gubby

Once again, Fouremco, thanks for the info. I DID try to find some links, but the ones I saw did not have the same info that the links you provided. You are such a fountain of knowledge for so many subjects, and impart that knowledge so quickly and easily, I wish there was some way to reimburse. All I can do is help others if I ever am able.

Spouse is now using oxygen due to health reasons. What particular steps do we take in order to book and fly. Does each airline ( Air Canada and United are our standbys) have the same requirements? What do cruiselines( next is HAL) want to know? We have extra preps to make, but still want to cruise as long as we are able. We have great travel insurance, but are there extra questions we should now be asking?

We have used Alliance before. Their coverage was good for cancellation, but they were very slow with payments. However, it is coverage we most want, and in the end, they did pay. At one time, our medical Insurance was also with them, and they covered ALL my spouse's hospital expenses in a private heart institute in Naples, Italy. No complaints with Alliance.

Thanks Jim. I had been looking for this info, so your post was quite timely. I have added the question to my list to our insurance company as that is huge cost if one doesn't have coverage. We were covered by Gobal Excel on our last cruise, and were so happy and impressed with the way our medical emergency was handled. No helicopter evacuated though.

I am not questioning the fee-I just wonder where you found it. These are fees that many would like to know. Is the 50K in US or Can dollars. What country is the pickup?

Thanks for the tips. These are all things we have learned since retiring and travelling a lot more. Re the lounges: so much more relaxing, and worth it. There is no way I would book a flight the same day as cruise, but many people do. Be sure to have good travel insurance- this has saved us thousands in hospital fees.

We did this cruise in May. We filled out the ArriveCan form and printed a copy because I was unsure of internet access 2 days before we boarded the ship in Vancouver. It was never asked for because it shows up when they check your passport. When we flew from Vancouver to Toronto 14 days later, same thing- no one asked. And we had to fly from Anchorage( Whittier) to Vancouver due to a medical crisis. Same dates.

Sorry I know nothing about car rental. However, if available, book the ship's tour. This is a tour that is SO worthwhile, and it would be a shame to miss it. I seldom give any government credit, but did write an actual letter to Tourism Canada for spending some of my tax dollars on this site. There is so much to do and see and learn here. Be sure to dress warmly as the wind can be wicked.

Thanks iancal. I do monitor fare on a regular basis and have talked to my TA about an OBC. after all, she will get a substantial commission from HAL on our return. Still we must pay over 5k in June, and final payment will be substantial. Need to really think about the CFAR., as I am coming up empty about bankruptcy coverage. Will also check into EQ bank.

I also use credit not debit card. If we pay in full by June 1, 2023, HAL gives a 3% discount which is close to the gratuities for one passenger. We have no other discounts, and hope to be able to continue to receive the OBC for Carnival stock. I understand no charge back if company is bankrupt, which is why I am trying to find out how to protect our payment if this does happen. Of course, taking the great cruise would be preferable by far! If we pay by June 1, we do need to buy the CFAR by July 29. It is pricey, but better to receive 90% than lose 100%, less the insurance cost.

Our initial deposit wa 6K for the two of us. This is a 94 day cruise and even though we have booked an inside cabin, the final price is close to 50k Can. for the 2 of us. We have decided this will likely be our final cruise, and because we can do Australia and NZ without the horrendously long flights in either direction ( depart and return is San Diego). We thought at first, that it would be easier to pay about 2K monthly, rather than the final amount all at once. There will be a second payment of over 5K in June 2023, before final payment in October. HAL insurance for CFAR is pricey ( about 6k for 2)but seems better to get 90% of fare returned than losing all. As others have said, if we can't afford to lose the fare, don't book, but bucket list is hard to give up. And we have already booked.As this is just me worrying, it would be good to know all my options

No, I have not heard anything. As I mentioned earlier, it is my worry. The stock has fallen quite low, and even though it picks up every other day, it is still so low, and falls again. Don' t keep up, this is my only stock, but I am a worrier.

It is late, but thanks to all who contributed. My TA contacted HAL who has now refunded all my payments except the refundable deposit. My money now sits back in my bank and will be handed over when due. As that is 10 months away, I will have a better handle on their financial status. Still, it is a full 7 months before sailing. Never heard about bankruptcy insurance for Canadians though, so will have to continue to check for that. We have great medical and cancellation coverage, but the niggle about them going under just sits there.

