jakeller

2 hours ago, dockman said:

Why does it appear so very very difficult for many cruise lines to hire some hot shot software/website experts like the ones who create a lot of the big online sites that actually work?  It seems these problems go on and on year after year in one way or another.  Maybe it is time to get rid of the people who continue to fail to provide a good solid website/app for years and fix it once and for all?.

Because software engineers here in Seattle can make a whole lot more elsewhere. HAL has/had a job opening for a web developer that pays $130,000. Plenty of companies in Seattle pay twice that, probably with better benefits.

7 hours ago, jclinard said:

If you go the refundable ticket route, do not use Expedia.  I booked fully refundable tickets, but they decided to actually sell me a fully refundable ticket from Panama City to San Francisco, and a non-refundable ticket from San Francisco to Las Vegas.  They refused to refund it.   I waited it out, and the flight times changed, and I refused to accept that, and requested a refund.  Instead, they gave me credits on Copa Airlines.

 

 

I wouldn't touch Expedia with a 10-foot pole – I always book direct. For my Delta flight I used SkyMiles (refundable). For Alaska and American I'm redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards for refundable flights.

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of flying to get from Seattle to Guayaquil, so lots of 737s on long routes.

1 minute ago, klfrodo said:

That's a good question.

In my experience, airlines almost always issue a travel voucher if things go bad. If the airline offers a voucher, insurance is going to consider that as fully reimbursed and not pay you. To directly answer your question, I have not found a reason to purchase fully refundable tickets.

 

However, I also highly recommend that you reach out to Steve at https://tripinsurancestore.com for your travel insurance needs. That's who I and many others here use. He's also on the boards helping others also. His website does have a phone number that he can be reached at. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will probably answer questions you don't even know you have to ensure you find a policy that meets your needs.

Thanks klfrodo. I reached out to Steve the other day and will give them a call to get this all lined up. I'll just be happy to go on the trip, since I originally booked it in 2019!

38 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

Being a fellow Washington State resident, I can confirm that the TravelSafe for Washington residents' policy does not require that you cover all travel expenses for the pre-existing condition waiver.

 

Having said that, what are you looking for with insurance when you ask about needing some protection if the flights go south? Just looking for an example of a concern you are/may be anticipating that you have.

I'm think the most important part would be to ensure that you cover the entire travel time. From the moment you lock the front door until you walk back into the house. Not just the days you are onboard the ship. Not sure if you can do this by purchasing the cruise lines insurance policy.

Thank you for the response, fellow Washingtonian! I guess my question is, is there a point in getting refundable airfare rather than saving a little and getting a non-refundable fare and have the travel insurance cover any mishaps (missed flights/bags, health issues, quarantine, etc.)

The Lindblad insurance is horrible. The cancel for any reason just gives you more FCC (mine is from 2020) and the medical part is not sufficient for the destination.

Thanks!

Hi all, 

I am going on a very delayed cruise to the Galapagos with Lindblad next summer.

While I will be insuring the cruise itself, I'm unclear about whether or not I need to also insure the refundable airline tickets that I will be buying. Part of me says no, there's no need, while the other part says that I might need some protection if the flights go south.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks, 

Jeff

Hi all,

By happenstance I noticed that HAL is hiring an "Antarctica Expedition Team Member" (https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Holland-America-Line/jobs/Antarctica-Expedition-Team-Member-89384f812e4edde8).

In the job description it says "You’ll present informative and engaging EXC Talks ™ to audiences of up to 900 guests, provide unscripted narrations during scenic cruising, and accompany guests on Zodiac tours."

The only ship doing the Antarctica trips in the next two years is... the Zaandam. So, unless that vessel will be magically switched out for the Maasdam, I assume it will be getting zodiacs in the near future, as well.

Any of our experts have any insight?

Go to the Holland America Line web site and click on "Already Booked", then click on "Personalize Your Cruise", log in to your account and click on your cruise booking number. Then look for the "Travel Planning" tab and click on that, then the Pre- & Post-Cruise Travel tab. Hopefully that way you can then just book your Pre-Cruise Travel transfer yourself.

Tried that a few weeks ago, it wouldn't go through.

Called HAL directly and they said that they were no longer offering transfers to those who didn't book a hotel thru them. A fairly new policy (that has something to do with manifests) but a stupid one, IMHO.

Hi all,

I'm sailing out of Sydney on March 1st 2018. Used points to stay at the Park Hyatt (yay). A few years ago my folks took HAL's transfer from The Rocks neighborhood to the terminal in White Bay. They weren't at HAL's "official" hotel but they walked over there and got on the bus.

Today I spoke to my TA (Costco) who called HAL, who in turn said that they could not sell me the transfer since I'm not staying at one of their official hotels. Despite telling them that this made no sense (I don't need a pick-up from the Hyatt, I'd be walking over to whatever hotel they use), they were a firm no.

Anyone else had this issue? Should I call back and try again? Or contact HAL directly?

Suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks,

Jeff