kruzseeka

Have just renewed our cover with Aviva - we travel early June and our policy renewal is 30.05.24 so I was anxious to know where we stood in case I had to start shopping around. In a nutshell - cover done - so far not cost me as much as with UK Insurance but will have to buy additional cruise cover for future cruises (probably get two more out of it before I'm paying more than before - with riders see below). I'll share my experience with as many details as I was able to gather. Rang yesterday - difficult to find how to get through. Didn't want to fill in the online form for medical screening in case I shot myself in the foot - I'd much rather explain to an agent and be able to clarify details and be sure they're correct. Eventually got put through by UK Insurance to Aviva and was promised a call back at specified time which didn't happen. But I did get a phone number for Aviva Flexplus insurance which i rang this morning: 0345 878 5445 (long wait for connection but at least I got to speak to an agent who was very helpful - guess they're a bit inundated at the moment with people like me!) Both covered - no age extension which we already knew about (saving of £69) Medical screening: relies heavily on medical situation in the last 12 months (investigations, hospitalisation, treatment etc) and declaration of conditions/medications etc. We were covered at no extra cost (as was the case with UK Insurance - although we have had to pay a premium in the past when medical issues were current.) Of course there was the standard not travelling against medical advice. Cruise upgrade: Covers missed ports @ £150 p.p. per missed port Covers cabin confinement on medical grounds @ £150 p.p. per day up to a max of £1500 Now this is where it gets a bit less clear..............apparently the cost of cruise cover isn't standard, it has to be quoted for and is subject to variables like length of the cruise, destinations and multiple countries which I suppose makes sense - some ports do have more misses than others and may constitute more risk???? He didn't quiz me extensively (i.e. every port) but wanted to know each country we were visiting. Don't know how the previous add-on worked for World Cruises. £40 for the whole period or per sector? But this could be much more methinks given they want to pin down the details rather more. Bottom line - £40 to cover us both for a 16 night trip in Europe. So same as before except of course we will need to pay again for any subsequent trips. We may or may not take up that option but so far are nearly £70 to the good. I think it may well reduce the uptake of the 'add-on'. We shall think carefully about whether to bother again but we've gone with it this time. Paid over the phone and documents to follow (saves me printing them out for P&O if they want to see them at embarkation). Think that's all I managed to glean - hope it helps.

Doh...... just realised I'm talking about Arcadia! Sorry for that rather random diversion.

These are not Lalique style glass work but on Deck 1 the entrances to the theatre from both port and starboard are a corridor which curves round and has a small seating area 6/8 (?) seats part way along which is arranged around a huge egg shaped sculpture about 5 feet high covered in shiny metal or glass fragments creating an eye-catching structure which reflects light in all directions. I think they're spectacular but completely lost and overlooked in the location they're in! Wish I'd taken a picture now but given that these are not busy entrances to the theatre I wonder just how many people have never seen them.

Well I'm pleased to say that we've just returned from the 12 night Norway cruise on Arcadia which followed on from your return and there was no evidence of NV onboard. 👍 We also had a 90 minute delay wrt boarding tmes whilst additional cleaning took place. We arrived about 20 mins before our designated time (2 pm revised from 12.30) and boarded immediately to find quite a few already on board. I think they began embarking at 1.30. We spoke to someone who had come by coach and there had been no revised departure time for them so they arrived about 2.00 and boarded immediately. He said it was the fastest boarding they'd known! There was quite a wait to gain access to cabins but it all seemed to work well and I didn't hear any complaints. The Capt and Hotel Manager were very up-front about the infections prior to our embarkation and frequently reiterated the need for hand washing and compliance. Enhanced procedures in the buffet were in place and you couldn't help yourself to teas/coffees - staff would make those at your request. After about 3/4 (?) days an announcement was made that here had been no reported infections so normal service was resumed in the buffet. We didn't get any indication later in the cruise that there was as a recurrence. So hats off to their procedures and compliant passengers. We had been a little apprehensive beforehand but had a good cruise and thankfully no infections. I m We too

I'd endorse either the train to the Cinque Terre - use it like a HoHo. Probably ignore the town on top.of the hill. It's a climb to get there and not the most rewarding use of time. Vernazza is the jewel in the crown imo. Or the ferry to Porto Venere. Both very doable and excellent day out.

Perhaps don't despair just yet. I understand they normally do not cover over 75 year olds but from what we've been told by NW their arrangement with Aviva does, moreover without a additional charge. So....... it seems that NW has negotiated different criteria. It's possible there could be a variation in the Health screening for NW customers too. It will be interesting to get feedback once the first tranche of Flexplus customers renew policies due after the changeover day. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. 😘

That's true. You'd think that would be the easy part! And in some cases it has been almost by return (with perhaps some variation as a result of working hours US/UK timings). What a frustrating business. Hope you soon get confirmation.

I do agree your experience isn't good. Presumably the change was meant to be more efficient - and in many cases once registered for many it has been quick and easy. I wonder whether it makes a difference who holds your shares. Seems once Stockperks have you recognised as a share holder you don't have to go through the registration process again but presumably they do check that you still hold the shares each time you apply. Are some providrs linked into their system and give more or less instant confirmation whilst others are not, and if not, perhaps delays are a reflection of varying response times from providers.

I understand the point you make - but whether or not it is reported/detected/prompts a police response I don't think is the critical issue here. It's whether P&O is prepared (knowingly, once reported) to put a coach load of their passengers on excursions where some drivers are not observing the law and taking risks with their safety.

I agree - and even if the locals (or even authorities in Norway) find this acceptable I think P&O must be informed. The shore excursion team have no business dismissing this without taking it seriously and reporting it (I suppose he may have done but just wasn't prepared to admit anything to you). P&O surely have a duty of care. Can you imagine the backlash if there was an accident and they knew about such a careless/dangerous approach to safety - and basically condoned it if they didn't take it seriously. I think you are being very responsible and would encourage you to report it officially. Would others suggest the most effective route would be a direct email to the CEO?

Just seen this article https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24205061.cunards-queen-anne-welcomed-southampton-flotilla/ Southampton likely to be very busy (Sky Princess also in port) and no doubt many visitors coming to sight-see too. Could be worth bearing in mind re the weight of traffic especially for those boarding on that date.

We were in Tenerife when I think it was the World Cup Final. We'd deliberately not booked an excursion expecting it to be televised and thinking they'd do that in a large space so thought there would be a good atmosphere watching with others onboard. They were very apologetic when it was impossible for them to get a signal so we, along with quite a lot of others, got off the ship hoping to find a bar showing the action. We trouped from one bar to another - one bar owner trying for ages to link with some satellite station or another - without success. Clearly it was in the interests of any bar to show it as they would have an influx of customers buying drinks so I'm sure it did prove impossible for them. We were told Rugby wasn't followed there so no local demand I guess. We cleared off to the Lido!

Glad you're feeling better today. Take care! 🤗😘

Just shows the fabulous clear reflections! Looks, lovely anyway!

Great destination. Love the ride up the Gondola! We're there next month - as a matter of interest, is there any snow at ground level at the moment? Guess there will be on the top of the mountains. Enjoy your day and here.