Jersey42

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Moved Kevin Tugwell from CD of Coral to CD of Majestic as per @leck57.

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Updated Discovery Captain as per @that, removed Discovery alternate captain. Updated Ruby Captain and CD as per @rwmiller.

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Updated Island Captain, ED and DRO as per @Steelers36

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Updated Caribbean Capt, ED, DRO as per @suzyed. Updated Discovery ED as per @trbarton. Updated Sapphire Capt as per @Midnight_Buffetand @hpeabody.

Has anyone visited Maya Chan since they shut down for a few months?  If so, has anything changed?

Their website still had the shutdown message for several weeks after their October 12th scheduled reopening date. About a week ago a new message was posted.

"Due to the increasing and severity of our Storm Season, we will be pausing from June 1, 2023-August 31, 2023. Thank you for your understanding."  The live webcam is still not working.

I have not yet reached out to Mark at Maya Chan, but he has always been very responsive.  I figured I would check here first.

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Updated Enchanted captain as per @EllieinNJ. Updated Emerald CD as per @startedwithamouse

22 hours ago, WorkingForOBC said:

Our primary concern is if there's a winter storm or blizzard that prevents us from getting to the port, but it doesn't delay or affect the cruise departure in any way.

Would you recommend "cancel for any reason" insurance, or is there another coverage feature that I should look out for?

17 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

I'm sure the TIS folks will tell you this, but in many cases (most? all?) the CFAR coverage requires that the cancellation be done at least 48 hours before the planned departure time/date.  So that wouldn't cover a last minute problem like a sudden weather event.

Most (if not all) third party CFAR insurance policies work the way GC describes.  Most (if not all) cruise line CFAR policies let you cancel up until scheduled departure. So keep this in mind if you can't find another policy that will treat your weather scenario as a covered reason.

Unfortunately most cruise line policies have a lot more "holes" that you need to be aware of.  These typically include:

• Very limited medical.  I would never recommend a cruise line policy unless you had other good medical coverage outside of the US.
• CFAR is normally in the form of a future cruise credit (FCC) that usually expires within a year.  The FCCs are usually 75-100% of the non refundable cruise fare.  Taxes/fees and some prepaids are refunded in cash with/or without insurance
• No waiver of pre-existing conditions for medical or other coverage. CFAR is not subject to this clause.
• Only covers cruise cost or in some cases also includes other costs paid to the cruise line. May not be a big deal for your situation as you have no airfare and the hotel might have a generous cancelation policy.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

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Updated Enchanted ED as per @scooter6996. Removed (apparently) old DRO from Island.

One more important thing that I neglected to mention that could affect your approach and coverage.

If the cause of death was related to a pre-existing condition as defined in the policy, then you may not be covered for either option 1 or option 2.  Unfortunately, you may not know for sure until you make a claim.

Here is the wording from  the Texas NCL Platinum policy:

Pre-Existing Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the sixty (60) day period immediately prior to the Effective Date of Your Certificate for which You, Your Traveling Companion, or a Family Member booked to travel with You: 1) received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 2) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition that is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the sixty (60) day period before the Effective Date of Your Certificate.

The following exclusions apply to: Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Accident and Sickness Medical Expense:

Loss caused by or resulting from:

1. Pre-Existing Conditions, as defined in the Definitions section;

I'm sorry for your loss.  I would call NCL or your TA and ask them.  If they offer you what you want, take it and thank them.  If not, here are two scenarios that I see. Both should work.  Do the math and take the best option.

Option 1

• Cancel your husband.
• NCL refunds taxes, fees and any other pre paids
• Insurance refunds cruise fare
• If NCL charges you a single supplement (they probably will), insurance reimburses you.
• Net cost to you is 1/2 of what you originally paid for the two of you.

