the mistral wind

9 hours ago, 3monkeys4me said:

I was finally brave enough to get through this entire thread.

 

I do have some personal experience dealing with Travel Insurance. While on vacation at an all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic 4 years ago, my mother suffered from a perforated ulcer, had emergency surgery, spent a week on life support in the ICU and then passed away. I can say that her travel insurance policy (a midrange plan with no upgrades purchased through a popular big box store) did, along with her health insurance that had some international coverage, did reimburse most of the expenses. Basically, we had to pay for some costs up front, medical insurance then covered what it covered and the travel insurance worked as a secondary policy. Some things were reimbursed or handled very quickly and easily, like getting my step dad's flights changed, etc.. And others were more difficult. Some things were just difficult because we had to wait on a death certificate or other paperwork needed from the government (both US and the DR).  I can say it was roughly 13k to transport her body from the DR to the west coast. I don't have and full idea on what the total medical bills were but I know they were well over a 100k. 

 

And in case you were wondering, she did have some pre existing medical stuff but nothing to indicate she was on death's door. She had seen her primary care doctor about a week before traveling. She was 56 when she died, so still quite young. You really just never know what life will bring you. 

Sorry for your loss. 

On 2/26/2019 at 8:18 AM, Balsam12 said:

So... Knowing they had pre-existing medical conditions, I suggest the cost of travel insurance would be huge.... possibly more than the cost of the cruise. The couple in question therefore decided not to take insurance and just risk it. Bad choice.

 

Just a theory...

When my TA asked me if i wanted to purchase the insurance no questions were asked about my pre existing medical I do not think it applies to travel insurance which is temporary insurance and most of the time the insurance co is the winner and no mishaps.

On 2/25/2019 at 5:31 PM, later said:

Taken off the ship and royal wanted them to go to the local hospital which they chose not to do.

 

royal aranged transport back to Miami. 

 

Bad situation and the word kicked off the ship seems strange.  It was a medical concern that could not be handled by the medical staff on the ship.

Well knowing that they could not be helped with the limited medical care that could be achieved on the ship rccl advised them to go to hospital at the nearest destination. Which is what i would have done. Sadly the couple apparently didn't purchase the medical insurance that would have covered transportation which is advised by every TA. This of course wouldn't prevent them from getting transportation or medical care but after service has been rendered a big bill would follow. I am sympathetic to the couple but i don't think rccl just dumped them there as was stated in the report. They did the best they could for them i think. And they have the whole ship to think about.

On 2/25/2019 at 5:31 PM, later said:

Taken off the ship and royal wanted them to go to the local hospital which they chose not to do.

 

royal aranged transport back to Miami. 

 

Bad situation and the word kicked off the ship seems strange.  It was a medical concern that could not be handled by the medical staff on the ship.

Well knowing that they could not be helped with the limited medical care that could be achieved on the ship rccl advised them to go to hospital at the nearest destination. Which is what i would have done. Sadly the couple apparently didn't purchase the medical insurance that would have covered transportation which is advised by every TA. This of course wouldn't prevent them from getting transportation or medical care but after service has been rendered a big bill would follow. I am sympathetic to the couple but i don't think rccl just dumped them there as was stated in the report. They did the best they could for them i think. And they have the whole ship to think about.

i would like to get one of those balconies over the boardwalk aqua theater. But fat chance i am a guarantee neighborhood balcony. But still never say never lol

36 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You're welcome, but there are many other very helpful posters here.

Humility is a virtue. Thanks again 

21 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Neighborhood balcony perks apply no matter how you are assigned to those staterooms.

thank you clarea, you know everything. i love how after so many posts you come to the rescue with the answers all of us are debating. Thanks again

8 hours ago, brillohead said:

The perks come with the room, not with the booking.  

It's not a promotion that comes and goes -- it's just something that automatically comes with the room.

thank you that makes it even more attractive i can't wait . we will be sailing in oct . My sister is also sailing which makes it even better.

8 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said:

Here are things that Symphony has, but Harmony does not:

lazer tag

Playmakers sports bar (pay)

Hooked (pay)

el loco fresh quick Mexican food (free)

a horrible car instead of a cool one on the royal promenade 😉

a very hot Solarium (too hot for my DH)

 

I bet the 15 to 35 really like the laser tag game. I know my twenty year olds would love that. lol. i never knew that they had that on the ship

i booked a guarantee neighborhood balcony . hope that the perks apply everyone here seems to think so. sister spoke to her TA and he confirmed that we will get them .

yep thats gonna be fun

thanks 

sorry to hear that

i doubt you can go wrong have a great time

i understand but i am looking forward to the balcony cabin and watching the people

28 minutes ago, renza said:

I personally dislike both boardwalk and CP balconies. I feel like I am living in a apartment complex with zero privacy. I love going out, watching us dock and having my PJs on, and not having to worry about getting dressed first to go out. Only ocean view balcony for me. 

27 minutes ago, renza said:

I personally dislike both boardwalk and CP balconies. I feel like I am living in a apartment complex with zero privacy. I love going out, watching us dock and having my PJs on, and not having to worry about getting dressed first to go out. Only ocean view balcony for me. 

