GeezerCouple

Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk pause Red Sea travel... per CNBC (posted 15 Dec 2023): https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/15/shipping-giants-hapag-lloyd-and-maersk-pause-red-sea-travel.html Have there been any new developments about passenger sailings in this area? I think Maersk is freight only, but Hapag-Lloyd also has passenger ships. GC

The bottles that are brought aboard for your enjoyment IN your cabin or suite at no charge are just that: IN your cabin or suite... The corkage fee is when you bring a bottle of wine to a restaurant. (They will store a partial bottle that you can call for later, at any restaurant if you don't finish it.) PLEASE do not carry your own wine around the ship. Oceania has a *very* generous policy* about bringing one's own alcoholic beverages on board as described above. Abusing that privilege could lead to a change in the policy for everyone. Thanks! 🙂 * The "official" policy is something like 6 bottles, but that is rarely enforced (if ever??). Let's keep it that way! GC

Perhaps the Oceania Suite was the 3rd suite type referred to by Torquer? GC

Make *SURE* that you get authentic eclipse glasses. Do it sooner rather than later, and get them from an authorized/legit source, not from an online ad for "SPECIAL ULTRA SUPER CHEAP ECLIPSE GLASSES - GET 'EM HERE!!!" 😱 The fakes will surface closer to the eclipse date, and some of the promos/ads may look very good, Go through something like a Science Museum website or such, either to purchase or to get the link to an appropriate vendor. And be careful. Prior to the previous eclipse, there were some fake "eclipse glasses" that were labelled with the "proper" international standard code (e.g., " ISO 12312-2 "). When we flew to see the previous eclipse, we brought some extra cheapie-but-authentic eclipse glasses, in case we saw anyone "in need". (Fortunately, everyone seemed to have their own, so we wasted something like $10. We'll probably do it again, just in case.) GC

You made a *very* good point, and I'll try to adjust my suggestions in the future. Thanks. I have NO problem with emailing! They'll do the same things by email as by phone; it may take a bit longer. OTOH, one will have a record of the Q&A, etc. My concern is that people generally will *not* get the information they need from the online summaries of the policies... and then go on by themselves to purchase a policy without any interaction with the agent/broker. That *might* work out okay. But it's more likely to result in the most appropriate policy if there IS some interaction with an expert, especially for newbies. We were those newbies back in 2013, and I was totally clueless. And it was a VERY good thing we had spoken with TIS, because we had a rather expensive trip... and with less than 2 weeks to go before our planned departure date, DH had a medical emergency, and everything got cancelled! I know we would *not* have gotten the "right* policy for what ended up happening, had we just looked online and selected.. "something that looked good". We had no idea back then what the glitches might be. That was the first time we ever got travel insurance! "Whew!" 😉 GC

Hi klfrodo! I wasn't questioning whether you understood the coverage, not at all! 😉 (I hope I didn't screw up my post somehow...??) I suspect you understand travel insurance much better than we do. GC

So as not to swamp this thread with "travel insurance" issues, take a look at the travel insurance section of CC: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/ But to answer your question, we always get travel insurance through a broker, TripInsuranceStore.com - and the insurer we've used has been Travel Insured. They are the ones who "pay". TIS will help with claims if needed, but part of the value of buying through them (no extra charge for using them) is that they should be able to help one select the most appropriate coverage. I wish we did NOT have such "good luck" (!??) with their claims process. But given that we have had several claims, they turned out to be very good. And TIS helped us select them for *our* needs. Note that they may *not* be the best for your specific needs... GC

Are you clear about the exact terms and conditions of that policy? There's a reason it's so inexpensive... It might be fine for your purposes, but.... it might not be. We are among those who STRONGLY suggest dealing with a travel insurance broker (there is no extra charge for the services). They can help you get the *right* policy for *your* needs. We use www.TripInsuranceStore.com but CALL them; do not rely upon the brief policy summaries online. There's almost no way that limited information can provide enough detail for someone to know if it really works for their specific situation. When you call, they can not only answer your questions, but they can ASK you questions to help find the best policy for your specific needs. Enjoy your cruise! GC

