shellunderwater

So, for reasons stated...NOW is best time to book.  Might get a price drop, might not.

If you want it, jump.

I have a Canon DSLR and "normal" lenses.... nothing special.

I'm looking at rain protection for my camera/lenses.  I wouldn't normally use it in the rain, but given the wet weather significance in Alaska, I want to be ready.  That said, not looking for the cheapest, and not the most expensive either (Think Tank is probably too high).  Peak Design was mentioned, maybe a bit closer, price-wise. I'm an occasional user, so trying to manage the budget a bit.  Hoping to get used to it before the cruise in a year.

I did do a search for the topic found Think Tank and Peak.  Hope I'm not duplicating posts.

46 minutes ago, Babr said:

Just know that airlines ordinarily issue vouchers for nonrefundable flights you cancel. In that case, insurance will not reimburse because you have been compensated. If you want a cash reimbursement from insurance instead, be sure to ask the insurance company how to handle such a claim before you buy the policy.

 

Perhaps the IMT representative will explain how that works in addition to your other questions.

This is an end of season Alaska cruise.  We will be flying from FL to Vancouver.  Not gonna be cheap. If we don't do Southwest, we are wanting to fly 1st class. I know if they issue vouchers, there likely is no coverage.  But, if we book first class, I really don't want those bucks sitting in vouchers if I can help it.

I'm not so much concerned about airline issues.  More worried about life changes that prevent us from going and being stuck.

Appreciate your take on a subtlety of my question/issue.

Booked an Alaska round-trip cruise for Sept 2024 from Vancouver.  Very happy with the price.  Booked on ship, so low deposit, I don't need to insure the cruise until final payment (June 2024).

But.... we are considering flying first class from Orlando to Vancouver or Seattle.  Coach isn't fun for that long of a flight, even if broken up.  But, flight is non-refundable.

Can I still get cancel for any reason (we are past the 21 day for the deposit on the cruise)?  Again, not so much for the cruise, but for the airfare that we may book a year in advance to get a good price and the flight choices we want/need given the distance. 

Can we split the trip into two insurance policies, one for flight, one for cruise?  Not sure how to book trip insurance that would include both cruise and flights given the flights aren't booked and have an unknown price.  We can't even book flights this far out.

Help.

(I was thinking of calling your company about this question, so this comes in handy)

7 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

We must have been in the same sailing! We have had that happen also!

 

To the OP, @SuperPlannernot sure whether you are trying to arrange a private driver or what exactly you need to schedule? Opening times in Cozumel are obviously listed as local time (EST year round). Drivers and tour operators are aware what relative time ships arrive. Keep a mechanical watch on ship time, or don't let smart phone/watch auto update.

 

 

Yes, be aware of phoned and watches that auto update the time.  An old time is great for cruising.... stays on ship time and you don't care if it's stolen, really.

On 2/9/2023 at 11:42 PM, RBKL said:

Had a medical emergency on an April sailing of the Wonder of the Seas.

 

Ships medical staff was amazing and exceptionally quick. We were disembarked in Cozumel for follow up. Doing great now but the insurance process is unreal.

 

Still waiting for AON to cover our expenses. Can’t get the status. Every few weeks we get a request for the same info we have submitted multiple times. Seems like a delaying tactic. I asked to speak to management but nobody returns calls. I reach out on line for updates but nobody responds even though the sight says they will within 1 business day.

 

We need to find a better travel insurance provider for future travel.

 

Looking for feedback from people who have made a travel insurance claim and received prompt service. Not looking for the cheapest policy, just one that when we need to make a claim will be responsive, provide the current status and pay on claims.

 

We have several cruises planned across several lines and they all seem to use AON. We need to find a new provider with better service.

 

 

 

First, contact agent,website, whomever you bought thru.    Next, contact your state's insurance department Complaint department.  Insurance companies are required to act in good faith when adjudication claims.  Your dept of insurance can help move things along and get calla returned.

5 minutes ago, Longford said:

Instead of paying +/- $28 per day for Coke, Pepsi, etc. ... I paid nothing additional for a plethora of other, free, non-alcoholic / non-carbonated beverages during my cruise.

Wow.  Amazing.  But some want non-free / carbonated beverages.

So, let's get back to the question about the package mmmmk?

So no YC with the 30% MyVegas?

If not, I won't be trying MSC...... 

Sigh

1 hour ago, teacherman said:

Just doing on-line check-in for our Anthem family cruise round-trip out of New Jersey on March 26.  Now realize that our 2 granddaughters passports expired this month.  They are ages 12 and 15.  Are they allowed to use their birth certificates for check-in at the pier?  It seems like one of the on-line choices is "Birth Certificate+No Photo Document Required".  The 15 year old has an official Michigan driver permit with her photo on it. If you have used birth certificates recently, please advise us on what to do.   

