MattnTricia

My wife and I are getting to a point where we feel we want to make sure we have adequate coverage for future trips as we are traveling internationally a decent amount now and have just turned 50. Our current policy for 2024 will cover our 2 Caribbean cruises for this year and covered a panama cruise last year. We aren't concerned as much about the trip costs as much as we are concerned about extreme medical costs while traveling globally. We have learned that our health provide BCBS Massachusets has not now partnered with Geo Blue for extended medical coverage. It is my thought I should start adding this for our trips in the future in place of the Allianz annual plan. I see reference to a B of A travel Card and Chase Sapphire Card for additional protection for trip cancelation. My question is knowing we will travel at least 3-4 times a year with a decent amount Hawaii / International what is the current best suggested Medical/ Trip Cancelation bundle to give us good coverage? As a side note our trip values are not crazy high and obviously would be prepaid so our bigger concern would be medical / trip interruption. . Looking for tips as we don't use a dedicated credit card currently but would like to start for our 2025 trips

It was our first time with FCC and we thought it was easier not to transfer and book direct with TA with the certificate. we were obviously wrong and thst is a very good tip lesson learned

I went through the gauntlet today on the phone and ended up with a decent response After hearing the story and asking for the phone transcripts of my calls they were a little more open to try and help. It probably helped also I had 2 open cruises with them and they could see I have been on 2 other cruises in last few months to go with my past history with them. They called Celebrity on my behalf and we ended up forfeiting $200 in OBC and having to pay $246 more to get the perks to book a current less than 90 day out special. This ended up being about $150 more expensive then initially quoted but $650 less than useless TA who wouldn’t even attempt to remedy his mistake. We also ended up in aqua balcony vs concierge balcony in thiis cabin move. Thanks for the couple of tips as it definitely seemed to help today.

So far no luck reaching anyone else at agency and TA is absolutely 0 help. Reaching out to Celebrity now but expecting no help

We did not use Celebrity to book and transfer. We used the TA to book while onboard. We had the FCC and just had the TA apply it.

We have used a specific ravel Agent several times in the past for reservations. They are known for good bonuses and are well known for Holiday promotions. While cruising over the Thanksgiving we booked 2 separate cruises for 2024 while we were onboard our first celebrity cruise. We requested the same AI package from the TA and ended up having to take several calls to confirm information at the TA's request vs doing the booking via email. It turned out the Agent messed up on one of the reservations and chose a no perks rate vs the AI which we requested. The invoice was confusing as it showed 3 separate discount lines on the invoices all with the only description being NRD. We took several calls confirming the reservations and perks both before and after the booking. He even called us to ask if the lwoer price was OK before he put it through. This issue was the agent was swamped with reservations and he used the wrong booking code. We waited a few weeks for the packages to show on Celebrity as there is normally a delay and it turns out they didn't exist. . We are now outside the non cancelable window and are stuck with an ~$700 over the original quote and a $1000 difference over where we currently stand. We wouldn't have booked this cruise with the current pricing. The real kicker is the TA even choose a higher price NRD for the same cabin then what was being offered at that time. We booked using $1000 in Celebrity gift cards and the balance with our CC. Any suggestions to avoid the 25% cancelation fee? Transferring to a different cruise due to pricing would probably be our best bet at this point. as the TA says there is nothing He can do and it is all our fault.

We are booked on this tour for Jan 2024 and look forward to navigating the old locks to have the experience as our cruise ship is going through the new locks. Does anyone know if there is much of a history lesson with this tour? This is our first time going to the Panama Canal and would like to learn about it as part of the experience.

thank you That is great info

Thank You!!!

Thanks Did they offer a half day full cruise also?

thank you for sharing your trip. It will be our first time on the Emerald getting on when your cruise is over. Can you comment on how they did reservations? We know we have to go there immediately after we get on the ship as we are doing a 15 day to Panama Canal. Did they have a full cruise discounted price or is it just the $20/$40 offer per day? The Sanctuary looks like where we will need to be. +

Thank You for Sharing We are wondering if you could help us with a ? We will be doing a 15 day cruise on the Emerald in 2 weeks. Do you have any feedback on he adults only area in regards to comfort, quiet, shade? Any other suggestions for areas to enjoy the numerous sea days we will have? We are contemplating a full week Sanctuary Pass but have been very content if we can find shade in the Adult area's o npast cruises.

I forgot about the Woodford Private Label it was out our entire last cruise on Discovery.

I am hoping to come across Blantons. My local shops it’s almost impossible to come by. It would be great if they had Blanton’s onboard

Thank you for posting the wines. By the glass menu’s that was very helpful!!!