CruisingAlong4Now

Just want to add a comment that Medicare in the US will usually pay for a rollator if medically necessary.

Just now, nelblu said:

I personally believe that the 3% is much higher.  Human nature.

I believe in human inertia.  

14 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

News to me most pre pay tips. I've never prepaid in 20 years. How do you know most prepaid? If you say you are a big ta I might consider this as a fact, or just heresy. Who knows these facts? 

My understanding is that while wage income is taxed in the crews' home countries, there are some countries that do not tax gratuities.

I cannot post a reference to this, but I was told this many years ago.

Some of the all-inclusive luxury lines run sales that make them cost competitive to some higher priced mass market lines.

IMHO, people who have an expectation (or fear) of boredom usually are bored.

On 10/27/2023 at 1:07 PM, canadianbear said:

I’m glad to hear he’s doing better & of course our health comes first.   
 

I just find insurance very frustrating.  We try to always buy the right coverage but have never had to file a large claim and that’s when you need it the most. 
 

I find that insurance is like a suitcase.  Whatever I used for my last trip, just doesn't seem to work for my next trip!

Balconies don't generally interest me.  But then again, I don't cruise the Caribbean where they might be more enjoyable.

I'm more interested in the food, the level of service, and the feeling of quiet luxury. 

19 minutes ago, Z'Loth said:

In checking Kayak, July 21st is flagged as a "Red" date for airline pricing, and it appears that some of the one-stop flights are cheaper than the non-stops. Still, sticker shock. 

 

Doesn't AA have an agreement with British Airways for points and such? 

 

Yes- and they code share

On 10/11/2023 at 6:22 PM, florisdekort said:

100% agree. We’ll judge for ourselves on our 20 October cruise, but from everything I’m reading on here, I bucket Explora with Azamara, Oceania and Viking, not with Crystal, Regent, Silversea and Seabourn. It’s virtually impossible to offer a truly luxury experience to 900 guests. Crystal is bringing its passender count down, and Seabourn is - in my opinion - noticeably delivering a better experience on their new 250 passenger ships than their 650 passenger ships. 

Seabourn's "little sisters" were true luxury at about 200 passengers.

Luggage Forward has an excellent reputation.  I've used them several times and it was relaxing not having to deal with checked bags.

Check out this current thread.

...

1 hour ago, gerelmx said:

After my cruise in 2024, the return home is flying LHR to DFW on July 21,

330 days before, on August 25, I quoted the one way ticket for 2 passengers. The cost was $6,213, today it costs $11,661.

Are they crazy or have brain surgery, what's wrong with them? The plane has too many seats available.

I just ran the flight.  On AA, nonstop flight AA79, the main cabin Flexible Fare from LHR to DFW on July 21, 2024 is $2670.   Seems totally in line with other long-haul transatlantic fares.

Luggage Forward was well worth the cost.  It was so nice to travel with only a small carryon for our pre-cruise vacation.

I would advise however, to follow their instructions precisely with regards to what can and cannot be packed.

On 10/2/2023 at 10:24 AM, VentureMan_2000 said:

This is the coverage I aim for.  Here are the coverage declarations for my next two cruises.  Both, about $14 a day.

I like high medical and emergency evacuation coverage in my policy.  I'm not much concerned about trip coverage... I can handle that loss if needed.  Medical is another story.

 

Someone who really understands the purpose of insurance.  Kudos to Mr. VentureMan!

Thanks for the replies.  Sadly, this cruise is not for me. 

I am not looking for an expedition.  I'm looking for a cruise.  I associate "expedition" with less traveled and less "first world" experiences.  

I was just looking for an easy cruise that circumnavigated the Isles.

I'm looking at the 14-Day Lands of the Celts cruise around Great Britain. Boarding (at Greenwich) and all the ports say "TENDER BY ZODIAC".  

I'm surprised to find a Great Britain cruise is an Expedition voyage.  

Am I reading this correctly?

Hope hubby is doing well.  

You certainly got the "Paris unknown to most tourists" tour.