The BC must be official govt issued with the seal embossed.  Not a copy and not one of the hospital issued.  They must be official docs from your state's vital records agency.

13 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Exactly, one of my mottos is open your mouth and ask, you have no idea how many things come my way when I do.  The ship is not full....I even would dine at 8pm when its not as crowded.

And, offer up lots of sugar.... his age, one time, loving the cruise, not busy time, offer to pay.... Ask first day in case it's OK.  And that gives them max flexibility.  Ask about their country and or home.  Staff loves when you try to connect with them on a personal level.

But, I defer to others saying it may not work.  Can't hurt to ask kindly.  You just never know.

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

Just to note, while the Beyond is all "Anytime", if you are in Aqua, your assigned dining room is Blu. You will need to discuss with the host/hostess there that you wish to eat in the MDR.

Maybe others will offer opinions on this....(Im sure they will)

Maybe ask Blu host if your father can join you in Blu?  Maybe just once?  I don't know how careful they are with that. Might be worth a question. If not, just a suggestion.

On 2/6/2023 at 4:15 PM, cruiseboy89130 said:

Hope everybody is cutting the tips - if they are playing these childish games with their customers!

Who are they to decide what you want to eat and in what order!

Hope many people show them who is the boss!

What are you talking about?  It's not the waiters.  They are doing what they are told to do.

8 hours ago, jsf said:

We got off Harmony in FLL and went to our luggage area and could not find one piece of luggage. After getting lots of help and checking everywhere we decided to leave as we were driving home and hope RCL would find it or someone would call us.We got just north of Ocala , Fl when we got a call that someone had our bag.It was back about 40 miles so we turned around and found the home and picked up our bag. Just a warning please check for name tags on the luggage just because it's black it might not be yours. We added 80 miles to our trip and lot's off worrying because someone was in a hurry and didn't check to make sure they had the right luggage

May I offer a different view....

You only had to drive an extra 80 miles to get your belongings back.

Not gone for good, no filing insurance claims and the hassle.  No going and buying replacement stuff.

80 miles are probably easier.

But, I get your point 

16 hours ago, Kbonner said:

As a frequent cruiser, I have never experienced guests that are showing off in such gutter clothing like tankshirts and flip-flops in CK on formal nights. Is this rude and selfish behavior isolated to US departures? Does it come along with people who cruise once in 10 years in a suite and do not understand common social behavior?

I would greatly hope you have a good chiropractor that can treat the issues you will have from looking down your nose at others.

10 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Not just clothing threads - many other topics are:

Long time since I've seen this one.

Still spot on...

19 hours ago, MarKay525 said:

Where X usually equals 25 (We left from Terminal 25 for Apex and for Edge)

Or one of the other 3 or so terminals. 

Watch for sales.  Black Friday last two years it's been 50% off.  Might be again this year.

Right church, wrong pew.....

I read this headline in a totally different direction.  Expected someone to ask if hairspray was permitted on the ship.

Too early in the morning and I haven't finished my coffee and it's raining...dont judge me.

Biggest issue we see is departure time from Vancouver without doing an overnight flight to get to FL.  Not comfortable doing an AM flight on disembarkation day.

So, thinking about flight to Vancouver, then on way back take Amtrak to SEA, overnight in hotel, then fly next morning to FL.  That takes care of customs so we don't have to wait in lines at an airport hoping to make connections. 

Cash.  Offer to pick up in Port if they need something.  I expect they will say no, but I believe it is a polite offer to help them.

Best non-cash gift... we put a sign on the cabin door stating the cabin attendant shouldn't touch our cabin on christmas day.  Did a sign so they don't get in trouble if someone inspected the cabin.

46 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the Oasis only has ONE size of balcony cabin.  Only the balcony can be larger.  i.e., there ARE no "larger" balcony cabins.

 

This is in response to DallasGuy's picture. 

 

The OP,  jfletch, was on the Navigator, where there ARE two sizes of balcony cabins.  Oldtimers will recognize those as "D" and "E" cabins.  😄 

Oasis or Allure has the super large balcony (not sure of the name)..like a JS but still in balcony category.  It requires minimum of 3 passengers.  So kinda yes, kinda no.

Also, MyVegas app game can be used to earn OBC.

We've redeemed about $1K in OBC and never spent a dime on in-app purchases.  But we've been doing it a long time.

I also use my shares to sell covered call options.  I don't take big risks, but pick up a few bucks a week profit.  Every little bit helps.

2 hours ago, jwlane said:

Means little, considering the 80+% drop during the pandy.

Actually it doesn't mean little if you bought the stock after the pandemic.

I too am up 100٪ on mine.  But sure some are upside down.