GeriatricNurse

On 12/17/2022 at 8:14 PM, theavonb said:

Would like to know what people are using for emergency medical insurance. We have always used Medipac but now they won’t insure my hubby because he is on insulin and takes a heart pill for his pacemaker. He has been stable for two years now so it’s a bit ridiculous. 
Thank you

1.  ALLIANZE  2.  BLUE CROSS  3.  MANULIFE

On 1/13/2023 at 3:17 PM, ASBJumper said:

Yes, honestly, i was looking at airfare to basically ANYWHERE WARM for March break and i couldn't find anything remotely reasonable (everything was over $800pp or leaving at ungodly hours with double-digit hour layovers.. we have an 8-yr old - that's not happening). 

 

So, i did a search for cruises out of Cape Liberty, which is drivable from Ottawa, and found an awesome 7-night Bahamas cruise on the Anthem. The cruise was $4200 for the 3 of us, and we're staying with friends in NJ the night before, so no hotel costs. Yay! 

 

I don't see this changing for us canucks any time soon, so maybe road trips to cruise ports will become more common. At least there's lots to see and do along the US eastcoast. 😉 

Well, for this 'Canuck', living in Kingston, Ontario, I travel via Motorcoach, with 'Maple Leaf Tours', from Kingston to New York City, where our travel group stays one night, pre-cruise at the 'New York Marriott Marquis', downtown Manhattan, then we embark the following morning from the 'Manhattan Cruise Terminal' with 'NCL' to Bermuda, Caribbean, etc.!

Are the luggage tags only able to be obtained after the 'Check-In' has been completed/submitted, 21 Days prior to Embarcation?

When I receive notification that my Luggage Tags are available for me to print, how do I locate that option on my NCL Account and be able to print off several copies?

Do I have the option to print the Luggage Tags in Colour?

Thank you.

21 minutes ago, roger001 said:

Unless things have changed, Harvest Caye prices on food and drink were outrageous.  If the ship docks instead of tendering, better off going back to the ship for food.  

Of course, it's always best to return to the ship, from shore, for meals, (except if you are on an excursion over lunch/dinner), since your cruise fare INCLUDES Meals!

On 11/12/2022 at 6:16 PM, bluesea777 said:

Spotless clean?

 

 

Yes, of course! 😉

18 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

What lines? What boarding times?

 

 

HAL, cabins are ready at 1100 just in time for boarding! 😉

18 hours ago, KSSS2013 said:

 

 They need time to get the rooms cleaned up. I've been on MSC, Princess, Royal, and NCL. The only time that I've ever had the room ready when we boarded is the first cruise of the Bliss after Covid. The ship had been empty so all rooms were ready.

 What cruise line have you cruised where rooms are ready?

 

HAL, staterooms are ready at 1100, in time for boarding!😉

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Bottled water, energy drinks, sports drinks, specialty coffees, fresh squeeze juice is not included in the premium beverage package.
 

You would have to upgrade to the premium plus package to get that. Not worth the money. 

Effective January 2, 2023, 1 six carton package of 'Flow Water' will be placed in every stateroom for those passengers who have purchased the Premium Beverage Package!

5 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

 It appears that NCL nickle and dimes you and has 'hidden fees/charges'. Absolutely not. no different than any other cruise line. 

 

What are the 'surprise' charges I will find on my bill at the end of the cruise?  Absolutely not. Only if you are so drunk that you buy a diamond ring. 

 

Crew appreciation (if not pre-paid) This is normal on most cruise lines. And you can always tip the crew with additional cash for jobs well done (concierge, butler, kid's club staff, waiters, hosts, cabin stewards, waiters, bartenders, performers)

 

20% gratuity on food/drink (Does this include complimentary dining? Of course not. 

 

If specialty dining is included in your package, do you still pay the 20%?) The gratuity for the package is included when you sign up for it. No additional gratuity at time of dining unless you order something with an additional charge. 

 

Some kind of taxes on drinks while in ports?  The state of departure may charge you sales tax on purchases while made in their state, not the cruise line. A few percent of the drink price. 

 

Is this just US ports or all ports? The state may charge you sales tax on purchases while made in their state, not the cruise line. A few percent of the drink price.

 

If I stay on the boat in port, all my drinks will be taxed?) If  you stay on the ship, the state may charge you sales tax on purchases while made in their state, not the cruise line. A few percent of the drink price.

 

Do you pay extra for movies on demand on the TV? If you purchase a pay per view movie, you pay to view it,,, just like a hotel. Unless you are in a suite. The movies are free, but you need to tip your butler to iron and hang your undies. 

