klfrodo

How would one know that? Thats a very good question. Most of us know that because the first time we ran across the problem, we stood in the wrong line at the wrong counter and found out the hard way. Then, we shared our experience and newfound knowledge with others such as this forum.

We had a small group tour this past summer at the Harry Potter Studio near London. Many times, there would be people not part of the group who would listen in which wasn't really a problem. However, if they continued to follow as the tour moved on, or they would try to push their way in to get closer, the Studio employees would gently inform them that this was a private tour, and they would generally get embarrassed (because they didn't know it was private) and move on.

Here's what I can say about my recent experience using Digital ID. My trip was to Mexico (Cabo) on Alaska Airlines. I download the Airside App (at Alaska Airlines suggestion) On the Airside App, I uploaded my passport. I uploaded my Washington State Enhanced driver's license. I even uploaded my vaccination records. I then told Airside that I give them permission to send document verification to Alaska Airlines (along with my confirmation code) 72 hours prior to departure. When I arrived at SEATAC, all hard copy documentation went into my carry-on. When I checked in, Alaska had all my documents electronically. Did not have to show hard copy of anything. When we went to TSA, I opened the Airside app and created a 1 time QR code. TSA read the QR code, and I passed thru security. At the gate, there was a huge line of people where the gate agents were visually checking passports. When the line dies down, I approached and asked if I needed to be verified, they checked their records and said No. I was already verified. The technology is out there. Are there bugs? Of course there are, it's new. Will it become more advanced and utilized more? Of course. Technology is always moving forward. It wasn't that long ago that mobile boarding passes were a new thing. I remember being turned away at TSA at DFW for my return flight to SEA because DFW didn't have the ability to capture mobile boarding pass information. I had to get out of line, to get a hard copy boarding pass.

Well Hank, you took my initial post way past its intentional thought process. I was limiting my intentions to cruises within WHTI. I just used this process of Digital ID to depart the US (nobody saw my hardcopy passport) to Mexico. In Mexico, we did have to show hard copy passport to enter. When returning, it was all biometric. Passports never came out of my carryon. Can't think of any reason why I couldn't jump on a cruise ship in Miami and do a 7-day cruise around the Caribbean with just a Digital ID other than the cruise lines would need to adapt the technology. They are already beginning the process with biometric scanners. I remember my father telling me that his dad tore up his Buck Rogers comic book because space travel was science fiction. (Unfortunately, grandpa passed a couple of months before Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon.) I remember my father telling me that a computer will never be small enough to fit in your house. And now, I hear you telling me that the world is too big for Digital ID and paperless travel. I disagree. I think we're 10 years away for 80% of our worldwide travel needs. To include any visa's, ETIAS, ETA, or any other Entry/Exit program.

Since TSA now accepts Digital ID, and airlines now accept Digital ID as proof of valid passport prior to boarding an international flight,,, I’m wondering when cruise lines will accept Digital ID at check in for boarding.

Thanks for the correction

I'm not Steve and I'm sure he will correct me if I'm wrong. My research tells me that GeoBlue Trekker is "Secondary", which means that they will reimburse you after your other policies either pay or deny. Therefore, you would file an initial claim with your Medicare policy, wait for the denial letter, then file the claim with GeoBlue. What I've done in the past when I had a claim that I knew would be denied by my Medicare plan was to put in the claim that I understood that it would be denied and asked them to expedite the denial so I could initiate my claim with the secondary insurance. That did seem to hurry them along with the denial letter. I think I had the denial within a couple of weeks.

My thought is that this is exactly why one uses a broker to help us understand the intricacies of travel insurance. I would think that with this scenario, you're now getting into the nitty gritty of the terms and conditions that few of us know let alone understand. Two policies that now put you in the middle of fighting over which policy has priority in each and every conceivable instance. Maybe one has hidden language that says something about they don't work with other insurance policies. The laws of each and every State, Province, Country all working against the consumer. Sure, it will get worked out eventually but that could be years down the road. The time and energy it takes to file a claim, knowing or not knowing that the policy MUST receive a denial from various policies before you have to file again with a different company so they can deny, to file with a 3rd, to receive partial reimbursement, so you can go back to the 1st or 2nd, to receive another partial. Why not just pay a little more initially, to get 1 policy that is Primary and get it over with.

If I just HAD to be BACK that day, I'd feel comfortable with the 12:15 flight.

Yes and thanks to you, I just updated and made some changes in my profile security settings.

You are correct and everyone should do this. There are backdoors to this though. One could look thru your friends list, find a family member, follow the family members posts where they inadvertently talk about you going on vacation or sharing other information about you. Looking thru their pictures to find family gatherings at your house etc. Of course this is worst case scenario, but we all share too much.

