cliffdweller

Excellent news on both the lab and the vaccines.  We are booked on the Star 5/20/2021 and are still cautiously optimistic we will sail.  If we can't do private tours, so be it.  Pat

Wendy, I have had both hips replaced using both the posterior and anterior procedures.  In the posterior - or more traditional approach - the surgeon must cut through muscles and tendons that hold the new appliance in proper position.  I was not allowed to flex my hip more than 45 degrees for six weeks to prevent the appliance from  being displaced until the muscles and tendons had healed sufficiently to hold it in place.  I was given a leg brace to wear at night so my leg wouldn't be allowed to bend.  I didn't need a recliner and did well.  With the minimally invasive anterior approach the surgeon only cuts through one muscle and I was not put on any type of restrictions.  I had no real pain - just slight discomfort at the incision site for a few days and managed well with just Tylenol.  I could do anything I felt up to doing and was playing golf at two weeks ad hopping in ad out of safari vehicles at six weeks.  That isn't for everyone - your surgeon is the best resource, of course.  I live in the Boston area and had many options - the minimally invasive anterior procedure was one I researched carefully and worked well for me.  Good luck - whatever you decide I am sure you will be happy to have it done sooner rather than later.  

I have had both hips replaced - one posterior and one anterior (minimally invasive).  I did well with the first but had many positional restrictions and about six weeks to be fully back to normal.  The second six years later was minimally invasive and a totally different experience,  Home the same day with NO restrictions.  I took Tylenol for a couple of days for incisional discomfort but nothing stronger.  I was playing golf at two weeks and on an African Safari at week six. I didn't need PT and nine years later am still doing well with both.  I echo the comment "wish I had done it sooner". Whatever you decide I wish you well and a full and painless recovery!  If you wish more details don't hesitate to email me - pafield2000 at gmail dot com.  

Wow, this may be too complicated for us "older" folk!!

First, Clay, thank you.  I will be in touch.  

Our insurance is with Travel Insured International and our TA was able to move it from our original sail date this October to our new date in May so I am hopeful that will not be impacted should we change TAs.  

This will be our 7th Viking cruise and they have always treated us well.  This is such a challenging time for us all I am willing to cut some slack, but not for dishonesty.  

Stay tuned and stay safe.

10 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Worth a phone call.  And if you aren’t getting the full OBC Viking allows, then definitely worth changing TAs.  My understanding the max allowable is $300 per person on a 14 day or less and $500 pp on a 15 day or longer.  We use this money from our TA to pay gratuities and have enough left over to generally cover any drinks we buy aboard.  We typically carry on a bottle of gin and ask the drink attendant to load our refrigerator 1/2 with tonic and 1/2 with CokeZero.  Then once every few days while passing a bar, I’ll ask for some lime wedges.  Voila! Room service drinks! LOL

12 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Worth a phone call.  And if you aren’t getting the full OBC Viking allows, then definitely worth changing TAs.  My understanding the max allowable is $300 per person on a 14 day or less and $500 pp on a 15 day or longer.  We use this money from our TA to pay gratuities and have enough left over to generally cover any drinks we buy aboard.  We typically carry on a bottle of gin and ask the drink attendant to load our refrigerator 1/2 with tonic and 1/2 with CokeZero.  Then once every few days while passing a bar, I’ll ask for some lime wedges.  Voila! Room service drinks! LOL

Thanks again.  I did call Viking and there doesn't seem to be any way around the fact that we booked with a TA who is telling us what works for her.  I totally understand that they can't discuss arrangements that they have with TA's so we may be at a stalemate on this cruise but I definitely think and change of TA may be needed.  Your info on the OBC was very enlightening.  Our cruise is 15 days and she is giving us a total of $400 - certainly less than the $500 each which is allowed.  We have until next May so I will be exploring other possibilities.  If you don't mind I may email you for the name of your TA.  

These boards are great for helping us all get the most of our cruising experience. 

3 hours ago, MikeyB said:

The crazy stuff that TA's will tell you.

If you cancel and re-book, how is any TA losing a commission?  You are, after all, re-booking a cruise.

You need to reevaluate your "great" TA.

My TA was assisting me cancel and re-book.  I thought this promo applied to 2020.  It doesn't, so my TA had Viking restore my booking.

Thanks for the info - hate to think our TA is not being truthful.  I think a call to Viking might in order.  We've used this TA for years but I will not continue if she isn't being up-front with me.  Thanks

19 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Given you can cancel at anytime and get a voucher worth the value of your cruise, it would be worth my time to call Viking and ask.  If I said, I think I’ll just cancel then and rebook using the cruise voucher seems to me they ought to let you have this deal.  Of course you need to check and be sure that the new fare isn’t higher than what you’re booked into.

