torpeedo

5 minutes ago, Jersey42 said:

If you still have any concerns or questions, it is worth calling Steve.  You will get better advice from him than from any poster on Cruise Critic.  I bet he will tell you that your current coverage more than exceeds the largest medical clam he has ever seen.

 

What annual policies do you believe Steve sells? He offers annual medical (like GeoBlue) and evacuation policies, but AFAIK, he and the other brokers I mentioned do not offer comprehensive annual policies that include cancellation and interruption.  He used to offer one from RoamRight, but he eliminated that several years ago.  I'm sure he will tell you his reasons if you ask.   

I will. I've enjoyed talking with him, he's a wealth of knowledge!  The GeoBlue  was the annual plan he does sell.  I really don't need the cancellation and all the other stuff on the comprehensive plans. I think we're probably just fine also..hopefully. Just overthinking things!

3 hours ago, Jersey42 said:

 

To answer your question - The pre-existing conditions waiver is available on all but the basic (least expensive) Allianz policy. To qualify you must purchase the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit. Subsequent trips booked when the policy is in force also are covered by the waiver. 

 

Allianz is unusual as I am not aware of any other company that offers a pre-existing conditions waiver for an annual travel insurance policy that includes trip cancellation and interruption in the annual premium.

 

I strongly suggest you read the policy.  That is where you will find the details on this and all other aspects of coverage. This could also include state specific language.

 

I am not sure what other insurance you have, but you need to understand how multiple policies would work together when you make a claim.  This is especially true if both policies pay secondary. 

 

I normally would suggest working with a good travel insurance broker who can explain all of the nuances. But the brokers typically mentioned on this forum (TripInsuranceStore, InsureMyTrip and Squaremouth) do not offer these types of annual policies. @iamtrustworthy from TripInsuranceStore has explained why in previous posts.

Thank you.  Good info.  We have GeoBlue Trekker Choice and there is a pre ex waiver on that and we've had it since 2016.  Being as we're older we have $100,000 coverage.  Just wanted to see if I can add more.  The most Allianz gives is $50,000 but it covers a lot of things we don't even need so that's eliminated.  We have primary insurance with Medicare supplemental and that has $50,000.  We do take the Royal Caribbean insurance also for cancelation plus it gives $25,000 medical.  Have an EA policy through AAA for evacuation purposes.  Probably sufficiently insured and will just pass on Allianz.  I know Steve from the Trip Insurance Store and I do think he sells annual policies.  

On 4/29/2024 at 11:41 AM, Jersey42 said:

Have you read the policies from these companies, and does either company offer what YOU are looking for?  What are you trying to cover? How many people? How expensive are your trips? What does your current medical insurance cover outside of the USA? .  . .

 

Neither company offers an annual policy that would work for me.

 

Allianz

• Offers four different policies with a variety of options for cancelation/interruption coverage.
• The maximum cancelation/interruption coverage for three of the policies is $15K per POLICY per year (not per person)
• The business (executive policy) lets you purchase up to $10K in cancelation/interruption coverage per PERSON per year.
• Pre-existing condition lookback period of 120 days, but a pre-existing conditions waiver is available.
• The most medical (secondary) coverage you can get is $50K per person per trip.  IMHO, it is too low if you don't have other medical coverage.

 

 

Looking at Allianze annual policy and I see it does have Pre X conditions and I would think this

would be waived with an annual policy?  How can I get the waiver.?  I have other insurance but want to just add more as my age is pretty advanced but I'm in good enough health to travel.

Also if your husband has a non suite cabin he may not have access to the Suite Lounge if the Concierge is a by the rules only kind of person.

My grandchildren always had the soda package and it was well worth it since they loved getting the cup and the soda machines.  You can find free ice cream in the WJ. 

12 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

When my DH needed a scooter he was told he could ride it down to the waiting area for wheelchair assistance and leave the scooter there instead of the cabin.   Many others did this too

Yes you can do that but you can't take it off the ship.  Problem we've had is that it takes forever to get wheelchair assistance leaving the ship.  Ports like Tampa and Port Canaveral allow you to pick up the scooter at the entrance to the terminal and return it there when you leave.  Much prefer the ports that let you board with the scooter and leave with it, no waiting.  

3 hours ago, Frapaccino said:

Thanks all, good to know, very helpful 

We've used Scootaround and their scooters have been clean and functional.  One thing at Anthem port in NJ, The scooter will be in your cabin which means you will need wheelchair assistance boarding and also leaving the ship.  Boarding is fine, just ask and you will be directed to where you can check in and then taken onboard with the wheelchair.  Leaving the scooter in your cabin when you leave the ship means you have to get to the disembarkation area to wait for a wheelchair to get you to the luggage and out the door to whatever transportation you need to leave.  Not user friendly as far as leaving the ship is concerned if you have mobility problems.

1 hour ago, LivLove2Cruise said:

I am looking to purchase travel insurance however, I mostly interested in medical insurance than anything else. I am not concerned with anything else such as trip interruption or baggage.  I had a friend who had a stroke in Jamaica while on vacation and it was a nightmare to get him back to the States.  Has anyone ever just bought travel medical insurance instead of comprehensive?  Am I making a mistake not getting comprehensive insurance? I am past the time period for cancel any time option. 

 

We also just need the Medical Insurance and have used GeoBlue Treker which is an annual policy with excellent coverage. They also do individual if you don't want annual.  There's a forum on cruise critic boards with a lot of info on cruise insurance an options. 

