happy cruzer

Most policies will state how long the delay must be to be covered.  Some may require 12 hours. 

On 8/18/2024 at 8:16 PM, Suzanne123 said:

You can also get providers by specialty.

If you get a toothache in Paris:

 

:

Thanks for the info on GeoBlue.  I just bought a plan and the link to login that emailed always shows  that I have timed out for my password.

Do you have an opinion on whether it is better use the website or a mobile app for GeoBlue? 

Thanks.

49 minutes ago, wcook said:

There are several private companies out there and they are very good at optimizing search engines so they show up when you Google something like “do I need a visa for France.” Since these companies are in the business of helping you get visas, their information on who needs a visa can be sketchy. I suggest avoiding them. 

Agree,  that's why I asked here for a site the one of our regulars would recommend vs. just trusting a search.

The sherpa site looks very good.  Thanks to d970!

I agree that there are lines that will provide the things that are missing from the major lines.

I do remember when Princess had lunch in the MDR every day and it was popular.

Additional items that used to be provided on major lines -

Variety in the MDR, many seafood options - not just shrimp or salmon; many meat options usually beef and an additional meat like lamb, quail, pork, and others; appetizer variety, hot and cold soups, hot and cold appetizers, and salads.  Yes, the MDR had more choices than many specialty restaurants do now. 

More live music - string groups, dance bands ( ballroom and pop), orchestras for the shows.

We accept the changes and finds things to enjoy.  We try not to deny the facts or judge what other cruisers prefer.  The lines that provide lots of options usually are the most popular.

On 8/11/2024 at 9:55 AM, pcur said:

Ah, yes, Delta!!

 

I thought they were irritating over the years because they kept changing my flights to times that SUCKED. Like going to Honolulu from SFO by way of SLC.

 

My son and DIL got caught in this latest system meltdown with Delta. Got lucky and made it to Boston on "that" Friday from SFO. Coming home, they were stuck in Boston from Monday (original flight scheduled) to Thursday! Hotel hopping, she went to work in her company's Boston office, he telecommuted from the hotel lobby, before they got a flight back.

 

Thanks to Buttigieg dropping the hammer on the airlines, son and DIL got all but $100 Uber fares reimbursed, seat upgrade going home, and 25k points. (My guess is they might have been one of the worst case scenarios, and Delta was in damage control after the customer service disaster).

Are you saying that Delta provided compensation for an issue that was the airline's fault?

No insurance claim filed?

The very first post of this thread implies that this event was reason to get travel insurance.  So far do not see it covered except CFAR.

As was pointed out, read your policy on the listed items are covered.

32 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

I think this needs to be done on a country-by-country basis and it can change with time:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

Thanks.  If I use that site for Singapore, I don't find out that you need a SG Arrival Card.  When you have a trip planned that goes to several countries, that site is a bit hard to use.

I think someone once posted a link to a private company that helps get the required docs for a fee but it also had a site that let you look up if you needed any docs. 

Is there any one spot to see what documentation is needed for a US citizen with passport to visit other countries? 

On 8/9/2024 at 10:57 AM, Hlitner said:

Interesting info.  I just looked on the Chase site (we have a Sapphire Reserve) and found the usual benefits with nothing said about changes in October.

 

Your Chase Credit Card Guide to Benefits (chasebenefits.com)

 

I imagine if they do rescind benefits, it would not be effective until the anniversary date of the current card, since changing mid-stream could be viewed as a breach of contract.  Given the high cost of the Reserve card, there would likely be a real stink if they eliminated that benefit.  We orginally got that Sapphire card because of their travel insurance benefits and the primary coverage for domestic rental cars.  I should mention, that over the years, we have filed two major claims for trip cancellation/interruption and collected on both.  Dealing with their claims adjustment folks (a sub-contractor) is no fun and does require a lot of patience.  I did also find a Points Guy article that Chase is switching their insurance administrator away from "eclaims."  Having dealt with those eclaims folks (on our two major claims) I do applaud that they are making a change although time will tell if things improve.

 

Chase to switch insurance benefits provider, improve protections and expand coverage - The Points Guy

 

I think it was because of this insurance benefit, that many AMEX Platinum folks switched (or added) a Chase Sapphire card.  Eventually, AMEX added a similar benefit to their Platinum benefits, but with a lower maximum ( I think it is $10,000 vs the higher $20,000 on the Sapphire card).

 

Hank

 

Agree that eclaims is a pain, but the travel insurance itself if the only reason we keep our Sapphire card.  If that goes away, there are other cards that offer different benefits that we will use and just buy a yearly travel insurance policy.  But if it suddenly goes away for travel already booked on the card that will be a pain.

Yes, the policy is 2 entrees.  But how many reports of the 3rd one being charged?  Seems like they would find a way to make the customer happy such as providing the extra one as part of another diner's allowance.  The waiters have always tried to please us - for a couple we often have 3 appetizers and 3 entrees, yes within the limits but I bet there are big eaters that would enjoy more.

The policies that I have read would cover a delay i.e. hotels, meats and transport.  They would not cover a cancellation of the trip - i.e. the cost of the cruise....

Would be nice to hear actual experiences.

