GeezerCouple

Wow. You are far more patient than we would have been! I hope there is not any deadline involved. One time when we had something similar (not travel related), as soon as we stated that if we didn't have a resolution by date/time, we'd contact [name of regulatory agency]. We had the online complaint all typed up, ready to "click and send". About 20 minutes *after* the time on that date (the time had been 5pm, end of business day), we got a frantic phone call along the lines of "No, NO, please don't...!" Ah... but we had stated, in writing, some days in advance... "by 5pm". At about 5:10, we simply clicked "send". 🙂 But we didn't say a word about that until we had received the check *and* cashed it! And yes indeedy, the regulatory agency did respond, and we received copies of all the correspondence, which we hadn't expected. I think this approach, a regulatory agency/etc., is a fine idea if one has exhausted other reasonable actions and still not gotten any resolution... or perhaps not even an acknowledgement. Good luck. It can be incredibly frustrating! GC

What happened when you contacted your state's Insurance Commissioner's Office? Were they unable to help? GC

Where does he use/play his electric guitar while on the ship such that it doesn't bother other passengers, be it in public areas or in adjacent (sideways/up/down) cabins? GC

??? Huh? They didn't verify that it was an approved vendor? How in the world could they pick a vendor that wasn't approved by the authorities that must give approval about the biofouling cleaning? Scratching my head... >> Is this actually true? Perhaps that "couple on one of the trips around NZ and Australia" were misinformed? GC

This is a "health/physical ability" issue, not an age issue. Someone much younger than 70 could seriously slow down a group, and someone 80 or older could be at the front of the pack, eager to move faster and see more, etc. There should be a way to screen better (or to screen at all). Charge the hidden slowpoke a large fee to help them get back early? I really don't know what the solution is. But we are a couple where DH could keep up with just about any other passengers. Alas, I have had a bad foot since I broke it during competitive ballroom dancing (which says a lot about my physical condition/abilities at that point). So we go on private excursions in part to avoid slowing others down if I need to rest (and so I *can* rest whenever desired). It's also because we typically would prefer to see more of X and less of Y (and certainly not stop at mandated "souvenir shops" or such), not to mention waiting for the laggards who don't think the "time to be back to the bus" doesn't apply to them, which isn't an age or fitness issue anyway... I don't know what the solution is, if people are going to misrepresent their abilities (even if just "to themselves") when signing up for something that clearly states the walk will be difficult and x mile or whatever, and the person has no hope of succeeding. 😡 GC

We would *NOT* be pleased to be downgraded. We select the cabin/suite type (and usually the specific location) that we prefer. If what we want isn't available and we don't care for what *is* available, we won't book... or we'll keep an eye out for something to open up that we DO want. We have gotten an incredibly generous offer from a cruise line if we would give up our reservation and switch to an entirely different cruise. Unfortunately, it was at a time when we could not go, or we would have considered it. I think that is the way to handle overbooking! GC

Don't "cancel". The second passenger is just a no show, like they missed the flight to get there, or had an accident on the way to the airport, or landed in hospital the night before. Things happen. GC

I think this is why some of the cruiseline policies (perhaps not the 3rd party travel insurance companies) call the CFAR "trip protection" and *not* "trip insurance"... because it isn't really "insurance", so it can be offered. Also, in at least some (most?) policies to consumers not in NY, the CFAR is not a separate "standalone contract"; it is indeed a part of the main insurance policy, albeit for extra cost. IF this means that insurers *can* sell CFAR in NY and without requiring a separate regular "insurance" coverage, that could be something that some travelers actually prefer. I wonder if this would spread to other states...? We always get 3rd party travel insurance, and pay the extra for the CFAR. Although we've had several claims, we've never actually used the CFAR option. However, there have definitely been times when that CFAR coverage helped with the SWAN factor: Sleep Well At Night... when we were seriously thinking of cancelling for some urgent reason, but not anything that the regular non-CFAR would have covered. GC

