BruMedNick

The question you need to answer before you consider insurance is what exactly are you trying to insure?

 

 

 

You can get coverage that covers trip cancellation, but you have to decide if that's a good investment. For some, they feel it always is, for others, the determination is that it's never a good investment.

 

 

 

A lot of people around here blur the lines by talking about costs of health care when out of town/out of the country, and the possible costs associated with a medical transport home. Those are both very important considerations, but should be evaluated carefully. Many assume they do not have that covered through their existing insurance, where a great deal of policies will cover you for incurred costs of care.

 

 

 

As for medical transport, if you travel frequently, a blanket coverage through MedJetAssist or similar generally is a better deal than episodic insurance policies. If you travel rarely, the latter may be better.

 

 

 

Simply insuring the cost of the trip for reimbursement should you have to cancel is a personal decision. I would be more inclined to consider it if health issues or other factors increased the probability. But the blanked statement made above of "better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it" is the insurance salesperson's dream! Cancellation insurance is generally considered a poor investment choice (although as I said, there are extenuating circumstances that can occasionally justify it).

Of course, there are so many different types of insurance. In saying so, for example, weather patterns are a bit hectic around the world (looking at you, UK) with travel disruptions left, right and Chelsea.

My thing about insurance, as an insurance agent’s dream customer, stems from conversations with British Gurkha’s; my old Colour Sergeant used to carry 330 rounds of ammunition on patrol in Afghan, the Corporal 1000 rounds. Both their replies were, “because we’ve needed it before.” (The Corporal is about to retire after 24 years of faithful service to places all over the world). I asked them if they’ve had to fire every round on every patrol that they took outside the wire or in country, answer was, “only on the rare occasion would we fire rounds, and rarer still to finish all the rounds.”

So, travel insurance is like that. I (and my family) normally purchase the best policy that we can afford for our trip. We, Upper Management willing, will hopefully never have to use it (like car insurance), but it definitely is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, especially stuck in the middle of Poopouttalucksville, foreign country, in the middle of the night without communications, because you (or your driver) didn’t see that pothole and flipped the car/broke a leg/crashed the rental etc.

We’re boarding our little trip in about 6 hours time, and the policy I have even has hijacking (albeit it’s only $100/full 8 hours, max $5000, so I need to be hijacked for 16+ days to make it work out), but we paid a total of $35.00/pax for the Platinum cover. Includes repatriation (alive or otherwise), a visit by a relative or friend ($3000), hospital stays, delayed baggage, rental excess, etc. You just need to find which insurance (and insurance agency) best suits your needs, and a look at the fine print too...

Now, I have a good bead on an insurance agent that will cut you a great deal...[emoji6]

Nick

Brunei

Everyone needs their own unless it’s a minor. Different countries, different companies = different needs and wants.

But, it’s better for all to have it an not need it, than need it and not have it.

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Nick, I don't quite understand this part of your information. $50 or $100 are not the notes I would use as a tip. I guess you mean the exchange rate for larger notes is better than for small notes. But who would try to exchange small notes? Do you mean by Las Vegas Strip that they are in bad shape?

Also, the $50 and $100 tips I noted earlier are for larger family functions, where there may be 80-100 odd extended family and around 50-60 guests; recent one was my grand dad’s 90th last Sept, so we had a bit of a budget to spend.

They’re not for everyday transactions; we may be comfortable, but we definitely don’t have an endless money well...

Nick

Brunei

Nick, I don't quite understand this part of your information. $50 or $100 are not the notes I would use as a tip. I guess you mean the exchange rate for larger notes is better than for small notes. But who would try to exchange small notes? Do you mean by Las Vegas Strip that they are in bad shape?

So we’re embarking soon, and was told that all onboard transactions are in USD. Physical USD notes (in Brunei, at least) are moderately difficult to come by; the banks only have $50 and $100 notes, and only if someone has exchanged it as well, so you have to put a request in a few weeks ahead, then if you’re lucky you get a call and then collect, which is then in large notes.

To break the $50 and $100 notes, I had to send someone somewhere (ironically, Singapore) to get the notes broken down into smaller $20’s, $10’s, $5’s and $1’s...

