bsrkent

We are interested in the topic, this ship, and the previous discussion. Can't seem to find how to subscribe to this thread.

Thought I would post and return by that means. We have deposited and itinerary on this ship in June in the Great lakes.

On 6/12/2020 at 2:44 PM, AtMaui said:

I read a post somewhere that said if you were making dinner reservations, they could only include people in the same suite.  I'm on the Whisper in November with two friends and we all have our own suite.  So we can't have dinner together?  

And I suspect that it's the usual suspects, too!

Sorry, we'll miss you, as we are hopeful for the Shadow crossing in November.

Best to all 

11 minutes ago, LoriPhil said:

bsrkent - who do you typically use to provide your coverage?

Usually Travel Guard or TripAssure based on my deposit timing and Dasseos' updated advise. All policy terms are not the same and they also continue to add and delete coverage(s)

39 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

The AARP discount for MJA is available if you purchase it through a travel insurance broker such as

www.TripInsuranceStore.com - who are terrific in terms of answering questions about all sorts of insurance issues.

 

We get MJA annual policy, because it covers any trip (for USA based travelers) more than 150 miles from home.  So in addition to any "vacations", we have coverage for business trips and for trips to visit family/friends, or just a weekend of theatre, etc.

 

We get our regular policies through TIS from Travel Insured.

We've just had another reimbursement for a 14 day Med cruise (MIL landed in the ER with heart trouble days before we were supposed to leave, unfortunately).

 

We get coverage within a few days of making the FIRST deposit, although we only need to insure that small amount until we make other non-refundable payments.  That way, we have coverage for any pre-existing conditions. That also speeds up the claims process in some cases, because the insurer doesn't need to check through any old medical records, etc.

 

Third party insurance often provides better coverage than cruise line insurance, and it pays cash back, not any "credit" that might have deadlines to be used.

Some insurers will try to work with the provider to guarantee payment.

 

However, our MAIN concern in any medical emergency would be to get FAST care, and not wait for insurers or such to coordinate.  So high limits on charge cards would be good for starters, but one should have time at that point, once immediate care is started, to contact the insurer.  In a true medical emergency, we'd just want to hand over a good credit card, and say "Charge it please!!"

 

GC

Geezer,

Just a point to clarify... www.TripInsuranceStore.com or 'TIS' is Steve Dasseos... the owner. A valuable resource.

1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

It really is easy to figure out the breakeven.  If I can do it, anyone can.    In all seriousness, it's very easy to do.

 

Keith

Keith,

I may not have expressed my point very well... the analysis is also a comparison of the per event coverage/terms to the MedJet plan(s), that I understand may be different / more strict. Are you familiar with the differences? I am not.

Also having that Guru/advisor back home for claims assistance may be very helpful in time of need.

The MedJet decision should best be based on the average number of travel days per year, to determine the break even point vs per event coverage. The Guru can help with that analysis as well.

Just for context, we generally pay less than $250 per trip for $1 million foreign medical and evacuation (to hospital of our choice, IE US) coverage.

We self insure all the trip cancellation (fare forfeiture) risks prior to departure... but that is only about a 120 day exposure period, if you think about it.

Safe travels... consult an expert, then do what makes you feel best on this topic, Kathy.

Oh Yes... and I see the VIP goods have arrived too. I'm happy that you are being wow'ed

Hey stranger how you doing

 

We're great, thanks. Did the Cloud East Africa this spring and are still finishing a year long, tile roof hail claim caused home remodel. Belated BDay wishes to the bingo lady, who has been staying in touch with Barb, I think. We really do need to sail together again... and soon! Our very best to you both.

Okay... we're in! What time do we leave...

Was Colin Brown on the Wind?

Yes, and I think most of this group crewed the Wind prior to its World Cruise. He is a long time Silversea (~10 yr) CD.

Thanks so much for your kind and very complete reply... many new names for the first lady of the fleet!

Can you tell us who were / are the major players... officers and staff... while cruising South Africa?

We'll be on board toward the end of the month and are hoping for many familiar faces.

I always liked the great line 'it was Gianni's ship he just let Mino drive it'

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

The photos of my T shirts were removed, probably by administrators, as it caused some disagreements with other cruisers.

Really looking forward to seeing you and Larry in the spring!

I did get a Sony RX-10 and love it!

So what have you gotten yourself into now!! Isn't that the purpose of the shirts!

Miss the ol' gang and the crossing...

Best to all

Wow, Candy... great stuff and thanks for sharing.

We may need to have El Larro drop our camera for us too!

Not that I have a great deal interest or enthusiasm in roll calls but this is not the right part of the board for one. You need to go to the Silversea Roll Call section and check for or start one there. Be prepared for what might be less than robust participation.

