GeezerCouple

Contact the folks at TripInsuranceStore dot com.

But after a quick look at the website (and before your eyes glaze over again!), CALL THEM.

They'll walk you through it, and help you find the best policy.

FYI, we get coverage that seems to be what you want.

We first, within 21 days, insure any DEPOSIT, and then as we add more NON-refundable, payments for cruise, airfare, etc., we add the coverage for the additionals.

So we are sitting on some rather small deposits, with the even smaller insurance for those, with nothing at all to lose for the deposits (IF we cancel before penalties), and only the small cost for a small fraction of the small deposit at risk.

And pre-existing conditions are NOT excluded this way.

Just make absolutely sure to tell Steve or the others that you must have the pre-existing condition coverage, and they'll make sure to find that type of policy for you.

GeezerCouple

Here's one of the threads that I was remembering that speaks to doing this: "The somewhat definitive guide to skipping a port on the POA." (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1836504)

 

Good Luck!

What a great post you directed us to - thanks!

I think the lava flow changed, and those views, especially into the water, aren't the same anymore?

But I guess the moral to the story here is "DON'T ASK!"

We had (naively) sort of assumed it would be "no different than if one missed the shipped by accident". Hey, could happen, right? ;)

But we were assured that even in that case, there was a mandatory fine, imposed by powers other than NCL. (I think it was $300 pp.)

What we would like to know is whether the maritime laws apply to PoA or not.

Our understanding is still that because of all of the special requirements that NCL had to comply with in order to have only stops in the USA without a foreign port, these laws do NOT apply.

(There is a *reason* that other ships calling at Hawaii with several stops there ALSO call at British Columbia or Mexico, even if just for a few hours.)

After all, the purpose of the maritime laws, as we understand them, are to protect USA-based shipping. And NCL complies with that FOR THE ONE SHIP, Pride of America.

(So theoretically, it seems they could run a ferry service around the island, and let passengers get on and off on any schedule, although that would be a bit of a nightmare for reservations and poor housekeeping!)

Any attorneys out there?

NOT looking for a legally binding answer, just so we understand whether the maritime laws "probably do or probably don't" apply to PoA - but someone who is more accustomed to reading legalese than we are.

Thanks!

As it stands, we'll probably make another trip back to the Big Island after the cruise. I'm not sure how the poster in the linked report made it to the volcano at night AND the top of the observatory that same night.

We want to do both, as long as we've flown thousands of miles and are "there" :)

GeezerCouple

Right, that sounded "definite" :(

But we aren't 100% certain that the reason NCL gave are valid.

There is a reason that NCL is allowed to transport passengers around ONLY US ports in Hawaii, without making a foreign stop.

(It involves the percentage of US-based workers, the wages, etc., and there's been lots of discussion elsewhere about some of these "differences" on Pride of Hawaii vs other NCL ships.)

So we aren't sure that the maritime laws NCL is citing are relevant for Pride of America, even though they *would* be for other NCL ships (and ships of most other carriers).

We'd love documentation that NCL's reasoning was indeed faulty.

Or why our thinking was in error, so at least we'd understand better.

GeezerCouple

We'd LOVE to know the answer to this if it is a "yes" and someone has done it.

We tried and tried and tried to get NCL to allow it (rather than claiming we got "left behind"), and NCL was adamant about it violating the maritime laws.

Our TA inquired a few times on our behalf.

We fought it, and did not understand how it applied, as it was a US-flagged carrier, already allowed to carry passengers between US ports without also stopping at a foreign port. So we weren't sure why those laws applied.

But NCL said that not only would we be fined the normal fines (e.g., for getting "left behind"), but - apparently because we made our intentions known by asking - we would not be permitted to get back on in Kona, and our luggage/belongings would be returned to us a few days later in Honolulu.

That didn't sound like a good option...

GeezerCouple

So, what did you eventually decide...? You'd have a great time in this suite...! :)

We've got it :)

And it looks like we are keeping it! :D

One factor for the splurge is that we'll be traveling with another (much younger) couple and their young child. So with several sea days, this will give us a nice space to "be together".

They'll have their own cabin to sleep in, and for the little guy to take naps, and we'll want some quiet time, too.

But for the "together time" (without all the noise/crowds on decks), the living room in the Dawn's DOS looks ideal.

Now, we might get spoiled by all that space, and we're not going to be able to do that for all future cruises, but I'm sure we could have gotten used to it...

Thanks for everyone's help.

CruiseCritic (comments and photos) is just great for this type of question.

