GeezerCouple

THe "extras" that *might* be considered "class-based" are minimal and mostly what one would expect: size of cabin or suite. I doubt there's any surprise there. And there aren't passenger uniforms with designated colors indicating cabin size. (That is A JOKE in case there is *any* thought otherwise!!) Point is, almost all of any such "differences" are happening inside the accommodations. Extra bottles of free liquor at the top suites, just waiting inside, not something that a butler carries around on a tray following the escorted, privileged passenger as they wander around the ship. (Another JOKE!) No... things like the Butler are also mostly "in the suite", especially that room service with full meals including from the specialties. (I admit, we do like those meals, but no one else watches us have those served, nor do they know it's happening.) When you are sitting around a lounge area or at dinner, everyone is treated the same. Perhaps some very frequent cruisers are recognized by past crew members and greeted, but that's also not anything "class based". The "Frequent Cruiser" could be staying in any level, and some may change around from cruise to cruise. And it's not like, say, NCL, where there is a "Haven" with restricted access, something that is noticeable at almost any elevator, plus locked doors if one is able to get off at the "wrong" deck/area. Or a restaurant that is available ONLY to those staying in certain sections. There are a few specialty restraurants, but everyone has a chance to enjoy those. Reservations are limited by size/space, and that is an issue for everyone. (Top suites may get extra reservations, but again, that's not "noticeable" on board.) On Oceania, IIRC, there is one small spa area that was restricted, a deck at the very front. (Someone had mentioned recently that when they were on one of the O ships, there was no functioning locking mechanism; I don't know it that was temporary or a longer-term change.). But there are plenty of other outdoor spaces, and one has to be in a very specific location (one end of the spa) to even notice that door. Oceania isn't completely "equal for everyone" (not much is, after all), but there is not a sense of "some haves and some have-nots" while you are on board. I would *not* worry about this issue, not at all. Enjoy! GC

Yes, "it varies" are definitely the appropriate code words here! In addition to all of the "variables" already mentioned (cruise line, time of day, etc.), the "class of service/cabin-or-suite category" also makes a difference on some ships/cruiselines. Despite some general understandings such as "the class system on the Titanic no longer exists"... well, it probably doesn't exist in the *same* way. But there are definitely, er, "categories" for passengers, usually based upon type of accommodation (and usually related to cost of cruise). Thinking now of only "room service", on some ships, those staying in suites, for example, may have no charge for room service, or may have that available for a wider selection of items or times, while those not in suites may be more limited. Making this even more, er, interesting, there are sometimes other "categories" that are based upon, say, number of cruises or cruise-nights, each with differing privileges/perks. On the luxury lines, there may be no such differences in "service", but perhaps only in the size/etc., of the cabins/suites. But knowing which cruise line would be a huge help in understanding various services and any related charges. GC

Was the broker TripInsuranceStore? We are among those who buy policies from them. And... we've had claims, including some large ones. ALL got paid promptly. We also used Travel Insured (the actual insurance company), but our plan had a different name, so probably different terms (that have worked very well for us). Note: You can mention names of insurers or insurance brokers here. It's just "travel agents" whose names are not allowed here on CC. GC

In the future, you might want to use a Title/Header that helps the reader know a bit about what your question involves. Something like, "Comped cruise, medical insurance only??" or such. That way, you are likely to get more of the knowledgeable eyes to read your query. GC

There may be some confusion here between "being automatically excused" and "having a request not to serve be automatically granted". The latter does require some sort of contact with the court system. The former would not; it would be automatic based upon age. GC