The $1’s and $10’s I got back were, let’s say, a little worst for wear...some notes are the 2004 series too...now, if I’m not mistaken, the average life of a $1 note is around six years...so these notes would have travelled quite a distance...and are a little grubby [emoji52]

If I could, it would have been SGD$10’s all around...so much easier to tip that way, or even BND$10’s, which I guess would be a bit more of a novelty...

Nick

Brunei

I have never tipped the people who handle our luggage at the port and never felt like they expected it. My most recent visit was this January.

 

 

 

I can't help you with private drivers as we have always found using the taxi or the public transport system all we needed. We also have used Uber and Grab there. No tip required for Uber or Grab.

We needed a private van from hotel on Orchard Rd to SIN, it was S$55.00 one way, just gave him $60.00 and that was that. If not taxi at the hotel rank is about $25+. Round up to the nearest $1 and add $1-2 for taxis if you feel like.

On a different note:

Tipping in general is not required, we normally give $5.00 with the bill at the end (never write in the “Tips” line on a credit card slip) if we know we’re coming back again.

If we’re back home, and we have a large family function or something, there’s normally a carton or two of soft drink sent to the kitchen, $100 for the Maître D’ and possibly the Head Chef, $50 each for the Captains, and $10 each for the waiters and ancillary staff (ie, DJ stage hands etc; the DJ himself will get a different price).

All depends on what you see fit. It’s not expected, but a tip to the doorman at the hotel ($10) is highly advisable. $5-10 for the bellboy who carries your bags to/from your hotel room, and for the housekeeper.

Note that certain small notes (ie, BND/SGD 5, 10, 20 etc to RM) will incur a different exchange rate than large notes ($50, 100, 500 etc), because it’s more difficult to move the small notes; same with banks and USD, nothing smaller than $50 & $100; had to squeeze a stone to get USD small notes...and quite a few $1’s and $10’s that have probably/obviously gone through the Las Vegas Strip 🤣

Tipping in Indonesia is a totally different species. My go to exchange rate in mind is approx USD$1 = IDR (Rp) 10 000, so if something is Rp 100 000, it’s USD$10.00. You can get your shoes polished and you give the guy an extra Rp 3000-5000, and they’ll come back very shiny. You can also get packets of noodles for Rp 300.

DO NOT $ give to the beggars asking for money, give them package food or drink instead: the $ goes to a central racketeer and a pittance goes to the people.

TL:DR; tipping in Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia (and to an extent Indonesia) is not expected, nor required (if there is a 10% Service Charge), but greatly accepted and appreciated. Tip wisely. Don’t make yourself an obvious target too. And keep small notes available, everyone hates coins...

Nick

Brunei

I’m going on Mariner OTS soon ex-Singapore, if you wanted one before her refit? I collect magnets too, so understand your feelings

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(NOT MY PICTURE, not sure who the author is; picture posted +/- 2h ago)

No canal tours in AMS for the time being...bring more schnapps...

Nick

Brunei

I did my own tour of AMS when I went to EU in 2016.

 

Where are you staying? If I can ask what are your age ranges? Any particular activity that you’re interested in?

 

Firstly, food: Cafe de Klos. Great ribs, escargot and tomato soup. 3A and 2C, full to the eyeballs, softies, beers and digestifs, €91 and change. Pull the bones out of meat with two fingers. The place is packed, we were placed in a holding bar across the street, bar smelled of bad decisions and regrets, but when you went to the cafe, got rid of everything.

 

There is a kabab shop called Snackbar “Fourty Two”, I’m not sure if the guy is still there, an Egyptian bloke, nice guy, great kebabs and chips; there is a laundromat opposite, closer to Centraal a bit, maybe 50m, and whilst they’re doing your kit, pop over for a snack, €9 or something similar.

 

Frites are everywhere, the late night ones are even better.....🤣

 

Be careful of the differences between coffee shops and bruine kroeg (brown cafes). Former is a dispensary, latter is a bar/coffee shop. You’ll be approached on the street by guys trying to sell you a good time. Just politely decline and walk on, like when you’re being asked to donate to the school jogathon or being given a leaflet at the train station.

