krittykat

Had to cancel our 12/12/21 cruise 4 days prior due to the sudden critically illness(and eventual) death of my father, who was not cruising with us.

Put in claim for travel insurance. Just got a call from them saying claim was approved but it will still take another 7-10 days to process.

My first experience with actually using travel insurance...anyone else have feedback? 

On 12/8/2021 at 6:04 PM, Babr said:

I don’t know what kind of insurance you have, but sickness of a family member is usually a covered reason even if not traveling with you. 
 

Sorry your father is ill. 

Thanks.

Put in a claim. We shall see what comes of it.  Not going to hold my breath but if they deny..NCL will give us 75 percent in FCC.  Since we have another cruise planned in Oct...it is better than nothing.

This thread got my attention since I am in a sort of similar situation.

Am supposed to sail Sunday. However, my dad was just admitted to the hospital and they are talking hospice. Things are moving quickly. I am going to have to postpone this cruise. 

I don't see this as a coverable reason from my travel insurance (since he was not part of our traveling party). 

Not a CAS booking - just standard.  
Is any of our booking recoverable?  Even if it is only FCC?

I am waiting on a call from our PCC but thought I would ask to see if anyone here knew the answer for these current times.

3 hours ago, knittinggirl said:

Saw this.

 

COVID outbreak on cruise ship approaching New Orleans (msn.com)

 

I was wondering if the ship sailed at reduced capacity.    We did that itinerary out of Galveston last month on the Liberty of the Seas.   They had an unoccupied table between each occupied table.  And the elevators were limited to 5.   Masks required in the inside of ship except for a designated lounge.   And it as well as the diamond lounge looked like a super spreader.

 

Once on the way to Cozumel, about 9-10 pm, we had to turn back to get someone back to Galveston, and we were in Cozumel early the next morning.

This ship sailed with about 3000 total (crew and passengers). That puts it at around 1800 passengers....

8 hours ago, bigrednole said:

And things are going to get a bit worse probably with the testing and breakout on the Breakaway. Lots of things unfolding at the moment and need to keep an eye on.

Hopefully this will not be to disruptive on our cruise ..12/12...on the Breakaway

We are in a "closed loop" cruise out of NOLA (start from NOLA and end in same place) so there is no mandatory testing required when we return.  I think testing to return to US is only for those who are not starting/ending in the US. 
We fly on 12/9 and embark on 12/12 - testing before we fly on 12/8 (96 hours pre cruise) for the option testing but peace of mind just in case at the port - we get surprised... which is highly unlikely. 
Testing in NOLA for someone who is not from there is just a little too stressful and would rather not fly across country without knowing we are negative.

We are cruising in 10  days.  Have shore excursions planned for all ports except Harvest Caye.   We are going to take a look around then head back to the ship.  A little shopping, looking at the small "zoo" and that is about it.

Is the coffee that bad on the ship that you need to buy Starbucks coffee on the ship? I mean, why pay extra for something that is included in the cruise.

4 minutes ago, pateoreo1 said:

Ours also say "The time you have selected to arrive at the pier: "Open"". I called NCL and was told since we are in the Haven we don't have a specific time (we can show up when we want).  We just had to choose something during the check-in process.  

I thought that might have been the case. Nice. We shall get there early for testing and be ready to go for when they start boarding.

OK  just got my edocs (after talking with NCL chat - they got hung up for some reason).  Looking at them - interesting - "Time you have selected to arrive at Pier:  OPEN"
I guess we can arrive at any time.   We are in the Haven - is that the reason?

NCL has both options too.  We booked the exclusive one - only 12 people in a group van vs 50+ in a bus.  Less close contact exposure potential.

Have filled out all our check in information and it states completed but edocs are "not ready".  Not sure what is going on with that.   We were given 11-11:30 slot - wish it were earlier but it is not bad. 
As for safety in the French Quarter - we always stay on the well lit, main streets. 
Hope they have their testing process smoothed out by the time our cruise is ready.

9 minutes ago, vettprincess said:

We will be with you for the 12/12 boarding. Staying at the Westen, 100 Rue Iberbille, the night before. Have no idea where things are so hoping for the best to get from hotel to pier to testing to luggage drop off to the ship. Things were so much easier in the "old" days. I plan on reading this site to see what else people write for clues how things are going down there.

