GeezerCouple

It can be a bit tricky if one is trying to select their own cabins, sometimes. For example, if one has, say, 2 adults and a child, then the software might not show the cabins that sleep 4, trying to keep them for those who might need all 4 beds. We found that out some time ago, when we tried to select a specific cabin for our kids and one grand. However, when I called to ask for that specific cabin, they said it was usually held for 4, but we could have it for the other part of our family. (This wasn't for any connecting cabin situation.) GC

Interesting question. I'd guess that a much higher percentage of CC members select their own cabin vs. those who are not on CC (which is the vast majority of cruisers). We are among those who now *always* select our own. We are "picky" about which suite we want. This stems from my first cruise, in the 1970's, when my parent took 3 generations on a very short, and very cheap, Bahamas cruise. (I'm sure it cost far more for all of us to fly to Miami, but I digress.) None of us knew about "choosing a cabin". We ended up directly under a band, and my father was furious the entire time. I was "hooked" immediately on cruising! 🙂 The next year, I volunteered to find "better" cabins, though I didn't yet know how. A call to a travel agent answered that question quickly, and I got a nice glossy map of the deck plans. I've never looked back. If we can't get something among those that we want, we wouldn't go. Yes, that has happened, but very rarely. We try to book far in advance, and it's rare that there are very few choices that would be acceptable. It sometimes depends upon itinerary. For example, there are some itineraries where we absolutely want a forward view, and others where that's not so important. However, I'm always very conscious of possible noise......! 😠 GC

First, here is a link to the travel insurance sub-forum of CC: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/ I'm not sure what you mean by "legitimate reasons for using travel insurance". Is that as opposed to reasons that are not allowed?? Or do you mean what losses would a travel insurance policy cover if a claim were to be filed? In the latter case, it would depend to a very great extent upon precisely which policy you purchased. The terms of each type of policy can be very different; the only thing that really matters is that all of the terms must comply with the state's insurance regulations. (In the USA, each state regulates insurance, and it depends upon the traveler's state of residency.) You should probably speak directly with a travel insurance agent or broker so you can get a better sense of what types of coverages are allowed (or not). The critical thing is to make SURE that you read the terms of YOUR policy, and abide by them. As for the NCL website, I suspect that one *must* call to cancel or change a passenger. This makes sense because they may need to explain to you any penalties that would follow... GC

Does the bathroom door in the smaller bedroom open enough for someone to *use* the bathroom if the lower bed is opened for a double? I never thought about that before! Thanks! GC

So it's on the one ship, it's only a "Spa" because it is directly above the Spa (and fitness center), and the Hydro Pool? Are there any special privileges? And I assume the same for the smaller suites... on down to the Inside Spa cabins? We had a *wonderful* time on our thus-far only HAL cruise on the Noordam, so we have a lot of exploring yet to do, once we start traveling again... Many thanks! GC

What are "Neptune Spa Suites". What is the difference between a regular Neptune Suite and a Neptune Spa Suite. Many thanks. GC

I was going to suggest something like this... to use Google (or other search) to find private excursions that will be able to provide what works for you. And if a vendor indicates they aren't able to do that, ask them if they know of any others who might be able to do so. It would help if you are more specific about just what help you would need, per some of the questions above. We've had good luck arranging more specialized private excursion this way, all over. And do ask the cruise line's accessibility group, as they may know of something, too. And let them know if you have all of the "help" you need with your family, or if you'd need something specific. Enjoy! GC

The schedules may have changed, but pre-COVID (by a couple of years), there were two trains, but only one was listed then through the NCL excursions. We booked ourselves on the Seward to Anchorage in the afternoon. (At that time, it didn't seem that the times of the NCL trains had the Gold level observation cars, but that could have changed, of course. Or perhaps it was only a temporary situation.) GC

There is a wonderful train, very scenic. We did the reverse, Seward to Anchorage. If you can, spend the extra for the "Observation car", which is higher and has huge windows, including into part of the ceiling. The views are lovely. At least on our trip, the train stopped a few times for photos (but not to let anyone off). I don't know about the regular cars, but ours had an open-air platform on the rear, which was a real treat, too. Enjoy! That was one of our favorite cruises. 🙂 GC

Thank you so much. These videos really do help! These two Neptune Suites do look like they'd work well for us. That forward-view window isn't huge, not like a glass door to a balcony, but at least one can indeed "see where we are going". (And yes, even when it's just "water and more water", we still like seeing where we are going! 😉 ) Are there other HAL ships with suites somewhat like this, with some sort of forward balcony or reasonably good view? On ships that have something like this, there usually aren't many, which makes them difficult to "get". Oh, crystalspin, what a long list of cancelled cruises you posted! 😞 We had planned a second HAL cruise, to Hawaii, in 2020, but........ Thanks again! GC

