ReligBookFreak

We do a LOT of transatlantic cruises where we are in the ocean for 7 days straight. This, waiting until we are on port to make a call does NOT work for us. Alan

You don't need to upgrade your Wifi if you use a Mobile Hotspot. Alan

For me, gratuities and Wifi are an absolute must. Regarding Wifi, if you are sailing in Europe, Africa, or Asia and need to remain in contact with family, then purchasing Wifi is NOT an option but mandatory. Wifi Calling and Mobile Hotspots can be VERY useful if you don't want to purchase an international plan from your cell phone provider. Alan

Keep in mind that Cancel for Any Reason refunds ONLY 50 to 75% of your money, depending on the policy. I just learned a trick from my broker, Steve, at TripInsuranceStore.com. If you make a cruise deposit well in advance of the cruise (for example, a year in advance), then purchase travel insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit so you can get the pre-existing conditions coverage. However, do NOT purchase enough insurance to cover your whole trip (for example, $40,000), but only enough to cover the deposit (for example $1,000). The cost of insurance to cover your cruise deposit should be minimal. After you make final payment (a year later), you then have 14 days to increase the amount of your insurance to cover the entire trip. (NOTE: If you make multiple payments -- not just the initial and final payment -- then you have to increase your insurance within 14 days of each payment to cover the additional payment.) Doing it this way enables you to get the benefits of pre-existing medical conditions (which is really important as we get older) without requiring us to spend several thousand dollars on insurance a year before we depart. If you cancel the cruise for medical reasons, you get back your refundable deposit from the cruise line, PLUS the insurance company refunds whatever portion of your cruise deposit that was non-refundable. Alan

No. Some travel insurance policies are primary and others are secondary. You would need a policy that pays primary and then verify with the company that they pay the foreign doctor or hospital directly. Some insurance plans do this, including GeoBlue medical plans and other travel insurance plans, but many do not. Alan

Do you have a Chinese VISA? If not, you will NOT be allowed to leave the ship.

I noticed that the Azamara Onward is not listed. It's the same size as the other R-class ships in Azamara's fleet, so I assume it can also use the original locks. A previous poster mentioned Oceania's Insignia, Nautica, Regatta, Sirena, Marina, and Riviera. What about the Vista and Allura? Alan

For medical coverage, you may want to check into GeoBlue's annual policy (Blue Cross' overseas medical insurance). Alan

What if you need the pre-existing medical clause? Then you have to purchase insurance within 14 or 21 days of your initial deposit. Alan

I don't see anything on Trip Cancellation. Alan

If you ever arrange hotel or airfare on your own (rather than through Norwegian), your Norwegian travel insurance will pay NOTHING towards the lost airfare and hotel costs. Alan

The reason AIG Travel Guard's annual insurance is so cheap is that it does NOT cover Trip Cancellation. If someone in your family gets sick or dies and you have to cancel the trip, your annual insurance plan pays NOTHING; you lose all the money you paid. Alan

With luggage, I would suggest the Vaporetto or private water taxi to the Train Station. Alan

If you want a hotel easy walking to St Mark's Square and LOTS of shopping and restaurants, yet in a quiet area (with its own courtyard) and a great breakfast, I highly recommend Hotel Al Codega, a 4-star hotel. We stayed there last year. https://www.hotelalcodega.com/ Alan

If you have difficulty walking, then you will probably have difficulty getting in and out of the private water taxi. My wife had great difficulty. Alan

You have two choices: 1. Take the train from Trieste. Your hotel is just down the street from the Venice train station. This is the cheapest, BUT Italian trains are notorious for going on strike frequently. 2. Hire a transportation company (most use SUVs). This is expensive: 300 Euros to 500 Euros. If choosing this method, you may want to share the expense with one or two couples (just make sure that all your luggage will fit). You can use this link (Trip Advisor) to find a transportation company: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187813-Activities-c59-t182-a_attractionType.SUPPLIERS-a_trating.40-Trieste_Province_of_Trieste_Friuli_Venezia_G.html Alan

If you examine the cruise contract that you are REQUIRED to sign in order to board the ship, every cruise line states that they can change the itinerary without compensating passengers. Having said that, frequently, cruise lines will indeed compensate passengers if they make major itinerary changes, but NOT if they have to skip a port or two because of weather, local uprisings (e.g., the one in Peru in December 2022), or other reasons. Alan

If you have NOT made final payment yet, then the most you could lose is your deposit -- depending upon whether it's refundable or not. Alan