Did you read what Steve posted in response to your concern? If so, why are you concluding at this point that the insurance was a waste of money? I'm assuming he'll either help get it sorted out for you, and you'll get your reimbursement OR he'll find out what the actual problem is such that the claim was indeed declined. (That could be something like you didn't meet the terms and conditions of the type of insurance policy/coverage you purchased. Or perhaps you just need to still submit better documentation for the claims...?) We've had several claims, and a few were relatively large. The big ones were for complete cancellations, either because one of us got sick at the last minute or in one case, because very elderly MIL was suddenly hospitalized with heart trouble. Note: We ALWAYS get coverage that does *not* exclude pre-existing conditions. ALWAYS! We've also had some smaller claims, although not necessarily "small" (just "smallER"), for things like a flight cancellation leaving us stranded in Barbados (hey, better there than elsewhere!!), or when I landed in hospital overseas and many of our plans had to be changed at the *very* last minute, plus needing special transportation because I wasn't well enough to do our planned taxi/train/train/taxi/ferry/taxi... We also purchase through Steve/TripInsuranceStore, but we've used Travel Insured, and they pay very promptly. And because of their claims payment history, we'll stick with them, even if other insurers had "less expensive" coverage. That "less expensive" might turn out to be "MORE expensive".... 😡 GC

Yes, Swells1... quite a lovely arrangement! We also use the tiny (generic) ziploc type plastic bags, and they are very handy indeed. But as Mangrove Snapper mentioned, we now also need to step up our game, too! 🙂 However, for ALL of our Rx meds, we label them by asking the pharmacist to print out an extra set of "labels" for each med. That means we get an official "stick on" label that is exactly the same as what the pharmacists slap on the little amber plastic vials. Those are usually waaaay too big for the meds actually dispensed... This is because some years ago, our local pharmacies did away with the smallest sizes, to stock less inventory. Thus, often the dispensed quantity barely covers the bottom of the cylindrical container, and it almost never fills more than about 1/10 to 1/4 of the volume. That's a LOT of wasted space... the air in those containers. And worse, because they are cylinders rather than rectangles, none of the containers fit neatly together... lots more wasted space between the containers, too. Plus, it's all rigid. 😠 With these little ziplocs, one can squeeze almost all of the air out. (BTW, we do the same when we put things like chopped veggies/etc., into the freezer with the "freezer" Ziploc bags.) These can then be mostly flattened nicely and stacked, or perhaps stuck in between other items in the "med kit". We just hand label any simple OTC meds. As for the question, "Is that legal" (or insert substitute word for "legal")? Yup, at least where we live. We "got the idea" when one of our regular Rx fills was dispensed in that exact way: In a little ziploc-style bag, with the label slapped on the side. (If necessary due to size, we just spread the label around the edge so it's slapped on both sides.) We each looked at what we were handed, and the proverbial light bulb went on over each of our heads. It makes the packing so much easier, and eliminates soooo much otherwise-unused space. No, we don't re-date them every time we get a new refill. Those "good until" dates are very conservative. If one has the original packaging available (sometimes our meds are dispensed in the manufacturer's original package), that "good until" type date is usually much later than the relatively standard "one year from date of initial Rx fill" that the pharmacy label displays. Likewise, we have letters from physicians documenting the medical need for some of the meds. We don't update these each time, and not each year, either. As long as there is relatively recent and *official* medical documentation, it's fine. We've almost never needed to show any of this, but we feel much better having it with us, especially since some of our meds are not necessarily considered innocuous in other countries, or even in the USA. We check very carefully for the med rules in any country we'll be visiting, and get ALL of the necessary approvals when needed. The only "problem" we've had is that Japan does *NOT* allow any of the original formulation Sudafed tablets. And the newer, OTC formulation of Sudafed [kept behind the counter, not on the shelves, although no Rx is needed, at least in our state] has never worked for us. {And surprise! It was recently announced that the newer Sudfed version... does NOT work when taken orally. And those *pills*... are taken *orally*, or at least by us...!} So we crossed our fingers and toes, and hoped for "no bad head colds..." Finally, we've added those Covid test kits. WE want to control any testing that is "just in case". We don't need/want any cruise officials to know if we used a test if it was *negative*. If it were ever to be positive, we'd be the first to announce that to whatever "authorities" need to be notified, and we'd obviously sequester until safe, etc. But we do NOT want to get "more room service than we planned" IF we are negative. We do the same thing at home, "just in case". (DH's University teaching finally went "in person" starting Sept, 2023, so there's now a lot more "exposure", TO us as well as possibly from us if he were to bring something home. Before that, we were almost entirely isolated, due to very high risk concerns. We took our first short domestic (USA) flight/trip this past weekend (since December, 2019). There's still a WORLD OUT THERE! ✈️ 😁 😁 🎉 GC

