sanne

We are cruising on the Explorer with family in a couple of months and some of them have asked me about the gym. Since I’ve never set foot in the gym please could someone help me with finding out what’s available in the gym as far as Pilates and yoga. Are these bookable before we travel or do you book them once on board. And if so how do you do that? Thanks.

You’ll still need it for cruising in Australia.

As a long time cruiser of Regent and Seabourn, we have cruised on Silver Whisper many years ago and more recently on their expedition ships, I’m now looking at returning to Silverseas with the new relaxed dress code. I’m sure I’m not alone in the way I’m thinking now.

Always used Rydges hotel. It’s a few steps from the international checkin. Dinner is ok there too.

I had this same problem with an extension cord when Embarking in Sydney this year on a Seabourn ship. First bag arrived promptly but by 5 pm the second had not. DH found it himself at security. This same extension cord has been used on every cruise we’ve taken and never have we had a problem before. Next time it’s going in my hand luggage.

Thank you LittleFish1976. I have just received this from Westpac ( Allianz). I’ve posted it to be helpful to others. Please be advised that according to Policy information booklet (on page 18), Definition of Spouse: “the partner of the cardholder who is in a permanent relationship with the cardholder at the time the journey or trip starts.” According to above information if you are in permanent relationship however not married, you will be considered as partners under this definition Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on the number below.

Re the Westpac CC insurance. My son has this card and asked me if his fiancé who lives with him at the same address is considered his ‘spouse’ in the T&C. I will give them a call but first of all I’d ask since there are some very knowledgeable and helpful people here.

I have spent hours and hours researching travel insurance and reading all the T&C for our several cruises and trips each year. For the very reason you found with Southern Cross, I did not like their policy at all. Perfectly acceptable if you have no medical conditions new or old. But buyer beware if you do have medical problems. All too ambiguous, so therefore not fit for purpose. I’ve found other policies particularly underwritten by Allianz to be much more transparent and can attest that we’ve had to claim twice in the last few years due to cancellation of cruise through I’ll health and had no problem with getting refunded for quite expensive cruises. And both of us have pre existing medical conditions that we pay extra to cover.

Thank you very much cheznandy, 2022cruisey, and Ozwoody for your excellent reply to my queries. Very kind of you all to post the relevant paragraphs. Much appreciated.

I’ve searched the T&C PDFs of both Westpac and ANZ Credit card Complimentary Travel Insurance and can’t find any mention of cover for cruises and medical evacuation from a cruise ship. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction. And from what I read, the cancellation of a trip is capped at $20,000 for ANZ and in unlimited for Westpac. Maybe someone is able to confirm that. Thanks for your help.

Perhaps I’m misunderstanding this. Are you covered for cancellation due to a medical condition? If so, are you covered for a cancellation due to a pre existing medical condition? The 2 times we’ve had to make a medical claim it has been because we had to cancel a cruise before sailing. Both times a substantial sum was paid to us from our travel insurance because we had insured our pre existing medical conditions for cancellation due to not being able to travel.

$14,699 AUS price.

Unfortunately not for an annual one which was what was required.

Good to hear you’ve managed to find TI that suits you. Unfortunately iCover doesn’t cover over 80 year olds.

Worth having a look at Worldcare, RACQ, Allianz and Bupa … all these companies have covered my osteoporosis with just a few questions plus an extra cost of course. And I’m not young!

Just do a dummy policy on line to see what they cover and how much. No good ringing these days, they want you to do it on line. I’ve never been refused cover for osteoporosis.

I have had osteoporosis for many years and have never been refused TA by any company that I’ve researched a quote for. Always costs an extra premium to cover but that’s OK.

When do they open?

Agree 100%. I also book family holidays that they could not afford at this time in their life with mortgages, school fees etc… safaris in South Africa, luxury cruising etc. Spending their inheritance on quality time together, memories that last way past when we’re gone.

As far as being vaxed is concerned. The only requirement on a cruise ship is to have had 2 x vaccinations or equivalent depending n where you are coming from in the world … J&J only required 1 vax. Since the vax only lasts a few months unless you have a booster just prior to going on a cruise, being unvaxed or vaxed would make no difference since most had their primary vax along time ago. Most now have some antibodies from having Covid. We are both up to date with vaccines, wear masks when we feel necessary ( on planes particularly) , use Enovid nasal spray, clean all surfaces on planes, hotel rooms and cruise cabins on entering and wash/disinfect hands constantly. It’s up to each and everyone now to look after yourself just as we have always done. The world has moved on from Alpha to Omicron.. it’s my opinion we do have to live with this and make the most of every day without living in fear of catching Covid.

For most of my international business flights I have managed to get award flights using QF points. It helps that we always had cruise/travel in place more than 365 days ahead so as soon as those seats were released we booked them. I educated myself a long time ago on how to maximise my QF points and it has saved me thousands of dollars a year on flight costs plus we were able to fly business once PE and E were proving to be challenging.

I understand what you are saying. But I’m not quite sure how we can continue to have protocols and restrictions for ever, since Covid is now endemic. What do you suggest? We managed to cruise for 30 days earlier this year without catching Covid and nor did our friends. Plus a 10 day cruise last June with 4 other couples.

Thank you, luckily he was ok to fly home on our original flights but needed wheelchair assistance as he was very weak. My lovely TA organised it all for us.

Having cruised for 25 years we have always dodged nasty respiratory bugs ( people coughing, sneezing and obviously unwell ) particularly during the northern hemisphere winter, and not forgetting Norovirus and other GI infections. Nothing new. Covid is just another bug we will have to try and dodge on cruise ships.

Pity they don’t test for RSV and flu since both are rampant at the moment and can be quite severe in older folks.