Option 2

• Cancel both of you
• NCL refunds taxes, fees and any other pre paids for both of you
• Insurance refunds cruise fare for both of you.
• Re book at the current rate with the current single supplement.
• Will only make sense if the fares are less than half of what you originally paid assuming a 100% single supplement. If you changed to a less expensive room category, this option may also be attractive too.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Edit:  With option 2, you would have to add another insurance premium.  With option 1, you would still be covered under your current plan.

..

9 hours ago, SPacificbound said:

Looking at GEO Blue Trekker annual policy, but there isn't much info at all once you get the price and it says "apply". I'm looking for the best travel medical and evacuation coverage, and the least amount of "look back", since doctors are so good at changing prescriptions.  

 

We consider all trip costs as self insured. Our primary medical insurance is Medicare.

The Trekker plans are the best ones I have found for those that qualify.  You have a "primary health plan", so unless you live in one of a few states you should be eligible. The plans cover pre-existing conditions with no lookback period.  You can find a link to a PDF copy of the choice policy at: https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/products/multi-trip/trekker-5-overview.cfm. The essential policy page has a PDF link as well.  As many others have recommended, you might want to call TripInsuranceStore.com.  They can answer any questions and sell you the policy if you decide to purchase.  The cost is the same, no matter where you buy it.

This is what the link looks like:

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Updated Discovery Princess as per @blizzard44ca post. Includes moving Duke Christopher from Diamond to Discovery.

Does anyone know for sure if New York residents can or cannot get CFAR benefits?  I have seen posts in a number of different Cruise Critic forums as well as other places without a consistent answer.  I don't need the coverage, but I was just speaking with a relative who lives in New York and she asked me what I knew.  If it is available, does anyone offer it - both cruise line and third parties? I have already seen two recent threads that indicate NCL offers it, but no one can seem to purchase it when they try.  Maybe @iamtrustworthy has some insights.

The best that I can tell, under New York law, CFAR benefits do not technically qualify as insurance because the cancellation of a trip “for any reason” does not depend on the occurrence of fortuitous event. However when COVID hit in 2020, New York State offered alternatives for providing CFAR benefits.  So my conclusion is it is not illegal, if insurers want to meet NY's requirements as partially outlined below.  If I am wrong, what am I missing? If I am correct, does anyone actually sell it?

Pursuant to New York Insurance Law § 1113, an insurer may sell CFAR benefits if it can demonstrate that the benefits are necessarily or properly incidental to the kinds of business that the insurer is authorized to write in New York. In addition, the insurer must make CFAR benefits generally available to consumers, without requiring the purchase of a standard insurance policy from the insurer. If CFAR benefits are sold to a consumer who is also purchasing a standard travel insurance policy, CFAR benefits must be reflected in a standalone contract that is separate from the insurance policy.

See: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/industry_guidance/circular_letters/cl2020_04  for the full letter.

17 minutes ago, Thrak said:

I always get asked in hotels if I have AARP. I don't have it so just now when booking a hotel online I checked the different rates offered. AARP is not showing as the best rate no matter which hotel I choose. What's up with that?

I guess it depends on what hotels you book.  My first choice brand (Marriott) always offers a variety of rates, so I can check several options to see which one is best.  "Senior Rate" is often the best, but occasionally it is "AAA" (not AARP) and sometimes there is a loyalty member rate that is even better.  I can't remember which hotels, but I know I have seen situations where they offered "AARP", "Senior" and "AAA" rates.  I have to try all three, but any of them are almost always cheaper than the standard rate.  At least at Marriott brands, I cannot recall ever being asked for proof at check in.

There have been issues with purchasing AARP gift cards for the past few weeks.  Essentially the check out function is not working and you cannot purchase via phone or any other way.  Apparently the site was fixed yesterday for a few hours, but then it went down again.  I just checked, and it is down as I post this.  See the thread on the HAL board linked below.  Also:

• You do not have to pay to join AARP to join the free AARP rewards.  There is however a USA residency requirement.
• You are limited to purchasing 5 cards per month.
• All of the cruise line gift cards were always either in $100 or $500 denominations.  The $500 cards for all cruise lines were recently taken off the site. Not sure if they will return.

