GeezerCouple

Also, I should have mentioned: The "observation car" came with a meal and drinks. The drinks were very nice, but we usually just drink Diet Coke, so not a huge plus for us. (I'm forgetting; we may have decided to have a rare gin and tonic or something! 😉 ) And the meal sounded good, something like short ribs. What can go wrong with those? Uh, apparently something *can* go wrong with short ribs... I barely ate any of it; DH got something else, and it was "better" = OK. But we didn't take the train for the food, and we didn't focus on that in our planning the train. We were too busy stuffing ourselves with lots of fresh halibut in Seward while we stayed there for an extra 2 days. It was a *great* trip, from start to finish, still one of our favorites! 😁 GC

We took that train, but it was a regular train, not one for a cruise ship. We were able to get seats on the special "Observation car", which has windows curving up the side to part of the roof, for a wonderful view. The train stopped a couple of times at especially scenic points (most of it was very scenic!), for photo opportunities. I don't know about the regular cars, but ours had an outdoor section at the back, so we could get views (and photos) without any interference from windows, etc. The road was next to us for a part of the way, but not for all of it. We were fortunate enough to see a bore tide coming in, something we had hoped to see, but figured we wouldn't be able to due to our schedule. I hadn't realized that the train goes along that body of water for quite some time, so there was a good view, if the timing was right. It was a good ending to a terrific vacation, given that it had to end sometime... GC

Another vote for www.TripInsuranceStore.com CALL them. They are incredibly patient, and you don't need to "sign up" when you first call them. They are a broker and work with several vetted insurers (no extra charge to the traveler). We've had several claims, including a few large ones, and all were paid without nonsense - and that's what counts, after all. Let them help you when you speak with them about which types of coverages you might want to consider, or which might not be so useful for you. The best selection of coverages is usually available within a week or two of the very first payment, so if you can get it started early, that's probably useful. (You only need to start the insurance coverage for the initial payment, such as the deposit amount, and then up the coverage as you make more payments.) RM

In addition to notifying the cruise line *in advance* (special needs department), also be sure at *every* meal to tell any waitstaff about your allergies when you order AND then double check again when they serve each course. The kitchen is no doubt set up very well for such things these days, with special preparation areas. However, mistakes can happen, anywhere. Also: Is this a life/death allergy, or more like getting sick or some particular side effect type of reaction? Both types are of concern, but one is more important to make *certain* to avoid. Let them know. Especially in that former case (very severe outcome, or worse...) also arrange to have one contact person to discuss "the next day's meals" with. The cruise line will probably have this arranged, but they may not know where to find you at specific times to go over menu selections and preparations. These days, we've found "special diets" are handled much more easily; when one is checked in for a table prior to being seated, in many cases, the computer spits out a note indicating the special dietary restrictions. I don't know if that is on all cruise lines, however. The point is that in these cases, the waitstaff are alerted before you've even been seated. If you might need any special meds, such as an EpiPen, I'd suggest always bringing it with you, "just in case". (We sort of feel like such planning is like carrying an umbrella... that's often when it *won't* rain! 😉 ) One suggestion: IF you arrange for anything really special (e.g., we've been offered a special preparation of one individual dish that ordinarily wouldn't be okay, but looked really appealing, and I had mentioned something like, "Gee, what a shame I can't eat *that*!"), please do arrange to have it served approximately when it was arranged. That helps you now, plus others in the future, to continue to get those offers to cook something specific with special attention to *your* dietary/medical needs. That's a win/win for everyone! 😉 In our case, there's not a problem with simply "cross contamination", but for some people, there definitely could be. So make that clear, too. We tell them that cross contamination is *not* a problem; they don't have to take as many precautions, although they might do so behind the scenes anyway, for safety or a matter of policy. But in case it helps them in the kitchen, we don't want to have them spend more time or effort than is really needed. Enjoy your cruise and your food! GC

For any specific coverage questions like this, I'd strongly suggest that you call the insurer, and ask them. If they state it would be covered, then ask them to point out the exact section of the coverage terms that include this. And then make sure that the wording actually matches the situation you are describing. We've had quite a few claims with Travel Insured, btw, including some large ones. All were paid without nonsense. Most of the times here (not always, of course) when there are complaints about insurance coverage, it tends to be either a problem with needing exact receipts or copies of medical records, OR that the situation wasn't actually covered in the first place. Also: We always get the coverage with TI through TripInsuranceStore. They can then help IF there is any difficulty with claims. Did you finally get paid by TI? GC

