GeezerCouple

I don't know how the reimbursement works for lost/stolen items.... whether it is "full replacement value" or the depreciated current value. If the latter, that is likely to be much, much less, so it may not have provided much $$ anyway. Homeowner's insurance usually has an option to pay a higher premium and have "full replacement value". That means it doesn't matter what it cost in the past or what condition it is in; you'd be reimbursed for a brand new widget, or the insurance company might buy one for you. GC

Especially if there was more than one cruise we were considering at a particular time, you bet it would! In the past, if necessary, we just brought a duffel back full of bottles of Diet Coke as part of our luggage. That's not possible now. GC

Contact the Special Needs group at Oceania asap. They'll help you arrange what is needed, such as a small fridge with temp controls that are appropriate and also a sharps disposal container. But backing up a bit, can she ask her physician if she can take it a day or two early, before she leaves home? Perhaps adjust the schedule starting a few months in advancen (e.g., increasing or decreasing by one day each time)? After all, not all months are exactly the same number of days. If you'll be gone two months, then that wouldn't be sufficient. I seriously doubt that they'll store passenger medical supplies, but you can always ask. The Special Needs group takes these requests very seriously, and once the onboard crew is notified, they do, too. We had to travel one time with teeny tiny *frozen* vials of eye drops that once thawed needed to remain *very* cold for no longer than 7 days. We had an elaborage package to take through TSA; they just took us aside, allowed us to open things quickly, and then we sealed it all up again. When we arrived at the hotel, we had arranged to have a full bucket of ice delivered every so often, and I'd keep the little vials submerged in what was mostly ice, but enough water that the water was surrounding the packets. It worked very well, because that water was... *cold*! IF that would work, then you could try that, if you really need to take the shot with you. (Is it a pre-loaded needle/syringe, or just the vial that needs to be kept cold?) We travel with some injectible meds that don't need refrigeration, along with the needles and syringes. We keep a copy of the prescription and a letter from a physician explaining the need for the injectible med with us, and a copy in the cloud. We've done this for dozens of trips all over the world, and no one has ever questioned us. (IF we are crossing borders, we make *sure* that we comply with all prior approvals that might be needed. There hasn't [yet!] been a problem.) (We do this with all Rx meds, but without the special mention about needles/etc.) No ship has ever "taken" these things from us; they typically don't even mention it, but we'll have a sharps container waiting in our cabin or suite. This type of situation is more common than you might realize, but the specific arrangements can obviously vary depending upon the specific transportation(s) and time lengths. GC

They are very good about returning calls if they don't answer the call, so make sure you leave a message, especially on weekends or after hours, etc. As has been mentioned in several places, in many cases when there is an "unhappy outcome" (insurance claim denied), it's because the person didn't fully understand the coverage, and the reason for the claim was something that was never covered in the first place. A second complaint reason I see occasionally is that someone has a medically-based claim, and gets all in a snit about "I shouldn't have to show anyone my private medical records!!!!" Uh, that's correct (other than anything that may be legally required, etc.). However, the insurer has the right to determine that the claim isn't fraudulent, and also that the specific reasons are indeed covered. (I'm making this up, but say someone goes to a physician on a holiday to get some cosmetic surgery. That's probably not covered. So the insurer does need more than just a medical bill/receipt, or at least they have the right to see that. Whether they actually ask for all the records, that's up to them.) Ask TIS any questions; they are very patient. And IF there are problems with a claim, they could possibly help. For our first claim (a biggie), I sent a draft of the explanation to Steve, and he made a couple of editing suggestions. Once he made those, I realized that I had not written it well, and indeed, it could have been misunderstood about "what happened when", etc. So I re-wrote it, submitted it, and in less than 2 weeks, we had a check for the full amount. (Note: This was pre-Covid; things weren't as backed up...!) GC

Did you CALL TripInsuranceStore and SPEAK with them? Reading online policy summaries simply cannot inform someone well enough. The fine print really matters, as does understanding it properly. Please call them, discuss what your concerns are (they'll ask questions), and perhaps get your money back from Allianz. You should do this asap. The sooner you start insuring, at least with the deposit once that's made, the more coverage options you'll have. Read our reports. We've have multiple claims, including large ones, and have been paid promptly. That is what counts, after all... GC

