VTgreentraveler

Thank you both for great information! The planning continues!

great info on how to get to Seward! Our cruise leaves Seward on 5/17/23 so we should be able to get the train! We'd like to get to Seward a day or 2 early, to explore the area. Once there, how does one get around? Are there local buses to Kenai park, or any of the other area attractions? Looks like Hertz has an active location in Seward so maybe a 1 or 2 day car rental is a possibility? Thanks

4 hours ago, cruiser147147 said:

 

VTgreentraveler --

I apologize for my snippy responses to you now that I understand what your motive was.  The way I read your resonses, I could not tell you did not understand I was looking for the information to file a 3rd party insurance claim.  I am not trying nor do I expect to collect any compensation fron NCL....that is what I have 3rd party insurance for.  Not even sure a claim to my trip insurance will garner me any compensation but its worth a shot if I can figure out how to get documented proof my cruise missed a scheduled port due to high winds and could not dock. 

No harm. These forums are very 1 dimensional and often tone can be applied unintentionally.  Good luck and please post the final outcome. 

I never knew there was such a thing.  I've learned something new today.  I wasn't trying to debate. I was just trying to understand the issue. 

Curious, what is the value of a missed port? Maybe a shore excursion not  booked through the cruise line? 

what was the lose? And don't all cruise contracts say that ports can change?

What will the claim be?

Wow! Those a great comparisons. Now we really can't wait to go! I don't know if we can afford the 4 seasons and a rolls for every vacation but we'll do it as much as we can!

well, I guess I should look for another TA.

And I will look at the other travel insurance.

thanks again

Forgive me for not knowing the rules re naming TA - 20 push-ups for me.

I do not live in a gateway city but live 7 miles from a very nice little airport. Time and expense to get to a gateway city are very much in mind. Booking air on our own gives us flexibility to get to Miami a day or so ahead to explore that area, or just sit on a beach and relax :o). And those Chase points come in handy! If international air travel was involved I'd probably lean towards Regent.

I've done it! I've booked it! 550 days to go!

thanks to all of you for your help. I do hope I am able to meet you on the high seas some day.

Travelcat - thanks for the info! Costco gives OBC and a cash card upon return and I get 3% back on the Costco credit card although I typically use my Chase card because their travel rewards and trip insurance is better. I'm not sure of the value of the cash card on the cruise I am looking at. What TA would you recommend? I think we are set for dress code. I'd say we currently follow the "no jeans" after 6pm anyway. Cruising is good excuse to use my nice clothes, but I prefer to avoid too many formal nights!

I think we are ready to bite the bullet and book!

Wow! Such great info! Thank you all so much! My DH and I are looking at a Miami to Miami Caribbean cruise in December 2019 to get our feet wet in the Regent World! (We are doing Venice to Rome on NCL this fall.)While the itinerary in the Caribbean isn't totally unique to us, the idea of having other shore excursions that we may have passed up before is part of the draw. We also looked at a similar trip on Viking but even though it seemed to be less expensive, I think extras, like shore excursions, will add up.

I think we will stick with G2 cabins. We like to be towards the aft of the ship and they seem to be in a pretty a good location for us. Starting small....

For those of you who have been on NCL, how much different is the dress? We are not the "Garden Cafe" dinners on NCL, we use the main or specialty dining rooms so I like to think we dress pretty well, country club casual you might say.

Tipping - I now all the gratuities are included in the fare - do people tip on top of that?

Having done France in Viking river this year, I was very happy using them for air but I'd think going to and from Miami I can do that ourselves, so we can have a bit of flexibility - thoughts?

And anyone what to volunteer to be our Ambassador? My sister will be sailing but her cruise is too far out to use her!

TA - I've used Costco with great success in the past and know they handle Regent. I've spoken with a Regent Rep who says I can book with him and transfer to Costco. I've done that with NCL. I may try that.

I am getting excited!

thanks again for all your insight!