Since we don't care about noise the boardwalk would be great for us. But we will see so excited about this vacation. I heard that boardwalk is a little bit noisier. Which is ok for us i like to people watch and see the shows.

I just booked a neighborhood guarantee. i do not know if i will be central park or boardwalk. would love to be able to view the show from my balcony . But would be happy with either perk the wine and dine at italian restaurant. or the soda package and Johnny rockets. We would appreciate either perk. I imagine we are eligible since we are booked in a neighborhood balcony. Hope so. I was on the oasis last year it was our best cruise ever. They were so organized in the buffet and we never had to wait for anything. I hope it will be as great on the allure so looking forward to the shows i thought cats was wonderful as good as any broadway show i saw in NY. i can't wait to see mamma mia. Husband likes abba. rccl did a super job on oasis of the seas. The personnel should be traveling trainers for all their ships.

loved the Oasis of the seas. I think it was our best cruise ever. The service was good the food was good the ship itself was amazing. the shows were great. its also for young people to enjoy. i doubt you'll be disappointed. there are activities that you will enjoy for active cruisers. the oasis class ships cater to the young and active . 

5 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Hopefully they'll read my post and think "What a great idea and nice PR move to hopefully inspire that lucky family member/friend to spend $$$ to become a Diamond member themselves".

YEP

2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Some fellow rule breaker you turned out to be!     Just Kidding.

 

This topic has been debated on other threads with both sides presenting evidence to support their case. ONnthe "it's okay to share" side, it's usually getting the okay from the bar staff on the ship or customer service on headquarters (or wherever customer service is located).

 

My final thoughts on the subject: I've spent tens of thousands of dollars over the past decade on Royal. I'm 2 cruises away from Diamond which means - most likely - that my next 2 cruises (and $4,000-$5,000) will be spent on Royal. So I'm okay with sharing my "free" $8 drink with a family member/close friend (not a stranger I met at the pool that I'm trying to impress) at one of the public venues. If the bartender tells me I'm not allowed, no harm, I won't make a scene and my family member/friend will purchase their own drink.

 

As for Royal, it's just excellent customer service and rewarding a loyal customer.  As mcatmcat said, it's courtesy to give back to the community you have taken from.

 

Ha ha I know

I know where your coming from and i agree half way with you.

2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

I doubt that RCI sets corporate policy based on what is posted here. If that was the case, they would enforce the no-chair hog "rules" or the suggested dress code "rules", which are rules that are routinely broken by many.

EDIT: Plus, that would be punishing the many for the sins of a few is they reduce/remove the program.

 

They will set policy based on financial impact which in this case, cheap and easy cruising resulting in way more many Diamond members than they can possible handle, as evidenced by the overcrowded DL and overflow lounges.

We'll they do have PR people reading the posts that relate to RCCL.

On 11/26/2018 at 11:48 PM, HBE4 said:

 

Yes. And when I reach Diamond status in 2 cruises, I may use 1 or 2 of my 3 free drinks to buy my non-diamond family members a drink. Then again, maybe not as they most likely would have purchased the deluxe drink package and can get their own drink from a far more extensive menu then the limited C&A menu. But I won't take them into the DL.

 

In the meantime, during the next 2 cruises, I'll gladly accept a free drink from any diamond member. 😉🥂

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth my friend.

1 minute ago, cruisegirl1 said:

I found the letter of benefits from the November 8, 2018 Brilliance sailing  with the voucher sharing comment.  It states,  " Drink vouchers are not redeemable for family members or friends, they are not accumulative throughout the cruises, they expire each day after 8:30p.m. Drinks cannot be redeemed in the dining room, specialty restaurants, Windjammer Café or Room Service."

 

Of course we know that some ship allow redemption in dining venues, while others do not.

 

If I gave family and friends a drink from my voucher,  I certainly would not  post  it on a public message board.  When the vouchers are reduced or  removed from the program, we can all speculate why?

my two cents!

M

 

 

 

You're right 

39 minutes ago, Wine-O said:

You're not Diamond, but you are OK with a Diamond member giving their free drinks on their seapass to others who aren't?  I'm sure it is done frequently, but that's not the reason they give you 3 drinks on your seapass -- it's so you don't have to fight the crowded Diamond Lounge and can socialize with your non-Diamond friends in other venues, not to give your non-Diamond friends a free drink.  

Well your opinion has merit also. I never thought of it that way. It makes sense.

4 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Agreed. I'm okay if a Diamond member wants to share 1 or 2 of their 3 free drinks with a non-Diamond at one to the "public" bars (I know its been discussed extensively on other threads) . But not to bring them to a "private" lounge for the obvious reasons you stated above.  Maybe if the lounge was mostly empty, okay I could see it happening. But the non-Diamond should have the common courtesy to leave as the DL starts to fill up.

 

Full disclosure: I'm 2 cruises away from becoming a diamond....or 1 if I book a JS

i agree with you totally