Mary229

1 hour ago, Christina2067 said:

I know some people have commented on location is worth the price but “spa” category without spa access is not for me.  I did not put in my original post that I have been on Holland America years ago and it was ok but it was not my favorite line.  That is my opinion.

I am truly curious. Why were you looking at HAL again?  I will never consider Oceania again after my experience with them no matter how wonderful the itinerary.

We always carry our own trail mix except to countries that ban nut import.  Costco and Sam’s both have nice sized bags that will last the week and granola/energy bars travel well from home to tour.  (Bring ziploc bags to package to single serving)  Remember in Alaska groceries are expensive but interestingly I didn’t find restaurants that expensive. At Denali there are other restaurants besides the lodge fare.  We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and the huge size of portions at HAL’s restaurant, we shared entrees a time or two. 

Just now, Ninato8 said:

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have had atrial fib for about 15 years. Started off with 3 ablations over 3 years and then controlled by meds. No episodes for at least five years so these two episodes were a great surprise. I am trying to get a consult with my cardiologist but not an easy thing to do. 
 

so hard to decide…

You don’t need to decide, let the physician decide.  I use mychart to communicate with my doctor. That might be easier than an in person consult.  If that is not available try speaking with their assistant by phone. Start with this easiest option then move up to an in person appointment 

41 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

HAL created the "Spa" category a few years back to charge more for poorly-selling cabins (for the reasons you state). Genius marketing I guess! I actually like the locations even though I am not a spa user, but not the higher tariff. But I do look and compare rates...

 

ETA: We like to be near the Crows Nest!

 

Some of us like high, proximity to certain features and the quiet.  Well worth the extra price.  I haven’t bought a spa cabin but I have paid more for comparably situated cabins in my preferred category.  Right now I am regretting a cabin I have booked in the lower regions, hopefully it will work out and maybe I will become a convert.  If one has no motion sickness one can not worry about position plus I find modern ships so stable to the point of being boring 

3 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Mary how do you get ahold of Steve ? I would like to ask some questions .What is his phone number ?  

 TIA

 

http://tripinsurancestore.com/

2 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Mary yes we all are working with people . People can & do make mistakes ,even the best of intentions can go bad  . Then there are those companies that purposely try to  steal from the public & are getting away with  it ,for now .

 

 Insurance coverage is not a guarantee that things won;t go wrong . I am dealing right now on a small $700 .00 travel insurance claim  .I was very ill for about 4 to 5 weeks ,at home & not sure if I was going to  live or die .  God kept me alive 7 I got well ; but ,in the meantime I fell into a  $700 HAL penalty on one cruise .  Jan 2 ,2024 I cancelled 4 cruises with out TA  ,due to the fact that my wife would  struggle with all the details should I have died . Well ,low & behold this dam insurance is trying all ways not to pay a small claim  .That is another example  of what we as consumers can be facing  into the future , At some point in time what these firms do to people will come raring back at them . 

Maybe you should give Steve a try , his team will assist you with claims should you buy insurance through him.  His team is very careful to tell you what is and what is not covered.   He even has a newsletter and other info in his website where he explains a few case histories.  Going it alone is not always the best way.  

2 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Who is Steve ?  Are you saying GeoBlue insurance carries cancel for any  Reason ? Then what percent of your money for you get back ? Is it 100% or less ?  

We wpild have done the 35 day  cruise Hawaii & South Pacific if I could have bought  Med Jet Assist ins . Just too old they don't sell it to 85 year olds . 

 

All a person has to do is experience being in a city hospital in a foreign country . Thei dumb america doctor put me into a Rome city hospital to get my elevated blood  pressure down  ,I sat for close to 11 hours with lassic in my arm  . Other things happened as well in that zombie city hpspital . Belvue in NYCity  looks like a palace in comparison  .I checked myself out & they could hardly utter one word in English  .The next day I phoned American Express insurance company & they  told me 2 hospitals .one of which was Rome American in Rome but on the other side of Rome where we were staying ,  in 2008 it was $15000 just ot get in with nosurgery .one day ICU & 2 day follow up . Mt head doctor was a Heart Specialist  & internist & was the head profesor from the Rome School of Medicine . Additionally ,do not count on that people in foreign countries speak affluent english . Even as large a city as Rome is we founf few of their staff that spoke fuent english which can be another serious problem  unless the persin has command of that local language 

