May not be able to cruise after all, and Celebrity isn't interested in helping :(

[NutsAboutGolf]

8 hours ago, Guppy99 said:

I would be furious if an exception was made. Passports exist for a reason. There should never be an exception. Nor should Celebrity even respond to any such request...ever. Nor should you be given FCC or any other accommodation.  Otherwise, anyone could claim such a loss if for any reason they were unable to travel at the last minute. I'm sorry you were not responsible enough to safeguard your passport and I do hope it is resolved.  

prepare to get furious as this is how X operates.  This is the only way X will learn and hopefully improve there operations by allowing front lines reps o have more power.

[hcat]

excellent reminder was posted( see below)...hope it serves as a  warning to keep current &  maybe X going  up the chain of command can move cruise date or give a fcc???

 

we are always checking  our passport exp date and requirements for sailing and ports..takes much longer to get things  these days..the Covid excuse!

 

 

" d 18 hours ago

  19 hours ago, cangelmd said:

It sounds like much of your problem is out of your control and you have my sympathy (and I’m going to rush and check my passport).

Everyone should also remember that many destinations require your passport to have at least 6 months of validity left when you travel, so renewal should very early in the year that it expires.

It might be helpful to add “passport issue”, or something similar to your thread title to help disseminate these valuable reminders!

 I hope you get this resolved and have a wonderful trip!"

[Oviedo32765]

Call 202-456-1111 and ask for Joe. If anyone can help, he can.

[Guppy99]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

prepare to get furious as this is how X operates.  This is the only way X will learn and hopefully improve there operations by allowing front lines reps o have more power.

what? why should they be given more latitude?  The only way to provide consistency is to have CSR's that are all knowledgeable with the rules. That is a problem, not how much power they have.

[Ferry_Watcher]

These days there are multiple layers of staff looking at documents, mostly used to catch any mistakes or omissions.  If one pier side staffer allowed someone to pass without a valid passport, it would show up as 'not scanned'  or 'not check in' at the final check point.  That final  pier staffer holding the tablet can fix it if it is a legitimate mistake or omission, or the passenger is escorted back to the check in counter for further action.

[NutsAboutGolf]

28 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

These days there are multiple layers of staff looking at documents, mostly used to catch any mistakes or omissions.  If one pier side staffer allowed someone to pass without a valid passport, it would show up as 'not scanned'  or 'not check in' at the final check point.  That final  pier staffer holding the tablet can fix it if it is a legitimate mistake or omission, or the passenger is escorted back to the check in counter for further action.

 

The OP is somewhat upset X won't move them to another sailing because of passport issues.  As I stated, if the OP is okay with asking the CEO for an exception (many have success) they may help.  Not everyone is okay with that including @Guppy99; YOLO.

[Reel Love]

3 hours ago, OttawaJohn said:

To answer a few questions asked.

 

I applied in early April by mail.

 

Yes, you have to submit your old passport when you apply, so I don't have it now.

 

Expedited is a weird beast.  When you get to 10 days or under before your travel date, you can pay an extra fee to have your application transferred to your local office from what I was told.  So at that point, you can then queue up with everyone else to try and get it.  Which seems to defeat the reason I mailed it 🙂

 

 

Thank you for sharing your experience.   It is helpful to hear of the timeline from mail-in date.  

One of my colleagues from work had to call and request the expedited route after she was getting close to the wire for her travel date back in December 2021.  I am happy to speak with her to get the details of how the process rolled out if you would like?  (She did get her passport in time to travel after calling them directly).   

Of course the process may be different now as that was six months ago and applications have spiked since then, but happy to get the info and pass along if you think it might be helpful.  Fingers crossed that you receive your passport any day now!!!  

[Ferry_Watcher]

26 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The OP is somewhat upset X won't move them to another sailing because of passport issues.  As I stated, if the OP is okay with asking the CEO for an exception (many have success) they may help.  Not everyone is okay with that including @Guppy99; YOLO.

Yes, I believe the OP later clarified that the exception he/she wanted was for possibly switching the cruise date rather than traveling without a valid passport (although it was appeared in the way it was written that it was more of a passport exception).