The link was provided just above, in Post #5, last week. GC

Please see: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2912959-single-surcharge…help-me-understand/page/2/#comment-64788788 There *are* reports of singles being unable to get a reservation, when two people would be able to do so. (I have not experienced this, however.) If two people make reservations and both pay for them, and one later cannot make it, or misses a flight, or gets sick, or whatever... how in the world is a cruise line going to "sanction" them? (I'm assuming that the person who won't make the cruise is NOT asking for any type of refund. However, I think in *some* cases, some of the extra fees are cancelled or refunded, but not the full cruise fare, obviously, but that's not necessary.) GC

As crystalspin already wrote, just call asap. The full advance time would probably be more critical if some special provisioning were needed for truly "special" meals, not things that can be made on board with regular ingredients (or, in this case, with a regular ingredient omitted!). But your goal is to make it as easy for them as possible to help you with what you need, right? There are almost definitely going to be quite a few others with "low sodium" or "no added sodium" requests, so don't worry... just let them know. And then enjoy! GC

Yes, I think so, but "not quite". My scenario is NOT to try to avoid that surcharge, of a single paying double. It was specifically addressing the problem mentioned above when someone was *unable* to book as a single, even if willing to pay double. CPT trips keeps coming back to the "supplement" cost. That was NOT the problem in this situation. The poster above "wanted" to pay the supplement! But they could not book as a single, not even when paying for two. CPT trips was implying that the "boarding" would be denied if only one person showed up: [emphasis added] That is very unlikely, as there is no requirement that persons sharing a cabin must show up and board together. IF one shows up first, they can board. And "if" the second doesn't make it in time, I cannot imagine some crew member is going to search the ship to find that "single", perhaps haul them out of the pool, wait for them to change, get their luggage all packed up, and help them disembark before the ship can sail...!? As I wrote previously, "Really?" I've seen this suggestion quite a few times over the years, but not at the point of booking. Usually it's when one of two already booked passengers can't make it. The suggestion is NOT to cancel, but to be a no-show at boarding. That's what the above would end up being. GC

Good point about allowing toiletries in plastic containers. However, I don't think it's just the "single use" aspect of plastic for beverages. I doubt one could bring on 2 liter bottles of Coke or Pepsi (whichever isn't served on board). So... I'm not sure where they draw the line. For anything that is medical necessity, I would strongly suggest contacting the Special Needs department to get it cleared in advance. Then boarding will be much less stressful... As for "Coffeemate" liquid, I'd probably get advance "permission", or make sure there was some suitable substitute, either on the ship or something that was allowed (e.g., powder). GC

This ^^ We both have special dietary needs, one due to serious celiac disease and the other with an allergy to a single ingredient, We always contact the equivalent of the Special Needs service at any cruise line (including HAL) well before sailing. They they'll be expecting you, etc. And we've always eaten at "whatever time we wish", including on HAL where there is a fixed time option. We never had a problem. However, we ALWAYS remind the waitstaff when we order, and then again as we are served, "This is the GLUTEN FREE portion, correct?" or "This has NO <ingredient>, correct?" On HAL on our most recent cruise, on about the 3rd night, we had a particularly pleasant and efficient waiter, so we started asking for his area. He got to know us, even though we didn't have the exact same table. It didn't take long before almost as soon as we arrived, a bottle of our preferred sparkling water was presented, along with, "Would you like your wine this evening?" He remember we always asked for the same wine. HOW they have such memories, including names, will baffle me forever. 😉 But even then, as we were served, we always asked, "This is the...., correct?" as we would do in any restaurant. On another cruise line, I once happened to mention, and was overheard, saying something like, "I wish I could have X, but it's made with y" - and soon a chef type showed up and asked if I would like to arrange any particular evening when they could make me a "y-free" version. They all really do try! 🙂 GC

Is that you, Aunty Web? 😁 GC

Thanks very much for your long review. It was very useful. We've only been on HAL once thus far, and we had a very good time. We were on Noordam, in NZ and Australia. We headed home in mid-December, 2019. So... for us, anyway, not much since then, alas. We LOVED Lincoln Center Stage, and that would have been a huge draw for us to return... sigh. GC

Thank you for reminding us of this stopover. It's on the list! GC

Thanks. I didn't even notice. But that's no surprise, as "our place" was the Sanctuary area. I guess that doesn't exist on the newer ships? A shame. Anyway, we just left some books in our suite each time, and hoped they'd find a new home somewhere... with crew, in the library, just someplace to be enjoyed... Now I know better. 🙂 GC

