]

OP, you've been given some great advice, but I don't think that anyone has answered this question that you asked:

Can I still go to the dining room alone?

The answer is yes, of course you can.  Did you think that the cruiselines ban people traveling by themselves from eating in the dining room?

[seagazer]

Thanks, but since we live in Panama, he has to have his passport to fly to Ft Lauderdale for the Caribbean cruise. I'm starting to accept he won't get it in time, but am concerned about how to handle meals, ports, etc. I don't want to just stay in the cabin all week. It would be too late to ask a friend to join me, as airfare would be high and she may not want to leave her family over holiday. I've never noticed, but do older women cruise alone? 

 

[new_cruiser]

14 minutes ago, seagazer said:

Thanks, but since we live in Panama, he has to have his passport to fly to Ft Lauderdale for the Caribbean cruise. I'm starting to accept he won't get it in time, but am concerned about how to handle meals, ports, etc. I don't want to just stay in the cabin all week. It would be too late to ask a friend to join me, as airfare would be high and she may not want to leave her family over holiday. I've never noticed, but do older women cruise alone? 

 

 

Not sure if he is a US citizen living in Panama, a Panamanian citizen or something else. If US citizen, a passport expediter as I mentioned below, might be able to help even if you live in Panama or you perhaps the embassy could help with expediting it due to planned travel.

6 hours ago, new_cruiser said:

You could also use a passport expediter to help with getting it replaced quickly. I've used CIBT before for quick passport renewal and expediting visas.

https://cibtvisas.com/lost-or-stolen-passport

That might help if an in-person visit to one of the passport agency locations is impractical. CIBT has same day service and 2-7 day service for lost passports so plenty of time before Dec 21. 

 

 

If not, yes older women do cruise alone. There are lots of reasons to cruise alone; e.g. spouses that don't like to travel or aren't interested in that particular trip, widows, the freedom to do your own thing. 

 

As I mentioned in my post above, you can get lots of information about cruising alone on the solo cruisers forum:

6 hours ago, new_cruiser said:

 

If replacing the passport isn't possible, cruising is a relatively easy introduction to traveling solo and many enjoy it. The solo cruiser's forum has lots of info about cruising solo including posts from people doing their first solo trip.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/

I'm 66 and my husband doesn't enjoy traveling as much as I do. He goes with me on some trips, but some I do solo. Last spring, I did a month long trip - a back-to-back, trans-Pacific cruise from Japan to Seward and an Alaska cruise. If you are nervous about going solo in a particular port, you could take a ship excursion there. 

 

I'm 66 and did a 28-day cruise to celebrate retirement. My husband wasn't interested in doing that long a trip nor in doing an ocean crossing and he wasn't interested in going back to Alaska as we had recently been. I enjoyed the relaxation of the ocean crossing and enjoyed visiting some new ports and getting a chance to do activities I hadn't had time for in the ports I'd visited before. 

[Bevv]

11 hours ago, seagazer said:

Thanks, but since we live in Panama, he has to have his passport to fly to Ft Lauderdale for the Caribbean cruise. I'm starting to accept he won't get it in time, but am concerned about how to handle meals, ports, etc. I don't want to just stay in the cabin all week. It would be too late to ask a friend to join me, as airfare would be high and she may not want to leave her family over holiday. I've never noticed, but do older women cruise alone? 

 

 

Hoping your husband gets his passport in time... but if he does not...

 

There is a section here called solo Cruisers... lots of people with a similar situation there.  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/

 

As for some of your concerns:

Do you have insurance?  If so look at the details there if your husband has to cancel.

Dining - If you have assigned dining you have a space at a table with the same people all week. They often group people with similar ages.  If you have anytime dining they will give you the option of seating with others. There are also the buffet and other casual eating places.

ports - Easiest way there is to take a cruiseline excursion. That way you are in a group that has a guarantee return to the ship.  By the time you do the excursion you may have met some of your fellow travelers. 

On the ship: What do you like to do?  Shows, music, Casino, trivia, bingo?? Lots of people who wander in by themselves and have a seat.

I travel with my husband. We often go in different directions.  He hits the hot tub while I sit in an area with music and read. He goes to shows and I might be doing trivia... etc. People may assume if they see me several times alone that I am not accompanied on the trip.

 

Join a roll call for your cruise. If it is active you will begin get acquainted with your fellow travelers.

[sparks1093]

12 hours ago, seagazer said:

Thanks, but since we live in Panama, he has to have his passport to fly to Ft Lauderdale for the Caribbean cruise. I'm starting to accept he won't get it in time, but am concerned about how to handle meals, ports, etc. I don't want to just stay in the cabin all week. It would be too late to ask a friend to join me, as airfare would be high and she may not want to leave her family over holiday. I've never noticed, but do older women cruise alone? 

 

You should still be able to get a replacement passport in time. I would first attempt applying at the Embassy/Consulate and if that fails apply by mail and paying the expedite fee. But if that fails as others have said cruising solo is certainly possible.

[seagazer]

Thanks for all the suggestions! We are US citizens retired in Panama, so he went to the US embassy to obtain the replacement passport. They are the ones who said it will take time to get here from the US and that they cannot expedite it. We will be called when it arrives at embassy and go into the city to pick it up there. I will keep my fingers crossed!  Good to know that I will not be seen as odd being by myself if I can deal with my own feelings about it! Waiting for our TA to call back with how to deal with the cruise line. There is so much I don't know, having always gone two by two in this Noah's Ark world, so I'm grateful for the experience and knowledge of others. This may open up a whole new realm for me!

[DRS/NC]

Seagazer -- I'm your age & have been cruising alone for several years & I'm sure not the only one (solo senior female).

