Skjhoward

Thank you for all of the responses!

24 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

This is not at all uncommon, to request (er, demand) payment promptly, and occasionally... BEFORE starting treatment!

These foreign hospitals usually do not have contracts with what are for them "foreign medical insurance companies".

Almost all travel insurance, medical or otherwise, is a "pay upfront, GET RECEIPTS, submit receipts, get reimbursed".

 

For some insurers, if it is a "serious sum", the insurer may be willing - and able - to work with the medical provider to either guarantee payment (getting agreement for a guarantee is, um, not guaranteed) or to wire the money.  Wiring the money could take some time...

 

We ALWAYS travel with several credit cards with a nice tidy sum total credit available, "just in case".

 

I remember in one island ER, as DH was being wheeled off for treatment, I was escorted to the payment Office.  There were signs on the walls about how they ONLY accept payment guarantees from the following travel insurance companies... and then there was a list of a few names many of us might be familiar with.

I did not want anything to delay getting DH's emergency medical care, so I just handed over a charge card.

 

Why would someone assume that hospitals (or any vendors) in some countries would just "accept" some "medical insurance" from some company in some foreign, distant country?  They can, but why in the world would it be required for them to do so, especially if they've never signed any agreement with them about payments?

For all the hospital/medical provider knows, there may not be any plan for that insurer to pay for ANY "foreign care" (er., think of USA's Medicare!).  Or "that insurer" may not really exist at all!  Why should the provider be expected to provide care, including possibly expensive care, and then have to try contacting some company they may have never heard of/from (and a company that they may have no way to compel payment!) for money?

 

GC

Noone expected anything. They were prepared to pay and did so without questioning.

1 hour ago, Skjhoward said:

My sister sailed on Sun Princess last week. She spent a night in the ships medical bay on morphine.

 

The next day, the Princess representative sent her to a local hospital in the Dominican Republic. She had to undergo emergency surgery to remove obstructive kidney stones. 

 

She had purchased travel insurance through Princess.

I was surprised that the hospital required her to pay a $12,000 deposit. Is the "norm?" 

 

When I sail, I always purchase my policy through independent companies rather than buying the cruiselines' insurance.  Would this have made a difference?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Correction it was Sky Princess

47 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I'm questioning the OP's post -- Sun Princess just left Rome a few days ago on her inaugural cruise. She hasn't been anywhere near the Dominican Republic.

 

 

Sorry it was Sky

They were required to pay cash or credit card.

4 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Yes, in many countries outside of the US, requiring payment upfront is usual.

I assume that would normally require a credit card.  I sometimes wonder if having evidence of travel insurance would even be accepted by a hospital, or cash or credit card only.

My sister sailed on Sun Princess last week. She spent a night in the ships medical bay on morphine.

The next day, the Princess representative sent her to a local hospital in the Dominican Republic. She had to undergo emergency surgery to remove obstructive kidney stones. 

She had purchased travel insurance through Princess.

I was surprised that the hospital required her to pay a $12,000 deposit. Is the "norm?" 

When I sail, I always purchase my policy through independent companies rather than buying the cruiselines' insurance.  Would this have made a difference?

Thank you.

1 hour ago, IrieBajan54 said:

What I recall is this:

 

I was on the next to last Gem cruise before the COVID shutdown. I had bought 2 CN and as the days went by with all the dire COVID news, I got concerned that the line might go belly up. So around day #22, I decided cancellation was prudent. I did not spend long on the phone and was satisfied that my request was accepted. I don't think it took a full 30 days for the credit to show up on my cc online account.

Thank you for sharing. 

I want to send a big thank you to everyone who responded so quickly.

I just spoke with another Guest Services Representative who has assured me that the initial date that I contacted NCL via chat (which was on July 3, 2023) is the date that NCL opened the refund request. She confirmed the case number, reservation number, latitude number, and sailing date with me, and stated no other information was required at this point in time.  

She further stated that the request is under review and in process, and instructed me to check my emails and even my spam folders in case NCL needed further information. 

Finally, the Guest Services Representative instructed me to contact NCL  again if I had not received a response by August 3, 2023. 

One final question for those of you with past experience in receiving refunds from NCL. Does NCL normally take the full 30 days to respond and/or to refund the funds?

Thank you again everyone!

We're about to get our attorney involved. 

56 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

How were you trying to cancel them?

 

On board or through land.

 

Those purchased on the TA would probably have gone shore side end of cruise, CN on board would have closed the CN book day before.

(mine hit our account same day cruise ended)

 

There is an anomaly with CN they get dated as the start of the cruise  not he end when you actually get them 

 

not relevant to your issue but found out to day that a % voucher on account with expiry 13 July  expires at the beginning of the day not the end as you would expect.

 

 

 

They told us we couldn't cancel onboard. Trying to cancel shoreline. Started with an NCL chat.  Given a specific case number and advised not to follow up for 72 hrs. Second chat to follow up told to call Guest Services. Told no phone number or address to contact CN Department. Asked for a supervisor who then tells us all cancelation requests must be submitted via email. Did that but received an email saying CN department can't access case numbers and needed more info including NCL latitude numbers.  Sent that immediately. Now 72 hours later not heard back from NCL so recent all information again. BTW sent a certified letter priority mail last week to NCL hq with verification of our cancelation request.  