No one needs insurance until they need insurance.  Too many people focus on recovering the cost of the cruise, which is a sunk, known, and limited expense.  They really need to look at the unknown and unlimited expense of medical and evac costs.

I flew non-stop Narita to JFK.  13 hrs. Wonderful flight.  I'm glad I didn't break the journey.

My first trip to Australia, I flew JFK-LAX, LAX-SYD.  2-3 hr connection time. Arrived in SYD more tired and headache-y than on any other trip. 

Next trip to Australia, I flew JFK-SFO, SFO-SYD. I overnighted in SFO and felt a little better than my first trip, but still not great.

If I had my choice, I would push for a non-stop

Watch this video review fo the non-stop flight: 

Crystal cruise line offers double cabins to solo travelers at a significant discount to usual solo fare. 

Crystal Cruises | Offer Details

Can't say that I'm interested in any of the people from school.  We were friends many years ago. 

If I were interested, I'd have arranged seeing those people.

Are school reunions a thing?

Check your airline.  When travelling intra-Europe, I had my carry on bag weighed!

2023 Carry-on Luggage Size Chart for 64 Airlines [Dimensions] (upgradedpoints.com)

20 hours ago, styme123 said:

I'm booked on cruise in July to Norway Fjords leaving from Amsterdam. I've only flow once internationally once before to London last summer with Delta and Virgin. I've heard of Jet Blue for a lot of local flights within the US but not international. We want to fly non-stop, they have the cheapest flight right now that leaves at a good time at night for us from JFK. What makes me nervous is they only have that one non-stop fight. We are leaving on the night of July3 and ship leaves July5. Same thing for when we return, one non-stop flight. They have a few stop over ones though. My concern is that the larger airlines like Delta and Virgin share flights amongst each other so if one falls through they get you on another. I'm not sure if Jet Blue does that? At least that's not what it seemed when I was looking into it. So am I taking a bigger risk by flying with them? If their flight falls through am I the one that scrambles for a new flight? If they get me a new flight do I need to pay an additional amount as I'm sure getting a flight the day of would be more expensive? Sorry so many questions, I am kind of new to flying. 

With so many flights flying full, I'm not sure that Delta (or any other airline) could easily put you on another flight.

However, JetBlue is also flying to other US cities.  I think they are also flying to Boston.  You are not totally out of luck. Getting from BOS to NYC is not difficult so this is another option.

In reality, if the problem is a weather related issue, all airlines will be affected and if it's a mechanical issue with the plane, this could happen to any airline.  It's not as if they have extra planes in reserve waiting to be used.

If there is a problem with a flight and you are at the airport, I have found that using the app or calling the airline's hot line to arrange alternative transportation during a problem is more effective than waiting at the gate with several hundred other screaming people.

Read post #8 on Delta ATL to LHR - Cruise Air - Cruise Critic Community

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Duplicate

On 10/14/2023 at 4:27 PM, lpmom said:

Is it really worth it to buy cruise insurance for a 4 night cruise

The cost of insurance generally reflects the period of time at risk. So a 4-night cruise should be less expensive that a world cruise.  You have to determine what is at risk and what needs to be insured.

"Cruise insurance" encompasses many different areas of financial exposure.  You have to decide what you want to insure.

1. First is the cost of the cruise if you cannot travel due to "covered" reasons.  This is a finite amount which you have already paid. This may reimburse you and make you whole. Losing this amount is upsetting, but not financially devasting.  At worst, you don't have a vacation.

2. The cost of medical expenses you incur during your cruise due to illness, death, or injury.  This may be an amount that could exceed your financial resources and cause you long term financial insolvency.  Very few US medical plans cover expenses incurred outside the US.  Many hospitals outside the US require a deposit be made before treatment can be started and the bill must be paid in full before you leave.  See a recent tale of uninsured Americans being treated at a hospital in Mexico: Florida couple stranded in Mexican hospital after cruise pit stop takes a horrifying turn - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

There are many other components to "travel insurance".  Read through the posts and decide what risks you want to self-insure and what risks you want to transfer to an insurer.