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

 

The 6-8N Caribbean cruises were technically already released... so it's unclear exactly when Wonder's remaining 7N cruises would be released (assuming my assumption is correct) but there are cruises being released next week and the week after so I would keep an eye out.

Thank you!  I will keep my eyes open!

On 1/30/2024 at 12:23 PM, OCSC Mike said:

 

My assumption is the same 7N cruises she's currently doing until Star takes over... but that's just my assumption.

I can't find it on this thread but do you know when the 7 day Caribbean cruises for 2025 open for booking?  

4 hours ago, rolloman said:

The sticker shock does not come until after the cruise is over...then it is too late. 

Absolutely, and then I doubt Royal will see that family again for a very long time, if ever!

46 minutes ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Yes but why? I get its a historical thing to do but why? No one tips people in other professional employment for doing their job?   

You're right because I'd be a very rich retired RN now if that were the case!!  I still think charging 18% gratuity is ridiculous for delivery of some water bottles.

10 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I once asked my doctor about scripts for the longer adventures.  She told me when I needed it, she would be sure to give me a longer script.  Which only makes sense not to deny what you need.  Right now I (and Bucky) refill on a 90 day basis.  With our stint on Serenade only being a quarter (63 nights) was more than enough for us, but she would have given me a script for the 274 nights if I needed it.  

 

No, the ship will not refill scripts.  

I'm glad you had asked because I was wondering about the refills.  I get 90 days also and I'm sure my MD would give me the whole time because my meds haven't changed in 15 years and I don't even think I need them but it makes her, my MD, happy so i take them.  Some people require lab work to see if there's a dosage change.  Either they don't go at all or the ship can do the lab work and they can do that telemedicine thing  with their MD which would definitely work.  

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

Normally that is what I do....but with being on for 63 nights...I simply tossed all the full bottles into my big duffle bag (which had half of my medicine cabinet in it!! 😮 ) and refill as I go.  😉  

I wonder what people will do on the full cruise to renew those required pills like Blood Pressure, cholesterol, thyroid and a  bucket load more.  My MD only gives me two refills and I'm held hostage to return or no pills.. Maybe the ship has supplies of pills and the ship's MD will renew?  

29 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

We use tiny plastic pill bags.  It’s a pain before we take a long trip to fill them all ( 2 for each of us per day) but then we can take them in a pocket to a meal easier.  Coming up on a 60 day trip here and will be trying to figure out if this will still work. TBD.
For a 9 month cruise you’d have to just take all the various bottles and refill like you’re doing. 

Exactly what we do.  You can fit many days of the pill pockets into a small ziplock storage bag.  We do Vitamins in the pill packets also.  Very convenient. 

1 minute ago, crewsweeper said:

 hotel, dog kennel, etc.  could eat a big hole in the 401K.

You are so right! Boy those costs do add up big time!  Our pet sitter is $35 per day plus tip, park and cruise hotel $400 and food, gas etc!! 😱

34 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Was it the transfer bench kind that is supposed to be half in the tub and half out?  We have one of those at home from a multitude of orthopedic issues.  You just adjust the two legs in the tub shorter and the other two are out of the tub.  The shower chair we got on Anthem was just an armless stool.  We were in a balcony cabin for that sailing and nothing bigger would have fit in the shower.  

It was a big chair with a back and arms.  The legs wouldn't fit in the tub.  We did get a stool once also but it didn't fit either.  We never ordered ahead and just asked the room steward when we met him and he brought them to us.  Better a walk in shower really but we manager somehow.  

4 hours ago, riviera said:

We are in a junior suite but the shower is in the bathtub. Can we request a shower chair? If so, whom do we ask? Thanks everyone. 

We have ordered the shower chair in a JS and it was gigantic!!  We could not fit it in the tub at all.  We have a small shower "bench" at home but wouldn't take it.  So husband does the best he can holding on to the bars.  We've brought hand bars but they won't stick to the walls of the shower.  We also bring a bath mat for the bathtub which provides more stability.  A handicapped cabin is the best but hard to get one.  Plus Royal is now charging handicapped people more $$ for a handicapped cabin which is pretty bad penalizing those with special needs.

I used the patch once and it affected me so badly, heart racing and agitation,  that I took it off before I even got on the plane to travel to the ship.  Bonine has been the best for me and many others.  Not a fan of Scopolamine which is what's in patches.

41 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Indeed "the times they are a changin' ".   

 

We are just back from a Viking 3 week cruise...there are no loyalty lounges...we are all the same.  Coffee machines with all the fancy fixings are in an open area with no restrictions.  Beer and wine complimentary with lunch and dinner...other drinks on a pay per basis (and not expensive) or on a prepurchase package deal.  Was quite refreshing.  

And no children or casino?  I get their brochures all the time. 

3 hours ago, deliver42 said:

At the prices for the Icon, they can count on 2 people never stepping foot on that ship. My wife and I.

We would make that 4 people!

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Was this last year while covid protocols still in place? This year that is the policy, last year wasnt. 

I went back to check and it was this year, for a May 14 Wonder cruise.  This rep had me on hold and said it was a one time thing or something to that effect.  We didn't do it though.  Too much already booked and other commitments

I have had a rep offer to switch us another cruise with no penalty when I was canceling a cruise.  Maybe if I had called and asked to switch a cruise, the penalty might have been applied.  

2 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

So diamonds go in at 430 and take a seat, will someone actually go around and kick them out?. 

I sure wouldn't want to be that guy!!

I also prefer Scootaround,