GeezerCouple

The TSA screening at airports is quite different from the screening when boarding NCL (or most other cruise ships). GC

To keep the AC on? That's our concern when we are out for any extended time. It's not charging devices. It's trying really hard NOT to return to a hot cabin/suite, one that could take considerable time to cool off again, especially if we were gone for a full day or such. GC

Why in the world would one person reporting a different experience imply that *anyone* at all "must be giving false information"? What's that all about? GC

Good to know! Thanks. GC

We continue to be really impressed with Steve (and Deanna and Kim) and their patience in answering questions or just providing thorough information. Very soon after that first claim the first time we used travel insurance, when we were both really eager to reschedule traveling for about 6 months into the future. I called to get another policy. (We had just received a nice check from Travel Insured, so we knew it "worked".) Steve had helped us a bit with that first claim. He started to take the information, and then he stopped. He asked something like, "Is <DH's name> able to travel today, is he all recovered?" Me: "No, he still can't travel *now*, but this is in 6 months, and his doctor is *certain* that he'll be recovered long before then!" Steve: "He needs to be fit to travel on the day the insurance is started, and it doesn't seem like that's the case." I thanked him and cancelled our brand new, refundable deposit. About 2 months later, we had a signed note from the specialist stating something like: "<Name> is cleared to travel as usual, without any medical limitations, starting today." And we came up with a different trip, and called Steve back, started the coverage, and that next trip went just fine. 🙂 Steve once talked us out of buying a policy. I'll never forget that. He had learned a bit about us from the conversations we'd had, plus the help he provided with that first large claim. Anyway, I called to purchase "the same policy again, please", etc. He started to take the information, and then he said something like, "But don't you already <some information about us>?" I discussed it with him some more to make sure we both understood the situation, and... he was absolutely correct. For that particular trip (and no other, at least not yet), we did not need a travel insurance policy. Keep in mind, had *he* not brought it up, he'd have sold us a policy he was thinking we probably didn't need, when we wouldn't have realized that. I think that speaks volumes! And yes, the time they all take to answer questions still impresses us. I must have driven them crazy with the... "Well, what if X happens?" "But what if Y happens?" "And if X and Z both happen when we are at such-and-such?" I really did want to be as sure as possible that we'd really be "covered". I'm someone who feels free to complain if I think it is warranted. But because of that, I also think I should give credit where due! (I've called supervisors/managers/etc., to compliment a particular rep at times, and they almost always seem startled that it's not a complaint.) GC

When we needed proof of delay... and then flight cancellation.... we had been capturing screen shots of the plane's progress. Er, lack of progress. But then we asked the airline (not AC) for documentation of when the flight was supposed to depart and when it actually did depart (the next day), and we printed that out to submit with our hotel and meal receipts. GC

Thank you for posting this! Perhaps you could re-post it on the Travel Insurance sub-forum here on CC? This is really important for others to know about more generally... both about "reading the terms carefully" and also about how it might be worth it if you think the denial isn't appropriate. GC

To get the best choice of coverage types, you should start the insurance within 10-20 days of making the first payment (such as the deposit, refundable or not). The timing depends upon state of residence. If you've missed that, there are still many good policies. GC

We are also satisfied customers of TIS, and that includes having purchased quite a few policies... and having several claims, including some large ones. All were paid without nonsense. (And Steve can help with claims if needed. We asked for some guidance the first time.) I strongly encourage you to CALL and not rely upon the website alone. That is great for an overview, but there's no way those policy summaries can include "all the fine print", etc. Also, with 8 people in your group, there are probably different addresses and perhaps states. So let TIS help you coordinate so you all have the coverages you need (it's regulated by the states). GC

"Jim Badger"? Might that be (in order of appearance per Google): - Bank VP, marketing? - Director of Operations, Crunchbase? - Board Member, muscular dystrophy? - Cyclist in the UK? . . . Or...?? GC

Do you have a link to the photo? That would be very interesting. Thanks! GC

This, absolutely. (You aren't planning to remove the water from the ship and try to bring it back on, correct?) If you have any concerns, then pack them in a suitcase for the transfer and then you won't need to have any worries at all (not even about a few containers getting lost). GC

After Covid and then the supply chain issues, etc., now a serious rockslide in Skagway, and the Sun hit by a mini-iceberg... 😱 I'm thinking locusts might be next! Crazy times getting even more crazy... GC

Welcome to CruiseCritic! I'd strongly recommend that you plan to arrive the day before, in case of travel delays. That ship will be sailing with you... or without you. You can probably find a less expensive hotel on the mainland rather than in Venice proper. It's a very short train ride across the water the next day. However, if you've never been to Venice and you aren't sure whether you'll be getting back, I'd also suggest that you think carefully about whether - once you are there - that you might want to spend a bit more time there... at least 2 nights so that you have the full day to explore and at least get a feel for the island. It's a unique place. And you can hit a couple of "touristy" places as well. Anyway, just consider that. But don't risk missing the ship! (We would always arrive at least 2 nights in advance if we needed to be someplace after a long flight. And that's before all of the weird travel delays due to Covid and all the supply chain delays, etc.) Enjoy your cruise! It should be terrific! ETA: Far in advance, book a refundable hotel rate. You can look for lower non-refundable rates later, when things look more certain. GC