 

IF you are inclined, go to reputable coffee shops, pay the little extra, and get proper skunk or bits. Edibles are available, eat a small chunk and wait a bit (longer than you expect!) before eating the whole brownie!

 

At AMS Centraal on the Stationsplein side, bear left as you come out and there is the official tourist building (you can get the Iamsterdam Card there), but found it cheaper just to get a one day travel card if you want to go on trams. The trams get you everywhere.

 

The Heineken Brewery Tour is fun to do, so is the Ice Bar. Def do a canal tour. You can get a ticket to do the canal and Ice Bar for something like €16, or Ice Bar and Red Light Museum for €26.

 

Tram 5 gets you to the Rikjesmuseum, and next door is the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re pressed for time, just get some souvenirs for the VGM in between the two museums (it’s the official museum shop), warm stropwaffles are available around there too. The iAMSTERDAM landmark is between the Rikjesmuseum and VGM also. Anne Frank house is interesting from the outside (I didn’t go in), as is the Science Museum (looks like an oxidised copper ship).

 

RLD, interesting to walk around, the museum is worth it, IMO, just to get a feel for the place. Red lights are female, purple lights are transvestites. NO PICTURES of the ladies! Lights on is waiting for customers, Red light out is in business, dark door frames are closed.

 

There is a day trip south of AMS to Kinderdijk (nearer to Rotterdam) to see traditional Windmills, or closer to AMS north at Zaanse Schans (it’s included in a tour with your Iamsterdam Card).

 

 

Nick

Brunei

Any more questions or if you need a local contact, I can probably find someone who’s in the neighbourhood...

Nick

Brunei

Need help on Amsterdam tour. All Viatour city tours already booked for April. Anyone familiar with City Discovery Tours? Anyone used them? Thanks for any input.This is for a precruise tour

 

If you have any other tour operators for a one day in Amsterdam, please forward information. TIA

I did my own tour of AMS when I went to EU in 2016.

Where are you staying? If I can ask what are your age ranges? Any particular activity that you’re interested in?

Firstly, food: Cafe de Klos. Great ribs, escargot and tomato soup. 3A and 2C, full to the eyeballs, softies, beers and digestifs, €91 and change. Pull the bones out of meat with two fingers. The place is packed, we were placed in a holding bar across the street, bar smelled of bad decisions and regrets, but when you went to the cafe, got rid of everything.

There is a kabab shop called Snackbar “Fourty Two”, I’m not sure if the guy is still there, an Egyptian bloke, nice guy, great kebabs and chips; there is a laundromat opposite, closer to Centraal a bit, maybe 50m, and whilst they’re doing your kit, pop over for a snack, €9 or something similar.

Frites are everywhere, the late night ones are even better.....🤣

Be careful of the differences between coffee shops and bruine kroeg (brown cafes). Former is a dispensary, latter is a bar/coffee shop. You’ll be approached on the street by guys trying to sell you a good time. Just politely decline and walk on, like when you’re being asked to donate to the school jogathon or being given a leaflet at the train station.

IF you are inclined, go to reputable coffee shops, pay the little extra, and get proper skunk or bits. Edibles are available, eat a small chunk and wait a bit (longer than you expect!) before eating the whole brownie!

At AMS Centraal on the Stationsplein side, bear left as you come out and there is the official tourist building (you can get the Iamsterdam Card there), but found it cheaper just to get a one day travel card if you want to go on trams. The trams get you everywhere.

The Heineken Brewery Tour is fun to do, so is the Ice Bar. Def do a canal tour. You can get a ticket to do the canal and Ice Bar for something like €16, or Ice Bar and Red Light Museum for €26.

Tram 5 gets you to the Rikjesmuseum, and next door is the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re pressed for time, just get some souvenirs for the VGM in between the two museums (it’s the official museum shop), warm stropwaffles are available around there too. The iAMSTERDAM landmark is between the Rikjesmuseum and VGM also. Anne Frank house is interesting from the outside (I didn’t go in), as is the Science Museum (looks like an oxidised copper ship).

RLD, interesting to walk around, the museum is worth it, IMO, just to get a feel for the place. Red lights are female, purple lights are transvestites. NO PICTURES of the ladies! Lights on is waiting for customers, Red light out is in business, dark door frames are closed.