Do you happen to have any photos of the SQ with "big front-view windows"? We both LOVE forward views, be it a balcony or *large* windows. (Small windows, not so much.) Some ships seem to have none, others have several... Many thanks! GC

You get only the insurance premium back, and none of the pre-paid trip costs? That seems like an odd insurance-like [it isn't actually "insurance" per above discussion] type of financial product. GC

Thanks very much. It was the following part of Post #6 "...because of its location and shape, there is no powder room as in regular Neptunes..." that was the reason for my question. It would have been very nice if there were indeed some Neptune suites with 1.5 bathrooms on some HAL ships. (There are aspects of the Pinnacle suites' arrangements that make them something we actually don't want, unfortunately.) We've had 1.5 bathrooms in suites on some other lines, and it has been a real convenience. So I won't go searching all of the HAL deckplans. 😉 Thanks again! GC

We've only been on one HAL cruise thus far, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was on the Noordam, and we had a Neptune Suite. Post #6 above suggests that Neptune suites on some ships have a 1.5 bathrooms... is this correct? If so, which ships? That would be wonderful for us. Thanks! GC

Contact the Special Needs group well in advance (the AccessDesk, I think). They can tell you what is usually available, and if anything special can be provided if this is for a medical need. We've found them to be extremely helpful in the past, beyond what is sort of "advertised", if needed. GC

Thanks. I guess "credit" or "refund" type of "coverage" satisfies the "not CFAR insurance". Thanks! I wonder why NY doesn't allow true CFAR insurance. Were there some sorts of abuses or something in the past? GC

I thought that CFAR insurance couldn't be sold in NY state. However, there are times that some "coverages", especially cruise line "coverage" is not actually "insurance". Instead, it's some form of "guaranteed refund" or "trip guarantee", but without using the actual word "insurance". Does that fit the "coverage? Perhaps it's because it's a known number, so more like a guarantee or warranty, than "insurance", which has an "unknown in advance" actual payment. If it works the same way, then that's not really a problem anyway. GC

Welcome to CruiseCritic, and welcome to cruising!! 🙂 There have been some good suggestions already. DO start browsing through the Carnival sub-forum, and DO watch for/join/start a Roll Call for your specific cruise. You might find some others on your cruise looking for a few people to join them on excursions they've organized. And then read the New Zealand/Australia "port of call" sub-forum. I'd suggest posting there your itinerary... which ports will you be stopping at? Then others who have already done some interesting things at some of those ports can make suggestions. (Otherwise, you may get a lot of suggestions about activities at ports you won't be visiting.) Are you traveling with family/friends, or just yourself? There may be different suggestions for each of these situations. It's a *great* way to travel: The hotel follows you around each night. 😁 No need to pack and unpack each time, etc.! Enjoy! GC

The Pearl seems to be sitting in Quebec. They may have an extra day or two of sightseeing there...? I wouldn't want to venture out just now towards the Atlantic. GC

That hurricane is supposed to be extreme, and in Canadian Maritimes starting tonight. It's being described as possibly being Canada's version of Sandy. Is it possible the ship will just stay inland for another couple of days and then just head back, with fewer stops? Are you in Quebec City now? GC

Have you considered contacting your state's Insurance Commissioner's Office? Insurance is regulated by the states.... Good luck! GC

Someone could cancel. GC

Yup, photos confirm, 'You're not in Kansas anymore...!" 😁 Enjoy! [Reminds me of the too-short time that I lived in the UK, not too far from where you are now! But loooong ago...] GC

Hi again, Sorry - I missed that you are not a resident of the USA, and insurance is usually sold with regard for the residence (state in USA, or country). What I wrote above pertains to policies sold to residents of the USA. I don't know how that "works" with insurance for Canadians. I'm not sure the title of this thread can be changed. If it can't, I'd suggest you post a new thread and in the title, include the word "Canada". You might also try using the "search" function on CC, but I'm not sure how well that works. There are CC members in Canada who will then be more likely to notice your post. The topic of travel insurance for Canadians has come up before, no surprise. 🙂 Good luck! GC

We strongly suggest that you CALL www.TripInsuranceStore.com to discuss your situation. There is possibly good news in that there are policies that do not exclude pre-existing conditions (but there may be limits on the timing of purchasing such policies; don't wait too long). Also, "pre-existing condition" is defined *differently* in most travel insurance policies than it is in our everyday life. But call them, and they'll help you find the best policy for your situation. We've been using them for years after finding them here on CC. We've had several claims, including some large ones, and all claims were paid without nonsense, which is what matters, after all... GC