We are flying in on the 9th and staying at the Wyndham on Rue Royal. Been to NOLA quite a few years ago but never for a cruise. Going to take Uber from hotel to cruise terminal...not terribly far but don't want to do it with luggage.  I am continuing to watch too now that cruises are starting to happen there 

Thanks for the information.  It seems like the 1st cruise or two tends to be a little rough for the processing.  Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be smoother once we get there for our Dec 12 cruise.  Standing for a 1/2 hour is not something I can do easily but if I have to, I will.  Do you drop off your bags first or keep them with you during the testing process?

2 minutes ago, kdmbluerzr said:

It appears that many many of us now at the 21 days from sail date and finishing up our checkin process are having the exact same issues. A few others have already submitted a request for assistance with the IT folks at Eurofins. Waiting for answers.  

Thanks - I finally found a post that addressed this (along with other issues).   Still have 3 weeks to get this sorted out at least.

We are now 21 days out and I am working on completing our Online Check in.  There is that section under "Health and Safety" that states 
"To begin your COVID-19 test registration with Eurofins, click here (we recommend using Google Chrome for an optimal experience). First time users, select “New Patient”. Returning users, select “Existing Patient”. Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation email. If you need to add multiple guests to your registration, select “Add new member” upon logging into your Eurofins My LabPort account."

I clicked the link and it took me the the Eurofins site but I get "Registration Link Expired".   If I go their Log In page - It requires an access code to sign up, which I do not have.

Any suggestions?

I am glad I am not the only one who does not like to be "forced" into dining with strangers.  My hubby and I had cruised with just us two and also with our adult daughter. We like a nice meal conversation between us but it gets awkward when there are people we don't know are seated with us. Especially, this day and age where you have to be careful with which subject to avoid/ are controversial or others that might offend.  Our humor is very dark at times, could really disturb someone who doesn't know us - lol.
 

On the other hand, I do like getting to know my server for the duration of the cruise - Seeing the same one for meals is fun.

4 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

That’s all the difference you need. 🤣

As long as I get there, get on the ship and get a drink in my hand..... I am good🤣

We are sailing on the Breakaway on Dec 12. Not over Christmas but close. Celebrating my birthday (which the original cruise in April 2020 was supposed to) and my daughter's birthday, Dec 23. Staying in the Haven. Hoping to have a little Christmas decorations and all on the ship....

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Is there something special about Haven luggage tags?

I have not seen any other ones but ours are marked "Priority"  Since we have never cruised with NCL before, I can't really know if there is anything else different

Just received my Haven letter and luggage tags yesterday for our Dec 12 cruise on the Breakaway. This is our 1st NCL cruise and can't be more excited. 
Been to New Orleans before - even checked out the port terminal out of curiosity but never cruised from there. This will be a new adventure.
Now to wait for the 21 days to complete the rest of our registration, I guess. 
 

I, for one, am happy to hear this.  It might upset others but I feel a little more secure (though never 100%).  I will be sailing in Dec with my hubby and daughter.  Despite 100% vaccinated cruise, we will keep to ourselves, will not socialize (nothing personal to others, just safer that way) and enjoy each other's company. 

I was recently quarantined on a river cruise to our cabin due to possible exposure until verification PCR tests came back. Lasted 12 hours. Our cabin was tiny but we had a french balcony which helped.
I was prepared. Despite being 59, I have my hand held gaming device, my phone (more games)and when packing, I made sure to take my "medicine cabinet" - not just meds for the days we planned to be gone. 
We are going to do the same for our cruise on the Breakaway in Dec. Always prepare for the worst,  hope for the best. This time, we have a cabin much more tolerable for an extended amount of time but as far as entertainment, will take stuff, meds - will be prepared....

Sailing on the Breakaway 12/12 - first time on NCL. Was wondering do they play Bingo?  My daughter and I have always enjoyed playing this on other cruise lines we have sailed on and are hoping to be able to play on this cruise too.

I just booked a Club Balcony on the NCL Dawn for a Spain/Portugal cruise next Oct.  After have spent 2 weeks on a river cruise in a cabin that was tiny (barely 150 sq ft) Anything that is bigger, works for me. Both have a sitting area but the Club balcony is large and it is nice to have that breathing room. Same with the bathroom - I don't care about the tub but just the extra space for a claustrophobic person is worth it for me