 

My point is that there are many security layers that a single pier agent can't make an "frontline decision" and let someone on who doesn't have the proper documents.

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The OP is somewhat upset X won't move them to another sailing because of passport issues.  As I stated, if the OP is okay with asking the CEO for an exception (many have success) they may help.  Not everyone is okay with that including @Guppy99; YOLO.

Does not matter what Guppy99 or anyone else thinks about.  It's the OPs issue and if he/she can get it resolved to their satisfaction go for it and I wish the best of luck.  

[cruiser52forever]

Wow, there are a lot of mean people on the board.  Makes me wonder about the type of people that cruise Celebrity.  You are giving Celebrity cruises a bad name and do not seem like people to cruise with.  I truly want to try Celebrity soon, but after reading the responses to this situation,  I'd rather not be around your type.  I get enough of that crap in real life. 

[mayleeman]

6 minutes ago, cruiser52forever said:

Wow, there are a lot of mean people on the board.  Makes me wonder about the type of people that cruise Celebrity.  You are giving Celebrity cruises a bad name and do not seem like people to cruise with.  I truly want to try Celebrity soon, but after reading the responses to this situation,  I'd rather not be around your type.  I get enough of that crap in real life. 

 

Same types of people are everywhere. Good, bad, mean, kind...just as many people try to help as say nasty "gotcha" stuff. At least when they say such things you know who to avoid if you do run across them!

Edited June 23, 2022 by mayleeman

[gold1953]

1 hour ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

The OP is somewhat upset X won't move them to another sailing because of passport issues.  As I stated, if the OP is okay with asking the CEO for an exception (many have success) they may help.  Not everyone is okay with that including @Guppy99; YOLO.

this is customs and immigration law and Celebrity cannot bend a rule. Imagine having an issue in a foreign port of call .

[Arizona Wildcat]

Do not understand the OP.  The passport did not expire until next year.  The OP decided for reasons they decided not to disclose to renew in April.  At that time I was in Canada and note two things - there were reports of huge backups in passport renewals AND friends renewed their passports in a week using the expedited services in BC.  Hmmm.

Last doesn't Ontario have enhanced drivers licenses?  They work just fine for the US and are issued on the spot.

Last, would the OP clarify two dates please?  When did you book the cruise?  When did you send off you passport?

Am confused. . . 

[Arizona Wildcat]

4 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

prepare to get furious as this is how X operates.  This is the only way X will learn and hopefully improve there operations by allowing front lines reps o have more power.

Giving CSRs more "power" now would be insanity.  With the personnel issues they have half have not completed stage 1 of training.

[NutsAboutGolf]

11 minutes ago, gold1953 said:

this is customs and immigration law and Celebrity cannot bend a rule. Imagine having an issue in a foreign port of call .

please reread what I said, the op asked x to move sailings since they won’t have their passport in time

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 minute ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Giving CSRs more "power" now would be insanity.  With the personnel issues they have half have not completed stage 1 of training.

I get that but now the status quo will remain, if the CSRs say no ask the CEO exec team and they’ll maybe say yes

[gold1953]

8 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

please reread what I said, the op asked x to move sailings since they won’t have their passport in time

yes , I understand that but this was a response to someone saying to go up the ladder for an exception

[DirtyDawg]

1 hour ago, cruiser52forever said:

Wow, there are a lot of mean people on the board.  Makes me wonder about the type of people that cruise Celebrity.  You are giving Celebrity cruises a bad name and do not seem like people to cruise with.  I truly want to try Celebrity soon, but after reading the responses to this situation,  I'd rather not be around your type.  I get enough of that crap in real life. 

I joined CC right after I booked my first Celebrity cruise. I had cruised with Royal, NCL, and Carnival before that but wanted to step up to a better cruising experience and had heard good things about Celebrity. It was eye popping when I first started to read the posts in the Celebrity section of CC. We booked last minute so I couldn't cancel but I thought to myself; "I don't want to sail with any of these #$#@%$'s (fill in the blank as you like). Fortunately the actual people we met onboard were the nicest bunch of folks we had ever met on a cruise. Young, old, they were all really great. So either some of the posters around here are a very loud and nasty minority or people are playing #$#@%$'s on the internet. 