If nothing opens up at "final payment" deadline, just keep a lookout at any of the eclipse cruises of interest to you. There are times when people cancel later because... they must... family illness or whatever. We've been on both sides of that: cancelling a cruise (twice!) at very last minute (less than 2 weeks) due to medical emergencies, and also grabbing a dynamite suite at a sweet ( 🙂 ) deal, probably because someone else needed to cancel at almost the last minute. The time we grabbed something, it was a few weeks from sailing date. We had travel insurance, so at least we got fully reimbursed. But the cruiseline did collect twice, even if the "second" time was probably more of a bargain due to the very last minute timing. For something like an eclipse cruise, people will probably try very hard *not* to cancel, but there are times one just cannot avoid it. Good luck! We made plans several months ago to head to a "land based" eclipse experience. *Everything* at that location is now totally sold out, and at many other good locations, too. The airline with non-stop service there (which was part of the reason to choose *there* vs. elsewhere)? They recently cancelled that non-stop flight. 😡 Sigh. We'd much rather be on a cruise, but that wasn't going to work for us next spring, unfortunately. That would be awesome... IF the ship can find a way to chase the clear sky... GC

Someone recently made a disparaging comment about "auto-corrupt" I think that is just PERFECT! 😄 GC

We also purchase through TripInsuranceStore. Call them and have them help you with this. They can run interference if necessary, or just get someone to take another look, or get your claim out of the bottom of the pile, or whatever. We use Travel Insured, and have had very prompt claims payments. The only time ther was any delay was a summer when there were several major hurricanes. Travel was disrupted for a lot of people! Our claim wasn't weather related, but we got stuck in that backlog. We called TIS without realizing why there was a delay this time, and I guess they made a call or something, and then our check arrived. Usually a check arrives within 2-3 weeks after we've sent in the documentation. I also did ask them to check our first claim submission, as that was all new to us, before we sent it in, but never bothered them with that again. We get coverage that does *not* have any restrictions about pre-existing conditions, and that does seem to make everything easier, and much faster! The only medical records needed are those directly related to the claim (e.g., why the person cannot travel on this particular trip), and we don't need to send any previous records, etc. GC

My understanding is that the malaria vaccine is relatively new, which may be why it was never mentioned for previous travels. It's not as effective as some other vaccines, but perhaps it's better than nothing! And IF it's required by some authority, then it's your choice to get it and go, or not... GC

We just saw this mentioned elsewhere on the news. Roninman got here before us to post it. Apparently a "ballistic missile" was fired at a "commercial vessel". (We are assuming that was more likely a freighter, not a passenger vessel, but still, it only takes once, even if "only" a mistake...) GC