We have strong feelings about travel insurance (um, in case that wasn't obvious!). We learned about it here on CC, before the first cruise that DH took (I had cruised before). So we took out insurance. It was a pricy cruise and we paid (through the cruise line, something we've never done again) for long-haul business class air. And less than 2 weeks before our planned departure (that is, 100% penalty), DH had a medical emergency. The only "travel" we did for quite a few weeks was to/from medical appointments. We got all of our money back. Yes, we could have "afforded" the loss (otherwise, we probably shouldn't have paid that much for a trip, etc.). However, it was SO comforting to know we had that coverage. There were quite a few times during those difficult weeks that we mumbled, "At least we won't have to pay a SECOND time for this trip later!" Had we not had that insurance, it would have left such an unpleasant taste in our mouths that we probably wouldn't have booked another "expensive" trip. Fortunately, we did have that coverage and felt comfortable planning more trips. As it turned out, most of our trips were actually more than that first "expensive" trip! 😁 And we have had absolutely marvelous experiences! Now, we are a bit older. When we were younger, it never occurred to us to think about this. OTOH, we didn't take distant trips then, either. And there were very few pre-paid, non-refundable costs, so things were different in that way, too. One other thing: Just in case you are older, be aware that regular Medicare doesn't cover out of country medical care except for a few rare cases. And most add-on policies have a very low lifetime limit. Try to get insurance that has "primary" medical coverage. That will then pay without first requiring a payment from any other health insurer, and won't then run up deductibles or out-of-pocket maximum totals, etc. Have a great trip! GC

First, I strongly suggest that you contact a travel insurance broker and don't buy the coverage from your travel/cruise agent. They are not specialists in travel *insurance*. You will quickly learn that you very likely ONLY need to insure whatever you have already paid, such as the deposit. Then one typically pays more as more non-refundable expenses are incurred (also within the 10-20 day time limit, same as with first payment). You also might want to explore exactly what that coverage that is being sold to you (note: you are not buying it; it's being sold to you; you aren't making choices about what coverage you need or want). What are the medical limits? How are family members handled if they get critically ill or pass, and you want to return suddenly? What about pre-existing conditions (which are defined differently than what we ordinarily think of in everyday life). Would you purchase home insurance from the real estate agent? Auto insurance from the car dealer? Too many complaints here (and elsewhere) are because people didn't understand what they bought, and expected payment for a loss that was never covered in the first place. We use www.TripInsuranceStore.com - which is mentioned often here, as are a few other agencies. GC

This is quite a video! Thanks! That "growler" looks larger than the dimensions that were given for a growler... So... was someone just holding a camera in case an iceberg hit that side of the ship? 😉 GC

There is a huge difference between being late when heading toward the ship, than when heading home. If one wants to "risk a close call" and avoid a definite hotel stay, do that en route home, not when you might be waving goodbye to that ship... As for getting "a deal": "Getting an elephant for a dime is only a good deal if you need an elephant and if you have a dime." 😉 GC

For any critical medical supplies, don't just put some in your bag and in her bag. Put them in CARRY-ON BAGS, and do NOT let them out of your sight. Ever. We have meds like that, and they are always in carry-ons (and some duplicates in "the other's carry-on bag" as well). And one of us ALWAYS has a hand on those bags, although we'll take turns of course. This seems to be similar to your situation: If we lost them... the trip is over. We head home or go to an ER. GC

Thanks. I couldn't see that it was a HAL ship. I was hoping for something new for "Alaska"! But it looked too large for a "local"...! 😁 GC

What is that other ship in the port at Juneau, with the name that appears to be or include "Alaska" across the front? GC

Nice to see her moving (by herself!). Are there any changes to the rest of the itinerary? (I'm not sure what it was originally, which day was where, etc.) ETA: Ooops, just read the post by Shel71. Too bad... GC

Good news! Thanks for sharing, both so we all know "all is well", but also to learn that it was indeed handled the way we would expect it to be handled, etc. GC

At least any possible need to "evacuate" the ship is so much easier in Juneau than it would have been had the "hit" been worse and there was a need to do so near Hubbard! I really don't want to think about that... Would it actually be called an "evacuation" if docked in Juneau, vs an early disembarking? GC

At least for us, the filet at Le Bistro was better than anything at Cagneys. Those were all very disappointing. Never again. But Le Bistro... they also have, in our minds anyway, a real sleeper: The Coq au Vin. It was slightly different than we've had elsewhere (or than I've made), but it was really tasty! A very nice surprise indeed. GC