GeezerCouple

We will have one on the Regatta in July

That is also my understanding so I am interested to know what to look forward to. On Silversea we receive a bottle of Dom Perignon in the stateroom and enjoy it in the dining room (no corkage fee). We always really enjoy that, but are looking forward to this different experience as well.

How does one know in advance, such as your July trip

?

Are the Amex tastings separate from "other" wine tastings?

DH rarely has time to accompany me to our local Wine Festival dinners or simple (?) tastings. This would be perfect timing, to put it mildly.

Thanks.

GeezerCouple

Sounds absolutely wonderful ;-)

How do we know if there will be one, or, alternatively, how do we arrange/request one (Amex or otherwise)?

We'll be on the Riviera holiday Caribbean as #1 of several planned Oceania cruises.

I assume they won't/can't do it just for two, or at least not with special wines that wouldn't otherwise be opened.

We'll have a few sea days - can't think of too many more pleasant ways to spend them!

Thanks!

GeezerCouple

To the advocates of keeping pills in original containers: what would prevent a person from taking an empty container and filling it with something else? I doubt the person checking pill bottles in your bags has a pharmacy degree???

 

 

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Without a doubt, this has been done, and without a doubt the border authorities at all (or just about all) countries are well aware of this.

The goal here is to make it as easy as possible for the border authorities to figure out if what you are carrying with you is "okay or not", from their perspective (which may be different from that of the home country).

The labels these days often (always?) have a physical description of the medication, such as shape, color, and markings, in the case of pills.

If they aren't sure, they usually have the right to confiscate (or alternatively, turn you away, etc......)

GeezerCouple

Here is a suggestion for prescription medications.

(And for those who question the reason for worrying about identifying "pills", there are many places where certain types of medications are not allowed. Therefore, the easier it is for any authorities to identify what you have - and thus rule OUT any prohibited substances (prescription or non-prescription) - the easier it will be for the person carrying them.)

A week or so before leaving on vacation, ask your pharmacist to label *small* Rx containers with the regular prescription label. Just make sure that each container will have enough room for however long you are gone, and be sure to bring some extra, in case of delays.

Then put each medication in it's own properly "pharmacy labeled" little container.

This avoids having bigger containers (which might be mostly empty, or else contain more of the medication than you could possibly use on the trip).

This could be especially useful if you need to bring some of the meds off the ship with you, for extended day excursions, when you might need to take "more".

Different countries have different restrictions about what is controlled or prohibited.

GeezerCouple

Nice.

How does one find out about these?

Is there someplace it's posted each day on board, or in advance, or...?

And do they post the specific wines that will be included?

Thanks.

GeezerCouple

We had one of the two Owner's Suites on the Sun to Alaska back in 2004...and unless they have reconfigured them since then, the only word to describe them is fabulous...! I could go on and on...but will go to your specifics!

 

We had no problem at all with anything being thrown down onto our balcony, though, as others have stated, if you are right at the railing of your balcony, you can be seen by others above--if they're looking.

 

The hot tub on the balcony is nice, but as another person said, it is more like a bath tub--it needs to be re-filled each time you want to use it...and that takes some time...!

 

The suite itself is...HUGE...! It is 3 rooms--one of which is a very large bathroom with a very nice whirlpool tub.

 

The balcony is PERFECT for Alaska--with one exception...it is not covered at all. Luckily, when we cruised (June), the weather was amazing--no rain at all.

 

I'd book that suite again...in a heartbeat...! :)

Thanks!

About the "if it rains", we figured we still would have that terrific wall of windows (and in both bedroom and living room ;-), much like it is in the Dawn DOS (which has the windows, but no balcony).

Also, if it happens to be really chilly.

(Not too sure we'll be using that Hot Tub/bathtub in Alaska. And if I got in it, I fear I wouldn't ever be coaxed to come out! But who knows...?)

It looks like we are going to take this cruise, and in the Sun's OS.

We've got another day or two to decide.

We waited a bit late to get started on retirement travel, so we have to make up for some lost time :D

Thanks again!

GeezerCouple

The short version [usually; the are some exceptions] is that if you didn't book your cruise and purchase travel insurance BEFORE the illness was diagnosed, the illness would be a pre-existing condition.

However, many policies WILL cover pre-existing conditions IF the insurance is purchased within a short time window after making the first cruise/travel payment (often 14 or 21 days, depending upon policy).

Please see the Insurance Forum for more information.

And contact TripInsuranceStore.com (by PHONE for your specific situation), and they'll see if there is a policy that meets your needs.