 

BTW, some of those same posters bought Tesla stock when it was $0 and  tip their Butler $1,000 per day. Oh, and of course they look like Brad Pitt or Jennifer Aniston and have more money than all the Saudi Royal family put together! 😉

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[RichYak]

1 hour ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Last doesn't Ontario have enhanced drivers licenses?  They work just fine for the US and are issued on the spot.

This is a Vancouver r/t cruise to Alaska. I think a valid passport will be required for all passengers.

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, cruiser52forever said:

Wow, there are a lot of mean people on the board.  Makes me wonder about the type of people that cruise Celebrity.  You are giving Celebrity cruises a bad name and do not seem like people to cruise with.  I truly want to try Celebrity soon, but after reading the responses to this situation,  I'd rather not be around your type.  I get enough of that crap in real life. 

What, 2-3 people you don’t agree with?  Believe me, the on board experience on Celebrity is VERY nice.  

[Fouremco]

1 hour ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Last doesn't Ontario have enhanced drivers licenses?  They work just fine for the US and are issued on the spot.

The Enhanced Driver’s Licence (EDL) program ended June 2019 in Ontario. Existing EDL's can be used until their expiry date, but new ones are no longer being issued.

[OttawaJohn]

Man I sometimes wish I wouldn't post things 🙂  Everyone, just breathe.  Appreciate all you who have my back and even those who are being sorta dismissive or rude. 

 

Yes, I had a valid reason for having to apply early.  No, I won't get into what, it's not relevant.  Yes, the situation was known to be messed up but it's only been in the past few week's it's become truly clear how much of a disaster it is.  You want to say I should have known better or done something different?  Fine, I won't argue.  I may even agree.  It's also not relevant now, so everyone can stop harping on how I'm an idiot and how I want to end the sovereignty of the US by demanding free access for foreigners 😋

 

And yes, as it's departing Canada to Alaska, a passport is required, enhanced DL's are not accepted.  I can't get one anyway, bad eyes, can't drive.  I'm like Mr's Burns's mother, all I can do is cruise and complain 🙂

[Fouremco]

27 minutes ago, RichYak said:

This is a Vancouver r/t cruise to Alaska. I think a valid passport will be required for all passengers.

Entering the US and Canada by land or sea provides more flexibility than flying. EDL's, passport cards and NEXUS cards are a few of the alternatives to passport books that are permitted for Vancouver RT Alaskan cruises. DW and I have used our NEXUS cards without any issue for just such a cruise.

[cruiser52forever]

59 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

What, 2-3 people you don’t agree with?  Believe me, the on board experience on Celebrity is VERY nice.  

I didn't say I agreed or disagreed with anyone.  My response was about people's attitudes and the responses that were quite unkind. 

[sydbarrett]

On 6/22/2022 at 11:20 AM, OttawaJohn said:

Like far too many, my passport is lost in limbo here in Canada.  Three months after submitting it for renewal and no idea if/when I'll get it.  I am hopeful it'll be returned before our cruise at end of July but losing faith 😞

 

I reached out to Celebrity to see if anything could be done and they quickly said no.  Bit sad and surprised honestly.  Our first cruise with them, was really looking forward to it.  The main thing we hear from those who sailed with them is the great service. 

 

We asked if we could get a FCC, or even just push it to the next sailing, and we'd pay any difference in price.  Anything.  Nope.  Not even sure we'll get back shore excursions or the pre-paid specialty dining reservation.

 

I get it, we're within the final payment window, but just disappointed.  For all the claims of superior service with Celebrity, they don't seem to care about helping with this in any way.

We are in the exact same situation as  you. I applied March 14 due to water damage when I was booking my trip, got my passport mid May. My travel partner applied for a renewal Apr 13 as her passport expires 5 months after the trip. She just called today (took about 150 dials and on hold for an hour) and they havent even TOUCHED her application yet. We are supposed to leave in less than 2 weeks. They said it is not likely she will have it in time but she can line up at 4am on the day we travel to try and get an emergency passport. She may not even get through the doors though.