alc13

We booked some refundable fares recently on American Airlines, and discovered that it doesn't mean they return your money. Instead they give you certificates for future flights (and separate certificates for each traveler, regardless of who booked and paid for them). Very misleading, and not really the meaning of the word "refundable." Anyway, be careful how that term is used when if/when you book those flights.

That's crystal clear, thanks for the link! This is a fair policy, in my opinion. I gather there are reasons having to do with income tax laws around the world for distinguishing between service charge income and salary/wage income. The important thing is that the staff are adequately compensated. Discarding the term "gratuities" is helpful, too.

Off topic, sorry - but would we expect it to be even less formal than this in the Caribbean? We are booked on a Dec cruise and were going to bring a long dress for me and suit for him, but might forgo it.

Our estimable Host Hattie has removed a rude comment from someone trolling the board, and thank goodness for that. My comment about returning to regular programming followed that post, and was most definitely not in response to our regular gang.

Back to our regular programming... We've had a beaver problem this summer. A family of beavers lives in a marsh that drains through a culvert under our driveway, and starting in June they dammed the culvert nearly every day for over a month. Trapping is only a temporary solution (also, ugh), and we wanted something permanent. So we hired a guy to build a flow device, AKA a beaver deceiver, that would protect the entrance to the culvert. Here is a picture of the architect and his masterpiece: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think it is lovely.

Good point.

Seabourn seems to be a good value compared to other high-end cruise lines based on what we're paying for a Caribbean cruise this December. It is far less expensive, anyway. As far as land travel, I guess it depends on what you're comparing Seabourn's prices against. Looking at @JPH814's breakdown, $300 for a room buys luxury accommodations in some cities, but not most. Meals prices are again reasonable in some parts of the world, but low in others. $200 for transportation is downright cheap almost anywhere in the world (I assume you are taking a 7-night cruise). I guess my expectations for food quality are a bit lower after reading this forum. But that's not why we booked this cruise.

Oh, okay. A bit confusing.

So, the change is that tips are distributed now instead of going to whoever provided the service? That's okay with me. I misunderstood - I thought Cunard was not distributing tips anymore (which only works if they boost other compensation by the same amount).

We haven't been on Seabourn yet; our first try will be this December. I was surprised at how inexpensive the fares were, compared to other higher end lines we've tried. I mention this because it sounds like cost-cutting is taking place in the restaurant areas. I know all the cruise lines have had a difficult time getting through and past the pandemic and some financial pressures are unavoidable. But food and service are what count the most for most people on a cruise ship.

It does seem that Cunard is playing a short game here if they're not compensating the bar waitstaff sufficiently to make up the 15% difference. Because unhappy staff either leave or become visibly disgruntled, which makes itself known in customer satisfaction surveys.

Didn't know that! Good to know there's some emergency coverage, although capped. I read my policy to say that if we don't have primary coverage the secondary coverage provided in the policy kicks in. Is that correct? So if we exceeded the Medigap emergency limit we'd be covered by a travel policy with secondary coverage?

Thanks for your post. I concluded as much, and found someone to pick us up at Carambola and drive us around for a couple of hours. We're on one of the cruises that does a beach barbecue day there. Do you really live there? Do you know if the monkey station is still operating at Estridge estate near Mansion?

So to report back - I called a local agent, who found a substantial promotional discount ($1300 off the list price of $6800) and $500 OBC, with a possibility of a bit more if they are combinable with the other offers. The promotion doesn't appear on the website. I usually book our travel myself, but this experience was entirely positive. Was it lucky timing, or are TAs the secret to saving money on cruise fares? This agent is affiliated with a larger cruise travel organization, if that matters.

Sorry, I meant Medicare supplements. (As an aside, the Advantage plans in our area are regional, and don't even cover travel outside our state and may be one or two others). So we do need some coverage. Your Panama example is exactly what I was hoping to hear - thanks for that information.

We both have Medicare and need medical insurance when we travel internationally. I know medical costs are lower outside the US. Any ballpark estimates for what we'd want if traveling in the EU? Caribbean?

I don’t disagree, but I like supporting local businesses, too. I tried one of the options and am pleased so far. How does Seabourn choose them, I wonder.

Thanks @TTEllis. The wrinkle is we'll be at Carambola Beach, not Basseterre. But I've found someone to take us around the island. My mother's family comes from West Virginia (Charles Town). Beautiful area.

We'll be at Carambola beach for a day in December. I spent a summer on St Kitts many years ago and would like to see some of the places I remember. Is there a taxi stand nearby? Do you think we can find a driver to take us around the island for a couple of hours?

Seabourn will list local travel agents if you enter your zip code. Has anyone tried that? I wondered if the ones Seabourn links to might be more likely to give some OBC, for instance.

And that was my next question! Do the tenders only go to the beach?

Excellent point! Thanks so much for your reply. Could we get there as late as 1pm, do you think?

We're considering a Caribbean cruise with a stop in St Kitts, where I spent a summer many (many) years ago. The beach barbecue sounds fun and we wouldn't want to miss it. Is there enough time to drive around the island for some sightseeing before and/ or afterwards?

We had steak and eggs for breakfast a couple of times. The first time Mr ALC pronounced the steak the best he ever had; the next time they were absolutely awful, dry and tough. It never occurred to me to send it back ("eat all the food on your plate and don't complain," I guess) but we should have, if only to remind the kitchen that some beef shouldn't be served in the first place. Cut it up for a stir fry instead.

Totally agree, better than what we were offered on QE in April. Really trivial topics (royal family gossip was one of them and the other was even sillier).