CDNPolar

9 minutes ago, mariners said:

CDNPolar, I can't find the threads that contain information, but my search skills on CC seem to be limited.  When we were considering taking the World Cruise that Clay just completed, I read a variety of threads on CC that were written by Canadians and described how they insured their World Cruises.  At lease one thread included that the individuals had to use more than one insurance company to get total coverage.  You might have better luck than me searching individual boards as I believe one of the boards was written by someone who just completed, or is just completing, the Silversea World Cruise.  She lives in the same province as you so her knowledge would be specific to your province, too.

 

There used to be some Canadian Insurance Brokers recommended for World cruises, but I can't find that information either.  I really miss using Steve for our insurance needs, and have yet to find someone in Canada who could replace him/his knowledge/the company.

 

 

Thank you for this.  I tend to read all the Viking discussions and the Canadian discussions, and the Insurance discussions but have missed these.

Perhaps they are in the World Cruise forum?

I will look for these - thank you.

World cruising is not on our immediate radar, but it is not far in the future.

8 hours ago, victory2020 said:

Hello, what are the temps like first week of October? Visiting Sydney, Halifax, St John, Charlottetown, Saguenay & Quebec. Will I freeze? I'm from LA, haha

My experience in recent years is even researching typical temperatures in any country, the actual can be warmer or colder than expected from historical data.  I won't mention the term, but this seems to be a global phenomena.  Even events like the Cherry Blossoms in Japan seem to be happening earlier than ever historically. 

I think the bigger question here is what is going to be too cold for you?  The graph I am going to post below may scare you but for the average Canadian, this is light/medium jacket weather.

Converting (roughly to F) in October you are looking at lows of 40F and highs of 55F - Roughly.

If I were travelling to this temperature and was worried about cold, I would do this:

1) Pack a really good windproof jacket and then some sweaters or hoodies to go under for warmth.  We typically take one or two cashmere sweaters as they are light weight and easy to pack and very warm.  Wool and even cotton sweaters are heavy to pack and increase your luggage weight.

2) Consider buying a real down jacket that scrunches up to almost nothing in your luggage.  Amazon have these for $100 bucks.  Don't get a big bulky one.  You may also want to wear a sweater under this.

3) Have scarves with you for wrapping around the neck if it is breezy.  This will eliminate the chill factor significantly.

4) Consider at Toque (hat) as we may call them.  

5) I don't believe that you would want or need gloves for this temperature. 

We travel during shoulder season to a lot of places when the weather is questionable and we do very similar to what I am suggesting above.  We have very lightweight options, always a windproof jacket that is also waterproof or water resistant.  We also have the really lightweight down jacket with us even when the temps are expected to be higher.

My brother and wife took a river cruise in Europe with historically expected temps in the mid to high 60's F and were presented with such cold weather that was not at all expected at that time and they had to buy cold weather wear at one of the ports.

13 hours ago, bookbabe said:

 

Our last few cruises, no matter which line we were on, the internet was mediocre to okay at best.  Even then, it only works when you are physically on the ship, so won’t work while on excursions or touring (ie using google or maps functions).  And public wifi completely freaks my retired IT guy hubby out, even with a VPN it’s an option of last resort.

Not that I am suggesting this for others, but I am an early riser, even on weekends and vacations.  I am generally up in the 4:30am to 5:00am range.  Not the husband...

This is a great time to use the ship's Wifi.  There is very little to no lag because there is so little usage at that time.

Most are suggesting similar to this, but when we get notification of a schedule change and we go to the airline website and look up our locator number, the airline website usually gives us the option to change online for free because of the schedule change.  Some airlines also give you the right to cancel for a full refund because of the schedule change.

11 hours ago, CPT Trips said:

I note that a couple posters suggest speaking with the dining manager to get an early tray for dinner. I must admit that I am skeptical about this actually happening. 
The line we cruise on preps and plates the appetizer and then cooks and plates the entree based on the orders during the soup course. Give that the kitchen staff need some time off mid day, I can’t imagine how they could get an entire meal for one or two people early. 
 

You are very right about this, and I am one of the posters that suggested this.  I can see that with one dining time/seating that it is about prep time and when things are ready.

I would think that they would accommodate a try at meal time, but you would have to pick it up.  That however is not going to accommodate the members desire to eat earlier...

17 hours ago, Daisi said:

 

 

I've never Ocean cruised - to big of boat, to many people for my comfort level, 

 

 I get you on this, BUT, I would encourage you to look at the smaller ocean ships like Viking, Oceana, and others.

We cruise almost exclusively on Viking River and Ocean.  I am torn over which I prefer, but I will tell you this.  I feel significantly more like a sardine on a Viking River ship than I do on the Viking Ocean ship.  

Viking Ocean ships hold 930 passengers and they feel like they were constructed for 1200 passengers.  I never feel crowded anywhere on a Viking Ocean Ship.  I do feel crowded every dinner and ever evening on a River ship.  I almost dislike going to the lounge after dinner on a River ship because I am so forced into a small space with so many others.

