Fishboy1947

On 8/13/2022 at 6:13 PM, Hlitner said:

One important tip.  When using a credit card in a foreign country always make sure the transaction is completed in the currency of that country.  If you are asked if you want it transacted in US Dollars, always decline and demand it be done in the local currency.  Having it done in US Dollars will always result in you paying more (sometimes as much as 10%).  This is part of a legal scheme often called "Dynamic Currency Conversion" and it is something to be avoided on both credit and debit cards.  

 

Hank

 

 

We were recently in Mexico. When we made a small purchase I questioned whether the credit card purchase was in $US or Mexico peso. I was told the double dollar sign, $$, indicated Mexico peso. The charge came through properly.

How are foreign currencies indicated on credit card transactions in other countries, particularly euros?

Just to clarify, when you talk “chip and pin” are you referring to the chip in most current credit cards and the four digit pin that can be used to withdraw from an ATM?

1 minute ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Absolutely fine to share dishes in this restaurant. It's a place that lends itself to a "family style" approach.  I seem to recall a particular dinner there with euro cruiser and some others where we did just that -- shared a number of dishes. 

Thinking well ahead, our two days in Rome will be a Saturday & Sunday. For Sunday I have read mixed info on the time to eat. Is noon to three best on Sunday or the regular later time, they are open for both

On 7/28/2022 at 11:39 AM, cruisemom42 said:

 

Still nothing springs to mind in the IMMEDIATE area. If you walk down Via Cavour about 6-7 minutes from the piazza of Santa Maria Maggiore, there is an excellent local wine bar called Cavour 313 (which is actually its address) -- they specialize in wines and light food that is locally sourced. I've had several nice dinners there in the past -- pick from the daily specials if you go.

 

Down Via Panisperna there are some eateries, you can browse them -- just nothing I've tried so I can't recommend. 

 

The Taverna dei Fori Imperiali already mentioned in other threads on good eats in Rome is a bit further toward the Colosseum but would only be about a 12 minute walk along Via Cavour then a cutover to the restaurant. 

I looked at their menu. Seemed most courses cost about 16 euro. Would this be typical for a nice restaurant? Not having taken a family to any restaurant in Italy, would it be typical for a family of five adults (grandparents with 20 yr olds) to order a few appetizers and let everyone try them or would this be inappropriate?

Looking at airfares to Europe, The Princess EZAir are significantly less than Flights by Celebrity. The Princess airfares to Europe have been consistently significantly less than market anytime that I have checked them.

I see regular discussions on acceptable dress on cruises but not in ports. What would be appropriate in a nice restaurant in Rome for dinner? Slacks with a collared polo shirt for men? More formal? Less?

Same for other cities in Italy?

Are the costs and losses involved with all the flight cancellations and other air problems covered by good travel cancellation and interruption policies?

What to look for in travel policies to check coverage?

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

As a 70+ cruiser (who also has Geoblue) I really like the fact that the OP is concerned that $100,000 is simply not enough medical.  Consider that most cruise line insurance policies only provide $10-$20,000 of medical :(.

 

I do not have a good answer for the OP despite having spent most of my adult life in the medical insurance (government) industry.  While I am personally comfortable with $100,000 I also understand that there are plenty of situations when it would not be adequate.   I do believe that Geoblue sells single trip policies with coverage up to $1,000,000 and there are other options in the market.  Although we normally carry their annual Trekker policy, during the winter of 2021 we had a lot of concern about COVID when heading to Mexico (our winter home).    For that one trip we actually did purchase one of their million dollar policies.  

 

My advice to folks is that each person/couple must do what is right for them...which means dealing with your own risk tolerance and financial situation.  The fact that you even ask the question about $100,000 tells me you have some discomfort with that max.  Perhaps you might want to talk to a decent trip insurance broker (who deals with multiple companies) and get some advice.  If you follow the Travel/Insurance blog here on CC you should already be aware of at least one popular broker.  It costs nothing (but time) to make a phone call.

 

Hank

Talked with broker and recommendation was $100,000. They said $80,000 was the highest claim that they had seen.

I have seen other insurance and financial sites recommend $50,000 or $100,000.

