SusieKIslandGirl

Yep-last cruise I stuck them in a cabinet and left them there until the morning we left.

Interesting-on our last cruise, I charged $10 to the room for the casino. I had a lot of refundable credit but instead, it was put on my CC at the end of the cruise.

Just received this info from a friend: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2024-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles 2024 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles Oct 12, 2023 · Medicare Part D · Medicare Parts A & B On October 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2024 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help more than 10 million people with coverage of Medicare premiums and, in most cases, other cost sharing. In their continued efforts to improve access to health care and lower costs for millions of Americans, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through CMS, recently finalized a rule to streamline enrollment in MSPs, making coverage more affordable for an estimated 860,000 people. In addition, the Part D low‑income subsidy (LIS) helps pay for the Part D premium and lowers the cost of prescription drugs. Further, the Inflation Reduction Act recently expanded the number of people eligible for full LIS. Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Medicare Part B covers physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A. Each year, the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to provisions of the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $174.70 for 2024, an increase of $9.80 from $164.90 in 2023. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $240 in 2024, an increase of $14 from the annual deductible of $226 in 2023. The increase in the 2024 Part B standard premium and deductible is mainly due to projected increases in health care spending and, to a lesser degree, the remedy for the 340B-acquired drug payment policy for the 2018-2022 period under the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System. Beginning in 2023, individuals whose full Medicare coverage ended 36 months after a kidney transplant and who do not have certain other types of insurance coverage can elect to continue Part B coverage of immunosuppressive drugs by paying a premium. For 2024, the standard immunosuppressive drug premium is $103.00. Medicare Part B Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts Since 2007, a beneficiary’s Part B monthly premium has been based on his or her income. These income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect roughly 8 percent of people with Medicare Part B. The 2024 Part B total premiums for high-income beneficiaries with full Part B coverage are shown in the following table: Full Part B Coverage Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income: Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount Total Monthly Premium Amount Less than or equal to $103,000 Less than or equal to $206,000 $0.00 $174.70 Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $129,000 Greater than $206,000 and less than or equal to $258,000 $69.90 $244.60 Greater than $129,000 and less than or equal to $161,000 Greater than $258,000 and less than or equal to $322,000 $174.70 $349.40 Greater than $161,000 and less than or equal to $193,000 Greater than $322,000 and less than or equal to $386,000 $279.50 $454.20 Greater than $193,000 and less than $500,000 Greater than $386,000 and less than $750,000 $384.30 $559.00 Greater than or equal to $500,000 Greater than or equal to $750,000 $419.30 $594.00

@ottahand7I had to laugh when I read about renting a car and returning for a suitcase. DH had to do that just before we left from Vancouver to Santiago. One carryon was still on the porch which contained a CPAP machine and hiking boots. Luckily the car rental office was next door to the hotel and he got there just before closing. Our good neighbors picked up the suitcase, walked onto the ferry and handed over the bag-DH made it just before the ferry arrived. Then a race back to Vancouver-border guard asked what he was doing!! A short sleep and early departure to the airport. @NickelpennyMy DSis and I are a good pair. She eats the yolks and I eat the whites. We've made several trips from Seattle to Victoria, mainly on the Victoria Clipper. It's a fun trip. Once, with 3 friends, a stay at the Empress, and a few fabric shops added in. There is also a "castle" with amazing woodwork not too far out of town. And we got to see the eclipse. Very few hazy clouds even though the weatherman said it would be too cloudy-while not the total eclipse it was fun to see the crescent sun from behind the moon. As time went by, the crescent moved from the left to over the top and on down. Enjoy the weekend!

Last November there was a big tropical storm brewing while we were heading to the Azores and on to Fort Lauderdale. The captain decided to skip Casablanca (our 3rd attempt to stop there) and head to the Canary Islands instead. We hadn't been there before so that helped "ease the pain" of missing the other 2 ports. We had been to the Azores once before when our stop in Bermuda was cancelled due to weather. Always interesting!

Do you have to worry about there being a waitlist for the excursion you want to modify payment on? Will they just change the payment method or is it a cancel and rebook situation and if so, do you get moved to the bottom of the waiting list? Thanks!

@dfishI hope the hip pain isn't interfering with using your sewing machine foot pedal-or is that what caused the pain?😲 Hope it clears soon. And October is a great month for birthdays-one week for mine. Take care everyone.

I have read, but not tried it myself, that if you call 3 days before your cruise, you are able to book shore excursions using OBC. Not positive but might be worth a try.

