cathammer

25 minutes ago, LindaJ+ said:

What's the difference between Navica and emed?

Navica is the app you have to have to use for the proctored (observed) "Abbott BinaxNow Covid-19 ag home tests".  It also gives you a verification you can use as proof. Emed is the main online vendor of the tests ($150 for 6).  An online outfit called "Optum" also markets them in packs of 2 or 3, but at about $35.ea.  I like to have at least one spare in case of a foulup...had that happen in Ecuador where my netbook kept dropping either video or sound and could never complete the process, so wasted one box.

On 4/2/2022 at 12:52 AM, cruzin4us said:

Tip 1:   Use a laptop if you have one, it's much easier unless you want to hold a camera for 15 min.

 

Tip 2:  Turn your purchase receipt into your insurance.  They reimbursed my 2 separate orders (not shipping)

 

Tip 3:  Have a sharp knife ready (it makes it easier to open the box)

What insurer do you have? 

We have Medicare (and BC/BS supplimental), and I was just told (by an actually very nice Medicare rep, who checked with a manager) that while they will now cover the cost of over-the-counter purchases of covid tests (up to 8 per month), they will only reimburse the health provider (pharmacy, doctor, etc.), not the individual purchaser.  That is, like the vaccinations, you could get them for "free" at, say, CVS, and CVS would be reimbursed by Medicare. 

Problem is, the proctored Abbott Binax Now covid-19 ag home tests (red stripe) seem to only be available by online order, paid for by the consumer, from the eMed site.  According to the rep, since eMed doesn't directly bill Medicare, they wouldn't pay for it if we personally submitted a claim.

From your experience, did they tell me wrong, or are you not yet on Medicare?

I am a little bit confused over the "cannot switch over to open dining" comments. I have, on occasion, not made my fixed dining time and dropped into open dining instead. They have not turned me away.

I see nothing wrong with that if your schedule has been upset unexpectedly, which was the situation posited by the original questioner. "Anytime" dining, by its very nature, will have a variable flow and quantity of diners, so the occasional refugees from fixed are not going to upset the staff or throw a wrench into their operation. Just don't wear your jeans ;p

We recently had to pay a $3500 refundable deposit (against about a $10,500 total for two) on a HAL cruise for late this year. That didn't particularly bother me, but the fact that they also charged a higher cabin rate ($350 pp) to make make a reservation under what used to be the normal payment/refund timeline rules was annoying.

If you know you're going to miss your time, it's polite to advise your regular Maitre D' the night before. If it's unplanned, and you're just slightly late, check when you get there and see if they can seat you. If that doesn't work, and you prefer not to do the buffet, go ahead and ask at "anytime". It's not an unreasonable request, and quite possible that they'll find you a spot. If not, no harm done.

Varies widely depending on port and type of excursion. In many European Ports, the city, transportation, etc. is easily accessible, so you can do a lot on your own. In Naples, for example, you can catch a bus up to the train station which has frequent runs to Pompeii and Herculaneum. The subway at Piraeus runs to the Plaka, and you can walk to the Acropolis. On Rhine river cruises, you can catch a bus or train (or sometimes walk) to the same castle that's on the excursion. (You can also do the "catch up with the boat at its night-berth upriver" deal...just let them know ;) ). Of course, you can also go places you have an interest in, but are not offered as an excursion. Some ports commonly have small independent tours to nearby attractions that you can book ahead, or find just outside the port. Do some advance research and you can get some good ideas of what's possible for a specific location.

On the other hand, where the attraction is a good distance away from the port, or transportation is iffy, tickets are limited, etc., you might feel more secure using a ship excursion. The Alhambra, for example. One issue we've seen in some Central/South American ports is that the ship docks in what is mainly an industrial port, not near anything of interest, and with little infrastructure for tourists.

We take about 30 excursions a year all over the world. Most years none are from the ship. We have never had a problem getting back in plenty of time.

Paul, would you mind pinging me privately with an email? Mine is my ID for the forum (c*******r) @gmail.com . Have a quick, non-forum question.

Thanks,

Bill

Princess allows TAs to discount the price. We have a TA that gives us about 15% off the current Princess price.

Hi Paul,

Would you be able to share this contact? We've normally booked thru websites, but are thinking of booking a (Princess) cruise that is offering various credits, etc. right now, & might benefit from using a good agent to make sure we get all possible considerations.

Thanks,

Bill

They're going to skew fairly old, few children. They're often relative bargains (although return transportation has to be considered), but the amount of time, especially if adding other travel pre or post cruise, and the fact that most occur during the school year tend to favor that demographic.

Meal service, especially dinner, might stretch out a bit. We've seen some of the few people that did have young ones give up on the main room dining with bored, fidgety, children after the first night or two.