JerseyGem

So.... So you just show them proof of the insurance or do you pay and then submit for reimbursement?

On NCL (and I assume most lines), the fees are charged to your onboard account. You're given a receipt to submit to your own health insurance company or trip insurance when you are home. If you receive medical care off-ship at a port, you pay right then (and later submit receipts). We also always carry a credit card with a fairly high credit limit just in case we need to pay for some very expensive medical care. DD's BFF had an emergency appendectomy in Punta Cana; they would not operate until the two pooled their credit cards to reach the cost of the operation (which they were able to negotiate down to $5000).

Even if your medical insurance will reimburse you for doctor visits & medical procedures, trip insurance will help with associated costs- medical evacuation (including a return flight to your home for you and everyone travelling with you), hotel/meals for those travelling with you while you're in a hospital, etc. We always get trip insurance!

In Jan 2012, a visit during the regular office hours cost me $75 plus additional for medicine. I submitted the NCL doctor's receipt to my medical insurance (Aetna HMO), but they initially refused to pay. Upon questioning them, it turned out that the person processing the ship's form didn't see the proper codes (CPT codes?) so didn't think it was "justified". We had to argue and finally asked for an Aetna employee who had been on a cruise. That person finally understood! (For example, she understood that I really couldn't go to my local doctor when I was out at sea LOL). Aetna paid all but my standard copay. We also had trip insurance as a back-up but they want you to try your own insurance first.

As for the ship's doctor- she was wonderful and quite competent (at least for a sinus infection). If you get sick, please don't hesitate to go to the doctor! Don't ruin your cruise to try to save a few bucks.

I've seen this on some cruises but not on others. On our recent (1/20/13) Jewel cruise, they didn't have any specials for the first night or even for any other night (in the specialty restaurants). We did still eat in the Italian restaurant the first night- a lovely meal and a great way to start the cruise. We used the 15% off wine coupon in the 2013 coupon book.

We were expecting some kind of "offer" for the specialty restaurants since most seemed to be under-used; we didn't even need reservations at Le Bistro. On our cruise, there were long lines for the MDRs (except very late), so maybe people were more interested in saving a little money by not paying extra for dinners?

We also just returned from the Jewel (hi Sally!). When we realized that our World Points credits could not be used towards the DSC and were listed as non-refundable, we cancelled (onboard) our ships excursions (already paid months ago with our card) and immediately rebooked the same excursions. The cancelled amount was refundable; the "new" excursion costs were applied to our non-refundable, non-DSC OBCs; problem solved.

Lynn

Mike- I posted your pix in case others couldn't find it in your album (since they didn't know exactly what to look for). Anyway, this large hot tub is probably 8 by 8 or maybe even 10 by 10. I wouldn't even call it a "pool" just a large tub for soaking! This is in the co-ed area on the Jewel; Mike has another pix of the smaller hot tub in the same-sex area.

Karen- I personally wouldn't buy the spa pass again unless the weather predictions were for very stormy weather. DD and I bought a couple's pass ($150 in 2010); that's now almost the cost for one person.

Is there a lap pool available in the Jewel spa? I was hoping that I could find some kind of adult pool area for when my son is at the kids club.

 

Thanks!

No- the Jewel does not have a lap pool. The Pearl and the Gem have indoor pools in their spas, but the Jewel only has a large hot tub in the co-ed area (and a smaller hot tub in the ladies area). The co-ed pool has a special name (?) but it's really just a large hot tub with some horizontal rods to sit on. No lap swimming possible!

Can anyone tell me the cost and what is included with a spa pass on the Jewel?

 

We sail in about 3 weeks and I'm considering it. Not sure if it's worth it or not.

 

Thanks!

I suggest taking the spa tour as soon as possible after boarding to see the facilities, etc. The Jewel's spa is not as elaborate as the ones on the Pearl and Gem. However, on our 12/10 Jewel cruise, we knew the weather forecast for the whole week was cold and rain, so DD and I opted for the spa pass. It was definitely worth it- a peaceful haven with great views at the front of the ship.

As already mentioned, the pass does not include any services like massages, etc.

Yes, that should qualify for the 10,000 points.

Just returned from a great cruise on the Gem. Our $50 credit from redeeming points on our BOA credit card came through without any problem. It was listed as a World Points credit (rather than saying BOA). It was also not listed as non-refundable.

We did have some OBC that were clearly listed as non-refundable. We also received a letter in our cabin explaining that those credits (not the World Points) were non-refundable, so I can't imagine that anyone would be surprised on the last day! We do check our charges frequently during the cruise (on the TV) to make sure that nothing strange has happened (like the $14,000+ charge that appeared during a previous cruise - yes, it was a mistake and they cleared it before we had time to pick ourselves up off the floor and run to Guest Services).

