LynnTTT

I think I know the answer, but... With our "get it all"  TA this October, we get 3 excursions , but I think each has to be $199 or less and we can't use more than o\two to get a $ 200 excursion, for example.

 Anyone know if you can "top off" for more expensive tour?  In other words, use one and then pay $29.99 for example to book a $128,99 excursion?

We are on the October TA which was to include St Petersburg. That stop was cancelled of course and we decided we'll never go to Russia, even if allowed on cruises or for regular tourist travel.  They can't be rewarded or forgiven so easily

On a cruise in September we were bumped from an OV to a balcony without charge ,  We have a TA cruise in October with a guaranteed Inside cabin and I'm hoping the same thing happens again. Who knows

16 hours ago, crystalspin said:

@LynnTTTI may have misread your post and you are not ON the Noordam but booked to be on her later?

 

Aha! I found the thread on Have It All &MORE, and the experience of all contributing is that the HIA&M is being tested on ALASKA cruises! This will work out better for you than paying the difference to Elite for everyday. The posters who were already onboard an Alaska cruise showed a photo of a signboard on a bartop "advertising" the deal.

That will probably be fine.  We leave on the Noordam on July 10 from Vancouver. We still may try to upgrade if we can keep from ordering a drink as soon as we step aboard!

It's strange.  The HA pages mention coffees only under the Elite plan description, not on the Signature. I'd like to switch to the Elite anyway, since it's only $5 per day more, but have heard it's hard to do

Can't figure it out.  We're on a Noordam Alaska cruise and have the Signature beverage package wich specifies drinks up to $ 11.  Does this include speciality drinks like coffee?  In the cafes?  

On 6/10/2022 at 12:27 PM, jm485 said:

I think we are on the same trip as you, Lynn.

 

I had to travel to London earlier this year and bought the Binax test kits that include a monitoring service. The morning before I flew home, I logged on with my computer and took the test in my hotel room.

 

We’ll also be in Vancouver for a few days, so planning to do the same thing one morning. It was pretty quick and easy. I bought the tests from Optum store, but I think there are other places you can get them. 
 

ETA: the tests including monitoring are $33 each at Optum 

  To correct, we leave Vancouver on July 10; July 6 is the day we fly in.

My concern with the monitored testing is that it all depends on your wifi, right? I think that we'll order the monitored tests, but try to get the HA offered tests.  And maybe go ahead and get tested while in Vancouver for those three days. We got updates from HA today and they don't even mention the testing requirement!! On well, four weeks to go!

We have a cruise leaving Vancouver on July 6. Flying into Canada from the US is no longer a problem, but HA requires a monitored Covid tests within 2 or 3 days of boarding the ship.  WE'll be  in Vancouver for several days before embarking so we'll probably need testing done there... Which is really expensive.

HA poted on the cruise web page that there may be tests available at the ship that day, but you can't sign up til ten days before.  Any advice?  

23 hours ago, LynnTTT said:

My husband and I (ages 74 and 73) will take two big trips this year (Alaska and Europe) and probab;y another ealy next year. I have already priced out single trip insurance and then decided to get a quote for an annual policy.  Used Insuremytrip website.  Turns out that an annual policy woulf be much cheaper for better limits!  I called the insurer and she confirmed the quote, that that plan was available in my state and that the premium didn't use age in the calculation.  Does inc;ude "epidemiccoverage.".   What am I missing? 

   Here's an update.  I have reviewed the full policy and especially the pre-existing conditions coverage. And looked at some other companies policies. Basically, the "waivers" are only given:  1) if you purchase coverage right after booking and paying at least a deposit  The premiums for both these trips were actually paid last year and applied to these trips as future cruise credits. Or 2) you book a new trip after you have the travel policy in effect.  Or 3) continous coverage

At our ages, we naturally have some health issues. My husband has a pacemaker, but has had no issues with it in the past 120 days. Has type 2 diabetes and had a recent regular doctor visit who changed his prescriptions .  If he has a stroke, will they decline coverage ?  Who knows. 

Anywhooo, we will pay about $ 1,000 for an annual policy. Have an Alaska trip, then Europe and TA cruise and will probably book something big for Spring.   That trip would then have the "waiver"

You only have one life and we will travel as long as we can. 

My husband and I (ages 74 and 73) will take two big trips this year (Alaska and Europe) and probab;y another ealy next year. I have already priced out single trip insurance and then decided to get a quote for an annual policy.  Used Insuremytrip website.  Turns out that an annual policy woulf be much cheaper for better limits!  I called the insurer and she confirmed the quote, that that plan was available in my state and that the premium didn't use age in the calculation.  Does inc;ude "epidemiccoverage.".   What am I missing? 