I think this is a good opportunity to educate people on social media as a whole. We put too much personal information out there to include myself. Albeit I am aware of it and trying to do better. There is a name for it. Something about Open Source Intelligence. I've been on this board since it was an AOL chat room. Over those years, it is likely that I've given out so much information that a rouge actor could piece meal my information and know way too much about me. Even FB sometimes has those games where you share the name of your first pet, or your first car, or maybe your high school. Well, for most of us, those could be our security questions that some websites ask in case you need to change your password. So, just be aware and don't give out too much information.

Haven't heard of an exception but that doesn't mean there are not work arounds. But let's ask ourselves why there may be hard limits. Insurance & liability. Since this is a ship sponsored excursion, this means that Carnival has vetted, researched, and received guidance from their legal team about this activity. Carnival has probably been advised that there needs to be an age limit to protect themselves from liability after consultation with the insurance company. What could be a work around? Investigate further to see if you can find the vendor that Carnival is using. You "might" be able to book directly with them to get around the age limit.

@CDNPolar Must be a Canadian thing. I've currently have a policy locked in for a trip that is more than a year out. The trip is for August 2025. I locked in the policy in April 2023 to ensure I get the pre-existing condition waiver.

Interesting question. I highlighted the above section regarding the default. My policy from the US has a "definition" embedded in the policy for the word "default" (can't copy & paste) It basically defines it as total cessation of operations due to insolvency with or without the filing of a bankruptcy petition..... My initial thoughts would be there is some kind of recovery process but not under the default provision. The cruise was canceled for other reasons than the company insolvency probably. Looking forward to hearing others thoughts.

For educational purposes only With your vast 20+ years of experience, could you share the top 2 or 3 mistakes people with travel insurance make that either cause you to SMH or cause the biggest problems with their claims. Also, share what they could have done differently to have made the claim process easier. Or, maybe you've covered this in a blog that you could provide a link to. Thanks

I'll give my experience and maybe a couple of suggestions. I look at travel insurance as a risk sharing venture. Not that I want to lose money or give it away, but what can I afford to lose vs. what can I not even attempt to risk. Airfare - If I have to cancel do I lose it all or will my airline just give me a credit I can use for future flight? Hotel - Instead of pre-paying, can I just make the reservation and pay when I get there? Cruise - Can I afford to eat the cost of the cruise if something comes up? Medical/Evacuation - Can I afford to pay up front for any medical emergency that may arise and then transportation back home? Myself? Fortunately, I'm in a place where I can risk everything but the medical. Medical can bankrupt me. Therefore, I share the risk for any potential medical emergency. The rest, I self-insure. In your case (and we don't know much about you), you can buy the insurance now and then as known additional cost that you want to insure are finalized, you can call the insurance company to increase your coverage. But also know that if you require any pre-existing medical condition waivers or a Cancel for any Reason rider, you may be required to cover ALL nonrefundable costs. The need for this is based on the rules and regulations of the state you reside in.

Just be educated on exactly what cruise line air arrangements are and more importantly, what they are not. Many many people find that cruise line air arrangements make travel simpler and more affordable. However, there can be pitfalls if one is not aware. Myself? I might consider cruise air when all my miles run out for international travel. It's not even a consideration for domestic travel. The following link provides great information about cruise line air and deviation. The thread is old but still relevant today.

Actually for Canadians, the correct URL is Travel Insurance - Quote, Compare & Buy - InsureMyTrip.ca

You might want to go to the Insurance board here on CruiseCritic. I'll also put out a call to @CDNPolar who may be of some help. One of the problems that you "may" be running into is that cruise line policies include CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) coverage. I know at one time, there was a certain Province in Canada (and a couple of States in the US) that did not allow policies with CFAR to be included because they didn't feel that CFAR coverage fit their definition of insurance.

DOT also just set up or has had set up a website to check by airline what their current policies are. Can be found here Airline Customer Service Dashboard | US Department of Transportation

Along with what's already been said, please define "Worth It" to you. Out of 100 people, there are probably 100 different answers to Worth It.

Does the Carnival Venezia have a sports bar like Royal Caribbeans Playmakers on the ship?

Gotta love all the hardcore apologists coming up with any defense imaginable with their unwavering support NCL. Or any other cruise line for that matter. NCL's Free at Sea is nothing more than a marketing tool. Just as Carnivals "Fun Ships" is a marketing tool. NCL's drink package works for some but not all. Carnivals drink package works for some but not all. RCCL's drink package, same as above. The sycophants need to give it a break. NCL may be good, but they are not the best to all.