NO ONE is going to overlook the date of expiration. If you go through the mail, if I recollect properly, it takes 3 months, 30 days if you pay a fee to expidite it.
Speaking of which.... I gotta find mine to change the name on it.
The airport *MIGHT* overlook the close to expiration date, but a cruise line WILL NOT. They won't even sell you a ticket until you furnish a passport on some trips.