It’s good to see what seasoned travelers think. I value the opinions of many posters here, including you.

I posted this here instead of the insurance forum because I want to see what people are actually doing. Plus the insurance forum gets less traffic 

I am over 70, so individual trip policies have become expensive. I have traditional Medicare with a supplement. The supplement provides $50,000 lifetime out of country coverage.

GeoBlue’s annual policy only provides $100,000 medical coverage for people over 70. The same seems to be true with most travel policies.

How much is enough when traveling internationally, Europe in particular? Where do you get additional coverage?

There has been a lot posted about Ravenna since several lines are using it’s port instead of Venice.

I just read that the beaches there are very nice. Has anyone gone to their beaches? Would it be easy to get to a good beach from the cruise port?

We have an overnight in Ravenna 

4 hours ago, Fuzzy55 said:

We just booked a cruise for August,2023 with the airfare promo. I have already received an email from Celebrity saying they would send me an email when cruise is 310 days away. I can then book air at that time. Reservations show the promo.

Do they indicate how long of a time frame you will have to make the booking?  Hoping  you have some time after initial opening for additional flights to become available

I have cabins for 5 booked to Europe next year. The current promotion which ends tomorrow, has higher cabin cost, total of $1,300, but offers an airfare credit of $500 per person, $2,500 total.

The airfare has to be paid with the booking

My question is, what happens if a better flight is offered later, better times & connections and I want to change. Do I get full credit for the original airfare or do I only get credit for what I actually paid, and lose the $500 credit?  

The cruise is almost a year out and I think there may be better flight options later. There is also $100 in obc but I discount its value since we have always included

I have been reading about FBC but want to be sure that I understand the procedures.

If I book flights now for next year and I want to make a change for price or timing, my understanding is that I have to phone FBC to make any change. I cannot make any change online? 
 

I understand that after final payment there are fees to make changes but no fees prior to final payment
 

First time sailing Celebrity

Just returned from Caribbean Princess Western Caribbean multigenerational cruise. The precruise COVID testing for our 12 person, 3family group was nerve racking.

Boarding was a mess unless Platinum/Elite. DD & family had early boarding and sat for 2 hrs before boarding.

We had used the Medallion on 2 prior cruises and loved it. Little problem using it precruise. On cruise it was a mess. Good for ordering drinks but little else. Luckily I wrote down our dinner times since I was able to access Dine My Way only twice during the week.

the internet was reasonably good for half the cruise then almost worthless.

We almost never book Princess excursions but thankfully did last week. The shuttle service was horrible. Lost hours of beach time on both shuttle ports. Can’t imagine when nonPrincess excursions got off the ship.

we all thought that the food was excellent in the main dining room and Crown and good in buffet. But quite a come down from the Horizon Court buffet on Regal class

Several of us complained about smelling smoke in several areas of the ship, even in one of the cabins. Smoking on the promenade seemed ironic with the health walkers

We expected less than preCOVID service after what we had read but found the service to be outstanding throughout the ship. Always with a big smile. We found most of the staff to be very personable 

Overall a wonderful week and a lifetime of memories

We, the 12 of us, arrived at the hotel around 3:00 and famished after a long day traveling. We intended to go to Duffy’s in the evening for the Lightening Stanley Cup finals game but wanted to get something right away.

Google showed Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill close by and highly rated. We walked over and really enjoyed their burgers, ribs and wings. Their burgers are their claim to fame, Angus beef and extensive toppings.

The owner and staff were exceptional.

we would highly recommend. 

Staying precruise at the Hyatt Place Ft Lauderdale Cruise Port on Tenth Avenue. 

Any restaurant recommendations for our 3 families, total of 12, would be appreciated. Within walking distance of hotel would be ideal. Nothing extravagant but would like to avoid any national chains. 

Thank you

My SIL just turned 50, he got the second 3week prior to boarding just for this reason. Also extra protection 

19 minutes ago, wolvey said:

wear mask and social distance the rest of the time.  AND I would highly recommend that you also wear masks and social distance while you’re on the cruise.  It may be an inconvenience but it’s better than getting Covid during the cruise. I didn’t mask up and I tested positive after I got home. I then gave it to my son. 

