alc13

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).

What you get for the money in QG is a feeling of being pampered, and respected, and deserving of the best possible service. That, plus the variety of activities a bigger ship can offer.

What a shame. I hope they can put it behind them. I have more to say, but will restrain myself.

Loving this thread! Thanks to Host Hattie for starting it and posting every day. Also for the opportunity to meet @Mr H. H. And so fun to hear from others on board, too, and see everyone's photos. I wish I were there. As a side note, the Insight lectures are much more appealing than what we were offered on QE last April. Shame about the tough steaks and lamb.

Summer finally came to Maine. A beaver has decided to build a dam in front of a culvert that runs under our driveway. Every day we remove it, and every morning it's back. Long term we need a so-called beaver deceiver, a contraption of wire and maybe tubing that prevents access to the culvert opening. But in the meantime, we admire the beaver's work. We've had a lot of rain lately, which fills the pond that drains through our culvert out to a river, and now that the rains have stopped, the beaver will, too. We planted a lot of perennials when we moved here 4 years ago and many of them now need cutting back. I'm still learning about gardening, so my pruning may not be expert, but I love how much it tidies up an overgrown bed. This week I'll buy new plants to replace a few that didn't come back this spring. Sometimes I think winter is my favorite season here, but early summer is pretty wonderful, too.

Fabulous menu. I will miss Succession! Happy anniversary to you and Mr HH 🎉

What specifically has you worried? We were just on and found nothing amiss.

It was fun to be part of the game! The Fukuoka welcome was astoundingly good - really talented kids playing those drums.

Off at Yokohama. Three days in Tokyo next. We haven’t managed to find sushi yet so that is high on the agenda!

I’d hoped to hear how non-Grills passengers on QE right now were liking their experience but I’m not having much success. Over half of the passengers are Japanese (I don’t speak Japanese), and the others are usually seated too far away for casual conversation. We had breakfast in the Lido the other morning, though, and thought it was very good. You might try re-posting your question while the Japan to Alaska cruise is underway. There will be more English-speaking passengers on that one and you might have better luck. We think the QE is in great shape, for what it’s worth.

We had a terrific port welcome here. Location is spelled out if you look closely.

And where is this?