Oceania announced that it has canceled ALL cruise stops in Israel through the end of 2023. Alan

Oceania Marina April 19, 2024: Barcelona to Venice -- Barcelona, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Civitavecchia, Amalfi, Taormina, Argostoli (Cephalonia), Igoumenitsa, Kotor, Split, Venice. Alan

I agree with what has been said. There are several issues with taking the train. Italians are famous for strikes, and if you need to be there at a certain time, strikes can be frustrating. Also, if you have any walking disabilities, the train system is not fully accessible, especially if you have to change trains. When my wife and I transferred earlier this year from Trieste to Venice, I hired a company to provide a van and posted it on our Cruise Critic Roll Call. We shared the van with two other couples and split the cost. Since you are a group of 6, if you decide to share a vehicle, make sure the vehicle is large enough for all the luggage. When selecting a hotel, consider the following: Venice is a collection of islands and the city center (where Saint Mark's Square is located) does NOT allow vehicles. Thus, if you pick a hotel convenient to St. Mark's Square, you will NOT be able to take a land taxi to your hotel. You will have to take either a Vaporetto (public water taxi that can hold 50-100 people) or a private water taxi (just for you and the driver). Hotels with their own private docks tend to be a lot more expensive. The Venice bus station (Piazzale Roma) is north of the city center. You may want to consider selecting a hotel near there, so you can walk to your hotel or take a land taxi. You can then take a Vaporetto whenever you want to go into the city center or to places like Murano or Burano. If staying for 3 or more days, I suggest buying a 3-day pass on the Vaporetto. There is also a public water taxi that goes directly to the airport, which has its own private dock. Alan

Keep in mind that for 2024, they have changed their tours to accommodate 20-40 people. Since Israel tours are very popular, I anticipate the maximum number of 40 people will be reached. This is an increase from 6-16 people this year (NOTE: They have NOT updated their website for 2024). This is what Leo wrote to me in an email: Sorry for the confusion. The rates in our website is valid until 2023 – that is why we cannot update it yet Semi-Private tour are for guest with hotel pick up and drop off only that is why there is a separate section for shore excursion Semi-private tour with 6-10 persons: US$159 per person (subject to minimum 6 persons) Group-tour with 20-40 persons: $89 per person (subject to minimum 20 persons. Rate does not include meals, applicable admission fee, gratuity and other personal expenses. Alan

Keep in mind that for 2024, they have changed their tours to accommodate 20-40 people. Since Israel tours are very popular, I anticipate the maximum number of 40 people will be reached. This is an increase from 6-16 people this year (NOTE: They have NOT updated their website for 2024). This is what Leo wrote to me in an email: Sorry for the confusion. The rates in our website is valid until 2023 – that is why we cannot update it yet Semi-Private tour are for guest with hotel pick up and drop off only that is why there is a separate section for shore excursion Semi-private tour with 6-10 persons: US$159 per person (subject to minimum 6 persons) Group-tour with 20-40 persons: $89 per person (subject to minimum 20 persons. Rate does not include meals, applicable admission fee, gratuity and other personal expenses. Alan

Keep in mind that for 2024, they have changed their tours to accommodate 20-40 people. Since Israel tours are very popular, I anticipate the maximum number of 40 people will be reached. This is an increase from 6-16 people this year (NOTE: They have NOT updated their website for 2024). This is what Leo wrote to me in an email: Sorry for the confusion. The rates in our website is valid until 2023 – that is why we cannot update it yet Semi-Private tour are for guest with hotel pick up and drop off only that is why there is a separate section for shore excursion Semi-private tour with 6-10 persons: US$159 per person (subject to minimum 6 persons) Group-tour with 20-40 persons: $89 per person (subject to minimum 20 persons. Rate does not include meals, applicable admission fee, gratuity and other personal expenses. Alan

Keep in mind that for 2024, Guided Tours Israel have changed their tours to accommodate 20-40 people. Since Israel tours are very popular, I anticipate the maximum number of 40 people will be reached. This is an increase from 6-16 people this year (NOTE: They have NOT updated their website for 2024). This is what Leo wrote to me in an email: Sorry for the confusion. The rates in our website is valid until 2023 – that is why we cannot update it yet Semi-Private tour are for guest with hotel pick up and drop off only that is why there is a separate section for shore excursion Semi-private tour with 6-10 persons: US$159 per person (subject to minimum 6 persons) Group-tour with 20-40 persons: $89 per person (subject to minimum 20 persons. Rate does not include meals, applicable admission fee, gratuity and other personal expenses. Alan