GeezerCouple

There are different types of policies. Obviously the above discussion is for a policy that does *not* have the same waiver as we have been discussing. That's the *point* of the waiver! One does NOT need to deal with whether there has been a change in medication or any look-back period! This is why it is so important to read the terms of *your* specific policy... It doesn't matter what the terms are of *other* policies. But we *ALWAYS* purchase our travel insurance from a broker (Steve, of TIS in our case). They can help with any issues or questions like this, and help a client to get the most appropriate policy for their specific situation. GC

??? At least for the type of insurance we get, it's not really a "special coverage". The waiver of the pre-existing condition exclusion is automatic for anyone who starts the insurance (covers deposit plus any other non-refundable payments to date) within the 10-20 days of the first payment. (Timing is state dependent.) And yes, you must be "fit to travel". So don't start the process on a day when you are sick. We aren't aware of any need to have a letter for every time one starts an insurance policy if everything is routine. It doesn't have anything to do with pre-existing conditions or changes to medications, etc. That's the point of the waiver that is included with the regular policy. We have had quite a few claims, most due to medical problems (but one because a flight home was cancelled). We've *never* been asked about whether we were "fit to travel" when we started the policy. And I don't remember reading about anyone who was asked... You seem to be overthinking this. Or do you have some experience that suggests this is an issue? Hopefully Steve will respond to this concern of yours. Or someone could email him directly to ask about this if worried about it. GC

We always get coverage with the waiver of pre-existing condition exclusion. And in general, there simply wouldn't be any issue about "fit to travel". We are going about our daily routines, etc. However, there was a time when this was a possible issue. DH was recovering from a medical emergency that had caused us to totally cancel a land and cruise trip, and less than 2 weeks before our planned departure. (This was the first time we got travel insurance, thank goodness. We got it from Steve at TIS.) Anyway, a couple of weeks later, I called him to get coverage for a replacement trip. He mentioned our claim for DH's medical emergency, and asked "Is <name> fit to travel NOW?" Me: "No, but he'll be completely ready to travel by <future month>!" Steve then reminded me of the "fit to travel ON the day the coverage starts", so... NOPE, no insurance for us that day. We waited several weeks, and when his physician said he was "all clear", I asked, "Is he 'fit to travel' today?" The answer was "Yes." So I asked him to write that down on his letterhead or an Rx form, something official, and he did. That way, IF there was ever a question... we'd be covered. We then went home, made a reservation and paid a deposit, and started the travel insurance for the amount of the deposit THAT SAME DAY. We upped the coverage as we made more non-refundable payments, as we always do. All set! We took the trip and had a wonderful time, with no need to use the insurance. 🙂 GC

This is how we occasionally made reservations early on. The "invoice" aka "receipt" aka "confirmation" arrived by email shortly *after* we submitted all the information, including charge card info... and it showed payment received. That wasn't just Oceania. So yes, anything that initially appears for the passenger in that document would be in the "too late" time period. Whether there was any critical information that wasn't disclosed previously, such as on the website... I don't remember. I don't remember being surprised by any rules so I'm guessing that the terms and conditions were shown somewhere online. But my memory... "who knows"? 😱 GC

Ooops! Sorry to have put "email" when it was, as you wrote, any online ad in this case. GC

[emphasis added] Hopefully this can be an easy "learning experience" for you, and apparently one without unpleasant consequences. -->> The simple "clicking a link in an email" could by itself cause some really bad things to happen, such as downloading malware. (Obviously, it might not, but it could have happened...!) It may not have been possible to call a proper number from the emailed information (that itself could be a warning), but if either of us ever gets an unexpected email "offer" of some sort, we *might* call the vendor using a phone number we ALREADY KNOW, or getting it from their official website... but *not* calling a number included in the possibly sketchy email. GC

What is the actual upgrade? Only the location, or is it a better/larger/? cabin? Or is it simply that there are fewer cabins nearby? (Will there be traffic for other reasons, like use of the spa, or...?) And yes, a forward higher cabin is very likely to have more motion of the ocean than a lower mid-ship cabin. If you tend to get seasick, this would probably not be a good idea, but you know how likely that is... ETA: Oh, and Welcome to CruiseCritic! Which leads me to ask: Is this your first cruise ever? GC

Sure, this is for questions. Mostly general ones. Given that policies can *vary*, one MUST ask specific question that would be actionable from the vendor/broker. Otherwise, one could make plans and then find the policy isn't available. Or worse, get the wrong policy! GC