 

 Stuff happens all the time 7 especially in a emergency how do you come out is what is important . Even here in the USA there are countless  medical  associated screw ups 

 

 

Steve can be found at the top of the insurance forum on cruise critic.  He owns an online agency but freely gives advice with Cruise critic’s blessings.  He saved me once from a costly insurance blunder and has answered other personal questions by email or phone.  He knows the products inside and out

i am fine with any care , heck my own personal physician was trained in Mumbai. But this is my own opinion, everyone needs to gauge their comfort levels carefully. 

1 hour ago, Ninato8 said:

Thank you so much. I have needed two cardio versions in the last month. Tough decision whether or not to go. 

I think you should have a long talk with your physician.   DH is currently restricted from flying.  There is no way I would put him on an airplane until the doctor says I can.  So first contact guest services as I seem to get the most thorough responses from them then take that information to your physician.  

39 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

That is 100% correct Mary ;however ,cancel for any reason is  a no bargain insurance plan . Most people need coverage against the huge downsides of medical costs & or transporting them back to a home hodpital or their  home . I was once hospitalized in Rome Italy . If I was not able to get on a commercial jet I would have been stuck in Rome or be willing to pay over $100,000 medical jet costs . We are both 85 years  young  &  I can buy a yearly  policy for as little as $276 .00 for  both of us for one year . In our case I onlt need med vac insurance & the least expensive Allianz ins plan gives us that plus more medical & more baggage coverages . We have a Medicare HMO which insures  us even out of the USA for emergency medical  with a $110 co pay .  So in reality it is a total cost of $276 .00 to be completely covered . We can not get med jet assist because we are too old . So we  are careful where we travel to . 

Chase plus Geoblue covers all I need.   I get Geoblue through Steve.  I mention his product for cancel for any reason for those that need it.  Many people may not want or need Medjet but it is a good product for those that do 

3 minutes ago, TAW1963 said:

That is a great suggestion.  I briefly looked into it, but not in depth.  I will revisit this.

AARP and other organizations have a discount program with Medjet. 

Just now, FlorenceItaly said:

Thank you!  We typically take the HAL platinum policy because we need a cancel for any reason policy.

I hope he can help you.  One thing about his organization is they pick up the phone!  He has a special relationship with cruise critic and you can find him as a lead on the insurance forum.   

13 minutes ago, Christina2067 said:

On Holland America it is only location and you pay $800 more per couple.  NCL Spa was around $500 more per couple but that included not only location but also daily access to spa pool, spa lounges, steam rooms and sauna.  Celebrity Aqua class gives you access like NCL and the special dining.

Location always costs money.  As they say in real estate location, location, location.
 

HAL has its own programs.  They do have spa passes, they do have a dining pass and so on.  Always pick the cruise line that has the amenities you are seeking.  I am glad you found out before booking 

Most travel policies do not have cancel for any reason.  @iamtrustworthy, Steve, recently mentioned he now offers a superior policy with cancel for any reason.  Chase and Allianz basic  are not cancel for any reason

On 4/2/2024 at 11:51 AM, clo said:

I wish whoever would would speak up.

 

We've bought loads of stuff when traveling and (running my mind's eye around the house) none of them had any REAL value. I love them as much or more than the things that DO have value but no....

I have bought expensive things while cruising but strictly collectibles where  I already have a great deal of knowledge.  It makes no difference if I find it at home or while traveling.    Like your scarf I will also buy things I like wherever I find them, it doesn’t make any difference if someone lied to me 

2 minutes ago, Eric from San Diego said:

Some large groups can be quite benign as far as disruptions because we they are there to have fun. 

I don’t think it is to besmirch the people it is that some groups do take over venues and other guests are prohibited.  There is no way of foretelling which group is just a gathering and which is a full blown convention 

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

 

Folks - OP is in Arizona.  Cruise is out of Louisiana.   