I'm sure the TIS folks will tell you this, but in many cases (most? all?) the CFAR coverage requires that the cancellation be done at least 48 hours before the planned departure time/date. So that wouldn't cover a last minute problem like a sudden weather event. When weather is more likely to be a problem (e.g., winter!), we tend to fly out at least 2 days in advance. If there is a big storm headed our way (it happened once), we'll quickly change plans and "leave town early". 😉 We've also sometimes made additional plans beyond that. GC

I know that the charge cards usually tell card holders not to bother calling about travel, or maybe not even the online notification. However, before any major trip, or any trip overseas, I *always* call and tell them just which countries we'll likely be in, and also any expensive purchases that we even "might" make. In some cases, they may have already seen pre-paid hotels, so that helps. But because we use awards for our air travel, no card company is likely to see any sign of "going somewhere". One year, when we were going to spend some extra time in Italy, I thought, well, what IF I see something particularly nice in terms of clothing or jewelry...? So I called Amex Plat and asked, "IF something special appealed", what kind of amount could I charge. (Amex doesn't have strict "credit limits" like some other cards.) They asked how much I thought I might spend, and I had no idea, because it wasn't likely anyway, but I sure didn't want to be in the process of buying something nice and then get declined... So I gave them a nice round figure, and the rep said, "How about if I make a note $X?" - which was considerably *more* that the amount I had mentioned. I never managed to go "shopping" on that trip anyway, so it didn't matter. We haven't traveled since December, 2019 (surprise! 😞 ), so when we do, our "regular spending patterns" will be well in the past. I'll probably call again, to several card companies, to remind them that we'll be "back to our old patterns" or something. We also need to keep good credit limits "just in case" of a medical emergency, so we can cover anything before being reimbursed by insurance later! We figure it is better to take a few extra steps pre-emptively than to risk having an unexpected problem... But it OP's case above, I'd first check with Guest Services of some sort, and then with the card company - at the least checking balances and recent charges online! ... before asking on a public forum what's "wrong" with HAL or any other vendor. GC

I can't help with your situation, as I have no idea, but DEFINITELY get 3rd party travel insurance, and get it through a good broker or agent who can help you if necessary. We (and many others here on CC) use www.TripInsuranceStore.com When you are ready, CALL them to discuss your particular needs and concerns. The online policy summaries don't get into useful details. Hope you get some help with this! GC

We always insist that one of us be present and watching if anyone at TSA goes through anything. Occasionally, that means a separate private room (at *my* request), but usually they know what shape and location "thing" they are looking for, from the scan. Turns out a bar of Dove soap got everyone all bothered - who knew!? There is no way we could risk having certain of the meds get left behind, lost, or whateve. Otherwise, we might be heading to an ER at some point or maybe just home. Not good. GC

If it does "follow you", then if anyone brings it up, just tell them there is no longer any problem, and they can remove any alert next to his name. There are several reasons this could occur, and you don't owe anyone any explanations. We have had situations where the cruise line clearly already knew from a previous cruise. In our case, no problem, as there was no change. But we still alerted everyone as if it was the first time. GC

As for copies of Passports, or meds/prescriptions, etc... Keep a backup copy in the cloud. No one can steal them along with your phone or laptop. You can access them from anywhere, if something happens to the physical versions. We keep copies of tickets, itineraries, guide contact info... everything has a copy in the cloud when we travel. GC

The only thing I'd add to what thedarklord just wrote is... for any meds, don't "preferably" take them in hand luggage, DEFINITELY bring them in hand-carried luggage... and keep your eyes (and hands) on that at all times while in transit. This is something you do *not* want to have go missing. GC

Yes, get in touch with the Special Needs (Access Desk at NCL) well in advance. And you might want to post again in the following CC sub-forum: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/ And browse there, as there are others with similar issues. There was one recent post about someone who needed to keep something like little cartons of chocolate milk in the fridge in case something was needed quickly. Cruise lines are very good these days in working with a variety of special needs (dietary or otherwise), but give them plenty of time. Then all of you should enjoy the cruise! 🙂 GC

Thanks. We might add these straps to our collection of "luggage signalling". We have strips of very bright and very tacky wide tape stuck to the outside of our checked suitcases in several places each. (Recently, it's been "sparkly tape", something that kids would probably love!) Those stay on a surprisingly long time, for many trips. But these straps may be better. In addition we have two "things" for the handle of each case. One is the tacky/ugly collection of short ribbons attached to side of each handle. More recently, we added a rubberized grip for each handle. Those wrap completely around the handle and sort of cushion it, but there's also a definite texture to the grip. And, of course, a garish color again. 😉 We can spot our luggage quite some distance away and then keep an eye on them until we've got 'em. Yup, we fit right in when we arrive at a nice sedate 5-star hotel - ha! 🙄 GC