You bet! And if there are new vaccinations for some other nasty diseases, we'll be getting those, too. (We are both tangentially in the medical field, and know some of the researchers working on these... and other prevention and treatment options. We read about contra-indications and also pay good attention to our physicians.) And we get shots such as for pneumonia, and those flu shots, too... et cetera... And help with reminders (if needed) about the vaccinations for our grandchildren as well. There was *one* vaccination that our medical providers recommended that only one of us get; it was contra-indicated for the other. We are (all) watching to see if a new version will be appropriate for the other one of us. Polio is "baaack" in the USA, and spreading because of low vaccination rates in some areas. We remember when our neighbors, decades ago, got polio. Two became paralyzed for life, one with leg braces, and the other more seriously, wheelchair-bound, with other issues as well. For life. Others just... died... A friend of ours got polio as a young adult, and although leg braces were used, most of the stress was from complete weight from the crutches, for decade after decade. About a year or two ago... *two* full shoulder replacements were needed. Yup, we'll take preventive and treatment medications, be they "shots/jabs" or otherwise, unless there is a specific contra-indication. A serious problem is that having higher percentages of those who are *not* vaccinated who could have been... they can directly impact many others, including those who are not eligible to be vaccinated (for a variety of reasons). And then there are the indirect effects, such as... well, the past couple of years come to mind... Oh... but you have a point: It's probably not "into infinity forever and ever"... unless there are some other even more remarkable medical advances! 😉 GC

Are you using the deadlines/timing for the entire cruise departure and return to port at the end of the cruise? Those are quite different from the timing at each port. And those will be announced, as they could change, as could the exact time of arrival, etc. There should also be a sign as you exit the ship at each port to remind you what time to be back ON BOARD (not running towards the ship! 😉 ). GC

Not to mention, and especially for those who are higher risk of COVID or of complications if they get it, there are meds that can help prevent more serious outcomes (including death), but they need to be started within a few days for the most efficacy. It can be difficult to tell, especially early on or with a mild case if "those sniffles" or "that little cough" is... COVID or a cold ... just allergies... Those tests have a purpose, and the usefulness may vary with different individual circumstances. GC

Be careful about when you purchase that coverage if there is *any* question about "whether you are fit", etc. It won't matter when you purchase the policy. No one checks then. Most travel insurance policies don't result in claims, so it would be a massive waste of time for insurers to require any "proof". (This is very different from many life insurance policies, where claims are not uncommon. And in the life insurance case, a claim may be many years in the future, so it wouldn't be particularly easy to go back to see about "eligibility" in terms of lab tests, for example...) However, IF there is a claim, then you can be pretty sure that the insurer is going to make sure that the claim is valid, along with the policy itself. And if you have medical records that *might* show you weren't necessarily "fit to travel", then... there's likely to be some problem. (And I don't know how they determine "fit to travel" if they need to do it based upon retrospective records, etc.) And if your physician will *not* give you such a letter, then I'd be really concerned that IF there were a claim, there might be problems... That is precisely why we asked for a contemporaneous letter that DH was indeed fit to travel that day, and then we started the process that same day, too. There wouldn't be any question about the validity of the policy itself. (There would still be a need to demonstrate the validity of any claims, with receipts, of course.) GC

This is a very good point. There was one time when Steve (thanks again!) told us we could *not* purchase travel insurance because DH was still being treated/etc. He knew about that because it was right after we had cancelled our first trip using travel insurance, so we had asked him about the claims process. We were eager to book another trip to replace the cancelled one, no surprise. So Steve started to gather our information for the policy for the new trip when he asked if DH was indeed well enough now to travel... Me, in a cheery voice: "No, not right now, but the doctor is sure he'll be fine long before June!". 🙂 Steve: something like, "He needs to be 'fit to travel' the day you start the coverage..." Ooops! That could have been a very expensive mistake by us, IF we had gotten that policy that day and IF we later needed to file a claim... So several weeks later, when DH *was* okay to travel again, at that medical appointment, I asked his physician to write a short note on his letterhead (he used a sheet from his little prescription pad) stating that DH was "medically fit to travel as of <that date>". Then we drove home and promptly made the deposit for that next trip and called Steve to thank him and then start the travel insurance for the amount of the deposit. Fortunately, we did not need to file a claim for our *second* insured trip! BTW, this is a reason that IF we are making a large non-refundable deposit, we start the travel insurance that very day, rather than waiting to do so during the several-day subsequent time period that is allowed. GC

Are you looking more for a "protected walking route" or more for a place to sit in the shade? There are likely to be places on the ships that are good for one of those but perhaps not the other. GC