Trust me Randy, David knows the difference. Me thinks he is trying to spark some interest here because the Cloud is so quiet over there... very sedate crowd.

And it worked too... okay, Barb and I are going... any body else?

So we leave you guys on your own for a couple of days and this is what happens!!!

Your pix remain outstanding... thanks for sharing.

We don't understand it here... no one is making our bed each morning??

Hope you at least enjoyed your digs on this segment. Best to El Larro and safe travels home.

Ain't the internet a great form of communication!

bsrKent -- Will you be on the Barcelona to Rome portion? If so, I might see you in Monte Carlo.

Victoria,

So sorry to be tardy... but we have been forced to give up 5 hours, so far, and I have very little yet to give!!

Unfortunately we (working wife) are off in BCN, but I have heard of your 'girls only' plan, and certainly hope you enjoy the adventure.

Our very best to you & Bob, and I'm sure we'll sail together again soon... must be the similar taste.

More banter later when we are on proper hardware/software... but the internet speeds have been rather good... a pleasant surprise.

Confirming Spins excellent work... the ship, crew, food and company (including many past shipmates) have all been wonderful. It does feel a great deal like coming home! More detail upon our return...

Hmmmm which whisky might you bring????

I bet we can find something we can enjoy again... make a few more memories... the fun is in the sharing and with that scenery...

Hi Miriam,

Thanks again for your efforts on this one... it's a while 'til then, but put us down as a 'definite maybe' and we will be following this thread intently.

/Steve & Barb

Yes, Dauntless, 'Remember the Alamo' or is it PC to say that any more with all the Hispanic, illegal immigration stuff going on these days. Often wonder just who decides what is PC anyway... but I digress

When I attempted to edit my post last night, for clarity, I still don't think I may had made it clear. The point is/was that the bus escort and the Berlin guide arrange the place and time for the guide pick up (the Palace is on the outskirts of Berlin) and the guide drop off (the check point is more center of town) where your 'free time' begins and ends. These points/times may vary based on travel time, traffic, available parking... and all of this is transparent to Viking, as it happens based on conditions at the time.

It is possible to have ~ 4 hrs of free time in Berlin, if your private guide meets you at the bus guide pick up point, then drops you at the prearranged drop off spot by the bus departure time. This was done by a couple on our bus who indicated that the bus guide was very helpful using her own cell to coordinate.

Lastly, keep in mind that were the first Viking Ocean bus tour visitors to Berlin, well one of three bus loads that left at staggered 15 minute departures and all taking a different amount of time to complete the round trip, so things may have adapted some. Again.. HTH

So here is the issue with the included Berlin tour... it is really two tours from two different companies.

The round trip bus transportation is one company that provides a union driver and an escort, who is usually a young language student to help with translations. They drive you the 3+ hr trip with one bathroom stop (have euro coins) to Charlottenburg Palace, where the driver took a break and where a local guide from another company came on board the bus for a 2+hr Berlin city bus tour, with a couple of photo stops (off the bus) that ended with your Berlin 'free time' of ~ 2+hr. We were to meet up with the bus (and escort) at a predetermined time near check point Charlie for the return 3+hr , with bathroom stop, ride back to the port. The escort was very young and mostly silent, the Berlin guide was experienced and excellent.

Some members on our bus had made plans for private guides or local friends for lunch and they were assisted by cell phone either by the escort or local guide to arrange meeting times and locations.

Like all of our other Viking included excursions the results varied widely based on the luck of the draw for your individual guide... our escort was pretty poor, our union driver dominated events, but our Berlin guide was excellent. We were on one of three buses (each ~75% full) and other buses got different results so YMMV but all were helpful for different private plans once in Berlin, as they each arrange their own pick-up drop-off locations by cell, unknown to Viking.

While, of course, we would have liked more time in the city, but all things considered this was a pretty good value.

Hope this helps...

Wow, what a frustrating experience with customer service (not)... you will probably be needing to sleep with your psychiatrist now!!

You and Larro have a great experience in northern Europe.

We're just back from the Viking Star in that area and only needed a fleece vest and something for the wind now and then.

SPG was spectacular, one of the best ports ever... we saw most everything, from the Peterhof to the subways, with a private 2 day tour for just 8 of us. We had no problems or delays at passport control, with plenty of staffing for our smaller ship. I really thought they were trying harder to be good to the tourists!

Lastly, Tallinn will be a very pleasant surprise for you... it certainly was for us.

As Wes says... we also wish you fair winds, following seas... but also smooth flights and easy layovers.

Looking for some great sea mail,

Steve & Barb