Smitheroo

You are lucky. Well, not "lucky" because you made the choice to have a Medicare Advantage Plan . Better to say that you made a good choice that works for you. A Medicare Advantage Plan wouldnt work so well for me, but it works great for my husband. it also depends on where you live. Not all plans are available everywhere. A friend of mine has one and cruises, I will ask her about what hers provides. My risk for cancellation isnt high either as I'm only one person and dont pick expensive cruises. Makes me wonder why I am worrying about trip cancellation. I'v read some people "self insure". Maybe putting away the cost of a trip cancellation policy in a separate account to be used if necessary might be an option. For my trip coming up in January the chance of bad weather causing problems is real. If the cruise was in better weather I probably wouldnt think about it so much. Sicknes could rerail pans also but where I live, I think the risk of having to cancel due to weather is higher than due to sickness. That may not be valid lol.

Yes, I agree. But I dont think you'd find a policy that big if you lived in the US if you were my age (73) That's why I said I bet you are younger. I really dont know if I need as robust medical coverage as I am seeking throughout non-US countries. The condition of the health care system in the US has taught me to think *expensive*. btw, I just recently learned that in Canada your health insurance does not cover you outside of the province you live in. I *think* that is the case for everyone, not just *seniors*. I was shocked when I learned that. Many here in the US look up to the Canadian system but I have to wonder if they are aware of your medical coverage only extends to the province you live in. This wasnt always the case (and an older Canadian I know has confirmed this) My cousin who lived in Canada was visiting his mother in New Jersey and was hospitalized for about a week The bill was $45,000 (this was about 50 yrs ago!) He told us the Canadian govt paid the entire bill. My older Canadian friend said that is the way it used to be but no more.

I also dont anticipate hanging out in the studio lounge much myself. Some people may take more advantage of it perhaps because it makes them feel more secure ? (with the keycard access) or they dont like to eat alone so hope to meet up with other like minded solo travelers? I'm not really a group type person. I'm not ruling it out but not going looking for company either. It may be a place to get a quicker cup of coffee in the am though.

Many of those cover pre-existing conditions and waiver the lookback period if the policy is bought ithin a certain amount of time after first payment. Usually 2 weeks. I have GeoBlue with pre-existing conditions covered without a lookback period for my next trip. It costs more but still affordable. I got $500,000 medical expenses, $500,000 evacuation plus pre-existing condition coverage for $83 for a 5 day cruise. Like you I am also mainly interested in medical coverage, medical evacuation and in my case, pre-existing conditions. Another thing I learned and this is a little off the topic of this post but worthwhile to know. "Pre-Existing Conditions" has a very specific meaning in travel insurance language It refers to a condition that suddenly exacerbates for some reason, or that there has been a change of medicaion or medical advice , all in the look back period. If you have a stable condition , i.e. hypertension or even diabetes, that has not changed and you have not required a change in medication or treatment advise, as far as travel insurance is concerned you do not have a pre-existing condition. This is something I've learned since researching insurance.

I was looking at Squaremouth also. For my upcoming trip I have already purchased GeoBlue which only has "trip delay"/"Interruption" insurance (and not trip cancellation) in the policy I have chosen which is the reason I am questioning what this $39 policy is when I saw that it doesnt covering trip cancellation. (but does cover trip delay) I'm trying to figure out why someone would be interested in just trip delay but not cancellation.

I'm betting you are younger. GeoBlue has an age limit for medical coverage on their multi-trips plans. If you are 73 or over you are limited to 100,000. I was seriously considering it until I read that. I would be interested in knowing what other companies have. I will check Allianz.

Where do you find a policy for $10 million? I've seen $1,000,000. All the annual policies I have seen do not have that much medical coverage. The one I was looking at (I think it was GeoBlue multi trip) had a limit of 100,000 if you are 73 yrs old or over. I'm betting you're not, but I am.