There are several other resources here on CC that you might enjoy. One is the sub-forum for NZ and Australia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/ You might find that useful for the pre- and post-cruise time. You can ask more specific questions there about places to stay and things go do in those cities or nearby, depending upon how much time you have there. You can also check the general "ports of call" for that area: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/ to get information about activities and sightseeing in whichever ports your ship will visit. And then, there will probably be a "Roll Call" for your specific cruise. That will be a sub-forum for those on your actual cruise. In addition to possibly meeting others (there may be a "Meet and Greet" early in the sailing), that's a good place to discuss excursions in general, and also perhaps find a few others to share a small-group private tour of some of the areas. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/20-roll-calls/ A cruise will probably be very convenient for your husband (for anyone, of course!) because "the hotel follows you around overnight". 😄 Not needing to pack/unpack in each city is soooo nice! It can be as relaxing as you both wish... do lots of things, or just r-e-l-a-x! And do browse through the cruiseline sub-forum as previously mentioned. There will be helpful comments about the line in general, and also about specific ships. The first day, with boarding, can be a bit confusing on a new ship, and all the more so for a first cruise. Ask on the other sub-forums (cruise line plus Roll Call) about what to expect about checking in and getting on the ship.... where to wait if your cabin isn't ready yet (not unusual; they have to clean and turn-around the entire ship - fast!), and also where to have the first meal. A buffet will likely be ... busy and crowded. Ask if the main dining room will be open for that first day's lunch. It will probably be much more relaxed. Also find out if your category of cabin or suite has any special perks, in terms of access or service to see if any appeal to you. Do ask about any special areas of the specific ship you will be on, such as a spa area or therapy pool (nice warm water) if there is one, etc. Or special observation areas or activities, or specialty restaurants, etc. Best to find out about the choices before the cruise, rather than to read about something special *after* the cruise. [uh, don't ask....! 🙄 ] And you might mention to your travel agent or to the cruise line directly that there is a birthday being celebrated. 😉 Enjoy! That cruise was one of our favorites! GC

Nice! Are they planning to remove the tubs in these 2BR suites whenever they next go to dry dock? It's a REAL shame, as far as we are concerned. I love to enjoy nice relaxing baths, with a good book, on vacations... nothing will interrupt me. And they are taking the tubs out of the larger (but not largest, I think) suites in NCL (e.g., 2BR suites) and also Oceania (e.g., PH suites). So not only is the "tub with view" gone, but the tub is gone, period! 😞 It's almost too bad that I ever enjoyed them... then I wouldn't be missing them... no expectations, etc. Sigh. (And yes, absolutely a First World Problem!) Thanks also, cruiseny4life. On the Pearl (our only experience with 2BR Haven suites), there was no balcony outside the bathroom, so both the tub and shower had really clear views. (Of course, those suites also had the tiniest balconies, but I digress...!) GC

You might also want to post this question on Carnival, as those passengers may be more likely to know what the ship excursion arrangements are like. GC

Wait! The main bathroom in the Haven 2BR suite has a tub with that remarkable view? They put those in the newer ships, but took them OUT of the older ships? 😠 [nope, we don't want to sail on the larger ships, for a variety of reasons. But we LOVED that "Bathtub With A View"!] GC

Nice slick aerodynamics there! 😱 They may not run out of energy after a year or two, but with 5,000 guests, um, water...??? GC

We went on a week that spanned the end of May and early June. As mentioned above, the snow-capped mountains were appealing. (When we did a Norwegian coastal voyate on Hurtigruten, we selected late winter rather than early for the same reason... still before anything was melting, but plenty of time for snow to accumulate everywhere. Again, gorgeous!) Rain was forcast for every day, but... we had bright sunshine the entire time except for a few short sprinkles. Never needed our rain jacket and pants (well, not until we got to Norway in the winter and needed that wind-proofing! 😉 ) If you have a choice, try to get an itinerary that includes Hubbard Glacier. That was by far the most dramatic time of our entire cruise. There was a lot of calving. The captain kept the ship there for a very long time, slowly spinning it most of the time, so everyone would get a front row seat no matter where they were sitting. When we arrived in Seward, we spent a couple of extra days, and took the longer-day version of a cruise to some of the fjords. And we almost never stopped eating some terrific hallibut. (They had some of the local catch hanging near the restaurant. Those fish are BIG!) Then we took the train to Anchorage, and were able to select the Observation car ("gold service"??). The train stopped a few times for photo ops. We also were along the water when a "bore tide" was coming in. https://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-bore-tide That was a very unexpected treat! Enjoy! GC

