Retired Navy MPR

What a great discussion, and one that got me thinking. I hit so many of my bucket list ports via Navy ships, the remaining list via a cruise ship is shorter. But already visited high on my list of favs is Alexandria and inland to pyramids. Speaking of bucket list, remember when Morgan Freeman and Jack are sitting on the top of Cheops pyramid, they really were not there - as every square inch of the top stones have graffiti carved into the limestone over the centuries, which was sad to see. I'm not sure if your allowed to climb to the top today, but in the 70's some "tip" money would cause the guards to turn there back and away we went. Hong Kong, and Singapore top the list as well. For our future cruise, Alaska next summer and someday Australia. Enjoyed the thoughts and input from all.

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We book balcony on occasions when the price difference isn't so great and other times we use inside and window cabins. We do use the balcony doors for fresh air as well as sitting out on the balcony. Since windows don't open and inside cabins have no fresh air option - the fresh air can be nice when the weather permits. My wife can become a bit seasick on occasions and the fresh air becomes even more important during these times as well as having a visual of the horizon. On a recent trip to Mexico we spend an overnight in Cabo; I was unable to sleep and very early in the morning when it was still dark I had a cup of coffee on the balcony and watched all the fishermen heading out to sea in a constant parade that was beautiful to watch. We are planning an Alaska cruise and the price for balcony is double the inside cabin price, will probably spring for the added cost anyway since having a front row seat while cruising the inside passage seems to make sense.

(disclaimer) We don't keep door open and a/c on at the same time, and generally like the fresh air when weather is mild, not when its hot - since we like our a/c as much as the next person.

I actually did fall making the knee worse, but the claim was that the original diagnosis of OA occurred before I bought the cruise. The knee was fine when I bought the cruise, but within a month of the departure date it was so bad, I couldn't go. (and I was lucky that a cancellation occurred with the surgeon - I wouldn't have been able to go with or without the surgery) I just provide the info as a cautionary tail, that folks might want to remember anything that could be considered a pre-existing condition. When you buy a cruise a year out and a condition gets worse, or there is a relapse - it may not be covered.

Sorry, correction - NOT a refund of 80% but a future cruise credit of 80%. Which was under the "any" reason area, not the medical area. Since they denied the medical reason even with surgery and months of physical therapy. From what I have heard and from my own experience they "Look" for a reason to deny claims.

Sorry to hear about your son, certainly wish him well in his recovery. Thought I would share something with you. I had to Cancel a Princess Alaska Cruise last summer because I had Total Knee Replacement surgery which was scheduled one week before the departure. I had Princess Travel Insurance and submitted all the paper work, including the hospital documentation for the surgery. They denied the claim, saying it was a "pre-existing condition" since I had been having trouble with the knee for several years, but finally made the decision to go forward with the surgery despite the cruise - as there was a cancellation at the hospital. You may want to read the fine print on the insurance to make sure they won't consider the injury a pre-existing condition. I was able to get 80% refunded, under my gold plan. Now we are Platinum with Princess - which covers 100% for ANY reason. Wish you well.