There is a day trip south of AMS to Kinderdijk (nearer to Rotterdam) to see traditional Windmills, or closer to AMS north at Zaanse Schans (it’s included in a tour with your Iamsterdam Card).

Nick

Brunei

Does anyone know for sure about the hot oatmeal being gluten free? I had chefs on both Adventure and Oasis tell me it is not. I’d love to find out otherwise!! My favorite breakfast.

 

 

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I recently had a visitor where I work who was GF, she also requested oatmeal for her breakfasts. I didn’t know how reactive she was, and couldn’t confirm GF with oats, so just got her pure quinoa flakes which are 100% GF.

Nick

Brunei

Skyscanner.com is another great aggregate website, just remember to book directly through the airline, or with an agent if you are still unsure on your feet.

Enjoy flying, the world literally becomes your oyster.

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On Liberty at dinner in the Windjammer they have a gluten free section. It has 4 rotating dishes - one meat (chicken, beef or pork), one fish, one potato and one vegetable. Next to it, is a smaller area with gluten free bread and desserts. I wasn't impressed with the desserts there, I preferred the naturally gf desserts like ice cream, jello, crustless custard and mousse. Other than that, I ate off the buffet and didn't suffer any cross contamination. Plain meats, plain veggies, rice, potatoes, corn, salads. Dishes that have sauces or gravies like the curries, you can ask if there's any gluten/wheat flour in it, they will let you know. You can pretty much tell what is out like cream soups, battered and fried meats, etc.

 

 

 

I didn't try it but they said they have GF pasta. One time when I wanted the meat sauce, I put it over steamed veggies.

 

 

 

For breakfast in the windjammer, I ate congee, stir fry veggies, eggs, bacon, sausage, carved ham, fruits, cheese, lunchmeat. There's grits and oatmeal. They've cut out the boxes of dry cereal this cruise and have only 4 selections in those containers where you pour your own, so no rice crispies, rice chex or capn crunch that I saw. I once requested gf pancakes which they brought out but I didn't think they were very good. I can make much better ones at home with Bisquick GF pancake mix. They have Canyon Bakehouse brand bread and will toast you a slice or 2 in a dedicated toaster.

 

 

 

In the dining room, let them know and they'll go out of their way to make sure what you get is GF.

 

 

 

Other areas of the Liberty:

 

Sorrentos has GF pizza, cheese only.

 

The cupcake place has GF cupcakes.

 

The Cafe Promenade has a separate station with Udi's chocolate chip and snickerdoodles GF cookies, GF sandwiches which were pretty good and GF desserts like jello.

 

 

 

I didn't cross-contaminate once, despite mostly eating in the Windjammer.

I think that statement about cross contamination at the buffet (or any other F&B facility, on board/shore) is a blanket indemnity, instead of the MDR where it’s prepared and plated directly for (and sent to) you.

Nick

Brunei

Contact special_needs@rccl.com and notify them of your dietary restrictions. They will put you in touch with the appropriate people on board the ship who can direct you. It's important to speak to the head chef in Windjammer who can point out exactly which selections are GF.

Most importantly, please contact them at the above email ASAP. This is my response to a request to bring onboard UHT milk for my niece who is gluten sensitive and give her something to drink if she wasn’t eating properly:

“Thank you for your response and the below information.

We have received your notice regarding your food needs and will forward the information to the ship. By speaking with your head waiter in the dining room your needs will be communicated to the galley and an open line of communication will be established among everyone concerned.

Once on board please meet with one of the Restaurant Managers to review the menus and identify those items that need to be modified or avoided. They will be happy to assist you and will forward your concerns and needs to the galley. All items prepared for guests with food allergies are handled separate from the main food production. Please note that if you choose to go into the other restaurants other than the Main Dining Room please meet with the Manager for that particular restaurant to go over the food items with you regarding your food allergies before eating. Guests are allowed to bring on their own supply of dry, nonperishable food items such as cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc. They may also bring on their own individual packets of salad dressings. Guests may not bring on board any potentially hazardous food items. (Items that require refrigeration, freezing, reheating, or storage by the galley). Kindly be advised that we do carry Lactose Free and Soy milk onboard our ships. Non-perishable milk is allowed onboard the ship. Items must be store bought sealed and not opened. We recommend bringing it as part of your carry-on.