One of our favorite experiences during out NZ/Australian cruise (and a few days in Sydney afterwards) was at the Bonorong animal sanctuary: https://www.bonorong.com.au We took their private tour, just the two of us, and it was really special. The sanctuary itself is rather small, which was fine for us. Many of the animals are rescues, and have been determined to be unsafe if returned to the wild, after being rehabilitated as much as possible. Anyway, while I was paying very close attention to a koala bear, DH quietly said my name. and then, "you are surrounded by kangaroos..." So I looked around and sure enough, there were about 5 kangaroos right around me. Our guide gave me some food so they could eat out of the palm of my hand. [They gave us gloves when needed, and to feed one of the animals, we used a long "grabber" so none of our body parts would be anywhere near that mouth...!] That was a wonderful experience, very up close and personal. We arranged to have them pick us up at the port and return us there after. After the cruise, we went to the Zoo in Sydney, and stayed at their then-new luxury hotel, right in the zoo. DH got up early the next morning to be at the main ticket booth before it opened so we could try to get tickets to the "Meerkat Experience" (or some name like that). We got 2 of the 4 tickets for that day! And we now have some precious photos of us sitting inside the meerkat enclosure, with a tarp over our laps, and meerkats climbing all around. There is one photo of a meerkat in "perfect meerkat sentinel position"... standing right on DH's lap. 😁 Needless to say, having as much time as possible with some of the exotic animals in the region was a big part of our trip. Alas, that was our last trip since Covid. We returned home in mid-December, 2019, and then life changed....... GC

You've been given that answer already. You are asking about the wrong thing. Please see our answer to your previous question. GC

That wouldn't be "off the ship". That would be to transfer someone to a different hospital, perhaps one with better care, or one closer to home. That's not an "emergency" (usually, anyway). That's done only once the patient is stable enough to be moved. Regular travel insurers usually include that (but CHECK!) but only **IF** it is medically *necessary*, And that's up to the local medical staff and the insurance folks. If you want control of that, ask about MedJetAssist, which is a separate policy. You can probably do a search here on CC; it's been discussed a lot. GC

This is a situation where speaking with a travel insurance broker who is familiar with a wide range of insurers and policies will be very helpful. Many here use www.TripInsuranceStore.com We always recommend calling, but for this type of question, it is essential. There are a few things to keep in mind. The first, and most important (in our minds) is that in a true medical EMERGENCY, one does *NOT* want to wait for an insurer to be contacted, then have discussions, perhaps call in specialists to verify if the treatment seems reasonable, etc.... before treatment is even started! We would certainly want to be able to hand over a charge card with a healthy (no pun intended!) credit limit to get emergency medical care started, and worry about reimbursement, or payment of additional/ongoing higher cost treatment *later*. That said, there are some insurers who *might* be able to guarantee payment or even wire money in certain circumstances. But keep in mind, this would never be immediate. If nothing else, the insurer would need to verify the request/need isn't some sort of scam. In one overseas ER, while I was arranging payment and the ER staff were starting to attend to DH, I saw a sign that had something like the following: "We will not accept any insurance guarantees unless it is from ..." ... and then the names of a few big name travel insurers. But even then, they'd still need to contact them, discuss the situation, etc. And I doubt anyone in a true emergency is going to be okay with someone in serious medical distress just "waiting" for verification. In the USA, the ER medical team don't wait to get verification of payment. That is not always the case overseas. We purposefully keep more than one charge card with us when traveling, and make sure there are good limits available. Speak with TIS about how these situations can be managed. And always bring some charge cards when traveling. GC

Yes, definitely let the AccessDesk know in advance. But cruise ships these days are well prepared with gluten free food... and not just veggies... there are breads, rolls, pasta... It's surprising what is available nowadays. Just double check with EVERY waiter that "This is gluten free, right?" to be sure. And enjoy! GC

I strongly suggest that you call www.TripInsuranceStore.com They are a broker and deal with several vetted travel insurers, and among them, there are quite a few different policies. CALL them; don't rely upon the online policy summaries, as those can't include all the "fine print", and some of the fine print may not be obvious. (If you want to browse to see what types of coverage there are, that's obviously fine.) There is no extra cost to the traveler for using a broker. They will talk with you and probably ask some questions to try to find the policy that best suits your needs. Note that some types of coverage are only available within a short time of making the *first* trip payment (refundable or not), so you probably should speak with them early in case any of the coverages you would want fit in that category. In most cases, one can insure only the deposit amount at first, and then add insurance each time you make additional payments for non-refundable costs. We've purchase quite a few policies from TIS after reading about them here on CC in 2013 (with Travel Insured, one of the insurers). We've had several claims, including some large ones, and all of them were paid without nonsense... and that's what matters, after all! In most cases, 3rd party insurance includes more/better coverage than the cruiseline, but that depends upon just which coverage one wants. But in general, we feel it's important to keep the travel vendor and the insurer separate... The insurance may cost more, but one gets much more useful coverage, for most people, anyway. What matters, of course, is what coverages *you* need. TIS is very patient with newbie questions; we learned a lot before purchasing our first policy. And they don't try to upsell. GC

And if everyone already knows the cabin/suite numbers/locations, we just put the initials, so one card is for "AB" and the other is for "CD". GC

Uh, don't put the cabin number on the card, in case it gets lost. The code won't be changed immediately, and you might not realize it's lost right away. When we do this, we put just something like the last digit. We assume that the other person knows how to get to the general area, etc. GC