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From past experience. Yes, you can buy HAL insurance (Cancellation Protection Plan - CPP) for just one person in the cabin regardless of how many are staying in there. You can even buy Platinum for one and regular for the other.

No it's a new booking for 2024. It's ok I don't have to buy it. I'm just curious why the buying option can be found any more.

I tried clicking the link to the "Cruise Protection Program" and clicked the drop down plan options beside person's name. No choice (Standard or Platinum) is given. When I clicked the "View Cancellation Policy" and "View Plan Details" I got routed to an ERROR page. The CPP purchase options used to be right on your Booking Summary page when you book online and can be purchased at the same time.

I don't understand. If Advantage Fares are available to everyone, why would HAL keep it a "secret" unless you know about it? Or is that why some travel agents can offer you better price than what you get when you book directly with HAL? Are they using this Advantage Fares?

I used to see the Platinum and Regular CPP being offered on the Summary page when you book a cruise online. This has disappeared. When I searched on their website, any links pointing to buy their CPP shows an ERROR. Does anyone know if HAL no longer offers such insurance?

Interesting to know! Normally you'd assume you'll get routed to a Call Center during after hours. Also, is Advantage Fare = Private Fare? Can you use NH1 when you book online on your own?

Yes, you get your Private Fare rates, free Prepaid Crew Appreciation, and Refundable Deposit. That's pretty sweet!

As far as I understand, credit card Travel Medical Insurances do not cover pre-existing conditions unless they are stable for a period of time (3 months, 6 months, or 1 year depending on your age). Any change in medication be it a new prescription, an increase or decrease dosage or stopping altogether means a change in the "stable" definition. Any new investigations, tests, any new referrals to specialists will be considered new existing conditions. Reading insurance policies is like reading any boring and long legal documents. Better make sure you understand what is covered and what is not. I think HAL's Platinum CPP (Cancellation Protection Plan) covers any medical expenses upto $10,000 USD pre-existing conditions or not. But $10,000 USD is nothing if you encountered something major. I've also seen people with health issues blindly buying the Travel Insurance their TA handled without understanding the true coverage and thinking they're well covered. Good luck to them!

Thanks for the picture & explanations. Nice to learn something new. 😃 Do you know if HAL's room key has the same antenna pattern as the one you showed? When I look at the actual room key, relative to your picture with the magnetic strip on the back, the safe spot would be the middle right edge of the card. That's where the customer service punch the hole that disabled my room key. 😕

Phew! 😄

I find the HAL staff knowledge varies a lot. Sometimes you can get 5 different answers by asking 5 different staff members. I'll call and settle with the one that gives you the best answer you want to hear and make sure they keep their words. 😁

Looks great! Is this served or self served. I intend to avoid touching those tongs and knives that are touched by many people.

That's where the Customer Service punched for me, the middle top area. The card immediately failed to work. I was on Koningsdam.

Great to know! Hope they have solved this problem. I'll continue to bring my good old lanyard next time then.

Maybe this is the "magic" position! 😃 I actually dissected the damaged card strip by strip but couldn't be certain of a safest place to punch a hole in. The metallic wires are sooo fine. You only know they're there when you see some shiny reflection on the cut edge. The card is made with 2 thin slices of plastic with a thin metallic circuit fused in-between. I'll try this bottom corner next time! Thanks! ☺️