It is also recommended that they refrain from eating in the buffet areas, as they are self serve and can not guarantee it will be free of cross contamination.”

Nick

Brunei

I was in the market for a new bag a few years ago; the PacSafe Venturesafe II 45L is a good “cabin max” sized carry on, great security features as well. This is their new model, which looks a bit better and more stealthy: https://www.pacsafe.com/venturesafe-exp45-anti-theft-45l-carry-on-travel-pack/60321100.html?cgid=bags#prefn1=features_and_specs_volume&prefv1=31+-+50+Liter&start=1

 

Another bag I bought in Germany was at the Decathlon in Berlin Alexanderplatz, this is not the exact model, but very similar: https://www.decathlon.de/sporttasche-hardcase-105-l-id_8350452.html

 

I will look at TravelPro for my mum, though, so thanks for the tips also...

 

 

 

 

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The things I liked about the PacSafe is that it has a wire mesh built into the fabric, so it’s cut safe also, and it’s pretty light weight too.

Did two weeks carry on only around London (and out west to Andover), Amsterdam and Berlin, by plane, train, ferry, and bus, with not much hassles. I even packed another bag inside the PacSafe, and had my good shoes and a suit for the Queen’s Birthday Parade in London. Quite spacious.

The other bag was bought because I ran out of space in the PacSafe and my other carryon for all the souvenirs 🤣

The bought bag (around €49.00ish) is also great because it has four handles, one on each side. The base handle also acts as a stabilising foot if the bag is fully packed and vertical.

The new models I cannot attest for, but if they are improvements on the ones I bought in 2015/16, then they are well worth the investment.

If it’s anything, I also have a Camelbak HAWG as my EDC, and it too came along on my EU trip (yes, at one stage I had three pieces of carryon without surcharges 🤣) Total weight, if I remember correctly, was 14kg altogether.

Nick

Brunei

I was in the market for a new bag a few years ago; the PacSafe Venturesafe II 45L is a good “cabin max” sized carry on, great security features as well. This is their new model, which looks a bit better and more stealthy: https://www.pacsafe.com/venturesafe-exp45-anti-theft-45l-carry-on-travel-pack/60321100.html?cgid=bags#prefn1=features_and_specs_volume&prefv1=31+-+50+Liter&start=1

Another bag I bought in Germany was at the Decathlon in Berlin Alexanderplatz, this is not the exact model, but very similar: https://www.decathlon.de/sporttasche-hardcase-105-l-id_8350452.html

I will look at TravelPro for my mum, though, so thanks for the tips also...

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I asked about bringing on board UHT milk since my niece suffers from some allergies:

 

“We have received your notice regarding your food needs and will forward the information to the ship. By speaking with your head waiter in the dining room your needs will be communicated to the galley and an open line of communication will be established among everyone concerned.

 

Once on board please meet with one of the Restaurant Managers to review the menus and identify those items that need to be modified or avoided. They will be happy to assist you and will forward your concerns and needs to the galley. All items prepared for guests with food allergies are handled separate from the main food production. Please note that if you choose to go into the other restaurants other than the Main Dining Room please meet with the Manager for that particular restaurant to go over the food items with you regarding your food allergies before eating. Guests are allowed to bring on their own supply of dry, nonperishable food items such as cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc. They may also bring on their own individual packets of salad dressings. Guests may not bring on board any potentially hazardous food items. (Items that require refrigeration, freezing, reheating, or storage by the galley). Kindly be advised that we do carry Lactose Free and Soy milk onboard our ships. Non-perishable milk is allowed onboard the ship. Items must be store bought sealed and not opened. We recommend bringing it as part of your carry-on.

 

It is also recommended that they refrain from eating in the buffet areas, as they are self serve and can not guarantee it will be free of cross contamination.”

 

 

Nick

Brunei

Just send an email to special_needs@rccl.com or via the website, that’s all I did.