Yes, quite a perspective! But the boat... so many parts with... *no* railings or anything to hold on to? How do they do this in choppier seas? Thanks. Very special to see this! I've seen the "regular" but nothing quite like this view. GC

Unfortunately, this is what we had understood for alcohol, and perhaps some other things. I suppose they worry about "is it theft"? I've wondered if giving it with a thank you note, specifying that we are GIVING the wine or other booze? Please let us know if there is some way to gift things to them. Thanks. GC

Aha... here is where you will finally find the "catch" if you find less expensive pricing through the cruise line. They usually find the very cheapest flights. They are unlikely to be non-stop, and they may be at inconvenient hours. And if you are in the NYC area, who knows which airport would be used. Now... most (?) cruise lines do have something called a "deviation" (or similar) such that you pay a premium and have more choice in your flights. There is still the problem that you do not control your reservations. If things go awry, you can't just call the airline to arrange "something else". If you read reports about this, there are incredible complaints. But many times, passengers are satisfied with their flight arrangements, so it's luck of the draw to some extent. Some cruise lines fly you in the day of the cruise sailing, and there's not a chance in the world that we would fly a long distance while allowing mere hours to make the cruise. But many people do this. GC

Depending upon your specific needs for travel insurance, we strongly recommend that you call www.TripInsuranceStore.com But *CALL* them. There are many choices, and if you have *just* made your first payment for the trip, please call them ASAP, as some of the choices are only available if you start the coverage within 10-20 days of the first payment (refundable or not); it depends upon your state of residence. There are many good policies still available, so don't worry if it's been longer (just remember for 'next time'). We learned about TIS here on CC almost 10 years ago, and thank goodness. They recommended a policy through Travel Insured, and at the last minute, we had a medical emergency and everything was cancelled, and nothing was refundable. We've since had several other claims, and all were paid promptly. TIS will help with claims if needed. Important: Keep ALL receipts in case you have a claim. The insurers require them, for obvious reasons. Try to keep it all as one policy, so there's no discontinuity in coverage. GC

They (all main ships) these days VERY seriously, as they do with *any* allergy concern. DH was suddenly diagnosed with celiac disease (the real disease, damage to body, etc.) late in life. We now notify the cruise line's "Special Needs" department, and they'll usually send a special form to be filled out. I've needed a special form for a different type of allergy, one with less severe consequences, but it would still put me out of commission for a few days. They do give you the opportunity to speak with someone special from Food Service shortly after boarding, and they can give you a menu in advance so you can choose specific items for the next day. This didn't happen here, but on another cruise line, when I expressed disappointment about not being able to eat something... next thing I knew, someone came out of the kitchen and offered to make a special version of it for me if I would tell them which day I wanted it and where I would be eating. I did not take them up on that, but it was very much appreciated. For *cross contamination*, they will do special food preparation to avoid this. However, we ALWAYS - on board or at restaurants, etc. - announce the allergy when arriving/being seated, and again when someone takes our order. Then, when served, we again will say something like, "This is the GLUTEN FREE <whatever item>, correct?" They do *not* want a serious adverse event of any type on the ship, especially not one they could have prevented but didn't! OTOH, mistakes do happen, so we *always* ask/double check as described above. And yes... EpiPens always travel with us. Those and all essential meds are always in our carryon (with smaller supplies of each in my purse) and one of us always has "hands on" (or one hand, anyway) that bag. On an airplane, it goes under the seat in front of one of us. And my purse under the seat in front of the other one. Someone might think the crown jewels were in there, the way I am protective of that. But it that went missing, we'd be heading home or to a hospital and not continuing our trip... Enjoy your cruise! GC

FUN! Did you have a toast? 🥂 Did they announce the "meeting" a bit in advance? GC

You are suggesting that DH and I booked a cruise to share a cabin, and one of us couldn't go, then when the other of us showed up, NOT expecting/requesting any type of refund, the ship would not allow that one (him or me) to board, but would leave us standing on the dock (okay, in the terminal?) as the ship sails away? With custody of all of our money, prepaid weeks/months ago? Really? GC