 

Are there any other charges I can expect (other than purchases I make on the ship?) Yes, anything you purchase like bingo cards (which have been around since the start of time), professional photos, Starbucks, specialty coffees, bottled water, energy drinks, sports drinks, money invested in the casino, the diamond ring you may buy when inebriated, video arcade, virtual reality rides, go kart rides, laser tag, vibe private sundeck, additional-fee dinner shows, drinks that exceed $15 (difference in cost and tip on that difference), wine tasting, whiskey tasting, sparkling wine tasting, specialty dining items with an upcharge (upcharge + tip on the upcharge), spa treatments (waxing, massage, facial, pedicure, manicure), personal trainer at the gym, some gym classes and spin classes, thermal suite, teeth whitening, weight loss treatments, beauty salon (cut, style, blow, color, highlights), barber shop (including shaving), shore excursions, bowling, darts, pool games, and much much more. 

No for Starbucks if you have a (PRE-LOADED) Starbucks Card, with which you can use to pay for your purchases at Starbucks!

2 hours ago, bookbabe said:

On the flip side, we flew YYZ to LAX yesterday with Westjet at 10:30am.  Arrived at the T3 parking garage a few minutes before 8am, DH and I have Nexus but a travel companion didn't.  A bit of a line for security in both Nexus and regular  but it moved quickly.  No real lines at the US immigration section. We were in the lounge line by 8:15, our friend was there by about 8:20 or so.

 

The lounge was packed full with a non-moving line, however.  After 15 min in line we gave up.  The restaurant was full too, and Starbucks was insane.  T3 US departures is the absolute worst for lounge access and food availability.

This is why I always fly with Air Canada T1.

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Where is this located?

Does the Manhattan Cruise Terminal have 'Facial Recognition'?

On 10/6/2022 at 5:59 PM, BirdTravels said:

Onboard Starbucks last month (Breakaway)

 

Encore April 2022 (There is a note on the menus to ask for your favorites that are not on the menu)

 

Is there no (HOT) Chai Tea Latte?

25 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Well, I figure that since the poster you addressed said it was a concern, that it, in fact was. At least to them. I have seen this behavior myself...on more than one occasion. Plenty of people drag luggage onto the ship themselves. It would almost be foolish to assume that none of them go to the buffet where that very luggage would be taking up space.

Whenever I board an NCL ship, I (immediately) proceed to my stateroom to deposit al my luggage, place some items in the safe, then proceed to a dining venue for lunch, (without) having to carry/pull ANY luggage/bags along with me!

4 hours ago, julig22 said:

Simple answer. Your suitcase has to fit through the scanner.  Otherwise it has to be checked.

My suitcase is 12" deep by 18" wide.

I've read that the limitation for the suitcase to fit through the scanner is 16" deep by 24" wide!

The length of the suitcase does not matter.

So, my suitcase will fit through the scanner.

Can I take my 'weekender' size suitcase with me through Security at the 'Manhattan Cruise Terminal' prior to 'Check-In' rather than leave it with the porters outside the entrance?

Can I retain & take my suitcase with me through security toward my 'Check-In' at the 'Manhattan Cruise Terminal' rather than leaving it with the porters?

23 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Get a couple of these   https://amzn.to/3dMWOrA

These tags are currently UNAVAILABLE on Amazon!

10 hours ago, vacation44 said:

Per person or per cabin?

Per person, (if each person has the PBP!)

At an NCL Cruise Presentation in my hometown yesterday morning, Katie Kania, Regional Manager, Sales & Marketing at NCL, stated that effective January 2, 2023, a 'complimentary' 6-Litre/Quart Package of 'FLOW' Water would be delivered to your Cabin/Stateroom, as currently, the water is NOT included in the 'Beverage Package'!

13 hours ago, gubby said:

We have used Alliance before. Their  coverage was good for cancellation, but they were very slow with payments. However, it is coverage we most want, and in the end, they did pay. At one time, our medical Insurance was also with them, and they covered ALL my spouse's hospital expenses in a private heart institute in Naples, Italy. No complaints with Alliance.

Allianze had the the lowest quote, (for the best coverage), as compared to Manulife & CAA!

Are all the dining venues open for lunch on the day of embarcation?

4 hours ago, gubby said:

Thanks Jim. I had been looking for this info, so your post was quite timely. I have added the question to my list to our insurance company as that is  huge cost if one doesn't have coverage. We were covered by Gobal Excel on our last  cruise, and were so happy and impressed with the way our medical emergency was handled. No helicopter evacuated though.

In the end, I choose 'ALLIANZE', (which does INCLUDE 'MediVac', Ship to Shore)!  Also, their coverage limit is $10,000,000; (same as 'Manulife'), whereas CAA is (only) $5,000,000!

What has been the cost of the (Unlimited) Spa Pass to the Mandara Spa, based upon a 12-Day Caribbean Cruise, onboard the 'Getaway',?

If I were to choose one of three insurance companies, as follows, for Medical Travel Insurance, what would be your advice for me, based upon your experiences related to cost & claims?

1.   Allianze

2.   CAA

3.   Manulife