 

You can do everything other passengers do & you can do it on your own time frame!

Go to Anytime Dining & ask to share a table -- people to chat with during dinner (or b'fast or lunch).  Or do Traditional Dining & ask for a table of 6 or 8 -- same dining companions all week.  If you want to be alone sometimes, go to the buffet.  And there's always Room Service (my favorite for b'fast!).

 

Take ship's excursions if you don't want to visit the ports on your own. Or stay on board if you've been there before or if you're tired & want to rest.

 

And if DH gets his passport, ignore all the above.   Good luck!

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, seagazer said:

Thanks for all the suggestions! We are US citizens retired in Panama, so he went to the US embassy to obtain the replacement passport. They are the ones who said it will take time to get here from the US and that they cannot expedite it. We will be called when it arrives at embassy and go into the city to pick it up there. I will keep my fingers crossed!  Good to know that I will not be seen as odd being by myself if I can deal with my own feelings about it! Waiting for our TA to call back with how to deal with the cruise line. There is so much I don't know, having always gone two by two in this Noah's Ark world, so I'm grateful for the experience and knowledge of others. This may open up a whole new realm for me!

 

Call the congressman from the state where you used to live. They can often get them expedited.

[CruisingAlong4Now]

Don't worry if he gets his passport. That's his problem.  You will have a fantastic cruise.

 

This is an excellent time for you to spread your wings and fly solo. Remember before you became joined to him? You didn't need him to have a good time. And you don't now. Lots of activities and excursions. You don't have to be half a duo to enjoy yourself. And 71 isn't old. https://www.afterfiftyliving.com/70-is-the-new-50-why-our-lives-different-today/

[cabin4three]

17 hours ago, seagazer said:

 but am concerned about how to handle meals, ports, etc. I don't want to just stay in the cabin all week. It would be too late to ask a friend to join me, as airfare would be high and she may not want to leave her family over holiday. I've never noticed, but do older women cruise alone? 

 

Hi  Lots of people holiday alone, including older women on cruises,  I have been on cruises (and land based holidays/extended business trips) alone many times.  Cruises are so much easier  in terms of solo travellers.  I found as a solo woman other passengers were very happy to include me, asking me to join them at dinner, bar, sitting together at the theatre etc.

On cruises when I travelled alone, I usually asked for a larger table for dinner;  many cruise lines will seat a few solo travellers together so its even easier to find travel companions.   Some cruise lines have a solo traveller get together early in the cruise, these give you a chance to meet others who may have booked on same excursions or have similar interests such as the stage shows.

There will also be lots of women travelling with their partners who will relish the chance for a chat with you whilst their partner snores on the sun lounger 

[puppycanducruise]

I hope you have a wonderful cruise, either solo, or with your husband.

[jagsfan]

Look forward to your cruise, whether your husband is able to go with you or you have to spread your wings and fly solo. 

One of the things we like about cruising is that we can go our own ways. Sometimes DH and I spend most the a day apart. I’m a reader and he likes to check out activities all day. 

I go to bed and read after dinner, he goes to all the shows. 

I do shore excursions and have to talk him into joining me instead of wandering in his own. 

I’m sure people assume we’re both solos, unless they see us at dinner!

Have a great cruise no matter how it works out. 

[SRF]

On 11/30/2018 at 10:45 AM, seagazer said:

Thanks for all the suggestions! We are US citizens retired in Panama, so he went to the US embassy to obtain the replacement passport. They are the ones who said it will take time to get here from the US and that they cannot expedite it. We will be called when it arrives at embassy and go into the city to pick it up there. I will keep my fingers crossed!  Good to know that I will not be seen as odd being by myself if I can deal with my own feelings about it! Waiting for our TA to call back with how to deal with the cruise line. There is so much I don't know, having always gone two by two in this Noah's Ark world, so I'm grateful for the experience and knowledge of others. This may open up a whole new realm for me!

 

HUH???

 

They print them AT THE EMBASSY.

[new_cruiser]

36 minutes ago, SRF said:

 

HUH???

 

They print them AT THE EMBASSY.

Not according to the embassy website:

https://pa.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/

"All passports are printed in the United States and shipped to the Embassy within three weeks of approval of the application. "

Presumably with modern security features on passports, they don't have the equipment to produce them at the embassy. 

 

It seems like they must have some work-around for tourists stranded due to a lost or stolen passport - maybe something temporary requiring extra screening at US entry?

[sparks1093]

14 hours ago, SRF said:

 

HUH???

 

They print them AT THE EMBASSY.

They can print emergency, limited validity passports maybe, but full passports are printed in the US.

[Sue Do-Over]

Let's rewind... OPs dear husband had his passport somewhere at home, when they filled out their cruise documents... so it's likely there in the house, probably near the computer.

 

Sure, maybe he knows his passport number by heart, or has a photo of it in his phone... but I'd bet dollars to donuts that it's in the sofa cushions or under the mouse pad or otherwise right-here-somewhere.

 

OP, take a deep breath, and methodically check that area.  Then, check the places you 'hide' stuff like extra cash or duplicate credit cards.

[Shmoo here]

28 minutes ago, Sue Do-Over said:

Let's rewind... OPs dear husband had his passport somewhere at home, when they filled out their cruise documents... so it's likely there in the house, probably near the computer.

 

Sure, maybe he knows his passport number by heart, or has a photo of it in his phone... but I'd bet dollars to donuts that it's in the sofa cushions or under the mouse pad or otherwise right-here-somewhere.

 

OP, take a deep breath, and methodically check that area.  Then, check the places you 'hide' stuff like extra cash or duplicate credit cards.

I imagine, since OPs cruise is in 2 days, they've worked things out by now.  At least, I hope so...