19 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Given you can cancel at anytime and get a voucher worth the value of your cruise, it would be worth my time to call Viking and ask.  If I said, I think I’ll just cancel then and rebook using the cruise voucher seems to me they ought to let you have this deal.  Of course you need to check and be sure that the new fare isn’t higher than what you’re booked into.

We are booked on a cruise May 20,2021 and I called our TA to inquire if we can just cancel that booking with their new cancellation policy and rebook to get this promo.  Our TA called Viking to explore that possibility and was told if we do that, she will lose ALL of her commission.  That said, she wouldn't be able to offer the OBC that is currently in place. Seems unfair to our great TA and would leave us not much better off so we will leave the booking as it stands. 

47 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I looked at my booking and final payment confirmation from my TA, and the prices for the insurance were part of the cruise price I paid, so I am assuming it will be part of the reimbursement. 

thank you  My confirmation of final payment shows that as well.  My TA just emailed me to assure Princess will refund all  That is a small part of the total cost but important none-the-less.  

7 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

According to this, yes....

thank you for the info   I am very impressed with how Princess has managed this nightmare.

5 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

So, will we get our travel insurance money back as well?  I bought the insurance thru our TA with Princess.  I hope that is included.

we are wondering the same.  I posted on our roll call but thus far no answer.

Toolworker, we are booked on the Romantic Danube cruise starting this Saturday. Once booked, we were able to access the optional excursion info.

Nuremberg - WW II tour - $69

Regensberg - BMW factory tour $49, Munich Highlights $199, and Thurn & Taxis $59

Passau - Salzburg Highlights $199

Krems - Apricot Dumpling Dem no price listed, Mozart and Strauss Musical $89

Vienna - Schonbrunn Palace $59, Museum of Fine Arts $149, Jewels of Vienna $169

Budapest - Lazar Equestrian park $59, Budapest Thermal Bath $79

Hope that helps. If you have other questions, I'll be glad to post after we return on the 13th. In any case, hope you enjoy your cruise.

Pat

I posted on the original thread as I was booked in Q100 and interested in any info. I sailed the Top of the World cruise in 2007 in that cute cabin at quite a discount at the time. Subsequent solo cruises on HAL have been at 200%.

The cabin is indeed small and I would question the 191 sq ft. The single bed had the head of the bed against the forward wall which made for some interesting experiences in rough seas as it is the most forward of all cabins and I believe on deck 12. I don't remember a chair in the room. The window opens to a space frequently used on my cruise for passengers to view the glaciers so looking out the window on busy days wasn't possible. The door just outside the cabin gave quick access to the viewing area which was nice.

I am no longer sailing solo :-) but if I were and the price right, I'd book it again. The EE is my favorite ship and I've sailed on her often.

Pat

Chris Turner without a doubt. Sailed with him twice and twice was impressed with his personal attention, friendly manner and accessibility. In Istanbul last Fall he and Fritz actually greeted the bus on our return and inquired as to our day. He seemed always to be either at the bottom of the gangway when we left or present on our return. We had a medical emergency requiring a change of itinerary on one cruise - he was consistent in making us aware of the situation and what the revised plan would be. He seemed to genuinely care that we had a great cruise - and we did.

If he is going to the Zuiderdam, I am thrilled as I am booked on her next Spring.

Martha,

I would NEVER spoil my whole vacation by measuring myself!!:D I have read the same 191 figure as well - could be possible - I'll be sure to take pics and post when I get back. I am on the July 24th sailing and will be home mid-August.

Pat

Hi All,

You might want to check the HAL inside cabin thread - there have been a few responses there regarding these outside single rooms. The consensus there seems to be these just can't be 191 sq ft. I guess we'll know when we actually get there!

Pat

Martha,

Wonderful news!! Sounds great - thank you so much for following up with them. I am impressed customer service was able to get back to you. I guess we are all set now. I did get a reply from Grumpy on this board - he indicated there could be extra room due to the absence of the second bed and the shower rather than tub. That wasn't anything I had considered, but certainly makes sense.

Anyway, happy sailing - enjoy your cruise - hope to actually meet on one of these great adventures.

Pat

Thanks for posting here, Martha. As I mentioned on another thread I am also booked in Q100 for the Top of the World cruise this July and have the same questions you do about the configuration, etc. of these two outside cabins.

There is still time for me to book another outside cabin, but I like the location of this one and the price, of course, is better.

You are all correct in that HAL is more accommodating to solo travelers. I usually sail on Princess and pay anywhere from 160% to 200%. This will be my first HAL trip, but I'm sure not my last. I am very much looking forward to experiencing this lovely ship.

Pat