Sounds more than odd to me, and this is certainly *not* what we experienced with several travel delays/changes. As a side note, we get our travel insurance through www.TripInsuranceStore.com (with Travel Insured). TIS could also try to assist with a claim, if needed. However, we've never needed them to run interference with any complaints for any of our claims, fortunately. We are also a married couple, and we paid with a single credit card for hotel rooms and combined food when our insured trip was delayed/changed... and this was more than once. And there was only one room bill that included a total for all meals (which were sometimes for both of us, but on one occasion, below, for just one of us for a couple of days). When we had to spend extra nights at a hotel because I landed in hospital, the insurance just paid the bill for almost an extra week. First, for the extra stay - including meals - when DH was there and I was in hospital, and then for a few more days because I was out of hospital, but still not in a condition to travel (per written note from physician). Another time, our flight home from the Caribbean was cancelled. Then it was "late", scheduled for the next day. We went back to our hotel, where our room was still unoccupied thank goodness (this was a week before Christmas). Again, we had one bill for one room, and it included food charges for dinner and breakfast. We also had taxis back to the hotel and then back to the airport again. One taxi that we shared each way, no surprise. Like you, we had a single receipt for each of the charges: A single room bill each time, and a single charge card receipt for payment for each separate "cost". Did you ask to speak with a supervisor/manager/etc.? Will Insure My Trip help you with this? I'd escalate this for sure. And I might even send a certified letter, with proof of delivery. However, I can't believe this would really be necessary; that's nuts. Even if you weren't married, but were traveling together, and both had the the same insurance... 😠 GC

I'd suggest emailing and asking them about what can be arranged. It's a small place, but well run, and so you can really get "up close and personal". They were very responsive about planning, and when we were there. We did it just as the two of us, and they picked us up at the ship, and brought us back. Note: Because they are small, their tour can just sell out; there's only one each session (afternoon and evening), I *think*. In our case, the ship took over the (I think it was something like) the "after hours feeding frenzy", which was our first choice. But I think it was better to visit there in the daytime anyway. We were able to linger and wander, with our escort at our leisure, and never felt rushed, such as when those kangaroos wandered over. 🙂 Some of the background of the place was especially interesting. (Ask them, if they don't mention it.) I forget what we paid, but it was well worth it. (It wasn't inexpensive, but it was far from the most expensive excursion we've ever taken.) That plus some time at the Zoo worked well for us. You don't need to spend the night at the Zoo to enjoy it. That was fun, but it was also one of the more expensive things we did. Because of the distance - and, uh, our ages - we figured we might not get back. And that was December, 2019, so we had no idea what was about to happen to the world, etc. Anyway, we decided if there was something we wanted to do while we were there, we'd just "do it". Fun! [We did much the same during our (non-cruise) trip to Japan, for the same reason.] Having the Meerkat Experience was a highlight, and our pictures are precious. There was also something unusual in a mall in Sydney that I learned about by accident (!)... a Boeing 737 simulator. Full cockpit, but stationery. I surprised DH with a full session there. If we had access, he'd do it again! Even though nothing "moved", and we were obviously safe no matter what, some of it was surprisingly realistic and a bit stressful. That was a surprise. It was a terrific trip. Enjoy! GC

I hope she is recovering quickly, now that she's on oxygen, etc.! Something else to think about, given that travel insurance (which they did not have) was mentioned. Many policies, including someone's regular home health insurance IF it covers foreign travel, will only medevac if it is "medically necessary". I have no idea what the facilities are where this patient is. However, for most regular health insurance, the patient would probably only be medevac'd if the local physicians AND the insurance beancounters agree that the medical facilities are not sufficient for the care. And what most of "you and we" would consider "sufficient" may not be what those decision-makers consider "sufficient". That would vary considerably with the patient's condition and the exact facilities available. For this reason, when we are traveling (not just now, alas), we get an annual policy from MedJetAssist (they also have "per trip" coverage) such that IF one is admitted to a hospital as an INpatient (not just emergency or observation, etc.), then YOU can call MJA and (for USA members, anyway) have them take you to the hospital of your choice in the USA. If that requires a full medical ambulance with staffing, so be it. You must be able to be safely medevac'd, but that's going to be the situation regardless of funding source. So we could be taken to "our" hospital, which is a major teaching hospital, or we could go to a specialist hospital in another state, etc. One must be at least 150 miles from home, and near an airport. (MJA only uses fixed-wing planes, not helicopters, etc. This is for "distance transport" in most cases.) GC