11 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

I HIGHLY recommend that everyone read the fine print of any credit card "travel insurance" to see just what it does and does not cover.  Many cards have cut back on the scope of coverages, especially the non-premium cards.  And even some premium cards have lowered coverage maximums.  To the point where separate insurance is often the better play

 

Caveat emptor.

 

 

Yes, read your policy.  Is there a travel insurance policy besides CFAR that would cover this event?  I just looked at two including the popular Nationwide Essential and they do not appear to cover it in their trip cancellation.

Not sure that many travel insurance policies will cover this event.  I just read the credit card travel policy that we use and it does not cover this event except for trip delay.

This problem is the fault of the airline and travel policies are not insuring airlines in most cases.

On 4/16/2024 at 10:27 AM, Gardyloo said:

The only recommendation I'd make given this would be to look at using Finnair via Helsinki to get from Oslo to Prague instead of BA via London.  As long as you use AA between Madrid and DFW, which would incentivize the AA RTW desk to issue the ticket, switching from BA to AY for the first segment would potentially help you avoid big BA fees and surcharges.   The total elapsed time will be similar for OSL-xHEL-PRG but will give you some time to visit the nice Helsinki Finnair lounge, while the LHR transfer would potentially be a footrace.  Plus, the HEL route would all be in Schengen, speeding things up for your arrival at PRG.  

Will the OSL-xHEL-PRG Finnair business class ticket allow acces to the Helsinki Finnair Lounge?  I read the following rule and got confused.  Thanks.

Oneworld lounge access rule states:

Connecting between oneworld marketed and operated flights: First and Business Class customers connecting on the same day of travel, or before 06:00am the following day, can access the lounge when travelling between an international long haul (a oneworld international long haul flight is defined as an international flight marketed and operated by any oneworld carrier with a scheduled flight time longer than 5 hours) and an international short haul or domestic flight (and vice-versa).

Our experience on American Airlines was that we got a refund for the fare difference due to no crew available to work the flight after a major weather event the previous day.  So what air line and what reason matters.

Well, the questionnaire was not aimed at Covid originally.  Any contagious condition, I think flu (maybe Bird Flu) and noro.  Wonder if the cruise lines bring it back based on whatever disease is happening at the time.

Does Carnival still have the health questionnaire?  If you answer it honestly that you have symptoms and they deny you boarding, then they probably reimburse you the cruise costs (not any of the other costs that your have like flights or hotels).  At least that was how it worked years ago.  It would be up to their med staff's decision.

5 hours ago, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

You will love the El Cordova just make sure to book one of the larger rooms as the small ones are really small.  I would use their parking at $40 per day is about normal.  You will find no street parking close unless you have a resident permit.  We stayed there several years ago the history of the place is amazing.  We had a large group of family and even booked the "superintendent's" suite, which was huge (dining table for ten).  My brother ended up in a "workers" room where he could touch both walls with outstretched arms.  I had a nice sized room with a living area and bedroom/kitchen but backed up to the alley with garbage trucks in the morning.  All in all it's a great hotel with lots of history.    

Thanks for the first hand report.  We do have a one bedroom suite booked.  And now we know what to expect regarding parking in our area the very most expensive parking is about $20 per day.

It is very helpful to have everyone's advice.  Thanks!

We made a booking for El Cordova in Coronado.  Is there street parking in the area?  The hotel mentions a private parking for $40/day.  We may decide to rent a car for part of the stay.

Thanks to all you experts!

We drink mainly wine and we do not like the limited wine by the glass offerings on either package.  So we take whatever is included in our booking, then carry on and purchase bottles as we go.  Every one has a different view of the value of the packages.

Also the buffet on the Radiance was not good.  Limited choices and crowded service area. 

And as noted the smoking policy vs. Celebrity.

Not a ship I would pick if another option was available.

Thank you so much we have been looking at Coronado and La Jolla.  We like to walk on the beach more than swimming in a pool.  We prefer museums/gardens to resort/spa amenities.  Smaller hotels to larger ones.  We typically tour for 4 to 6 hours then one nice meal for the day and just enjoy the beauty of California.

Any advice for one week in San Diego at thanksgiving?  Would you stay in San Diego or maybe near the beach like La Jolla?  We will have a rent car.  Thanks.

On 4/16/2024 at 10:27 AM, Gardyloo said:

The only recommendation I'd make given this would be to look at using Finnair via Helsinki to get from Oslo to Prague instead of BA via London.  As long as you use AA between Madrid and DFW, which would incentivize the AA RTW desk to issue the ticket, switching from BA to AY for the first segment would potentially help you avoid big BA fees and surcharges.   The total elapsed time will be similar for OSL-xHEL-PRG but will give you some time to visit the nice Helsinki Finnair lounge, while the LHR transfer would potentially be a footrace.  Plus, the HEL route would all be in Schengen, speeding things up for your arrival at PRG.  

It just sunk in about the Schengen countries.  We hold US passports.  If we fly BOS to OSL via Keflavik, we will do customs in Kefalvik?  then all the other countries (Norway, Finland, Czechia, Austria, Hungary, and Spain ) are Schengen so no more customs until we re-enter the US?  Also no ESTA or visas needed?  Thanks again.

Thanks.  I am starting to get it.  We'll be lounging in Europe 😉

Thank you to all for information.  I have bought one ticket i.e. RTW in business class.  Does that matter?

I am confused between ticket and trip?