I dug out my copy of our CC agreement. While I was surprised to read about medical and travel and cancellation insurance, ( only for 4 days for those over 65), there was really nothing in it about how long one had to make a chargeback. There was reference to 30 days, but it was not too clear, and I know no more than I did before reading it. I guess making an appointment with someone at the branch is the next step. Nothing seems to show up with my online enquiries. We had made 4 monthly payments, but decided not to make any more until we can figure this out. Having our TA on vacations is just making things harder to understand. When I get any answer, I will certainly post so others will have some idea as well.

Some really good suggestions. I knew that I would be happy posting this question here. I am trying to contact TD about how my CC can protect me concerning how long I have for a chargeback. Like so many companies now, there is a long wait. My TA is on vacation until August. I will continue to be patient.

We have an expensive Australian cruise booked for 2024. I am a little concerned about financial outlook and want to cover our financial outlay. We have excellent travel, cancellation, medical and interruption insurance, but wonder about how to protect against something like HAL going bankrupt. We would have over 50K invested by final payment. We can buy cruiseline insurance to cover CFAR to cover 90% of expense up to 2 hours before embarkation. Not great, but better than a complete loss. I hope someone has an idea about bankruptcy. Hopefully, I am over reacting, but that represents years of saving, and I want to feel protected.

To OP: While a much minor case than yours, I also had a similar incident with Grand Princess in Alaska in May. My spouse was taken to medical center with breathing problems. The staff took good care if him, but decided he needed to be hospitalized. The ambulance waited over 40 minutes for my bill to be paid. The CC was on file, the medical centre contacted the insurance company, so why the delay? We all know we must pay the bill according to our contract. To this day, almost 2 months later, we are still awaiting delivery of items I neglected in my haste to pack. Little things, but this is mega company and we are elite passengers. I lost a lot of trust in them over this incident. However, as far as medical care goes, they were first rate. My spouse spent a week in Anchorage hospital before flying home, and is back to normal. Good luck to your aunt.

The policy has 2 different types. The least expensive one covers 80% and the other covers 90%, but up to 2 hours before sailing. We will need to seriously read the policies as they are quite pricey, but better than losing 100% of the cost, I think.

ThAnks for the replies. I will check with the bank about CC limit as payment not due for a while yet. But I don't think I will pay any more until I feel more settled about the cruise lines financial health. Someone commented on pre-existing conditions. That is not a worry for us as we have great insurance there. I am only concerned about my prepayment being kept after penalties happen, and I can buy that according to HAL up to final payment. At least that is what I read into the article. Cancel for any reason. Who should I check with about that? The answers here are so helpful, and I am appreciative of everyone's ideas.

I suppose I can ask at the bank tomorrow, but thought about this while reading this thread. We have a very pricey cruise booked and it is over our CC limit. Our thought was to pay some every month and we did start to do that, and made 6 payments. However, I got nervous about stocks dropping and wondered about bankruptcy, so haven't paid any extra in the last 2 months. How do you make a payment that is almost twice the CC limit. Is it possible to deposit the amount in advance or make a couple of early payments to the CC? How early would you arrange this? Is it possible to use 3 or 4 cards to pay for one cruise? We do not have a TA. I appreciate any help. Thanks. By the way, if my nervousness grows, can I have the money transferred back to my bank account if we decide to cancel the cruise and will the bank charge for this? We will buy the insurance before penalties kick in. HAL is the cruise line

So much to think about. The thoughts on here are so welcome, and I really have lots of notes to check out. Thanks everyone.

Thanks for the info. I will start looking in October when we are 11 months out. I am unable to find useful info on Aeroplan site. Is there a better place as flyèr talk won't accept my request.

We have saved Aeroplan Miles in order to book a business class seat to Europe to take a cruise next year. How many days ahead can we, or should the seats be booked? Is there a way to book economy and use Aeroplan to upgrade or do I book using 60K miles per seat? Never have done this before. I appreciate any insights.

Phoned Princess assistance. They promise a return call within 24 hours. Tried to call the number for Grand Princess. I was unable to get through. Not sure what the problem is. Could be due to Canadian cell company, US location and international number. My next try will be trying cruise roll call for someone on board to notify front desk and have them contact us.

I restarted Arrive Canada and my passport and vaccine info WAS retained. Now we need fit to fly note, which means John is much better, and flight info. Thanks for all the positive thoughts