What you said is our plan. 

24 minutes ago, wolvey said:

Did you get a retest? If so, did you get a result?

Just got the result NEGATIVE

can breathe a little easier now, but still 9 days to go

Thanks to all for your input

I have found reading these boards and asking questions of the very knowledgeable participants to be the best research that I can do. Thank you.

We’re planning to spend two nights in Venice. I will continue my research with the suggestions that I have received at my fingertips. I don’t think either area would be a mistake.  I anticipate we will be out and about the city all day.

I may continue looking at apartments vs hotels but keeping it simple may win out here

We will be there in mid-June and I would like to make early reservations.

Our ship has an overnight in Ravenna then leaves from Ravenna. My original plan was to not go to the ship until just before sail away. Now I think I’ll use the ship’s first day in Ravenna as my transit day and have the whole day and evening to get there. This relieves the pressure of leaving the Venice hotel and having to get to the ship by 2:00 PM, which made the hotel location paramount.  Now I feel that I have more flexibility.

As an aside, we have a Mediterranean cruise this October. My hotels, Athens Gate in Athens and Hotel Jazz in Barcelona, were cruise critic recommendations. I truly value your input

2 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

You need a positive between 10 and 90 days from embarkation.   Combine that with a simple document of recovery from your DOC.   Of course, if the second test is negative, then none of the following is needed.   

 

This is from Princess' website for North American ports --  note that it may vary by embarkation port.  This is clearly laid out on their website.    

 

"Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of the date of their cruise departure date or cruisetour departure date (whichever starts first) do not need to get a viral test before embarkation if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and produce documentation of recovery from COVID-19 infection.

Documentation of Recovery consists of the following:

• Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago), or
• A valid digital COVID-19 certificate (DCC) or a document issued by an offcial health or government authority showing confirmed previous infection.

Guests who present these documents will need to go through a secondary screening at the terminal, and boarding will be approved at the medical staff’s discretion. Guests who are unable to provide documentation of recovery that fulfills the above requirements, must take the required COVID-19 viral test before their vacation and show a negative result."

I don’t see the requirement of letter from DOC. Says “paper or electronic copies of the positive test result …” plus must be at least 10 days from their COVID infection

13 hours ago, arizonaperson said:

Why would your grandson & whole family be testing so early (10 days prior) for Covid ( PCR) with no symptoms? Did I miss something?

i thought it was 2-3 days prior to cruising.

One of their friends tested positive last week so they wanted to see if any of them were affected to control any spread.

Several years ago I took a land tour of Italy. In Venice we stayed on Lido. I felt that we missed something not being in the heart of Venice. Just for roaming around and getting a feel for the city.

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

I researched CDC protocols, since PCL does follow them. It looks like 10 days

is correct.  This is based on being fully vaccinated.  The test would need to be dated today, which is 10 days.

Maybe someone out there has gone through this?

 

What about anyone in close contact with him, that may be cruising with him?  They could be asymptomatic too.

 

Anyway, good luck!  Hope it’s negative!

Let us know! 
 

 

Yes, he is fully vaccinated. The whole family, 5 of them, all were just tested. His was inconclusive the rest were negative.

I have posted this in the Covid testing subject but there is little activity there and we are approaching our deadline.  Hoping someone has experience to help

My grandson just received an inconclusive PCR test.  He has no symptoms.  In 10 days he is due to board the ship.  Am I reading the FAQ right? He is being retested today, June 15.  If the test is positive and he continues to be asymptomatic he will be able to board on June 25. 

           What if I had Covid-19 and recovered and still test positive. Will I still be able to travel?

                Exceptions may apply for asymptomatic guests who have tested positive

                for COVID-19 within three months of their embarkation if they are at

                least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, are fully recovered with

                no symptoms and produce documentation of recovery from COVID-19

                infection.

                Documentation of Recovery consists of the following:

•             Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified                           
•             laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago) or ...

The positive test would be ten days prior to boarding.  He is asymptomatic and has a positive viral test result from a certified lab.  I think he would be able to board

Of course, we're hoping that the second test tonight will be negative

Thanks for any insight