summersbreeze

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS

We return from Arizona the end of March and at that time, we then take out an "annual health insurance policy" through BCAA (similar to AAA)  The annual policy covers us for all travel in Canada and we take a 3-day policy as it's the shortest one can take. The rate then is very low. If we go on a cruise between April and November we upgrade the policy to a 7 or 10 day policy to cover us while on that cruise. 
When we leave in October for Arizona we upgrade to a 3-mth policy. We then fly into Canada and right back to the USA the same day. Doing this is less money than to take a 6-mth policy by far. Occasionally we go home for Christmas and if so, that takes care of flying home in January for a day. Many do it this way. It is by far the least expensive for us living in British Columbia.
This also means we are covered for any cruises we take during this 3-mth period.
My husband is in his 80's and I am in my 70's and insurance gets very expensive for many in this age category.

covid-19
Our 2020-2021 policy clearly states that it will not cover anything related to this virus and that includes anything they may deem related (i.e. heart, lungs asthma etc.)  I know many have coverage through credit cards and work but please check VERY CAREFULLY for the fin print. There is only one company we are aware of that will cover COVID-19 and it is $8/day and that is expensive for a long trip and even it has exclusions one must be very aware of.

I hope this information helps someone.

What a great topic. Not something that had come to mind as we contemplate whether our cruising days are over.

I have done over 44 cruises and spent close to 2 yrs of my life cruising so have given this a lot of thought. We missed out on a large family cruise in April but I still have one booked this coming January but expect it might be cancelled and if not, still not sure if I want to go.
 

I agree that they need to stop with the buffet.Take the time to sit and relax and be pampered and waited on. We are not in a hurry to go anywhere and if you are, order room service the night before and eat in your cabin before you take off on your tour.

Would I cruise if I have to wear a mask all the time? No.

Muster drills- I agree. Make us watch a video and sign a waiver that we have watched it. I will not stand on deck in a herd to go through that again because in all honesty I think if there were a real emergency people will just plain panic anyways and run to the nearest and highest deck.  Another option is as we wait to check-in- show the video over and over on a loop so that people watch it out of boredom as they wait to check in.

We already must fight for a deck chair - can't imagine what it would be like if they must be 6ft apart!  That alone would turn me off cruising.

I fear cruising as we knew it is over and if so, will we cruise again? Not likely after hearing a recent report that the only places Caribbean cruises will go is to their private islands. I love days at sea, but somehow the passion is waning for the time being until we know what will really happen. 

Recent Trip Advisor reviews are bad & here's the most recent article (March 2016) about replacing Ports O'Call Village with a new facility...San Pedro Public Market.

 

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ports-o-call-renovation-20160302-story.html

Guess it will be a year or a few before it's a viable spot - sounds wonderful and glad they are going to improve and update. With the cruise terminals close by it would be a great location one would think.

Thanks for sharing that information.

The airport is at least 25-30 minutes from San Pedro. Long Beach is just across the bridge. If you go to the top of the page to search, type in "hotels Long Beach or San Pedro" you'll get plenty of links recommending different hotels. Do you plan to rent a car and drive around shopping? There's buses, taxis, Uber and the like that will take you wherever you choose to go. We book Super Shuttle to take us to and from the airport. Cheaper than a Princess transfer and you're in control not Princess. There's not much shopping in San Pedro so you might be better off staying in Long Beach.

Thank you for the information. Will look up Super Shuttle shortly.

I think we may stay at Embassy Suites LAX as there is a bus for $5 that takes you to the mall and Manhattan Beach which isn't a bad little place to wander around. We stayed next to that at the Sheraton last time.

We have done this cruise before and quite enjoyed it but see that the time in Cabo is short. When we went before, they removed the stop in Mazatlan on us. We had booked a private tour for the day with Mazatlan Frank but it appears he is no longer in business.

You can book the Marriott LAX airport independently. One of the pros is that if you rent a Hertz car at the airport or the hotel, you can drop it off at the hotel. Very convenient. You can then book a van with either SuperShuttle or PrimeTime shuttle to San Pedro.

 

Not sure what kind of shopping you want to do. Souvenirs? I don't see LA as a big shopping destination. If you decide to stay in San Pedro, the Ports O' Call is delightful with lots of restaurants and shops.

Thanks Pam Mariott LAX shows "full" for independent travel. Appreciate the shuttle info.

I read that a lot of shops at Ports O'Call are closed now.

Hi - anyone else on this cruise?

I am investigating pre-cruise hotels right now. Princess recommends the Airport Marriott but I am going with a group of women who want to arrive a few days early to "shop till they drop."

We depart San Pedro so will also check out Long Beach area.

So far I've not found any other roll calls or any "Meet & Greet" that's been organized. If you know of one, let me know.

The reason I asked is you can get your passport stamped at a post office in Grand Cayman.

I was recently in Grand Cayman and noticed people having their passport stamped in "Hell" at the post office and wondered as we were told you can't do "anything" to one's passport or it would be void. So, I asked at Immigration and was told that yes, it IS illegal but as it's a tourist stamp, most customs agents dont' have time to read all the stamps in a passport and some they can't even read.... but it's still illegal so do so at your own risk. If your passport doesn't have many stamps in it and they open it and the first thing they see is an illegal stamp you may have it confiscated.

The risk is yours.

We are sailing on the Dream in August and want to spend the day at Doctor's Cave Beach. What is the best (and safest) way to get there from the pier with as little high pressure strong arming us in to some other location as possible? I seem to recall something about a "hop on hop off" mode of transportation. Will that get us there? Is it easily accessible? Our group consists of 2 adults and 2 teenage girls. Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions.

I was just reading elsewhere that it's $5(US)/person for a taxi and about a 5-10 min. ride. Pay only one way or pay 1/2 the return fare and ask that your driver return for you at a set time and that you will pay him when he returns you to your ship.

There is also a small fee to access the beach and rental chairs etc. are available.

Doctors Cave Beach is the go-to destination for families and couples looking to lounge on the beach with amenities -- showers, food, and chair and umbrella rentals -- at the ready. And, locals claim the waters there have healing powers (all the better reason to spend your day splashing). It's a 10-minute and $5 taxi ride from the port to the beach. There's a nominal entry fee, and you'd be wise to bring towels from the ship. Remember: By Taxi it should cost $5 per person each way.

Take a legal taxi only