Any Canadians that can comment on Medical/Interruption insurance for a World Cruise?  Our options are much different from those in the USA and we don't qualify for TripMate or Steve's options.

Like others have said we pack as many in a day as possible.  We are not on the ship - river or ocean - to relax during the day.  We will go until we drop.

Sometimes however you may sacrifice lunch, or have a severely short lunch period.  We have literally scoffed down a small plate of food in the WC in 15 minutes to turn around to the next excursion.

4 hours ago, wendyp247 said:

I did check alternate flights and there’s an up charge of $1200+ to change flights.   I’ll never make the connection in Miami with only 1:45 minutes, since I need to go through customs. 
What is the Viking Plus Air ? 

Viking Air Plus is a service that you pay for to Viking.

If you cannot find flights that you like that do not have this upcharge, then you can opt for Viking Air Plus.

Viking Air Plus will cost you per person and that can be either $100pp or $150pp.

What we do now is we wait like you have to see the flights chosen and alternative offered.  If there is no alternative that we like, then we go to Google Flights and airline websites and we research what we want in flights.  We have 2 or even 3 options.  Then we call Viking Air Plus (different number from Viking reservations, but they can connect you.)

Give Viking Air department your top choice and let them look it up.

Using Viking Air Plus does NOT eliminate the possibility of an Up-Charge.  

The flights you have been given now are part of Viking's air contract with specific airlines.  Some of the alternate choices with an Up-Charge are outside of Viking's air contract so that is why there is an additional charge.

Flights you choose yourself may come with Up-Charges.

We also before calling Air Plus, look at our choices and decide if we want to book the air ourselves.  If the price is comparable, or we can get the flights we want and Viking are asking for an Up-Charge, then we book ourselves.

If you book yourselves, you lose the included Viking transfers to and from the airport.

45 minutes ago, Mike07 said:

 

 

Ask about a galley tour. To me, that was far more interesting than the bridge tour. I don't think I've been on a river ship bridge tour, b/c the bridge is right there.

Yes, the galley tour is very interesting.

Yes, the bridge is right there on the river ship, but being inside of it with the Captain and having him/her explain all their equipment and gadgets is interesting.

We have been on WheelHouse tours on River, and Bridge, Engine Room, and Galley tours on Ocean.  We have asked on some sailings and were told no tours, and never questioned further.

We are doing a TA cruise in October and we hope on sea days that we will be able to do the lot...

17 minutes ago, JJK2008 said:

I could be wrong, but I don't know if Google Voice can be gotten from outside the US. I hope it works for you. I have WhatsApp as well but unless the person I'm calling has it, it's of no use. 

Everyone we know - family and friends  - in Canada have WhatsApp so we are not that concerned.  But, it would be nice to be able to call a Doctor at home as we would not be able to do that on WhatsApp.

36 minutes ago, JJK2008 said:

The wifi route is of course the cheapest way. Apps like WhatsApp work very well. The only downside to WhatsApp is the person you call must also have the app downloaded. Conversely, Google Voice is also a wifi phone service that is free, and the best part is you can call ANY other phone. The person you call does not have to have the app. I called my Drs., office in the USA from a hotel room in Australia using Google Voice. It was as if I was talking to them in the same room. I do not know if Google Voice is available to persons outside the USA. Might be worth checking.      

Never heard of this but going to look into it.  (Google Voice)

WhatsApp is very common most countries but not as common in the USA.  

I work in 6 different countries around the world and WhatsApp is a daily use both in business and personal.

16 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

nothing ruins an early try at snorkeling like a mask that doesn't fit well ....

Gotcha and hear you on this.

I think that we will go to a dive shop and get fitted properly.

Thanks!

17 hours ago, starvenger said:

I didn't have any issues with Airalo in the Caribbean or Mexico. 

Good to hear!  Thanks!

That is an inline cost for sure and you will also find that their are not many "deals" out there for insurance in Canada.  All the carriers are competitive in their pricing.

Just be careful that you know about how the insurance deals with pre-existing conditions and if you even have coverage for those.

We have opted to go now for Blue Cross annual package.  For two of us we pay about $1,300.00 CAD total for an annual package of medical, cancellation, and interruption.  This is for as many trips of 17 days or less that we take in a 12 month period.  

The max payout however on this policy is $5,000.00 per person, but you can purchase a top up if you want per trip.  We don't do the top up.

This annual package saves us several thousand a year than if we were to insure each trip.

We hedge a bit...  Our preferred cruise line - Viking - has final full payment 180 days before sailing.

There are however no penalties until 120 days in advance and then the amount Viking keep is a sliding scale down to no refund 30 days out.

We hedge that we are pretty much fully covered by Viking refund and insurance coverage until about 60 days out on most cruises.

Yes, something could come up in that last 60 days that could cost us some money that the insurance does not cover, but we also have a credit card that covers $2,500 per person, so effectively we have $7.500 per person.  We are not going to lose much at all.

On 4/21/2024 at 2:03 PM, Fox trotter said:

 At this point I thought I had better telephone the insurance company. When I called them, they 'reprimanded' me for not calling them as soon as my wife was taken ill. They advised me that if we had to disembark, they, the insurance company would decide which hospital and doctors we would use.