And we hope your relative does well for a nice long time.

GeezerCouple

From my days on the Aloha/Sky, I remember that there is a security camera that looks down on these owner's suite balconies, and the bridge officers often got quite a show from the hot tubs.

Good to know!

So it's not only that set-back deck that is "above"...

As for the Sky, it only does short Bahamas cruises?

(Either that, or there is something wrong with the NCL website right now.)

Thank you for the warning :o

GeezerCouple

We are planning our first cruise to Alaska, for 2015.

We found an amazing forward-facing suite on NCL Sun, with a wall of windows *and* a large balcony.

Are there other ships/other cruise lines that have something like this?

For Alaska especially, we are trying to get something forward-facing at the front of the ship (not forward-facing mid-ship, where there is still a lot of the ship before there is any view of the actual scenery ahead - hope that makes sense).

We want to include GLACIER BAY, so that does seem to limit things considerably.

Many thanks!

GeezerCouple

Thanks all.

That's been very helpful.

One more question: Is there another ship that has the same OS as the Sun, or something similar at the *front* of the ship?

The Dawn has a great DOS, but there is no balcony.

And the other larger OS/DOS that I could find seem to be set back a bit, with public areas in front (so "looking forward" isn't really the same as being truly "forward").

As nice as a Garden Villa might be, there aren't going to be enough of us so that would make any sense financially.

Maybe someday, if we can entice some friends to join us :)

Many thanks once again for your help.

GeezerCouple

We stayed in 1001 and 1002 in 2008. We did meet the couple staying in the owners suite (1003) next to our daughters' room and they gave us a tour. The suite was awesome!! I have a couple pictures of me and my husband on our balcony (1001) taken by our daughters on the shuttle back from GSC. There is an observation deck above those rooms, and people could see down on you if you were at the railing, but if you were close to the balcony door I don't think they could see you. We never had any problem with food/trash on our balcony from above. You will love the suite! I always look for those rooms again as I would book them in a heartbeat, but they sell out quick.

 

 

 

Thanks so much, ksimpso3!

Your report helps a lot, and the angle of those photos is just perfect for this purpose. I just couldn't find any photos online (NCL or elsewhere) that had quite this view. With the railing above angled back so far, there shouldn't be much of a problem, if any.

I cannot believe we got this OS, and for Alaska of all places - wow!

We had a different Alaska cruise planned, and after seeing what some of the suites were like on Norwegian, for some reason, I decided to check out the Alaska cruises. Not all of the ships have suites set forward like this.

So this one was available, and we pounced.

More than we planned to spend, but this IS the cruise of a lifetime. If there is ever a time to have this view, this is it.

And this has the combo of balcony *and* wall of windows if it's chilly out.

Thanks again.

GeezerCouple

We are planning a special trip (aren't they all!? ;-) to Alaska, and think it would be the trip of a lifetime with a view just above the Bridge on the Sun.

BUT - what is just above the OS balcony?

Is that a deck open to passengers, such that they could be looking right down, or even drop something on the OS balcony?

If that is a public deck just above the OS balcony (and some smaller balconies between the two OS's), that could get very crowded at peak viewing times.

And if it isn't open to the public, what is that deck space for? (It looks like pretty special space!)

Thanks very much!

GeezerCouple

When we most recently asked Amex Travel Service about their travel insurance, we were told it was no longer available. Apparently they are/were (?) trying to renegotiate the contract with an insurer.

I'm not sure what the status is at this point.

(We probably weren't going to use it, but I did want to double check what coverage was available, and what the cost would be.)

But please double check with Amex as to whether there really is coverage, before you "pass" on some other insurance possibility.

GeezerCouple

We almost always use JetBlue's non-stop from Boston to Seattle.

There is an "upgrade" (about $40?) for more legroom, and we find that well worth it.

We tried Alaska's non-stop (don't even know if it still exists), and everyone was treated like cattle. There was a change in equipment, and they kept us in the airport with "soon, soon" promises, for HOURS, and then announced that the regular "next" flight would use that equipment, and we were to fly the next day.

IF they had been upfront, oh, about 6 hours earlier, we could have almost been IN Boston by then, on another carrier. By the time they managed to share the news, there were no more flights other than a red-eye.

Many of the passengers almost rioted, having already waited far too long with NOTHING offered, not even a soft drink, and lots of children and babies cranky and tired (so were the adults!), and police had to be called.

I'm really not sure how Air Alaska could have handled it much worse...

NEVER AGAIN, no matter the savings!