Nick

Brunei

as a drinker of almond milk, be advised that the in cabin decides are NOT refrigerators.. they are coolers. they will keep something below room temp, but not very far below . you can ask the cabin steward for ice to be replenished when they serve the rooms twice a day.

I asked about bringing on board UHT milk since my niece suffers from some allergies:

“We have received your notice regarding your food needs and will forward the information to the ship. By speaking with your head waiter in the dining room your needs will be communicated to the galley and an open line of communication will be established among everyone concerned.

Once on board please meet with one of the Restaurant Managers to review the menus and identify those items that need to be modified or avoided. They will be happy to assist you and will forward your concerns and needs to the galley. All items prepared for guests with food allergies are handled separate from the main food production. Please note that if you choose to go into the other restaurants other than the Main Dining Room please meet with the Manager for that particular restaurant to go over the food items with you regarding your food allergies before eating. Guests are allowed to bring on their own supply of dry, nonperishable food items such as cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc. They may also bring on their own individual packets of salad dressings. Guests may not bring on board any potentially hazardous food items. (Items that require refrigeration, freezing, reheating, or storage by the galley). Kindly be advised that we do carry Lactose Free and Soy milk onboard our ships. Non-perishable milk is allowed onboard the ship. Items must be store bought sealed and not opened. We recommend bringing it as part of your carry-on.

It is also recommended that they refrain from eating in the buffet areas, as they are self serve and can not guarantee it will be free of cross contamination.”

Nick

Brunei

Inquiring mind needs to know-

 

What is the charcoal for?

Activated charcoal (Norit) is great for funky stomachs, be it from food, booze or motion. Not going to lie, your #2 is black as hell and may spray paint the ceilings, but after the 2nd and subsequent doses, will be better...an insurance policy...

Nick

Brunei

We’re six (5A 1C 4yo) in a Ultra Spacious Ocean View, apparently it’ll be tight, by EU/US standards, but you’ve probably never seen how some people live in Hong Kong 🤣 If you’re all one family I’m sure you’ll be fine.

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I travel regularly internationally (ASEAN/Australasia Region, and to EU once) and just used my first and last (Nicholas as opposed to Nick) on my tickets with no issues (I have two more Chinese names after my last name).

My full name is Nicholas Mxxx Nxxx Cxxx Cxxx, but Nicholas Nxxx is sufficient for most forms of ID, including my work. If I were to write a Statutory Declaration, obviously my full full name is all written down.

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Thank you!!

I’m going to post the whole email for you in case you have any particular allergies; would also highly suggest you contact special_needs@rccl.com for further clarification/information. For note, my 4yo niece suffers discomfort in certain circumstances, so I asked if we could bring on board packet UHT milk that we know she’s good with.

“Thank you for your response and the below information.

We have received your notice regarding your food needs and will forward the information to the ship. By speaking with your head waiter in the dining room your needs will be communicated to the galley and an open line of communication will be established among everyone concerned.

Once on board please meet with one of the Restaurant Managers to review the menus and identify those items that need to be modified or avoided. They will be happy to assist you and will forward your concerns and needs to the galley. All items prepared for guests with food allergies are handled separate from the main food production. Please note that if you choose to go into the other restaurants other than the Main Dining Room please meet with the Manager for that particular restaurant to go over the food items with you regarding your food allergies before eating. Guests are allowed to bring on their own supply of dry, nonperishable food items such as cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc. They may also bring on their own individual packets of salad dressings. Guests may not bring on board any potentially hazardous food items. (Items that require refrigeration, freezing, reheating, or storage by the galley). Kindly be advised that we do carry Lactose Free and Soy milk onboard our ships. Non-perishable milk is allowed onboard the ship. Items must be store bought sealed and not opened. We recommend bringing it as part of your carry-on.

It is also recommended that they refrain from eating in the buffet areas, as they are self serve and can not guarantee it will be free of cross contamination.”

Nick

Brunei

Hello,

 

 

 

I’m on a special diet and would like to bring some of my shelf stable food items (bars, etc) onboard. Is this allowed? Ok thank you

Just got an answer from special_needs@rccl.com for my niece also:

“Guests are allowed to bring on their own supply of dry, nonperishable food items such as cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc. They may also bring on their own individual packets of salad dressings. Guests may not bring on board any potentially hazardous food items. (Items that require refrigeration, freezing, reheating, or storage by the galley). Kindly be advised that we do carry Lactose Free and Soy milk onboard our ships. Non-perishable milk is allowed onboard the ship. Items must be store bought sealed and not opened. We recommend bringing it as part of your carry-on.”