 

 

 

The moral of my story is, if you feel that anyone needs medical attention, always call the insurance company at your first opportunity. 

 

 

On 4/22/2024 at 12:06 AM, klfrodo said:

Went to Cancun during the pandemic. The resort (RIU) which is a Spanish (Spain) company offered a free medical insurance policy. I believe it was Helix (another Spanish/Spain company).

The policy did state that before going to a hospital, one of the requirements was that we had to notify the insurance company first.

As it turned out, my wife did require a hospital visit. (Trip and fall with broken wrist and facial lacerations). $3600 upfront payment required before treatment. The hospital did a great job. Because I wasn't thinking right due to the anxiety and more concerned about my wife, I failed to notify Helix prior to going to the hospital. They denied the claim. I was able to file a claim with my BCBS work policy which did have an international rider on the policy. They reimbursed about $2400.

Moral of the story, read and understand the policy. Maintain situational awareness during an emergency.

 Here are two other examples on page one of this discussion where one was reprimanded for not calling sooner, and another that was denied because they did not call.

19 hours ago, jclinard said:

No traveling companions, and I'm in the United States.

 

All I can say to all of this is read your policy.

On 5/23/2024 at 2:08 AM, jclinard said:

I'm still trying to figure out how, if I'm incapacitated, I can call my insurance company to authorize treatment in order to be covered.

Different policies have different rules.  If you are travelling alone and you are incapacitated then obviously you cannot call.  It is based on circumstances.

Read your policy - call the policy provider - sometimes you can be amazed at what is hidden in plain sight using language that is vague and can be interpreted in different ways.

The fact is that if your insurance does not require this - great for you.  There are people that this will impact and their claim could be denied if they do not make the necessary contact.

It really is not a point to argue if it is language in a policy.

Seems a topic of discussion recently and somewhat controversial too.

It is often that the ships are not built to handle scooters, and they most often cannot be kept in the hallways, so they must be in the cabin.  Unless you are getting a suite with an outer room from the bedroom, I would be surprised if you could even park a scooter in the cabin and get past it.  River cabins are traditionally very small.

I would contact ACL directly and get whatever answer they give you in writing before you attempt a booking.  

14 hours ago, ellasabe said:

@notamermaid: Thank you. That's a great reminder about the crowded markets, we will try to visit on weeknights, and maybe avoid (or go early evening) on weekends. Also, we will try to begin out trip approximately 24 November, to best avoid crowds the closer to the holidays.

 

Also a good idea about footwear. Some years ago I was in Muenster for 3 months, October - December, and although it was unseasonably warm - flowers were blooming up until mid-December - the weather could be wet and the streets slippery. And if it is icy, even more reason for appropriate shoes/boots. 

Last year we found the market so crowded that it was almost uncomfortable at times.  But this was right at Christmas...

9 hours ago, Nightingaile said:

Thank you CDNPolar for the email address for Viking. I sent a message and received a call. We do not dock in Vienna until 7 pm on day 3. 

Wow... so that does kill one day completely!  

You will find that for this kind of question, often the reservations number will not have an answer.  When you use the "tellus" email address, you often get a much more detailed and correct response.

Glad this worked for you.

I will add that although Viking do not technically do room service, if you needed to eat before the 7pm time frame, the dining manager might be able to put a tray together for you that you can take to your cabin.  From my experience they will not deliver it to the cabin, but in personal experience when I was under the weather and others that we have seen in similar circumstances have had trays prepared.  This has however always been during actual meal times.

The 7pm time is generally because most all excursions are back at the ship no later than 5pm or 6pm and then there is the port talk and lounge time before dinner.

There is also only one dining option on most all River lines so the dining option is generally only one seating.

12 hours ago, Mike07 said:

Keep in mind with eSIMs that if you have a carrier locked phone, it can mess with eSIM compatibility and potentially negate the point of eSIM.

 

But yes, I concur with OP's original intent... the cheapest way to use your smartphone overseas is to hobo it and bum WiFi from Starbucks, McDonalds or wherever you can get free WiFi. The second cheapest in the context of this forum, Viking offers free WiFi. The third cheapest if you're out and about, eSIM.

Public WiFi however is something that I would never use to go into my bank accounts or anything sensitive.  I agree that this is the cheapest route and might be the best for many that don't need a "phone" to receive or make calls and are good with intermittent access.

17 hours ago, -Lew- said:

 

 

Also, it's important that the cell phone be unlocked in order to use a SIM or eSIM.

Good point.  I always forget about this because we buy our phones direct from Apple - always - and therefore don't have to worry about a provider having them locked.

12 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

There are some cases with Viking River that include nights in a hotel (Paris and the Swiss Alps is one we were on, but we had no OBC).

 

I would think these nights are considered part of cruise but I doubt you’ll find a cruise where those hotel nights will put you in the next category of OBC amount.

Our TA does NOT consider nights in a hotel even if it is part of the cruise package and not a pre or post extension.  OBC always comes to how many nights ON THE SHIP.  We argued this piece but it is very clear in their literature and offering that it is nights on the ship.