@RedneckBobBesides the first three HAL ships were the Ninadam, Pintadam, and Santa Mariadam. Which one were you on? 😊😇

@57redbirdWhat time was the earthquake? I sure didn't feel-or hear anything. Thanks!

Hands are stiff and tingly plus I woke up with an aching back the last couple of mornings, wondering what I did. Then I remembered the extra sewing I had been doing so that explained it. A lot of my back pain had resolved after I had the hip replaced. But now therapy for the knee. Guess I'm just glad I'm still able to do most everything I want to do.

@0106What tour did you take to see all the wonderful sites in your photos? That is one area of Europe we haven't seen and is on our "do it soon" list. Thanks for reporting and the photos.

@dfishI feel your pain, in more ways than one. Epidural spinal injections did help but it took a bit of time. And I’ve been working on a quilt that my daughter wanted. It’s driving me nuts-not only do the colors form a diagonal “V” that meets in the middle from each corner but the bottom 1/2 has to mirror the top 1/2. And now my knee hurts from all the back and forth. Yep, getting old.

Last in the list is White Chicken Asparagus Lasagna. What can you come up with? Costco meat lasagna-after making home made too many times, I take the easy way out @quilty964One more vote for Bosch-quiet and love the top 3rd rack for small utensils.

When you log onto your account choose the Beverage Package tab. On the left side are the various options so choose water. You can then select distilled water for $2.95/gallon.

Jacqui, so glad your time in Amsterdam went well-and thanks for the photos. Reminded me of the great time DH and I had there last May after the Norway cruise. Have a great cruise and stay well!

I do believe DH had SS deducted. What really irks me is I won’t be able to ever claim on his account, if that’s where life leads us. I was glad when we both didn’t end up teaching for the same district but now I see there were other drawbacks. I guess life is never perfect, is it?

@Cruising-alongWhat is the name of the blackberry killer you use? And where do I find it? Is it safe around some bigger trees? The blackberries seem to invade everywhere. Thanks! And I'm very confused about teacher retirements and Social Security. Is it each state that determines the deduction? I don't think DH has a reduction but now I'm not sure. As a Civil Service retiree with just enough civilian work time to qualify for SS, my Medicare is paid and I receive $54/month-whoopee! It will be time to celebrate if the windfall and offset provisions are eliminated.

I so agree. I took a class called "Tai chi for the elderly" that was a trial to see if it would help back pain. It was a good class but I told the leader that it should be renamed. You had to be 65 to be included but most of us felt anything less than at least 85 wasn't elderly. But then again, it's birthday month so I'm getting there a little too quickly (but still a few years to go!) Time to hit the weeds in the garden while the sun is shining. Have a great day!

I realized last night that my last couple of posts didn't post-or at least, I can't find them. Computer glitch or user error?? We ended up cancelling the Alaska cruise after putting $29,000 into the rental house-ouch. New roof, painting, gutters and back porch. It's next door so at least I can appreciate the fresh view. My niece lives there and she chose a limey green door to go with the medium dark gray and white trim. I did get to travel with 3 friends last week-probably our last trip together. We've been traveling together for 30 years to conventions and meetings-now all of us are retired rural mail carriers. Cheri has finished her last chemo option but may start a new treatment using a T cell transfer. She's fought the ugly ovarian cancer for over 9 years, which has been amazing. We drove over 3200 miles, saw 6 National Parks and were still talking after 11 days together in a minivan. The rain has finally returned to the Pacific Northwest. 2 1/2 inches for the month with 2.33 inches in the last 7 days and just over 1" in the last day. Not a lot by some standards, especially some of the major storms lately on the East Coast but finally something here. Take care everyone. (and I apologize if this is a repeat.)

Jacqui, please come back in one piece, without a cast or wheelchair! 😊 Have a great cruise. (Now I better not have jinxed you 😮!

For our Norway cruise last May, not too many weeks before departure, I noticed that the Vista suite was less than what we paid for a regular verandah. I called my big box TA and had them ask about an upgrade. Nope, nothing available. Duh-I called again asking for an upsell, knowing that the price was actually less. We got the Vista and kept all our perks, including the OBC, at no extra cost. We didn't receive any credit for the drop in price but I was happy with the nicer cabin.

Also, check with your home bank that issued your ATM card. Many have partner banks in other countries so you can avoid extra charges. I know Bank of America has one in Australia. We used it quite a bit.

@durangoscotsSusan, CC isn’t liking me. I saw that you replied to my question but I “didn’t have permission” to read the reply. Weird!,