No need to worry. [And as an aside, it's the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act) that covers transport of people/passengers. The Jones act is similar, but for cargo.] It only involves direct transportation between two USA ports without first calling at a distant foreign port (specifically defined). If I've simplified that too much, another CC member will soon stop by to correct me! So if you are getting off one cruise and not getting back on the *same* ship until the next day, there's nothing to worry about. Getting off/on two different ships on the same day also isn't a problem. Staying on the same ship could be a problem if they would end up making you start in one USA port and disembark in another without that distant foreign port. (Consecutive but separate cruises on the *same* ship is what can cause unexpected trouble. One is still on the same ship for sequential nights, so it doesn't matter if the combined trip is "called" a single cruise or more than one; it would be a violation.) It seems that Canada may have something similar, but I'm not familiar with that. But in both of your cruises, you are traveling between two different countries, so this doesn't apply. And you have a day between the cruises, so it also doesn't apply. You might want to browse more about PVSA here on CC, where there are several threads, including a current one: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006258-passenger-vessel-services-actjones-act/ Enjoy both cruises. Sounds like a wonderful combination! 🙂 GC

Always have a Plan B, but in this case, it's especially important, as a missed connection isn't all that improbable, unfortunately. IF the flight is on time, you should be fine! GC

Yes, in case of any claim based upon a medical situation, you should get a signed letter from a physician (or other healthcare provider), one preferably whom you have just *seen* (unless impossible, I suppose??). I think many (most? all?) insurance policies state something like this. [A Zoom call these days may suffice... things have changed in the past few years!] It would not work to "self declare" that there was some medical emergency or other "need" requiring that you not travel, for obvious reasons. GC

However you handle it, don't double dip! IF you get credit from the cruise company, then do NOT claim that amount from insurance. But it's likely to be better to get the cash from the insurance rather than a "credit" from the cruise company, which is limited in use and possibly in time duration. GC

Welcome to cruising! In addition to browsing a bit on this CC section, we'd strongly suggest that you CALL: https://tripinsurancestore.com Call them so they can discuss things with you, and in addition to any questions you have for them (starting with ALL of your questions above!), they'll probably ask you some questions, too, to help find the best coverage available for your needs. Note that in the future, for any travel insurance, the best choice of policies will be available if you start the coverage when you make the *first* payment, even if that's only the deposit. You can discuss that with TIS also, for the future. They are a broker and offer policies from several vetted insurers. No extra cost to the travelers. And they can help with a claim, should that be needed. We learned about them here on CC, and have had several claims, including some large ones. All we paid promptly. By the way, I'm assuming you are a resident of the USA. If not, much of the above may not be relevant. (Try to at least add the country in your posts, under your UserID for reasons like this.) GC

We've never had any problem at all with rebanking miles either, with any of the programs we use. But the programs/airlines we use have very modest "rebanking fees" to do it. It's not enough to fret about at all, but since that IS included in the travel insurance, we do add it to the claim each time we've had to do that. GC

We travel a lot with the air being using awards. Fortunately, although that part of the trip - the "regular cash price of the air trip" - is not insuranble, for a very modest cost, we can re-bank the points (almost always, IIRC). And we can insure that modest cost, which we only do because our insurance type requires that we insure ALL non-refundable costs. Even though we didn't pre-pay that fee, we include it. It's small enough that it's never kicked us into a higher tier of coverage (it goes by increments of the total cost), so it was always a non-issue. Better to include anything that MIGHT be in the "everything"...! And yes, we've recovered that "rebanking fee" a few times, although that was never a real concern, obviously. But if we were filing a claim, we'll include everything there, too. GC

Do you mean, like leave the ship while there are still passengers on board!?? 😱 Do you really think that the Costa Concordia captain "FELL" into that lifeboat? If so, I have this bridge for sale... 😉 GC

What cruise line/ship are you thinking about? Because, yes, "It depends", 😉 but in part that "depends" upon where you are. Some of the premium/luxury lines are able to accommodate special requests (including occasionally something that is not on the regular menu at all, if they have the ingredients, etc.). That's part of what the extra costs might include (among many other niceties, of course). GC

Welcome to CruiseCritic! You probably should also post this on the NCL section of CC: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/ And you might want to browse through other sections of CC for assorted general information. 🙂 https://boards.cruisecritic.com GC