I suspect you didnt read my post completely because I was not complaining about the price of the service. The prices are high but they are listed up front, no surprises. And dont laugh but the reason I tried them was because of the "Cruise Next Deal" I thought I had. 2nd) I'm not complaining about the 20% service charge added to the bill. That is also upfront. No surprises. and I understand why its applied because beauty salon crew are not services everyone on the ship uses so are not part of the "daily service charge pie". Although automatically applying this 20 % kind of goes against the idea that tipping is discretionery- its not. In the salon its required . I have not heard of anyone trying to remove their salon tip. and I dont think they should, that's not the point of my post. 3) What I am complaining about is the tacky way of trying to get an "additional tip" (line provided for this on the sales slip) . Anyone who wants to give an "additional tip" on top of the 20% service charge automatically applied are free to do so, in cash. the way people give room stewards extra in cash. Some will say you dont have to give an "additional tip" , its totally up to you. I realize that and part of the problem is my inability to ignore the blatant demand for extra tipping. I dont have a very thick skin when it comes to certain things. Some people will have no problem ignoring the "additional tip" line on the receipt and just sign it. I say good for them, wish I could. Please go back and re-read my post and see if its clear what I'm actually talking about (use the word "complain" if necessary) It was not about the high price service, it was not about the automatic gratuity. It was soley about the attempt to get more money out of the client by putting them in a position that might be uncomfortable to some. I'm not sure why I added the part about the $9 service at my local beauty school. I probably shouldnt have because while it is true that my $9 hair cut was just as good as a high priced salon cut that was not the point I was trying to make. It was soley about the "additional tip".

you sound like a very nice person

From the date of this post it looks like NCL has been "forbidding" door decorations for awhile. However, its not enforced. I just got off the Encore a few weeks ago and some cabins had door decorations. Nothing outlandish but still decorations. Mostly humorous signs.

I met a woman on a cruise who said she keeps a "cruise closet". Its a closet designated for her cruise clothes. She could book a cruise one day and leave the next morning because of this. I'm sure its not that unusual to do. If you have a spare closet, why not

"Cruise lines are concerned that a particularly large rock formation poised high above the dock might pose a risk to larger ships, and are therefore making schedule changes for shorter port times to share dock facilities away from any potential impact should that formation become destabilized." Looks like the concern is more than the damage to the present dock. I agree, I cant imagine them ever removing Skagway as a port on the Alaskan cruises. But it looks like RCL removed it from several of their cruises, at least in 2023, according to a quick google. And that was the subject of the article I read after visiting Skagway. At the time I was speaking to the shopkeeper (mentioned in my post) I had no idea of the concern. I didnt know what she meant when they were pleasantly surprised about the business so late in the season because :we didnt know if the cruise ships would even come". Its not the damage to the present dock that is the concern (although that is definitely a concern for a ship to dock) from what I comprehend its the liability caused by a rockslide. We enjoyed our shore excursion in Skagway very much and also our short walk around the town buying souvenirs. It would be devastating to the local economy and a disappointment for cruisers for sure if the port was removed from the schedule. Carnival Celebration The Gateway Zone Carnival Cruise Line reveals the final themed zone featured onboard the new Carnival Celebration cruise ship, the second Excel-class in the fleet and sister to Mardi Gras. The cruise line has already detailed five zones, but the sixth and final one named The Gateway has been revealed. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 4 secondsVolume 0% Cruise lines are concerned that a particularly large rock formation poised high above the dock might pose a risk to larger ships, and are therefore making schedule changes for shorter port times to share dock facilities away from any potential impact should that formation become destabilized. Carnival Celebration The Gateway Zone Carnival Cruise Line reveals the final themed zone featured onboard the new Carnival Celebration cruise ship, the second Excel-class in the fleet and sister to Mardi Gras. The cruise line has already detailed five zones, but the sixth and final one named The Gateway has been revealed. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 4 secondsVolume 0% Cruise lines are concerned that a particularly large rock formation poised high above the dock might pose a risk to larger ships, and are therefore making schedule changes for shorter port times to share dock facilities away from any potential impact should that formation become destabilized. Carnival Celebration The Gateway Zone Carnival Cruise Line reveals the final themed zone featured onboard the new Carnival Celebration cruise ship, the second Excel-class in the fleet and sister to Mardi Gras. The cruise line has already detailed five zones, but the sixth and final one named The Gateway has been revealed. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 4 secondsVolume 0% Cruise lines are concerned that a particularly large rock formation poised high above the dock might pose a risk to larger ships, and are therefore making schedule changes for shorter port times to share dock facilities away from any potential impact should that formation become destabilized. Carnival Celebration The Gateway Zone Carnival Cruise Line reveals the final themed zone featured onboard the new Carnival Celebration cruise ship, the second Excel-class in the fleet and sister to Mardi Gras. The cruise line has already detailed five zones, but the sixth and final one named The Gateway has been revealed. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 4 secondsVolume 0%

I must have read it somewhere as I would have no way of even knowing about the concern. And the shopkeeper was aware of it because of what she said- they were unsure if the cruise ships would even be coming (I'm assuming she meant for the season) It wasnt the shuttle driver, all he said was "they dont let you walk because we are rock slide prone" He made no mention that this would affect the cruise industry other than not letting the passengers walk the short distance off the ship. So where did I learn of this? I dont know but I know i didnt make it up. I read it somewhere. I will investigate.