Yes, and they could fly to Houston and save money by fewer nights on the road and lower airfare.  I am well aware of this road trip, did it for over 30 years.  And am well aware of airfares, Houston is generally cheaper if not much cheaper 

1 hour ago, Nodakboiler said:

We have seen PC members getting a personal escort onto the ship early just last year. They made sure to let everyone know how "special" they were!

I have met both kinds - those who know it all and those are live a moderate life and don’t tell others how to think. I have always sought out experienced travelers for their insights 

28 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

You are so correct that a single poor culinary experience may not be representative of the overall quality of the culinary experience due to the number of variables.

 

The cruise line's daily budget per pax is a major determining factor, but in our experience, the Executive Chef and Sous Chefs are also a major factor. On the same cruise where the Executive Chef changes in the middle of the cruise, we have seen the quality change, sometimes better, others not so much.

 

Therefore, a poor experience on a single cruise may not be reflective of the normal quality on the ship and certainly not the cruise line. With respect to Princess, we experienced their quality deteriorate for almost 40 yrs before we gave up and stopped sailing with them. It was a combination of menu planning reducing the daily cost/pax, cheaper victuals and on the last World Cruise a very poor Executive Chef.

I think much of the issue with cruise line food is customer expectations and tastes.  Let’s face it many people are not “adventurous “ diners and enjoy a simple spice palate of sugar and salt.  Meat and potatoes describe what I see most people enjoying 

1 hour ago, LonelySaxophone said:

Just an update for y'all - I wrote a kind, but firm email detailing my concerns and sent it up the ladder at HAL - I will certainly let everyone know what the outcome is!

I would try to get a slate of free specialty dining as compensation 

8 hours ago, cccole said:

I assume that LonelySaxaphone was notified after final payment.  This is a huge problem for me.  Disappointing if notified prior to final payment but really horrendous if notified after final payment.  For a first time HAL passenger this is not a great start.  There must have been other choices for them that include Glacier Bay, including other cruise lines.  JMO Cherie

If he has a good agent I would be on the phone having them transferring the booking.  He indicated earlier that the other logistics would be the issue - flights, hotels and time off from work.   

35 minutes ago, Torquer said:

The problem is, that even with this list of groups onboard, you would have no idea how big that group is.  Certainly 50 to 200 people in the group is not going to change the atmosphere of the cruise significantly.  But it sounds like in this case over 1/2 the ship is going to be part of this group.  That is indeed a big problem.  Now I would not expect a quilting group or a continuing education group to be that big, but who knows.  Reading the name for this one, I would have never guessed this group would be so big.  Perhaps in that post about groups @VMax1700 could add info on how big the group might be, based on past experiences from other cruisers.

 

BTW, I am not trying to be negative about this particular group, which I know nothing about; actually I think it is great that a church group can go on a cruise like this.  But because of the size of this group or any group, it does change the cruise experience for everyone not in the group.

I agree, it would take a bit of sleuthing to find out.  Those groups do advertise their charter and you can gain some info from their own marketing.  With a 1000 that this person is facing that should trigger a compensation package.  That is overwhelming on a ship this size 

29 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Perhaps your wish has come true.  The Oosterdam’s late show was at 9 in February and is currently at 9 based on the Daily’s posted by someone on the current TA.  The Nieuw Statendam’s late show was at 9 when I cruised in March.  Based on the Daily’s posted by people currently cruising and doing Live threads, the Volendam & Rotterdam’s late show is at 9 and the Zuiderdam’s is at 9:30.

My last cruise was Koningsdam in end of March 

4 minutes ago, 0106 said:

On my SA & Antarctica cruise in February, the second show in the theater started at 9.  I would be more concerned about the noise than the steel balcony.  

Many ships have made a recent change to 6 and 8.  I am not a fan of the new schedule and hope we soon go back to 7 and 9 

You will hear noise from the theater.  The latest show is over by 9 ish but occasionally there is a movie night until 10.  Afternoon rehearsal may disturb you if you are a napper.  They also hold lectures in the afternoon but those usually are not loud enough to disturb you. It is not continuous noise nor early morning noise 

I have a few this year.  Much, much better than in the past.  Nice menu, excellent high quality food. Lots of sparkling wine.