North Vancouver Cruiser

Yes, I purchased that for our 14 day cruise in July.  It is the ones that cost over $30,000 that concerns me and booking so far in advance (2 years).  I liked the fact that the cruise was covered plus the airfare.

Also the standard plan, does it cover cancel for any reason or do you have to have a medical issue to cancel?  

Thanks for your answers.  Regarding the insurance, I buy online from a US company, it is not like I go to a local travel agency and buy the cruise.  So it is the fact that I am a BC resident that I can not buy platinum insurance and any international company cannot sell it to any BC resident.  That seems kinda funny to me.  That the disqualifying factor is that I am a BC resident who purchased my cruise through a US company directly.  That really bugs me, it is the principle of the thing.  With world and grand cruises, I purchase them 2 years before and who knows what will happen in that 2 years.  I will pursue it and let you know. 

Who do we contact in BC to complain about not allowing HAL to sell Platinum Insurance?  I understand in October 2023, HAL could no longer offer Platinum Insurance for cruisers.  If I lived in Alberta or Sask or Ontario, I could buy it, but not in BC.  What department or organization do I complain to to reverse this decision.  I was able to purchase it for our last Grand 94 day cruise as we paid for it 6 months in advance.  We hope to go on a Grand or World cruise in the near future and it is nice to have that piece of mind when you are paying over $50,000 each for the cruise. We used the platinum insurance when we had to cancel a 45 day one due to covid. 

So if I live in Alberta, I can get Platinum Insurance on my Alaska cruise leaving from Vancouver or Ft Lauderdale, but as a BC resident, I can't.  I don't think that it has anything to do with the ports.  We usually get Platinum Insurance when we travel a long distance, flight involved, cruise is months out,  etc.  We used our insurance when we had to cancel our big trip 3 days before they shut down everything because of covid. 

My travel medical and cancelation insurance for federal employees is administered out of Ontario, I wonder if that is going to be affected.  

This has something to do with both the BC and Quebec gov't policies or rules. 

Quite a bit involved in cleaning the Hull.  

24 minutes ago, AKJonesy said:

I haven't seen any reports of this problem since January.  If you are concerned you might want to cancel or rebook, but there have been many cruise ships port in NZ since.  Hopefully, these cruise ships are following the protocol that went into effect in 2022 and demonstrating they are mitigating for any potential problem.  

We are on a 94 day cruise around Australia and New Zealand so we are checking this out all paid up and tours booked.  Cruise season for Australia is Oct to Apr, so I was just wondering.   The ships that faced biofouling issues were: Queen Elizabeth, Azamara Quest, Coral Princess, Viking Orion, Regent's Seven Seas Explorer, Silversea's Silver Whisper, P&O Australia's Pacific Explorer and Ponant's Le Laperouse

https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/biofouling-the-issue-plaguing-new-zealands-cruise-industry-this-season/#:~:text=The ships that faced biofouling,Explorer and Ponant's Le Laperouse.

Third Australian cruise in weeks turns into 'nightmare' after fungus outbreak prevents entry into New Zealand

17 minutes ago, AKJonesy said:

This article is pretty old.

This happened in Jan 2023, that's not old.  The requirement come into affect June 2022.

https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/regulations-and-standards/112022-biofouling-and-water-cleaning

https://maritime-executive.com/article/new-zealand-australia-delay-cruise-ship-over-biofouling

We are on the Volendam in Jan 2024 so I am wondering the same thing for Australia and new Zealand.  

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/australia-cruise-ship-fungus-intl-hnk/index.html

My husband and I are booked on a world cruise and are now investigating Canadian Medical Travel Insurance.  We have cancellation insurance but are looking for travel medical for around 96 days.  Most insurance companies do not insure for that many days.  What company have you used for a long cruise and are happy with them?  

Hi we will be going on a Hawaii cruise in April and docking at Kahului on Maui, if things don't change.  What tour would you suggest taking from Kahului?  I looked at this and wondering if anyone has done a hop on hop off tour here.  

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/AttractionProductReview-g29220-d17330086-Morning_Hop_On_Hop_Off_Trolley_Shore_Excursion_Paia_Loop_from_Kahului_Harbor-Maui_H.html

From my understanding is that when a person gets sick on board, the ship (mostly all ships) tries to get the person off the ship as soon as possible to whatever port they are near to.  It is like they don't want to take responsibility. 

Somehow HAL dropped the ball on this one.  They should have made it clear to all the passengers that if they have any symptoms they should report it as it could affect all the passengers.  If it had been reported, all of the passengers would be in quarantine, now there is the possibility that this woman may have spread the virus to multiple countries..  

I really like the way Princess showed what was happening with what ship.  Very well done. Do take a look. 

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/itinerary-modifications-cancellations.html

I bought and Iphone 8 Plus and it takes fantastic pictures and video. I have Nikon Coolpix S9500 that takes good pictures too. I went to Hawaii in Jan and took both. I never used the camera, only the Iphone and I was very happy. I am taking my iphone on this trip, should I also take my camera. I just don't think I will use it.

What would you do?

Thank you.

My husband and I are taking a cruise from Buenos Aires, first stop Montevideo, Uruguay then back to Puerto Madryn, Argentina, then stop in Ushuala, Argentina a week later. On the website it cost $75 for one entry and re-entry from boarding countries or $150 for multiple entries. we are not really re-entering from bordering countries, we are in the water. We are not sure what to get, have you had any experience with that? Any advise would help. Thanks.

Virtualrain, thank you so much for your post. That took a lot of time and effort. I am looking into a trip to Rome and will definately use your info. Thanks again.:)