You can also ask for more hangers at most hotels. (Well, you can ask at any hotel; at most, you'll get some more. 😉 ) Things like that... just ask. It can't hurt and will usually work. GC

One of the important (to us) perks of a PH on Riviera (or other Oceania ships) is that if a Specialty of choice is booked all evening - or if we are exhausted after an active day - we'll ask our Butler to serve us in our suite from a Specialty. Although we usually enjoy the ambiance of those restaurants, there are times we'd just prefer to lounge around if we are tired, while not missing out on some food favorites. Also, we always give our Butler a short, bullet item "greeting" letter. It is as short as possible, but includes the important things. First of all, food allergies! Then we mention a few other things, including snacks. We usually enjoy breakfast served, so we alert them to that, too. And we let them know that we are almost always very flexible with respect to times, so if we have a request that conflicts with some other passenger requests, just let us know and we can almost definitely change our requested timing. The Butler (on Oceania and other cruise lines) takes the letter upon first meeting, at which point we say something like, "We know you are very busy now. Please read this later for a bit more information about us." They almost always come back later that evening or the next morning, with the letter in hand, along with a pen, and ask us a few additional questions, and thank us for writing it all down. (I can't imagine how anyone could remember what we tell them in the rush of newly arriving passengers, never mind if several others are also "telling them" things about any preferences or making requests at that time. Personally, I can't imagine remembering any/all requests on the run; that's not one of my current strengths, to put it mildly.) We'll also leave any other requests in written form, unless it's something fleeting, and we'll either leave it in a specific place or hand it to them if we happen to see them at the right time. Having it written means less chance for misunderstanding or forgetting, plus if there are any language issues, they have a chance to ask a colleague for some help. We do the same for the steward, but that's a lot simpler. It's mostly about general preference of timing for servicing our suite, plus requesting that there always be extra bath linens in our suite. Ah... we miss the Riviera... 😞 (We love that large therapy pool in the spa area. And everything else!) GC

Heh. At least it's a way to get rid of them... just leave them behind. I swear they reproduce in dark closets. 😱 GC

"...risk being uninsured for the third trip..." You do have suitable health insurance that will cover you during the trip, correct? (Regular Medicare does not cover foreign travel, and some add-on coverages only have a $50k *lifetime* limit.) If your regular health insurance covers you wherever you travel, then this is not a concern. 🙂 GC

"auto corrupt". Great term! 😉 I hadn't heard that one before, but I'm certainly going to be using it in the future (alas!). Thanks. GC

Are you sure that Dawn is sailing Boston-Bermuda in 2023? GC

What is "Russel Discussion Topics"!? Here's the link to CC's Travel Insurance sub-forum: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/ GC

We did something like this the first time we cruised with NCL, a few years ago. It was the only time we got air through a cruise line, but it worked out - or would have worked out if we hadn't had a medical emergency shortly before planned departure. We wanted to fly business to Hawaii, and NCL was able to offer a better rate than we could have gotten on our own... except we wanted non-stop, and there was just one such flight a day, with limited business class seats. We asked our travel agent to see what NCL would charge us for business class on that flight on that date, definitely. It took a couple of days, but they came back with a price that was slightly better than we could get, so we took it. [Thanks to the kind folks here at CC, we also got travel insurance for the first time, so we were reimbursed for all costs.] However, as we thought more about it later, and read more on CC/etc., we realized that IF there were problems with the flight, *we* probably wouldn't have control over the changes, etc. (I guess that was an understatement! 😱 ) So we've always booked our own flights since, and better yet, we've been able to do them all with awards, at great values. Whether NCL (or other cruise lines/air departments) will allow *specific* flights on specific dates nowadays, I don't know. But it was worth it for us to ask, and let them know that we *only* wanted that flight on that date or we'd "do it ourselves". The savings weren't great; whether the specific choice affected that, we have no idea. GC