It is my understanding there would be no Studio lounge on those ships that dont have studio cabins. But the solo inside, solo balcony, solo oceanview is a new option, it doesnt start until 1/1/2024 so who knows, maybe over time NCL might start working on a studio lounge for this category of cabins. But right now there is none. I read somewhere in reference to this new category that the passengers in them would have access to the studio lounge "in those ships who have a studio lounge" . Its harder to start up a new studio lounge where there is none than it is to designate some of the cabins solo inside, solo balcony, solo oceanview. If you want a studio lounge at the present time I guess its best to book on a ship that currently has one

I dont think it has enough medical coverage for the purpose you give. It does seem to cover after you board. I was wondering about the scenario where trip delay (and other events after you board, other than medical) would be desirable but not trip cancellation before the trip. I'm sure there are situations or it wouldnt be an option. You have the option of purchasing the two types of travel protection when you book ( one more expensive than the other) but then there is this $39 option listed in the chart on your reservation summary.

Yes, I have realized that- its probably better to insurance from a third party. The medical benefits on most trip cancellation insurance though is very low (although there are policies with robust medical coverage but they dont cost $39)

It was my understanding the tip was redistributed so that the workers behind the scene benifited as well which means this little chart is hogwash, or at least its not the current practice. 22 rooms is a *lot* of rooms to take care of but no, they are not getting $6500 per month. This is why I feel that giving the room stewards extra has to be appreciated by them. I dont do it only as a thank you for service given to me because I dont require a lot of service plus I am just one person (a family would make more work) I make my own bed (I prefer that) and have few requests. I tip extra as a thank you for doing the work they do because if they didnt (or if we were relying on American workers) there would be no cruises to go on. Like I said in another post, both times (since I started up crusing again) I've had to go look for my room steward to give her the xtra tip at the end of the cruise. I eventually found her working in a cabin So they are not standing around with their hand out, at least not my experience.

There's a chance these two groups of people had already met at a previous port, introduced themselves and which ship they were on and so when they saw each other again, started to have fun with it. Seems kind of juvenile but harmless

I think that the DSC is also a positive thing because it eliminates tipping anxiety. Some people are confident about social customs but others are not. Being told that the DSC is in lieuw of tips can be a relief. And so more people cruise because the anxiety has been removed. (although it can be replaced by should I tip extra lol) I know some people here probably think this explanation is ridiculous but believe me, many people have much anxiety about social customs and one way to get around that is to avoid it- thus they dont cruise. Which isnt a good thing for the cruise line business. I'm sure the DSC also came about as a result of complaints from the forgotten staff behind the scenes.

the DSC is in lieuw of tips . I've been told you can have it removed. I know you can have it removed on Cunard so its probably the same on NCL

they also get paid a salary

I can understand both sides. There china and glassware probably do go missing once they leave the restaurant. But if that's the reason they could provide little to-go boxes. You've paid for it in some way so you really should be able to take it with you. I've never heard of a land restauarant refusing to pack food to be taken home but maybe it happens somewhere

Ooooooooooooh, that is a miserable experience

Well, I'm not complaining about the charge for the service although I agree its pricey. Often salons are and they (the NCL salon) are upfront about it. The prices of services are all clearly listed. But then they charge 20 % service charge (and I'm okay with that although there is someone here who probably thinks I have an issue with that ). Its just the "additional tip" and being so obvious abou itt that I think is tacky.

I'm wondering if anyone knows any details about Skagway's future as a port for Alaskan cruises. When we stopped there one of the storekeepers said to me "its been busy. And we didnt even know if the cruise ships would come". Of course I had no idea what she was referring to but then our shuttle driver told us there was a problem with rock slides at the dock. This is why NCL no longer allows passengers to walk the short distance from the ship to the bus that goes into town. The driver told us it was due to the rockslides. Apparently there has been talk of eliminating Skagway as a cruise port. This would be devastating for Skagway and a disappointment for cruise ship passengers. Cute little town