jlgreuel

On 6/9/2023 at 10:46 AM, robinium said:

Success! All guests have been given some compensation as a result of the situation… 

 

This letter has been placed outside every stateroom. Now, as to whether it will result in NCL ceasing to hire out key venues, I’m not sure, but getting them to acknowledge that they “got it wrong” is a start!

 

 

2023-06-09 18.40.59.pdf 165.78 kB · 257 downloads

This is a huge win.  Thanks for sharing and keeping us informed.  Our family of four is on the next sailing beginning June 25th.

On 5/20/2023 at 6:56 AM, mapgirl34 said:

For those who have cruised Norway or those planning Norway, I can't get over the cancellation policies for private on-shore tours.  I've read a few reports of folks who didn't get their money back for a pre-booked tour because the ship changed course and they didn't go to the port as expected.  I understand that I can't change the policy of Norway.  I'm just a bit befuddled by it.  Example below is what I'm seeing just about everywhere in Norway.  And yet, I went to Honduras in April and booked a tour that only required cash on arrival.  What is everyone else doing to avoid these cancellation fees?  I have notes on what I want to do in each location and I'm just hoping that I can walk up to a tourist center and book same day.  I've also checked and most of our port days, our ship is in the only one in port.  So if we can't book on arrival, we'll walk around the respective towns instead.  It's either risk losing the entire payment for tours or paying double the price for much more crowded and shorter tours through the ship.

 

• Cancellation more than 7 days before: 100 percent refund
• Cancellation less than 7 days before: 50 percent refund
• Cancellation 19 hours before, or less: No refund

 

Interested to hear what others are doing or have done.
For reference, we are on MSC Preziosa in August.
In Molde, I'd like to rent a car. In Honningsvag, I'd like to do the bird safari tour. In Stavanger, I'm interested in the Lysefijord cruise.
Thanks for reading.

 

I am shocked that I booked an e-bike and hike for Alesund Norway (for our family of four - so not an insignificant booking) - in July and feel like I was hoodwinked.  The cancellation policy said I could cancel 24 hours in advance.  As soon as I hit submit - the cancellation policy switched to "No Cancellations".  I immediately spent hours on the phone and email - trying to resolve through PayPal, Bank, and Viator to cancel the booking (started that process within 1 hour of booking) and nobody so far has resolved.  In a few hours I can 'escalate' my complaint with PayPal.  But I am really disappointed with how this has panned out.  I am experienced at cruising and booking independently from the ship and haven't had this occur.  Note to others - Viator is owned by Tripadvisor.  So while I appreciate the advice of others on Tripsadvisor, I am extremely wary of touching a link connected to a booking through them.  Next time, I will be sure to open a new browser and book directly with provider.

So I think the above link allows for COVID coverage if you purchase a Manulife policy after November 18th, 2021?

On 10/29/2021 at 5:41 PM, kdr69 said:

wasnt aware there was a level 4 advisory in place for cruising just a recommendation not to even though its probably the safest place to be right now with all the protocols that ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER INDUSTRY has in place by the way.  Id feel safer on a cruise than going grocery shopping lol

Agreed.  100%.

2 hours ago, Fouremco said:

I took a look online and it seems to be a US company. They talk about out of state coverage and out of country (US) coverage, etc. How does that work for Canadian travellers?

Indeed XLVIII is correct.  Select the US flag at the top right and select Canadian flag to get Canadian content.  

FYI - I felt the cost was really reasonable.  The premium quoted for an annual plan for me (I am not yet a senior) was less than $300 and included regular and COVID coverage.  Lots of options of trip durations to choose.

Goose Insurance - provided a thorough quote for our Canadian group travelling to cruise out of FLL in January.  They have regular insurance and a COVID insurance.  The COVID insurance is not being offered through Goose to anyone over age 75.  I was happy to find an insurer  willing to offer COVID-19/Pandemic Multi-trip Medical Plan insurance.  Regular insurance offers $10 Million per trip.  COVID, only $500,000, but includes $50,000 of emergency transportation.

1 hour ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

jlgreuel... I brought 0% XPF with me when we left our homes, purchased all my exchange at the airport. The Papeete airport exchange was convenient and easy, had no issues. In hind site, Euros not needed at all unless you're planning a specific private excursion with a tour provider who gives you that option. ATM will be fine as well (I used in Bora Bora no problem)

Thanks Hoopster95 - with the information you shared - my husband and I have feel the best decision for us it to to buy Euros in Canada (at about a 1.7% cost) and exchange to  XPF at the Papeete airport with the fixed processing fee.   This decision (and so many others for our trip) was made based on the wealth of information you shared in this review - thanks ever so much for that!

Hoopster - what a brilliant review!  So helpful as DH and I are booked on B2B cruises on the Marina out of Papeete beginning January 31, 2019. We are fans of booking private tours and I certainly needed to start researching excursions sooner than I did!  We took your advice in so many ways, so thank you for taking the time to share - this review has been tremendously helpful. 

We, too, are Canadian. I understand there are lots of options to withdraw money at ATM’s. If you take along currency and want to exchange it (whether that be euros or US dollars) or there places to exchange foreign currency?  If you are preparing your wallet to leave Canada - what percentage of cash would you carry in each currency?  Like 50% XPF?  Or just risk it and go with debit and credit cards in your wallet and withdraw money when you get over there?  We bank with one of the big Canadian banks on the interac and plus systems. 

Thanks again Hoopster!  I am a baby blogger using the blogspot app when I travel, so will strive for higher standards after reading this stellar, detailed review!