Hope that helps.

Nick

Brunei

Thanks Nick and come onto our Aussie board anytime. 34C and 85% humidty, just like here sometimes and like that in Qld most of the time. Thank God for A/C !!:halo: Are you a cruiser yourself?

 

Good to see you supporting the Gurkhas, as you would probably know, a lot of ex Gurkha Soldiers get jobs with the cruise lines as security staff, seen plenty of them in my travels on the ships. Great blokes, soldiers. I could tell you a story as kid in HK in the mid - late 1950's going to school in an a Gurkha Armoured Car, we were safe from the rioting Chinese. The Kukris reign supreme.:cool: All the best.

Agreed wholeheartedly on the A/C...used to live in 2795 for 8 years and 4556 for 2.5 before I came back, we’ll used to an Aussie summer, especially out west a bit...thanks for the invite to the board; an upcoming cruise in March is my second, but first with RCCL.

When I was in 4556 I wanted to do cruise security on P&O or similar, I was a licensed QLD security officer (un armed, armed and crowd control) and a supervisor in places like Bribie Is and Narangba, of all places, but I was two months short of even having a look in. Would have changed the opportunities and where I am now, but such are the ways of life.

1950’s HK would have been an interesting place; that CPL I was telling you about is one of the last that was under 10 GR just before the amalgamation into the current day Royal Gurkha Rifles and handover in 1997, retiring in a few months, but hard as nails. Great bloke...

Nick

Brunei

Thanks Nick, one would have thought the British Army would have covered travel insurance for the soldiers and/or their families. A bit rude on a posting army families having to insure themselves. My late father was in the British Army from 1940 to 1964, (Northamptonshire Regt/East Anglian Regt/Royal Anglian Regt.) We travelled overseas to Gibraltar, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaya with him, mainly by troopship, not sure if we had travel insurance back then, probably was not invented.

 

 

 

Soldier on old son.:cool: Stay safe it is a jungle out there, even in the desert.

I’m one of the permanent civilian staff that assist the Army out here. Working with the Gurkha’s, nice lads.

It was more to do with some families purchasing personal travel insurance, so for visiting family members (ie siblings, parents, friends etc), they may be covered flying out of/in to the UK, but travel from Brunei was not covered.

As far as I’m aware the immediate family unit itself (service member, spouse and dependants) are covered by the respective insurances that currently exist. Duty Travel is obviously covered, but please do not quote me on this, there are quite a few policies regarding this that is available on the intranet that I don’t have access to.

It’s just to cover aeromedical evacuation and hospitalisation, from my understanding. Some is included, some is not, and to travel from this end back to the UK is a pretty penny, to say the least.

Old school travel would be well different than what it is now, it’s all a matter of litigation and privileges...definitely a jungle out here too, currently 34°C and 85% humidity...but my office is by the beach, can’t complain too much.

Nick

Brunei

I work for the British Army, and the families would purchase UK travel insurance and get posted out to Brunei for 2-3 years. That insurance only covered them on their journey from UK-Brunei-UK, but if they were to travel eg from Brunei-Singapore-Brunei, they were not covered under certain circumstances, and sometimes their extended family was not covered either, which caused dramas and issues in the past.

 

It got to the stage that they broadcast it over BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service, like the BBC, but Forces specific) regularly (at least once an hour).

 

Insurance is insurance: one of my Colour Sergeant’s carries 330 rounds of ammo, and another Corporal carried 1000 rounds; they didn’t need it every day they were on patrol, but darn it, they carried that load everywhere when they were outside the wire...you may never need it, but you’ll be glad you had it? Just have to read the fine print on all policies, not just travel insurance, or insurance for that matter...

 

 

Nick

Brunei

Managed to find the Singapore Flight Centre Chubb insurance policy for reference, sorry about the quality, screenshots of a PDF...

Nick

Brunei