Welcome to CruiseCritic! As suggested above, contact the "Special Needs" group at whichever cruiseline you'll be sailing. Let them know as much as you care to share, and what you think would help. You might also ask them if they have any other suggestions, given this is your first cruise. This is what that group "does". They may have a special form for you to fill out. If so, you'll probably find that many of the questions don't apply to you, so either leave those blank or put something like "N/A" (for not applicable). You won't be the first passengers to request assistance for something like this. And, importantly, the cruiseline/ship staff can't help if they don't know there is any difficulty, etc. And once on board, be pro-active if you need anything and ask at Guest Services, or such. (And they may give you a specific contact person, depending upon the cruiseline.) IMPORTANT: Please study the deck plans of the ship, like floor plans of complete decks. Try to find a cabin/suite that is surrounded by other PASSENGER accommodations: on both sides, across the hall, and above and below. Try to stay far from any "night club", and not under something like a fitness center. Discuss this with the Special Needs folks, too. Enjoy your cruise! GC

Thank goodness for modern medicine/surgery. SO glad things went well for you. 🙂 GC

Yup, apparently it sure did. Unbelievable, truly unbelievable that passengers weren't notified until the very last minute like this! Quite obviously, I was unable to imagine this really happening like this! The only exception I could ever comprehend is if there was a last minute maintenance problem that made the cabin/suite uninhabitable. [We had to be relocated from a suite to a tiny balcony cabin for a couple of nights once because of a massive plumbing failure. We weren't appropriately compensated in our minds, but the situation was an emergency and we were *happy* to be moved temporarily. Our bigger complaint was how long it took for them to acknowledge the severity of the problem. But that was SO different from being left at the dock!] There have been enough really "bad" situations that seem to be mishandled by several cruiselines recently. This may tip the scales for us about cruises vs. land trips. There are obviously a few cruises that just cannot be done as land trips, but our remaining "cruise wish list" doesn't include much of that. There are still plenty of land destinations that beckon... It's just a shame that the cruise line powers-that-be can't figure out the right thing to do (or *one* of the possible right thingS to do). GC

Why would you need to ask this? Why would you *not* call Special Needs? >> This is "What They Do"! And if you haven't notified them about your needs/situation, there is no way they can know how to assist, including in emergencies. We *always* notify "Special Needs", and NCL has a special form to make it easier to communicate. (Our "needs" are very different from yours, but the principle still applies.). Also, no need to worry about whether some phone rep "made a notation" or not... or even made the *right* notation. The form is extensive, as different pax can have very different needs. Just fill out whichever parts applies to you. As for the width of the special chair? WHY wait to contact Special Needs just in case it turns out it does not fit? How would it be better to find this out after you have boarded rather than in advance? Our approach is: IF we need help with something, we want to make getting that help as easy for us as possible. And this almost always requires that we also make it relatively easy for those who might be helping us. Others can't read our minds (in advance or even in person). GC

We have noticed for some years now (and not on cruise ships) that even some top restaurants have been creating dishes/menus with, uh, ultra-creative combinations of ingredients. This started before Covid, and we attributed it back then to some sort of "race to be creative and different", and that was definitely an appropriate description! But the combinations were often odd, as though "the more different the combined ingredients, the better". We felt it was definitely a step down, and in some cases, a huge step down. Forcing "novelty" without regard for whether ingredients worked together, and often discarding long-term favorites, or favorite combinations. We haven't sailed since December, 2019, so we can't speak to whether what is described above is similar to this trend we've noticed or not. GC

[emphasis added] I don't think the "separate folio" bit is involved in requiring "clearing/zeroing the ship". I thought there are some cruises (not in the USA) where different passengers embark and disembark at different ports. Each of those passengers will have a "folio" for their trip (under phrasing "folio" or some other wording). And there's no need to "clear the ship" in order to have each of the departing passengers get their accounts settled. GC

Yes, the "right question" should be How late is too late to book travel insurance And as you mention, there can be time limits from the date of first payment to get some types of insurance. I'd suggest that you *promptly* contact a travel insurance broker who deals with several insurers. You might be able to find a policy that works for you. We are among many here on CC who work with www.TripInsuranceStore.com But CALL them. Don't rely upon the online summaries; those simply cannot capture the full range of benefits and restrictions, by definition. GC