Third-party travel insurance policies that we've had experience with start when one walks out the door, and end when one returns and walks back in the door. It's not complicated. Policies from, say, a cruise line might - MIGHT (I don't know) only cover the cruise dates or the time including air tickets if you purchase them from the airline. All of this should be spelled out VERY explicitly. You seem to be making this much more difficult for yourself by asking questions rather than speaking with an insurer or, better in our minds, speaking with a broker. GC

You'll need to read through policies, or, what we do, work with a good travel insurance broker who is familiar with many insurers, each of whom usually has several different types of policies. And.... it can depend upon when you purchase the policy (from the same insurer/policy). Many of us use www.TripInsuranceStore.com - but CALL... it's so much better to discuss these questions. "Online summaries" simply can't capture everything. As for why I'm not directly answering your question, even for a policy that we get that has the waiver, insurance is regulated by the states. So what we get may not be available to someone in some other states, and we'd have no way to know that. Again, this is where a broker can really help. GC

But IF there was a non-refundable deposit (and I *think* I'm remembering correctly?) just a few years ago, then it shouldn't generate such a fuss, especially from some longer-time Oceania aficionados. Also, my complaint about some of these issues is IF/when they (or anyone) changes a policy AFTER someone has signed up/paid for something, and then holds then to the *new* terms, terms that were not in effect when they signed up/enrolled/etc. And that's what apparently happened to some of those who were offered FCCs if they cancelled that other cruise. Some cancelled hotels or airlines/etc., and then suddenly, "oops, NOPE...!" 😱 GC

Thanks! I thought it was just announced recently. ETA: Also, I'm fairly sure that on our first Oceania cruise, there was a $150 or maybe even $250 (?) pp "admin" fee or such, that was non-refundable but could be applied to another cruise within a year. I don't remember looking for that wording later. This would have been a bit something like 8 years ago. Was this in fact a policy back then? And was it later relaxed? GC

I would check with your own physician or a travel medicine clinic, rather than a bunch of anony-cruisers. Also, your own personal medical history/condition may lead to one choice or the other. ... As might your age... GC

Wait! This new policy was just announced, is that correct? And Oceania is retroactively applying it to those who booked since September 1st? Sounds a bit like the "you can get a FCC until..." until you accept the offer and then it's, "Oops, sorry, we cancelled that! No FCC for you!" I hope they didn't really do this with the deposits! GC

What should matter is: What was the cancellation policy at the time OP paid their deposit, NOT what was it changed to later! GC

I agree with Meander Ingwa, but I'd suggest asking BOTH your physician and a pharmacist. Unfortunately, at many pharmacies, the only drug interactions that are likely to be caught involve those dispensed by the pharmacist, not the OTC meds such as naprosyn or... Bonine (unless it's actually a regular Rx). The pharmacist does specialize in the "drugs". But your physician specializes a bit more in *you*, and may know how *you* react to things (or don't react). And IF you then decide it's okay, then *please* try BOTH of them at home - together - well before you are leaving. I'd do 2 days in a row, as some of these meds can stay in the system somewhat, and how long they stay can also vary a bit from person to person. GC

I had the same thoughts as leaveitallbehind... I also recommend *calling* someone to get the single fare. Don't even mention what you have seen already. Is it correct to assume you are looking at a fare online somewhere? There are times when the way it displays online can be misleading, or, well, a better word might be "confusing", although I have no idea whether that is happening here. An example of that can be when pricing 3 in a cabin. Depending upon how it is displayed, it could show the regular full price for pax 1 and 2, and that could lead someone to think *each* passenger is paying that same "full price". But if one looks at the total, and divides by 3... "each passenger" is indeed paying less. HOWEVER... "how much each passenger pays" is actually up to the passengers to figure out. They may want to split it evening, or perhaps the person sleeping on the sofa bed pays less... or however they decide. And the cruiseline won't know about that. But at first glance, it might look like it's going to be the same "per person" fare for 2 *or* for 3 in the cabin. I'm guessing something like that is happening with OP's situation. Or it's actually a software glitch (?). I'd call the cruiseline directly. Or you could try a travel agent first to see what they quote. GC

Heh! That's funny, but it makes sense, unfortunately. 😉 I just tried, searching with "hotels in Nice, France", and a bunch showed up, including links to places like Expedia (which seems to be where "all roads lead" these days...). Does that not work for you (or other "conglomerate hotel sites")? Asking here on CC may certainly help, where you can ask specific questions of someone who has stayed someplace, of course. As for "near the beach" or "in town", what are you hoping to do or see while there? GC

Here is information, and a place to ask for more information, about French ports: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/462-france-ports/ Enjoy!! GC