WE'll be on the Noordam in July for the 12 day Triple Denali, departing Vancouver.

Can anyone confirm the "dressy Captains dinner night"??  I know it won't be vert formal but the food id better.  We want to book a  speciality restaurant for a sea day.

If you get room service 3x everyday on a week long cruise and tip $3 every time, it's less than $70. We always tip well to servers. 

I never use pill boxes etc for pills.  I buy the little 1 1/2" plastic bags from Amazon that people use for jewelry beads.  Very cheap.  I use a bag for each days AM and PM pills.  I write AM or PM on each little packet and then put them all in one big bag.  Very easy to pull out a bag every morning and at bedtime.

I've done this for trips up to one month. Much easier and adds virtually no extra weight.

On 2/21/2022 at 5:27 PM, highscar said:

Because the soda card is no longer available I’m thinking of a beverage  card.  How many cans of soda would I get for the $100.00 card. What is the price of a can. I know it can be used for other drinks.  

We already have the Signature Beverage Package for a 7 day cruise.  Since the price is only $ more per day to go to the Elite Package (I hopre) I plan to do this by phone . It appears worth it for an upgrade in alcoholic bevereges, but also for much more coffee options.

Why take a chance?

Our cruise isn't until Sunday, September 26, but we have already ordered the test kit.  And we will get the 16 minute rapid test at home on Friday morning I hope.  I called the testing center, but they said they won't make a reservation until three days before.  I may make an appointment in FT Lauderdale also!!  Hopefully they will begiving the tests on a Saturday. 

27 days till a 12 night on the Celebrity Equinox.  Got the booster and plenty of masks. Will drive so no scary airport. 

On 8/21/2021 at 11:15 AM, PTC DAWG said:

Cruising is not a right. Cruise lines can deny anyone from boarding for any reason. 

  I agree.  There are cruise companies that are not requiring vaccination. Go for them

Cekebrity is mostly for older folks and since kids will be just starting classses I doubt there will be that many kids.  And 13 is a tricky age. Might like the club abd might hate it. And I would never pay $ 5,000 for a four day cruise1!!

Go when more kids will be on boaf and book a balcony at the very most.

My two cents

I've been carrying the original in my wallet, but I think I'll keep the original with my passport and carry a copy. 

can someone clarify:  if you must take a ship's excursion does tha mean that passengers are not allowed off the ship?

We are fairly new to Princess. We are planning on booking a Transatlantic on the new Enchanted Princess next April.  We plan on an inside or balcony cabin. Is this "medallion enhancement" for all cabins? 

And what is better about a "Medallion ship"?  And I hate all these new special restaurants because it may be that they then skimp on the included/no surcharge dining spots
 

On 6/18/2021 at 5:57 PM, leerathje said:

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/06/16/court-rules-on-cruise-industry-restrictions

 

On the news this morning, there was an "on-board" report from the Celebrity Edge which had just set sail. Many in masks.  I also read that unvaccinated passengers on cruises will have to segregate in certain areas, be tested etc. 

Why not just get the damn shot?

 

We were booked on the 24 day Rotterdam transatlantic, leaving Amsterdam on Oct 10.  They notified us by email that the cruise was shortened to just 14 days and that the price would be prorated so same price per day.  That was silly, because the first 10 days were very short distances, so low fuel usage.  We were considering cancelling altogether.

I just checked HA website and found that we have been formally rebooked and that the price has been adjusted.  Lowered substantially per day and puts this 14 night cruise in line with other TA cruise.  So I guess we'll keep it. Now I've added more days to stay in Amsterdam, which will be great.

Sorry, but I am not happy.  We were on the Rotterdam, leaving Amsterdam on the TA on October 10.  The first part of the itinerary was the best part. Before sailing, we were traveling and I have made five different reservations in Rome, Sorrento, Cinque Terra, Paris and the Amsterdam. 

Now they have cancelled the first 10 days.

I'll be cancelling the TA.  Not interested in the 14 night itinerary. 

What's really aggravating is that we were originally on the Norwegian TA leaving Rome Nov 2 and they cancelled that and I have had to rebook everything one time already!!

I think the companies just feel safer doing Caribbean cruises from the US. Maybe Covid will bounce back in Europe and will be too hard to handle safely.