I'm surprised that Oceania doesn't have (even if it had been secret in the past) some sort of insurance for problems where passengers would be in danger, or might be with a non-trivial probability. They can NOT want to have even one passenger injured for a reason like this, obviously! I can't imagine the lost business on the off chance that something actually does happen, even if a "small event" of some sort (and maybe it wouldn't be). We always get CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance, which would give us 75% cash back. However, even IF we did not have that, we would personally be thinking of the "sunk cost fallacy". The cost of the cruise is gone. Full stop. In terms of a movie or Opera or whatever, for example, if we have spendy tickets that cannot be returned/sold/exchanged, and we no longer want to go, for whatever reason...? Well... "They have our money. We do NOT also have to give them our time!" Etc. Ditto with a cruise, but on a [much] larger scale! If we would NOT now spend $XXX to sail on this cruise because "we just do *NOT* want to be on it!", then we... aren't going to get on it. Full stop. And "all the more so" if the reason is potential serious safety issues rather than "Oh, we've been there before; I'm now sorry we planned to go there again: and I'd really rather relax at home or do XYZ instead" or such. We are probably more risk averse than many others, but that's "us", and this is how we'd react. NOTHING I've written here negates some of my other very negative comments about how Oceania has handled this. We are unlikely to sail with them again, which is unfortunate. Or maybe not... 😡 GC

OMG! Thanks for pointing this out. One of the posts there (on the RCI board) is pretty clear: This is beyond comprehension... 😡 Someone(S?) made some huge mistakes here! This wasn't just one couple, and not just two....... And apparently they didn't give those "bumped at the dock" a HUGE "offering"!! 😱 Given the money at stake in each sailing with the big ships, it is only a tiny percent that would be needed IF PLANNED appropriately (!) to make a few volunteers very happy to take the "offer they can't refuse", and before they leave home. Duh! This is a new one to us! And it would have been enough to cause us to say, Never RCI again for us, but that's not a cruiseline we've ever sailed with or ever planned to. This episode just cements that understanding. Unthinkable. This does make me think back to an overbooked flight about 20 years ago. They weren't getting volunteers. So they started offering "perks", and the offers kept getting better and better. It ended up with First Class tickets later in the day or the next day (including hotel costs) PLUS a nice sum of money. No one ended up angry. Several people apparently felt like they hit the jackpot. (I was flying to a family member who was suddenly critically ill, or *I* would have jumped at that offer. 😉 ) GC

This is NOT "done at the terminal"! WHY would they wait until then? (They do not want angry - possibly screaming?? - pax at the dock who are being denied passage!) This is done WELL IN ADVANCE, when everyone has time to consider, "Do I want the cruise we booked, or do we want this other cruise, at this great deal!??" 😉 And the cruise line has PLENTY OF TIME to "go down their list", trying to find "an offer that <someone/someones> can't refuse". This is a GOOD THING not not a bad thing, for goodness sake! Someone who thinks it's "a better deal" can take it. Those who do not think that, "Just say no", etc. This process may involve "bumping" (as you call it) someone from one category to a *better* category, with or without some extra $$. We are NOT interested in "upgrades" like that, because we do care just where our cabin or suite is located. (We do not want to risk near a noisy area, etc., and we choose accordingly up front. Others may be delighted to have a "better deal" if they are not worried about placement.) And they'll just keep making a better offer until they can have a cabin or suite to assign to ALL of the guarantees. You keep making this into a negative that almost never happens. I'm not sure if it ever happens this way. I suppose it could if there were some repair absolutely needed that kept a cabin or suite out of commission at the last minute... But that's not at all what we are discussing here. These "adjustments" DO happen, and no one is "unhappy", unless one considers that someone might not be happy with their "guaranteed" assignment... in which case the problem is *theirs* for making a "guarantee". The guarantee is to be on the ship with the category selected or better. Full stop. GC