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klfrodo

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Everything posted by klfrodo

  1. By International Treaty, you will not be billed for emergency medical evacuation from a ship. 960.PDF (imo.org) Evacuation (or air ambulance) from a land based facility or repatriation is another thing.
  2. D60 is the last gate of a huge terminal. Plan on a long walk. North Terminal (Concourse D) Shop+Dine · Miami International Airport (MIA) (shopmiamiairport.com)
  3. Thank you for putting this into words. I do sail on the mass market lines. I could afford to sail on the higher end lines but choose not to. Mostly due to being uncomfortable in a higher end setting. Even when we cruise with Royal, we do sail in a GS or higher. I enjoy the extra room and a few of the amenities. I even feel uncomfortable in the Concierge/Suite lounge. For some reason I feel as though I don't belong. So, I asked ChatGPT to help me put into words why I don't feel comfortable. This is how AI explained it. "I often reflect on my journey from a very humble, if not impoverished, background to where I am today, having achieved financial success. While I'm incredibly proud of my accomplishments, I sometimes find it challenging to connect with those who lead lavish lifestyles. It's as if I'm straddling two worlds, one of hardship and resilience and the other of opulence and excess, and navigating the contrast can be quite unsettling. It's not that I'm ungrateful for my success, but rather, I'm still grounded in the values and experiences of my past. This contrast between my roots and my present reality sometimes leaves me feeling like I'm on the outside looking in when I'm surrounded by extravagant displays of wealth." Yes, in my mind, even the Concierge lounge counts for lavish lifestyle. If I'm uncomfortable there, can you imagine if I were to sail on Seabourn or Cunard?
  4. Just a quick research on Assist America. My opinion only is that they appear to be a competitor of Medjet Assist. They don't provide travel insurance or any medical coverage, they are there to you for assistance in finding medical care or to assist you after medical care has been received, to include translation services and transportation back home if required. The above poster Saberline could have been greatly served with such an add on service had they been a member. Myself? I have Medjet Assist. The biggest issue with having this additional membership is remembering you have it when you find yourself in a medical emergency and your mind is going 1000 mph with the current situation going on with yourself or a loved one.
  5. My opinion only (and may get deleted due to antiquated policies) A few years back, this site was a big driver (still only about 5% of cruisers) for cruise lines and it was a good marketing scheme to promote and thank the cruise critic population with a sponsored gathering. As time has gone on, other social media sites are taking over and draining the cruise critic popularity. Therefore, the cruise line marketing teams no longer see a value in sponsoring a cruise critic meet and greet.
  6. A direction I would consider is that AON coverage does include Quarantine under Trip Interruption. So as an example only let's say the cruise was $1000 per person, that breaks down to $100 a day for a 10 day cruise. That would be $300 for the 3 days your trip was interrupted by the quarantine. MINUS whatever the cruiseline reimbursed you in the form of OBC. However, AON isn't even going to consider that unless you actually file for the reimbursement (under Trip Interruption) separately from the medical reimbursement. If another person in the same cabin was quarantined due to close proximity, I would think they need to file a separate claim. Whomever sold you the policy should be in a position to help answer any questions. If not, consider going a different direction next time with travel insurance needs. If you don't get any satisfaction, you can always file a complaint against AON thru your State Insurance Commission or Board. That location would be here Getting Help (ca.gov)
  7. So I asked this question on Chat GBT "Can my phone be hacked if I'm on an unsecure open wifi connection" NOTE: Before I copy and paste the answer, just note that the answer is generated by AI. The validity and/or correctness of the answer has to be verified by yourself. Myself? I never use a public wifi connection unless I have to and if I do, I will always use a VPN as an additional layer of security. VPN does slow down connectivity.. ChatGPT's answer: "Yes, it is possible for your phone to be hacked or compromised when connected to an unsecured open Wi-Fi network. When you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network, your data is transmitted without encryption, making it easier for malicious actors to intercept and potentially manipulate your data. Here are some ways your phone could be compromised on an unsecured Wi-Fi network: Eavesdropping: Cybercriminals can use readily available tools to intercept and monitor the data transmitted over the network. This includes capturing your login credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: Attackers can position themselves between your device and the websites or services you are accessing, allowing them to intercept and modify the data flowing between you and the intended server. This can enable them to steal information or inject malicious code into your communications. Malware Distribution: Malicious actors might set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots with names similar to legitimate ones to lure users into connecting. Once connected, they may distribute malware to your device. DNS Spoofing: Attackers can manipulate the DNS (Domain Name System) settings on the network, redirecting your web traffic to malicious sites without your knowledge. Session Hijacking: If you are logged into sensitive accounts while connected to an unsecured network, an attacker could hijack your active sessions and gain unauthorized access to your accounts."
  8. Proves my point. Who gives a crap what is required in the US. You weren't in the US. You were in France where people speak French. Entitled much?
  9. I might have left that part out of my story. It kind of screams ENTITLED UGLY AMERICAN HERE! I'm just thinking that you are blessed to be able to take multiple European vacations, tragedy strikes and your husband's life is saved by the medical professionals in Paris. After 11 days the bill is only $17K, and what do I hear? The professionals who saved my husband's life don't speak English. I'd have been google translating the crap out of things plus doing my Babble and Duo-Lingo and becoming fluent in French for 11 days. It's not on them to speak English to you. Would have been more comfortable though. I would bet a lot of money that some of them do speak some English, but maybe there was some attitude from both parties on expectations. You had a GREAT story to tell, and at the end, this is what I'll remember. Very glad to hear your husband survived his medical scare.