Carmelita- Yes, I think that will be sufficient. Take that email with you when you cruise and visit the purser's desk part way through the cruise to verify that they have it credited to your onboard account.

(Don't try to go to the purser's desk- AKA guest services- on the first day- too hectic! Also, do it on a "work day" for NCL headquarters in case the ship needs to contact the main office.)

"Attila"- I certainly understand your concern (and frustration). I was not able to redeem points online (as I had in the past) for the same reason as in your earliest post. BOA's redemption site just didn't seem to merge with the NCL site. (I did blame myself, since I'm not a great computer person- so thanks for posting that you also had trouble- I feel redeemed LOL).

The $50 redeemed this week does show on my "Confirmation-Guest Copy" in addition to the confirmation email that we received from the person with whom we spoke (at NCL). Of course I'll take both with me and check onboard part way through our cruise. The last time we redeemed points was on an NCL cruise 12/10 (redeemed by phone call to NCL); the points redemption worked perfectly.

As for calling NCL, we had to use their Group Department (our TA has us in a group booking), so the number we called won't work for you. If you're a Latitudes member, I would call that number (on the back of your card; the number on my card- which is quite old- is 800-343-0098). Others have called 866-954-4077 to redeem points (this number is from a thread about redeeming points).

When we called, the NCL rep initially told us to go to the BOA website to redeem points. We had to firmly tell her that we had tried that and it didn't work- now we expected her to redeem them for us. Good luck!

It's not a scam, but it's also not a great credit card! However, we did just this week call and redeem 5000 points for a $50 OBC for our cruise later this month. I couldn't figure out how to do it online, so we called NCL. They quickly sent an email confirmation.

You will not see (nor will you receive) an OBC for $150.00. You will receive one for $100 and a second one for $50. Don't ask me why- that's just the way it's been for quite awhile.

We basically only use the card for purchases with NCL (to get double points). So we usually don't have a massive number of points (like many who use the card more often and can then receive free cruises, etc). But our final bill from this month's cruise (doubled in points) should get us a nice OBC on our next cruise.

In addition to those mentioned above, Glenlivet is available at $103.00. Also, if you booked through a TA, you may be transferred around (at NCL) while they decide if they can help you or whether you need to order the bar set-up through the TA. In my case, the TA has me in a group booking, so once they decided that they could help me, they then had to transfer me to the group booking department (who then had to transfer me around to several different people there to decide if they could help me). So allow enough time to sit on hold with NCL!

Once you have the right person and make your selection, they will charge your credit card while they have you on the phone and immediatley send you an email with attached invoice. Print the invoice just in case. We've never received any "mixers"- just the bottle of scotch and sometimes extra glasses.

Our DD was married in July aboard the Celebrity Summit; we had a group of 33 friends and family. Our first group activity (other than the chartered bus ride to the port) was an open invitation from the bride for everyone to watch sail away from her balcony (a very large one). She (and several of us) supplied champagne for all who came.

Through the TA, we arranged for a Welcome Cocktail Party the first full day (you usually can't schedule organized group activities for the day of embarkation since the crew is too busy). It was an hour- open bar. We brought "snacks" to put out (in bowls from the buffet). During the party, we gave away wedding souvenirs that we purchased from Vista Print- tee shirts, mousepads, hats, tote bags, etc that said the bride's and groom's names, the ship, the dates, etc and some kind of saying (like "Happily ever after!"). We had one for each cabin- we had the youngest - the 7 yr old junior bridesmaid- pull the cabin numbers out of a hat. When they went up to choose their gift, I explained to the others who they were and their connection to the bride or groom.

On the past evening, our TA provided DD with another cocktail party- so we made this our farewell to everyone. Both parties were arranged through the cruiseline's group services department, so they provided the venue, bar staff, etc.

Also, when we arrived in Bermuda, DD and her friends (the younger crowd) went on a chartered snorkeling trip that she had arranged ahead of time.

DH & I told everyone (actually, the older crowd) that we would be having a drink in a certain bar before each dinner and invited any who were interested to meet us there. DD and the younger crowd met in another bar before each dinner (we wanted to give them some space rather than always try to do something with 33 people all clumping together!).

We tried not to over organize, since we wanted our friends and family members to have some time to themselves- that is to have their own vacation!

Dana & Sharine- I know you're leaving today for your Canadian cruise- have a wonderful time! (What an amazing gift.) The pictures are lovely (in spite of the photographer). I'm looking forward to the rest of your review (after your cruise and after your computer problems are resolved).

Congrats and best wishes to both of you for a long, happy marriage that grows more special each day. Lynn

Thank you for these wonderful directions and for your help elsewhere here on Cruise Critic! We are returning to Bermuda on 7/20 on X's Summit- our DD will be married by the Captain the day before. We have visited Bermuda many times- either cruising or staying for a week, and every time we are impressed by how the locals view tourists- with smiles, open arms, and good natured sighs at our many quirks (and driving errors). So many tourist areas have lost this attitude- they love our money but would prefer that we just send our wallets and leave ourselves somewhere else.