Part of the issue may involve whether you would even have permission to "arrive in Germany and *stay* there" as a tourist rather than as a cruise ship passenger, where you are always there as part of the cruise. Keep in mind that *usually*, when one gets off a cruise ship at an interim port, there may be some sorts of "immigration/customs". But compare that with when one arrives at a foreign airport: There are often questions about "how long are you planning to stay", "Where will you be staying", "What is the purpose of your visit", etc. Walking off a cruise ship and entering the port and then the "city/country" is quite different, and there may *not* be any regular "immigrations/customs" personnel on duty... Or, depending upon the port, maybe there are. NCL would probably need to run interference on this to find out or to make it happen if possible. There may not be appropriate immigrations officials to process someone who is *not* planning to leave with the ship when it sails. (And don't underestimate what might be involved, depending upon location, when staying behind because one "missed the ship"... That's not a "back door" way to arrive and *stay* in a country without going through regular international arrivals procedures.) GC

If you purchased your travel insurance from an agent or broker, that is who you should ask. They will be very familiar with the specific policy that you have. My understanding of the 3rd party travel insurance we get (keep in mind, policies can differ among different states, so it's not necessarily anything generalizable) is that we must be "fit to travel" the day the insurance is started, and also - I think! - on the dates of other cruise and insurance payments. And if it turns out that there is something during the "additional planning/payment" times that interferes, that can become a claim to get a refund of the trip costs that are non-refundable. What we've done (slightly different situation, but similar need) was to have the physician write on letterhead that "Mr. Geezer is fit to travel today without restrictions..." In that particular case, Mr. GC had recovered from a medical emergency that had required a claim for a complete cancellation of a $$$ trip less than 2 weeks before our planned departure. It took a couple of months, but the day he got the OK, we went home, made a reservation, paid a deposit, and started the insurance! All went well, and we had one of our best cruises. 🙂 We did get the guidance of our travel insurance broker (Steve, of TripInsuranceStore, often mentioned here on CC, which is how we learned about him). So first, are you "fit to travel" today, NOW? (not counting what *might* be happening in the future)? If you prefer to cancel, then ask the insurer/agent/broker about cancelling and also getting the travel money back. If you are outside penalty, then you should be able to get your insurance money back (no loss at this time, etc.) and also your deposit. Or... that's how *our* policy would work. ETA: Or maybe we'd get a credit for the premiums for another trip within a certain time period... not quite sure. Contact the insurer if you have no agent/broker, and -->> get the name of the person you speak with and make a note of the number you called, the person(s) you spoke with, and the time. Those calls are recorded, but if you want to rely upon what they told you, you'd want to help them locate the call(s). [We also always ask for a pointer to the precise words in the policy T&C that apply, etc.] Keep in mind that some people make reservations/deposits 2+ years in advance! Obviously, all sorts of things could happen in the meantime that would not interfere with that far-off trip. But maybe some/many/most of the events "might have interfered"... but didn't. Get a note from your physician that you are fit to travel now IF that seems prudent (ask insurer/agent/etc. about this, too). And perhaps that with what is known now, there wouldn't be a problem with the trip or such. Good luck, especially with the medical concerns! GC

Ah, but if your *Butler* is telling you that, at least you do have the option of dining in your suite with your choices of Jacques offerings! We used that quite a lot, and especially if we are a bit tired from an excursion or such, in which case we are definitely *not* in "Jacques-appropriate attire"! 😉 We also order from Red Ginger... but apparently that wonderful sea bass is no more? 😞 (Is it still really sea bass in Jacques, if I'm even remembering correctly?) GC

Yup, we got that!! But the math that works for "them" may NOT yield an outcome that some of us want. No surprise there, but possibly an unfortunate outcome for some of us. GC

Well, I'd certainly assume that they "did the numbers"! But what they expect to work for them, on average, may *not* be what works for us. That was my point. And there are clearly others like us. But O has presumably determined that their new pricing will "work" for them, on average. GC

As far as we are concerned, this new SM pricing is no different (I think?) than some of the luxury/all-inclusive lines. However, before Oceania changed to this type of "all inclusive" model, that was a VERY important factor for us: We'd get the premium service and amenities but *not* pay for beverages and excursions that we would almost never use. [As mentioned above, we drink fine wine, and those bottles are never (almost never!?) included in the "all you can drink" offers; and we prefer our own excursions, just by ourselves or perhaps along with a few other passengers when we are starting from a cruise ship.] Oceania was really almost a perfect match, emphasis on "was". I'm not sure what we'll do. We are getting older, and had already wondered if we should not be too far from good medical facilities. Unfortunate, but that's how things have changed for us. But we wouldn't have hesitated to take Oceania on, for example, many Mediterranean cruises given this concern. But it depends upon the total price, of course... with vague estimates of the approximate extra cost when the booze and excursions are added. Perhaps it would push us into the luxury lines if/when we do cruise? TBD. GC