Hello and am I glad to "see" you!

We received our flight plans for the 9 April trip, but docs are being held up until RSS receives our guest information.

Here's the problem:
As you know, I was recently married. I sent my passport off for amending to SCarolina early in Feb and have yet to get it back so I cannot fill in my portion of the information.

Here's the question:
Does anybody have a guess as to how I might go about finding out my passport number while I'm waiting for it to come back?

If I have my number, I can fill out the online form. I know, I know - how "whatever" of me not to have a copy or have written the number down, :( but who woulda thunk it would be needed?

We really want to do the Doc Dance! Any ideas?

Thanks! Missed you guys!
Ash <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Ash,

The form you filled out won't give you your passport number - it's just the form #.
for inquiries they tell you to call 1-900-225-5674. For some reason they list another number (for credit card users) to call 1-888-362-8668.

You really should have a quick answer to this.
Hope all goes well, let us know the outcome
Marty

Marty,

Thanks for the information! I called the number, but ended up hanging up after being on hold for a little while. I just can't pay to sit on a telephone before I've even been helped. Boggles the mind why that is a toll call, but I suppose it cuts down on people like me disturbing the work day.

So - back to square one.

Note to anyone and everyone - keep that copy of your passport after the cruise is over. I learned the hard way about needing a trivial piece of information and not having access.

30+ days!!!
Ash <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Ash:

When you used your passport in the past did you give the number to your travel agent? He or she might have kept a record in your file.

I hope your passport comes back soon - this has to be very frustrating.

I know you'll make copies when it comes back - one more hint - laminate one of those copies and carry it with you when you've on shore during your cruise - the cruise line usually collects passports when you're onboard (not on all itineraries, but in areas where passports are needed to clear ships into other countries) but the copy helps if you need it when touring etc.

Often you need you passport number to fill out disembarkation forms etc. too. I'm always glad I have a copy handy.

Thanks, Margo!

No go on the travel agent idea. This is my first assisted vacation. In the past, I've made my own arrangements.

I supppose I'll just have to sit tight and wait. <img border="0" alt="[Hammer]" title="" src="graemlins/hammer.gif" /> Shouldn't be too much longer. I'm entering week 5 of my "returned in 4 to 6 weeks".

Cheers!
Ash <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Ash:

While it's no help to you, your situation is a reminder to others that keeping a copy of their passport is a good idea. AND now having a passport is really a must rather than an option - even when cruising in the Caribbean some islands are now requiring them.

So if you don't have one - better start the paperwork.

Ash:

I miss your questions over at CruiseMates; no reason to go back over to that Radisson board.

Arlene took her mother to County Clerk to order passport on Thursday. Took only a few minutes to fill out form and order. Should be here in 4-6 weeks. I will have her guest information form filled out sans the passport number ready to be faxed to TA. I know this is going to hold up our Bermuda docs. :(

Ash, I feel for you! This is such a lesson for all of us to photocopy our passport #'s so we always have them. I can see how easily this could happen. Just when you think you've covered everything!!!
Hopefully, your passport will be returned to you any day and you'll soon be doing your "doc dance" ....then off for a fabulous overdue honeymoon!

Is the number on a renewed passport the same as the original?

When I renewed my passport the number did NOT stay the same..... I just looked, a surprise to me! Wonder why??

Mine needs renewed this year, I finally get to get rid of the ugliest picture of me on earth!

Thanks, Marcie.
Karen, my photo was taken several years ago, obviously, and I'm not sure my current one will be an improvement unless it's a bit blurred!!

I know the passport office in CT. will get you a new one in 3 days if you can show flight or cruise tickets. This was a while back. It also cost extra.


JPar

I'm glad my little problem can serve as a wake-up call to us all this time!

Marc, it's always such a joy to see you responding to my questions! I speak fondly of you often as my "answer-man", and hope to cruise with you (among many others) one day.

Regarding passport numbers, yes, the number changes when you renew, but NOT when you change your name apparently. I did manage to track down a couple of old passports (my very first, then the amended one showing my old married name) and the numbers are the same. The hold up now is the other info like issue and expiration date.

So - I know my number, but STILL must wait to fill out the guest info online. Argh!

BTW - it looks like preferences like in-suite bar set up and what have you are options on a site page for SSS members & not first timers like us. Oh well! We'll just deal with all of that when we book our next trip.

Cheers!
AshD <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Ash:

You can add your in-suite bar set up preference at the bottom of the form under special requests.

We did that on the on-line form and all liquor was in our suite when we boarded for our first cruise on RSSC.

Just print out a form and sent it in via fax with your bar preferences. Or even just add a page to the one you send in with any requests and put your name and booking number on the second page.

The "online" forms have not been working that well. I dont use them at all right now. Still some little problems with that so you may be better off sending it in by fax anyway.First time guests get the same benefits as past guests (except for the society discount and past passenger party)

This is NO guarantee the bar will be set up though. It happens about 50% of the time the best I can tell. The stewardess will get it for you very quickly on boarding though so it is not really a problem.

AshD, I put mine on the little thing on the door to the cabin first thing. That way they can't miss it. Sometimes it has taken me until the next day to get it when I have left it in the room. Ngaire is right about the 50-50 thing from my experience with the form sent on-line in advance.