Jet Blue has been terrific on many flights to various destinations.

And the cost is usually hard to match.

GeezerCouple

Suggest you speak with the folks at TripInsuranceStore.com

They'll be able to help you figure out just what your trip and medical coverage needs are, and then help you find the best priced policy that works for you.

They can offer policies from quite a few different insurers (and there is no extra cost to you for this - same cost as if you purchased directly from the insurer).

We have a similar problem with DH possibly needing to take a "command performance" consulting project on very short notice. So we get the CFAR additional coverage. When he is working less (if this ever comes to pass, and he's happier working although maybe not *quite* so much!), we'll stop getting the CFAR coverage.

But it is the medical coverage that we REALLY need, and it must include "pre-existing conditions".

GeezerCouple

We have several trips planned this year so I think Annual Travel Insurance will be the best bet for us.

 

Any recommendations or anything we need to look out for?

You might do well to check with Steve at TripInsuranceStore.com

We looked into annual coverage, also because of several trips planned within a year (and likely to continue that indefinitely :) )

Your needs may be different from ours, but the bottom line is it didn't work for us.

For one thing, the limit was too low, although that was acceptable for lesser priced trips.

The deal breaker for us was that IF we "used up" the coverage, and had at least one trip still planned, then it would be TOO LATE to get new coverage that wouldn't exclude pre-existing conditions (at least, the policies we'd want) for any remaining trips.

We did start the annual MedJetAssist coverage, which we'll probably keep current as long as we are able to travel.

Whether there is an annual policy that works for you will depend upon what your insurance needs are.

GeezerCouple

We have health insurance through DH's employer, a MAJOR "big name" entity. (A name you would definitely recognize.)

It ONLY covers us within the USA or Canada.

Additional coverage is available (for a modest cost) for BUSINESS TRAVEL internationally, but that would NOT include me if I accompanied him.

And it does nothing for any travel for him that is not strictly business.

So yes, we NEED medical/health coverage for anything at all, such as a fall/broken bone, to something far more catastrophic...

And since most of our travel will be rather expensive [we are too old for coach seats on a 12+ hour flight to be even vaguely comfortable, as one example], yes, we want the additional (modest cost) *trip* insurance.

Sure, we could "lose what we already paid". But we'd want to reschedule as soon as possible, and not "in place of" another trip, but still in addition to all of the other plans.

It is the "peace of mind" factor for both trip costs and medical coverage.

But it is the medical and evac coverage that is the primary and mandatory (in our minds) insurance that is the basis for any such coverage.

GeezerCouple

You might get more/better answers if you post this on the BERMUDA "port of call" section (see list of all Forum topics).

We are heading out on the Dawn in September :)

GeezerCouple

Have any of you bought MASA? What do you think of it?

 

 

http://www.masaassist.com/

We use something somewhat similar: MedJetAssist

The big difference that I spotted right away is that if you are hospitalized away from home, and need "specialized [underlining in the original] treatment not available locally", then MASA will fly you to the NEAREST medical facility suitable. [Please see link for exact wording.]

On the other hand, MedJetAssist will fly you to THE HOSPITAL OF YOUR CHOICE, without requiring any medical personnel to attest that such care is needed, and even if there is "suitable care" closer than where you want to go (such as to a hospital near your home, or perhaps a specialized world-class hospital, etc.).

One must be at least 150 miles from home for this coverage to kick in.

We don't want others to have to pass judgment about whether the local facility provides suitable/specialized care that is sufficient, etc. And if not, we don't want to be transferred to the closest satisfactory facility.

However, MASA does seem to offer a lot of other services, but we get most of those through the regular travel insurance if out of USA/Canada, and from our own medical insurance if within USA/Canada.

But it's good to know about the various vendors and types of coverage.

GeezerCouple

HokiePoq -

This is when it helps to use a major charge card, as you did, and Amex is the best for this particular type of problem.

Contact Amex customer service (phone number on back of card) and tell them that the service you paid for was cancelled by the vendor (not by you).

They should issue a temporary credit for the amount you are "disputing".

If NCL refunds the amount on their own, the amount will cancel out with the dispute.

If NCL does *not* refund it, Amex will contact them on your behalf.

(If you had used a debit card, this might be much more difficult IF NCL didn't step forward and eventually refund the money.)

Point is, by filing a dispute with Amex, you'll have that amount credited back to your account right away.

Note that IF Amex decides in the vendor's "favor", they'll reverse the credit, but I can't imagine that happening when you paid for a service and it was the provider who cancelled it.

GeezerCouple