We are coming up today on day 29.

Don't know how to get a response or how to get our money back. 

Any suggestions appreciated.

We are having quite a bit of difficulty getting NCL to refund the Cruise Next Certificates we purchased onboard our Transatlantic sailing on NCL Getaway on June 3rd.

We purchased then on June 14th and requested a cancelation the next day while on our second NCL Cruise on Getaway leaving June 15th.  

Has anyone else had this problem?

9 minutes ago, sherrihall128 said:

 

Yes, water and ice are available at multiple points at the front, middle, and end of the buffet. Just be sure to use one of their cups to fill up your water bottle.

Ty so much. 

5 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

Virtual queues is currently empty.

 

folks started booking Cannes tenders yesterday .  I took a look just now 11am day 6 and it’s already  at group 17 so you really want to be on top of this and book as soon as it pops up.

Off topic question.  We are huge water drinkers and we'll be bringing collapsible water bottles.  

Are water and ice available in the buffet? 

And will the room stewards provide daily ice in buckets?

Thank you.

On 5/5/2023 at 9:35 PM, debenson0723 said:

I have from Barcelona to London before my Prima TA last September.

Did you have any trouble at the check in desk? We made a change to add our middle names at a cost of $100 but our boarding passes don't reflect the change. 

Has anyone flown on Vueling airline?

6 hours ago, southern reader said:

We are on the same itinerary for July.  We are trying to figure out where to stay near the airport the night before we fly back to the states along with how to get to the airport the next morning for a party of 5..  Have you heard of any good recommendations?

 

I read somewhere that there are two hotels in the Rome Airport! 

13 hours ago, Happycrafter123 said:

What about you, @Skjhoward - have you been to Rome yet or planning to pass through on your next cruise?  What has been or what do you think would be your top thing to see?

Good morning. We've never been to Rome. Our ship will be disembarking in Italy on our NCL Getaway June cruise. 

12 minutes ago, Happycrafter123 said:

Day 1 - arrival

 

Our flight landed on time and our diver from Bob’s limo was waiting for us.  We got to our B&B around noon and manager was waiting for us with welcome.  We are staying at Navonamyhome B&B and it is a great location and huge room with nice sitting area.

 

we went on a walking tour with Rome Free Walking Tours, that I had prebooked, tour price is based on self assessed tipping.  It was two hours and guide knowledgeable and I tipped $20 Euros.

 

we ate pizza before and after and had gelato too.

 

main observation so far— Rome is crowded, dirty, smelly, there are people smoking everywhere and the air quality is horrible.  It hurts to breathe.   There is garbage on the ground everywhere and it is kind of disgusting.  
 

I do appreciate the history and architecture but definitely compared to Scandinavia and Baltic cities we visited last year and back in 2019 this is quite markedly different in terms of the ability to walk through the city and enjoy it.  

 

The food here is better, though , I’ll give it that.  

 

We will see what the next 5 days hold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you could see only one thing in Rome, what would you choose?

11 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Hi!  Given the seriousness of Celiac disease, I recommend meeting with the Special Diets Coordinator.  It was worth it for me and I learned so much.  This was on the Breakaway and once I had the initial meeting I didn’t need to meet with them again because I knew the ingredients, how to order and how to adapt.  The person was incredibly well prepared, had a spreadsheet of every meal in every restaurant and it made me so much more comfortable.  My meeting was on embarkation day before we left port so it didn’t disrupt any activities.

Ty so much.

11 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

@Skjhoward do you need to refrigerate any of your medications?  If so please ask your room attendant not to lock the fridge on the last night. 

Thank you. Yes my meds are kept in frig.

I am forever grateful to you. I am diabetic, lactose intolerant, and celiac.  

And, I just booked a 13 day Transatlantic leaving June 3rd.  

Now I know who to talk to, when, where, and what to ask for.  

Thank you!!!

On 2/11/2023 at 5:49 AM, YlangYlangF9PB3E said:

I pack a small dish pan and small bottle of laundry detergent, both available at Dollar Tree. Wash my own tees, underwear, pjs, etc. and hang to dry on the clothes line supplied in the shower.

I.we just wash in the bathroom sink. No need for 

On 4/14/2022 at 2:24 PM, Lbrain123 said:

Thank you for your reply. I am still confused!

1) So no one can book until they are on the cruise ship. I got a boarding time of 11:30am. Would there still be entertaiment slots open at 11:30am?

2) I thought I saw in the app that I had tradional dining from 7:30-9:30. Now I don't know where I saw that.  I called Royal Carribean to move up my time and they said I had to call Costco  (who I booked through). I callled them and they said I had tradional dining at 5:00pm and resent my confirmation, but the confirmation says preference (see below). So how can I tell what dining I actually have?
 

Special Requests

Dining Preferences:

Dining Requests: Traditional 05:00 PM

Yes, there will be entertainment spots open at 11:30 am.  In past reviews, I' read that they are often filled by 6 pm on boarding day.