  10. I see no problem with communities social engineering the tourism industry to what they desire and their tax base calls for.
  11. That's about as far as I read. Everything after is an excuse. The maximum effective range of an excuse is 0 meters. Late = Rude
  12. Yes, it's an open network. Therefore, the security risk is real. How concerned one should be is up to each individual and their risk tolerance level.
  13. OP is from the UK. Completely different rules and regulations. I don't think Medicare or UHC information will be much help to the OP.
  14. It's always been rude. Service in the military taught me that if you're not early, then you must be late.
  15. Before I retired, my job took me to Alaska and Hawaii too many times to count. I spent many a day as a non-tourist in cities, towns, and villages where cruise ships port for the day. I've also cruised with my family to many of these same port stops. The majority of these folks feel the same as anyone else in any other city or town across the US where the township may schedule events. Roads/sidewalks are going to be crowded, stay away during this time frame if you can. If you can't schedule your time to avoid the crowds, just be aware. If your job or business is to cater to these crowds, then enjoy the additional revenue. Just like current politics though, each community can have its own very vocal minority.
  16. I'm not one who you asked this question to but let me share my experience if I may. I reached out to my insurance company and asked some very specific questions such as 1. Can I have the out of country hospital bill you direct? No, you pay up front and then file for reimbursement. 2. Will you do an emergency upfront loan or letter of ability to pay if I don't have the funds to pay upfront? No 3. After I have been evacuated to an emergency facility and lifesaving treatment has been completed, will you pay for me to be evacuated back home for continued care? No 4. Will you completely reimburse me at full rates charged for services received? Policy is to reimburse at Usual and Customary. 5. If I die, will you reimburse for repatriation of my remains? No With the answers to these questions, I have decided that my best interest is served if I purchase a Travel Insurance policy that pays as "Primary" and keep my Medicare policy as a backup plan. I purchase all my travel insurance plans thru Steve at Get the Best Trip Insurance Details, Advice (tripinsurancestore.com)
  17. A few questions but first of all a comment. If you look at reviews for any Travel Insurance company, you would never buy travel insurance. Why? Cause people are pissed when their claims are denied for something that wasn't even a covered event. Now to the questions. 1. What were the covered travel dates? Are you 100% sure that the pre-cruise dates were even covered. I ask because many policies bought from the cruise lines direct only are effective for the dates of the cruise. 2. Are you 100% positive that "Trip Interruption" was the correct claim to file? I'm thinking that if you filed under "Trip Delay", that might be a more appropriate claim. See definitions and/or explanation of the difference here. Get the Best Trip Insurance Details, Advice (tripinsurancestore.com) 3. If you are pretty/kinda sure that your claim should be covered, you can always file a complaint with your State Insurance Commission whose job it is to protect citizens of each State from getting hosed over by insurance companies. The web site for Tennessee would be here File a Complaint (tn.gov)
  18. I think that since she's a married woman, the decision of what to do should be hers. There is no she/we in the decision-making process. Mom and/or Dad should just step back and worry about other things. Now, were DD asking this question, I would suggest that she keep everything as is and use her passport for ID. All reservations and bookings are made. Why take the chance of someone screwing something up by putting more fingers into the reservation pie.
  19. Would I like to have cream or Half & Half for my coffee in the morning? Yes. Do I expect it? No Your expectations are too high if you expect to travel internationally and expect foods, spices, and condiments to be the same everywhere in the world as you have at home. Just returned from 3 weeks in Europe and a 13 day cruise. I am currently sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee the way I prefer it and looking forward to a glass full of ice with some cola in it.
  20. I cancelled my "Refreshment" package on 28 September due to price drop for Deluxe Drink Package on Anthem on that day. The "Refreshment" package amount was credited back to my original card on 4 October. So, 6 calendar days or 3 or 4 business days.
  21. I’ve returned and sitting at DFW now waiting on my connecting flight. The walk from the plane to Immigration was fairly short. At Immigration (We have GE), you don’t even need your passport anymore at the Global Entry kiosk. Just walk up to the machine, facial recognition takes care of the rest. We then proceeded to an Immigration office who just waived us thru. Next was baggage claim. After claiming your luggage, you exit between carousel 4 & 5. There was no Customs as I’ve experienced in the past. We just exited. (I’m sure there are Customs agents watching for certain signs or personal tendencies) Stay to the left to recheck luggage to all airlines. Stay to the right to exit the airport. Next for us, since we were reconnecting, we had to pass thru security check point. General security had a huge line after dropping off luggage, Pre-Check was a much further walk to the left after entering the main concourse. This line was long for us also. 15 minute wait.
  22. You have resources at your disposal for emergency medical treatment and evacuation back to the US?
  23. Not sure what you mean by how do they work. From the guest point of view, once on board the ship, the ship bills your on board account the total amount of the suggested gratuities. You do nothing from there.
  24. I’m currently on Anthem of the Seas doing a 12 or 13 night Canary Island cruise from Southampton. I have a CSR (Chase Sapphire Reserve) card on file for my on board charges. So far, every single charge on board is also hitting my CSR card and showing as “pending”. The “pendings” fall off after 7 days. I only provide this information to give a live example of how some cards and some cruise lines work “holds” or “ pendings”. If one has a low limit card, expect the holds to reduce your available credit. Plan on only using half of the available credit amount and expect the other half to be used for “Pending”.
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