GeezerCouple

No need to worry. [And as an aside, it's the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act) that covers transport of people/passengers. The Jones act is similar, but for cargo.] It only involves direct transportation between two USA ports without first calling at a distant foreign port (specifically defined). If I've simplified that too much, another CC member will soon stop by to correct me! So if you are getting off one cruise and not getting back on the *same* ship until the next day, there's nothing to worry about. Getting off/on two different ships on the same day also isn't a problem. Staying on the same ship could be a problem if they would end up making you start in one USA port and disembark in another without that distant foreign port. (Consecutive but separate cruises on the *same* ship is what can cause unexpected trouble. One is still on the same ship for sequential nights, so it doesn't matter if the combined trip is "called" a single cruise or more than one; it would be a violation.) It seems that Canada may have something similar, but I'm not familiar with that. But in both of your cruises, you are traveling between two different countries, so this doesn't apply. And you have a day between the cruises, so it also doesn't apply. You might want to browse more about PVSA here on CC, where there are several threads, including a current one: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006258-passenger-vessel-services-actjones-act/ Enjoy both cruises. Sounds like a wonderful combination! 🙂 GC

Always have a Plan B, but in this case, it's especially important, as a missed connection isn't all that improbable, unfortunately. IF the flight is on time, you should be fine! GC

Yes, in case of any claim based upon a medical situation, you should get a signed letter from a physician (or other healthcare provider), one preferably whom you have just *seen* (unless impossible, I suppose??). I think many (most? all?) insurance policies state something like this. [A Zoom call these days may suffice... things have changed in the past few years!] It would not work to "self declare" that there was some medical emergency or other "need" requiring that you not travel, for obvious reasons. GC

However you handle it, don't double dip! IF you get credit from the cruise company, then do NOT claim that amount from insurance. But it's likely to be better to get the cash from the insurance rather than a "credit" from the cruise company, which is limited in use and possibly in time duration. GC

Welcome to cruising! In addition to browsing a bit on this CC section, we'd strongly suggest that you CALL: https://tripinsurancestore.com Call them so they can discuss things with you, and in addition to any questions you have for them (starting with ALL of your questions above!), they'll probably ask you some questions, too, to help find the best coverage available for your needs. Note that in the future, for any travel insurance, the best choice of policies will be available if you start the coverage when you make the *first* payment, even if that's only the deposit. You can discuss that with TIS also, for the future. They are a broker and offer policies from several vetted insurers. No extra cost to the travelers. And they can help with a claim, should that be needed. We learned about them here on CC, and have had several claims, including some large ones. All we paid promptly. By the way, I'm assuming you are a resident of the USA. If not, much of the above may not be relevant. (Try to at least add the country in your posts, under your UserID for reasons like this.) GC

We've never had any problem at all with rebanking miles either, with any of the programs we use. But the programs/airlines we use have very modest "rebanking fees" to do it. It's not enough to fret about at all, but since that IS included in the travel insurance, we do add it to the claim each time we've had to do that. GC

We travel a lot with the air being using awards. Fortunately, although that part of the trip - the "regular cash price of the air trip" - is not insuranble, for a very modest cost, we can re-bank the points (almost always, IIRC). And we can insure that modest cost, which we only do because our insurance type requires that we insure ALL non-refundable costs. Even though we didn't pre-pay that fee, we include it. It's small enough that it's never kicked us into a higher tier of coverage (it goes by increments of the total cost), so it was always a non-issue. Better to include anything that MIGHT be in the "everything"...! And yes, we've recovered that "rebanking fee" a few times, although that was never a real concern, obviously. But if we were filing a claim, we'll include everything there, too. GC

Do you mean, like leave the ship while there are still passengers on board!?? 😱 Do you really think that the Costa Concordia captain "FELL" into that lifeboat? If so, I have this bridge for sale... 😉 GC

What cruise line/ship are you thinking about? Because, yes, "It depends", 😉 but in part that "depends" upon where you are. Some of the premium/luxury lines are able to accommodate special requests (including occasionally something that is not on the regular menu at all, if they have the ingredients, etc.). That's part of what the extra costs might include (among many other niceties, of course). GC

Welcome to CruiseCritic! You probably should also post this on the NCL section of CC: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/ And you might want to browse through other sections of CC for assorted general information. 🙂 https://boards.cruisecritic.com GC

😉

Jakefromcanada: We love your UserName! 😄 GC

The weather can be *very* unpredictable. We went in late May/early June. The weather was predicted to be rainy the entire way, so we brought rain gear, etc. It was sunny *every* day! We obviously had no complaints, but much of what we brought? Never touched. GC

This doesn't directly answer your question, but are you sure you want an annual policy? Have you checked the various restrictions and limitations, in terms of total $$ limits and also how pre-existing conditions are handled (or not)? As long as you fully understand the complete Terms and Conditions, then you should also be able to compare the policies. Or is your question about the two insurers more generally, and not regarding the specific type of policy? GC

I suggest you call a travel insurance agent or broker. There are quite a few different types of "medical evacuation" services, and they can be for different situations. Many (most?) travel insurance already includes "medical evacuation", but that may only be "if necessary". MedJetAssist leaves the choice to the patient ==> once they are already an INpatient at a hospital. I'm not familiar with Airmed or other similar services. A travel insurance professional can discuss with you what your concerns and possible needs are/would be and help you decide what type of policy would be the best fit. GC