OttawaJohn

That's too funny. Cats are amazing, they either don't care if you live or die, or they want to be the center of attention at all times. Rarely anything in between. My sister-in-laws cat will have an attitude and ignore them for a full week whenever they return from a trip.

Well clearly, this was your friends fault. The doggie just didn't want to be left alone so sabotaged the trip 🙂

A good idea lol I have a few friends who I've suggested check as well. The last two plus years of limbo made everyone complacent. Though the fact you can't apply too far in advance can be a problem to. I do have trip insurance but when I contacted them about this, they were very wish washy, saying that the passport problems were 'A foreseeable issue' and so may not be covered.

Agreed, and if I hadn't had to renew earlier then planned, I wouldn't have. Just bad timing. I booked the cruise, passport was fine but then something came up and I had to renew early as a result.

Exactly.

Service - the act of doing something for another. That's kinda the definition. Clearly we'll agree to disagree, but really unclear how I'm 'not taking responsibility'. I followed the rules, expected the timeline to be honored and now it won't be most likely and I'm out thousands of dollars. Asking for some possible consideration and being frustrated that they won't entertain anything at all, from a FCC to a reschedule to even a 50 dollar towards a future purchase, I don't think is whining so much as being surprised.

Yeah, I actually did a similar thing to get my Covid shot, I went to Pembrooke for it, was Ottawa had weeks waiting times and I could just walk in there. The problem is, now that it's been mailed to the main office, local offices are more limited in what they can do, unless it gets to zero hour 😞

Agreed. As I said though, after booking, something came up which required me to renew before I planned. And as the government was saying at the time that 30 days turn around was expected, I don't think I was out of line expecting a return in less then 4 months.

More amused then upset. This is why I don't do Twitter or most other forms of social media. I just don't understand the logic of most users. If someone in person said "hey, I may not be able to cruise due to x" I doubt anyone would respond "Well it's your fault you stupid head." Offer sympathy, maybe some suggestions on options (which many have done, thanks to those) but not berate the person. Online, totally different social norms it seems. I just don't get it.

WHAT? Seriously, where the Hell do people pull this stuff from? Were did I say I lost or was careless with my passport or didn't look for it until just before sailing? I said clearly I had to submit it for renewal earlier then planned due to another reason, and it was submitted the first week of April for a cruise leaving July 30th. 4 full months, to me, doesn't seem like 'just before sailing'. Seriously, it's comments like this that is the reason discourse on the internet is so challenging. I think I need to either stop checking this thread or delete it. It's just so far off from reality anymore.

Yeah, it's an issue, wait times are so bad, by the time the office opens, there are too many to see before it closes and people are turned away. I understand they are going to be expanding the hours of operation which could help. As for the calls, I did 342 before I got through. Thank God I used an auto-dialer app 🙂 Similar wait time once I was through. The person I spoke to was very helpful but limited in what he can do. Sadly the front line staff are the ones absorbing all the abuse and vitriol, even though they have no power to change anything 😞

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 🙂

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 🙂 I did not want to have to submit before the cruise, planned to do so afterwards. It doesn't actually expire till next year. However, I had a reason that I won't get into that caused me to have to do so now. Still optimistic and looking into options if it comes to pass.

Thanks! Yes, that is my plan at this stage. I'm hopeful it will come before but if it gets to the wire, I'll do the expedited service.

Well there is a story in the paper where a woman flew from Vancouver to Edmonton to get it done as it was faster lol Just hope I'm not in that situation!

Montreal is the worst from what I've read as well, which is odd since they have multiple locations I think, whereas I only have one in Ottawa 😞 Still, it's a month out as I said, so hopeful. Flights are the one bright spot right now, I have tickets that can be refunded as credit, and have two years to use them. So I won't be out that expense at least. And if I get the excurions and other purchases back, that's something to. Still several thousand out but not as bad as it could be.

And in general, thanks to all for the well wishes. As someone said, it's still a month out, so 🤞

Did just see something that Trudeau is going to try and fix it. Unclear how 🙂 But again, overall, I love my country. Just sometimes our bureaucracy is a tad on the slow side. We always seem to be answering the last crisis, not the current or future ones.

I truly don't understand how people read things into people's posts. When did I say Celebrity should tell the US "Sorry, this guy doesn't need a passport?" Where did I say that? I would never even consider that. I said I felt annoyed that Celebrity couldn't accommodate something in regards to my situation like offering a FCC or even a partial refund due to this. And yes, I am aware of the situation though it was not as bad when I applied. Service Canada's website said 30 days turnaround when I applied, which was months ago now. Honestly, I'm just annoyed, I get it but still just annoying I could be out thousands of dollars.

Good point about the requirement when travelling. My wife and I are considering carefully when to send hers for renewal. It expires next year and we have three cruises booked over the next two. Though if things get worked out here in Canada sooner then later, that at least will make it easier!

I really love the number of people informing me that Celebrity has nothing to do with passports. Thank you, I was truly confused on this. I thought celebrities controlled everything 😋 Thanks for everyone who have some helpful suggestions or pointed out a few options. Once we get to the 10 day window, I am going to try to get it transferred locally. And if it gets to the two day, I will do what I can for the expedited. As I understand it, your MP can sometimes help as well if you're really stuck. Still, will see what happens.

I'm a multi-faceted man and can be annoyed at more then one thing at a time. 1-The government is annoyance one regarding this disaster 2-Celebrity though I can still be annoyed at for not helping a bit. I know they are a business, and have their policies. But as someone who runs a department at a major company, I make concessions all the time for what's in the customers interest, and to promote good will. Converting my fare to a FCC for legitimate reasons will not break them. Just my thought at least.

That's good to know, some comfort, Alaskan excursions are expensive 🙂 Thanks.

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.

Hi all I was wondering, for anyone who has done a Star Trek cruise, what's it like for non fans? My wife and I both love cruising, and I'm a Trek fan, though she's not. When events are going on board the ship, are there still areas that are 'non-trek'? Is the pool deck taken every day with huge events or could she swim and enjoy the sun without someone trying to nerve pinch her? 🙂 Thanks in advance