elaine5

I agree GeoBlue seems very reasonable. I'm just trying to understand what GeoBlue would give me that BCBS, which uses GeoBlue for outside USA doesn't offer? And, as BCBS provides coverage outside USA, so wouldn't it cover us even if Medicare didn't?

We have federal govt nationwide BCBS standard, which is using Geo Blue for overseas in 2024.

Any reasons to get GeoBlue policy when BCBS is adding GeoBlue as their overseas manager for 2024? The GeoBlue thru BCBS covers medical evacuation arranged by GeoBlue. I'm surmising that they're using the same standards for whether medivac. I also have Princess Platinum coverage, which has $75K medivac. We'll be in Asia for 3 weeks, including many sea days.

how far out can one make reservations for Oasis, and which shows?

You can easily get to Amsterdam, as well, via Eurostar train as option for cruise departures, esp. if you're going to Paris. We love cruising and usually do 1/2 land and a week cruising. Another option, if you're going to Disney Paris to based out of the DLP area for a few days, to explore France. There are good train connections from the DLP train station to Reims and (farther out to Strasbourg). You can also take a relaxing bus ride thru the countryside from DLP station to Provins, a medieval town. With a car rental, the excellent WWI museum in Meaux is just 15 minutes from DLP.

what is the email to send to for Princess? Going to try today.

what is the email to send to HA? I'm going to try that today instead of the APP and see if it still works.

thank you. I thought I read that C class got wine with dinner. seems like the C perks are meh for us.

does gty concierge include perks? Is wine anytime or dinner? Is the sparkling wine anytime/anywhere, or only in cabin? Is there a selection of wine by the glass (or price limit)? Is there a different dining room or different menu in MDR? Any "bad" cabins? thanks, Elaine

One week later could be the pricing difference, esp. if around Easter? Usually, I find them similar prices. Like others said, there are TAs whose pricing beats RCI direct by a quite a bit. Princess pricing tends to be very similar on their website and via TA. We sail both lines frequently and like both. I view Princess as a step-up from older Royal ships for amenities, entertainment, food, and equal to older (newish) ships like Anthem. Haven't been on newest Royals yet. Enchanted would deliver a quality product, Royal will have a bit "funner" vibe and more active/sports offerings. With teens/young adults, we prefer Royal, but not for 50% more!

thanks, I thought a read about a new policy for 2 hours in advance.

I just saw that our shops leaves at 3pm. Is last all aboard 1 or 2 hours beforehand? I don't plan to cut it that close--but want to build in time for traffic, etc.

We decided to try HA as the timing, ports, and pricing was good. I also read some good reviews about the Music venues and if I want steel drums, I'll just pop in ear buds with downloaded island music. I'll post an update on this thread when we get back. Thanks for the reviews. Elaine

How about at 5:45 or 7:15? this is for Rotterdam winter Caribbean from Florida.

On Rotterdam, how is anytime dining working? Are there long waits without reservations for 6-6:30? Also, are reservations made (at kiosk) only once onboard? Are they available for most days at 6/6:30? We'd be party of 4 persons? And, if the wait was long and we said we'd share a table with others, would we get seated fairly quickly at an 8-10 table? Thanks, Elaine

No steel band in the Caribbean? No live music on deck? And, what exactly is there to do after dinner? From 8-11pm? I thought Rotterdam had “stepped up its game?” I really wanted to give HA a try…

For Rotterdam, are there bars/venues with music in the evenings before dinner? For Ex. at the back deck bar on both Celebrity and Cunard there was music (band, guitarist, and/or singer) from late afternoon/evening--or something in the lounges before dinner--Irish music, vocalist, etc.? We're not crazy party people, but also don't really want solitude on a cruise. We are active, early 60s. Newly retired--so lots of quiet times to read at home. Celebrity is perfect for us--but Rotterdam schedule/ports looks really good.

can we combine combine AARP and shareholder OBC?

Thanks. We’re going to give HA Rotterdam a try this winter. We sailed Cunard this summer, and though a bit subdued for us, loved it.

what is the "vibe" and demographics on HA Caribbean cruises compared to RCI, Celebrity, and Princess?

thank you! got it!

I can only see my next cruise on the App. How do I find subsequent cruises to make dining reservations, etc.?

We tendered last year on the Vision. 2 hours post arriving was not an issue. Note, we were on a smaller ship (1/2 the passenger capacity). 1.5 hours might be tight on a larger ship.

I recall recently getting a "refer a friend" email, which I deleted. Does anyone have it? thanks, Elaine

How is it working to just walk up and say you'd be fine with a share table? Pre-Covid, we were seated almost immediately around 6:30pm, both on Europe and Carib. cruises. Wondering now for AU/NZ/ Asia cruises? thanks, Elaine