I've enjoyed browsing in this forum, and have learned a lot but have a few questions. We've sailed with NCL several times and have always enjoyed it. Did a Viking River cruise this spring and it was ok. I think my DH and I are ready to try Regent. For reference, just to get a general idea of the type of passengers we are, on NCL, we always book a balcony, we rarely use the buffet - just for breakfast before an early shore excursion, or a very late lunch, when the crowds are gone. We dine in the main dining rooms or specialty dining. What difference will we experience? Is it worth the price jump from a balcony cabin on say the Dawn or Gem to come to Regent? Are there any kids? We're thinking G2 may be a good cabin level to start. I welcome any comments and insight! Thanks

I'll have to check my Sapphire card. thanks. But I'm thinking the peace of mind of trip insurance may very well be worth it. I figure we've worked really hard to be able to afford and take these trips, what's a little bit more for peace of mind.

How does the coverage from Travel Guard or the other insurers compare to what coverage comes with the credit cards? I can use either a Chase Sapphire or the Costco Citi Visa to pay for my trips and wonder if getting extra insurance is worth it?

If you are taking this trip in 2018, Marc 31 is a Sat and the following day Apr 1 is Easter. Hope you are sailing in 2019. Please tell us the year you are traveling, so that we can better help you. Also remember Viking does not dock in Paris , but about 50 minutes out. Pat

It had not even occurred to me that we are getting to Paris on Easter Sunday! We fly in on the 31st, spend 3 days in Paris, then take train to Lyon to start the cruise. So what does Easter do to our plans do you suppose?

Looking for info on the excursions that are offered for the 3 day pre-cruise Paris extension. We get into Paris on a Sunday March 31st, bright and early in the AM, and leave for Lyon on Wednesday. Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, want to see Versailles, and are scheduled on the Viking Panoramic Paris tour on Monday. Has anyone done any of this? Does the Panoramic Paris tour in the morning actually stop anywhere or is it just a bus ride? Does it leave enough time to see Louvre in the afternoon? Do we need to pre-purchase tickets for the Louvre or would we have any deal from the hotel? Is Versailles worth the trip? It is better to take the Viking tour or try to get out there on out own? Have I asked more questions than I am allowed in one post :p

Mystery cruise! Isn't it kind of exciting?

I can't begrudge them that. They are in business to make money after all. The horrible and somewhat unusual weather this year is certainly not their fault and I can't imagine the logistics involved with reshuffling numerous cruises and ports-of-call, with all the other cruise lines trying to do the same thing. I am going on vacation - it is a privilege that not everyone has. The cruise lines are responsible for more that just me and my comfort - their employees, the folks who live and work in the ports.... Not knowing where I am going next month? It is all just part of the adventure! I won't have to be at work, that much I know for sure ;o)

Fingers crossed we end in San Juan! We are booked for 2 nights in San Juan, hotel says they will be open November 1st. If the Nov 12th is still booked to leave San Juan it stands to reason we will be ending in San Juan, then the airport is the only remaining concern, but NCL wouldn't still leave from San Juan on the 12th if folks can't fly in...right?

We'll be stopping in St. Kitt on the Dawn in November and so far the only shore excursions on the NCL website are dolphin swim. We'd really like to go to Mount Liamuiga Volcano. Is that a shore excursion that we can/should plan on our own? We get in a 8am and leave at 6pm that day. I'm afraid it is too long of a hike to risk doing on our own, and perhaps that is why NCL isn't offering it. thanks for any insight!

We were really hoping to avoid renting a car. I'll look at cost of a tour vs. car rental etc,

Thanks for input.

how easy is it to get out to El Yunque?

My DH and I are on the Dawn for the re-positioning in November, and we'd like to spend a few days in Puerto Rico before heading home. Looking for suggestions on where to stay - we like reasonable priced places, walking distance to dining options, local, ethnic food is our favorite. We'd like to see the forts in Old San Juan and the rain forest. We're not afraid to use public transportation and are open to renting a car. We've got a 9am flight home so convenient to the airport would be nice. Any suggestions are welcome!

thanks so much!

We did not , but we did see the boat as it was finishing up one of it's booze cruises, ending in Hamilton. It seemed to me to be grossly overloaded, listing so much it looked like it could tip over. A very young crowd, very drunk people. I hope that is useful info.

Sadly, it seems the difference in cruise fare from March and early April to late April or May is $1000. I will notice that. And in March and April Viking has a fabulous $295 airfare deal. But if it is uncomfortable weather, whats' the point, right? Thanks to all for your input