We have a group of 33 onboard for the wedding; many have never cruised and several have never left the USA. I know they will be thrilled with Bermuda's beauty, and the beautiful welcome they receive from everyone they meet.

Again- thanks for your help!

Great advice so far. I also recommend joining your Roll Call and signing up for the Connections Party. You should be able to find other families with similar aged kids. You can chat online (through Cruise Critic- very safe), and if you think the kids will "click" you can arrange to share a taxi to Hoseshoe Bay, etc. Also, if you get a day's bus pass, the kids may enjoy taking the ferry either to Hamilton or St George's (a longer ferry ride).

Also check out the Bermuda Forum for things to do with kids.

You can hold the stock in an IRA or other similar plan and still use the benefit . . . just be sure it is in your name.

Interesting post- I'm sure we'll see a wide range of comments on this thread!

DH & I have only taken one river cruise- Great Rivers of Europe with GCT. We had a wonderful time and are seriously considering GCT again (being retired, price is our biggest concern). Our air travel was not pleasant- but that wasn't GCT's fault (or maybe it was- they were the ones who booked us on Air France through CDG! LOL). However, I don't think any of our "problems" can be blamed on GCT; additionally, their on-site airport rep was very helpful when we realized that we were missing a suitcase.

I agree with your comments that one cruise (or company) can just have problems (I guess similar to the highly rated new car that turns out to be a lemon). We are currently having major problems with an online TA (Vacations to Go) concerning a trip we have had to cancel. Just as some people say they will never use GCT again, DH & I will never use VTG again!

Re the poster on the earlier thread- I note that that post was his first and only post. I hope this means that he has made it to his ship and is having a great cruise.

I've reread the letter several times (yet still may be missing this), but does anyone have anything in writing from RCI that explains how you can pay the $100.00 deposit? In May 07 on the Grandeur, the LA would only accept the RCI credit card for the deposit for NextCruise. If you didn't have one, in order to qualify for this program, you had to apply for their card while onboard (and she would be glad to take all your financial and personal information- right there with several other passengers waiting in the long line at her desk...). I did not feel comfortable revealing all this info right where others could hear (hasn't RCI ever heard of identity theft?). I offered another credit card, a check or cash- all were refused. I could make a regular booking using something other than their card, but then it would be a $500 deposit, not $100! And no OBC.

Also, I did have two cruises in mind when I spoke with the LA. She said she had access to the best rates available. Yet I had looked at both cruises right before boarding, and the rates on the Internet were cheaper than what the LA offered. So I wasn't going to put down $500 to hold either cruise.

DH & I cruise on the Serenade in December and would like to sign up for the NextCruise option (what a great way to motivate us to cruise again- as if we needed motivation LOL). However, we'd rather use one of our current credit cards instead of applying for RCI's. WIll we be able to do this on the Serenade?

I hope someone else explains how to save posts! I haven't figured it out yet. When I find something I want to keep, I "cut and paste" (to Word or to an email that I then send to myself). Good luck!

mcubed: Welcome! You'll find lots of advice and hints here at CruiseCritic- of course all medical advice should be reviewed by your doctor first!

My DD also has asthma. Do you know what your DD's triggers are yet? (If you're just finding out about her asthma, you may not know them all for a while.) Whenever we travel, I always take an allergy cover (encasing) for our pillows, plus my own pillowcases (that have been washed in allergen-removing detergents- there are several on the market). I put the encasing cover right over the ship's pillows (without removing their pillowsase), and then our own pillowcase on top. In the morning, I unzip the encasing and slip it and the pillowcase off together and put them into a drawer until bedtime. I don't worry too much about the sheets or blankets, but you could certainly take a twin sheet set to slip on top of the existing ones- and even a small blanket. Just make sure you put them away each AM, or they might disappear when the cabin steward changes your sheets.

My DD also reacts to mold, so I usually carry a Clorox "pen" or a small bottle of mold-remover (you may need to find a brand that won't also be a trigger). Then if the shower area has any mold, I can easily neutralize it asap. Ship's are very prone to mold- all that water around! LOL.

Other posters have given you good advice re meds. Always hand carry them, take back-ups (in case the inhaler drops & cracks). Does she need to nebulize daily? If so, verify that your ship does indeed have a neb (and always bring your own neb-kit and meds) or even consider bringing your own nebulizer.

My DD's asthma doc always gave me a prednisone regimen (& pills) to use if her asthma started to get out of control. Although we frequently took an air cleaner with us on land vacations, I've never taken one on a cruise.

With a little extra care, you'll all be able to have a wonderful and healthy cruise.