4 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

I'm also confused.

Cancel For Any Reason, is just that. You can just call and cancel for ANY reason.

However, there are some caveats to that. 1) You have to formally cancel before a certain time frame. 48 hours before trip departure in this case. Did you meet this criterion? If so, then they owe you a future cruise credit for a % of non-refundable trip costs. The % amount is based on what policy you purchased. If Not, then you didn't meet the terms and conditions.

Here is my concern about Viking's CFAR coverage, and the reasons I added some questions to my last post.

The policy wording is "If you cancel Your Trip for any non-covered reason before the scheduled Trip departure, We will waive Our corresponding cancellation penalties and reimburse You in travel vouchers for the nonrefundable portion of the Trip Cost"

The trip departure date should be in the OP's insurance certificate.  Is it the flight date or the cruise date? I did not think to ask them to look, but it may depend on who they purchased the flight from.

If it is the flight date and the airline canceled the flight after scheduled departure time, then the OP could not cancel the cruise in time to satisfy the CFAR requirement.  As long as they canceled in a reasonable timeframe, I bet they win an appeal.  It just may take some time.

Depending on the details, I would also not completely give up on a appeal for a covered reason. Some of the policies are very restrictive on common carrier delays, but I remember one post from a few months ago where the person won the appeal, even though the exact cause of the common carrier delay was not specified in their state specific policy. 

1 hour ago, textom said:

They have rejected our claim in whole.

Will they give you the 100% Future Cruise Credit as a CFAR claim, or did they reject that too? 

Edit: If they did reject the CFAR claim, other details that would be helpful include:

• Did you purchase flight through Viking?
• What was scheduled flight departure date/time?
• What was scheduled cruise departure date/time?
• When was flight canceled?
• When did you notify Viking that you had to cancel your cruise?

Unless you were a no-show for the cruise, as Babr just said, you should receive the FCC.  Some of these details could affect how you make the appeal.

3 hours ago, klfrodo said:

I'm not disagreeing with Babr. Never have, never will.

I just provided the OP with an option to consider

If the OP cannot find an acceptable policy that covers work related cancelations, I have no question that your suggestion is the next best alternative. There is just a big difference in net costs between the two approaches.  So, I would not recommend the NCL CFAR approach without first considering polices that allow cancelation for work reasons.

While I may occasionally disagree with minor points, I always find both yours and Babr's posts both enlightening and helpful 🙂 

2 hours ago, klfrodo said:

I'm usually a fan of 3rd party travel insurance.

 

However, if this is your ONLY concern and have no other things you want to share risk on, then, just maybe, NCL's insurance offer might be an option. Their Premium plan offers 90% credit towards a future cruise. 3rd party plans only offer anywhere from 40% to 75%.

The other positive is that with NCL's plan, you have up scheduled sailing time to cancel vs 3rd party where they usually require that you formally cancel 48 hours prior to "Trip Departure", which means when you walk out your front door to get in the car.

 

However, I'm unsure if you can only purchase for 1 passenger on the booking.

Maybe I am missing something obvious here, but I think @Babr's approach makes a lot of sense.  The only caveat is the OP has to make sure the cancel for work reason language will fit his wife's potential situation. Each policy with this feature will be a little different.  TripInsuranceStore will be helpful with the plans they offer.

Here is my concern with the NCL approach. If wife canceled for a non covered reason, NCL's plan would provide the 90% FCC. But then, NCL would most likely charge the OP a single supplement.  This normally would double his base cruise fare, and he would have to pay it in cash.

To illustrate, I will assume some numbers. 

• Per person cruise fare - $1100
• Per person taxes and fees - $400
• Single supplement - $1100 (same as base cruise fare)
• Total cost for two people - $3000 ( $1100 + $1100 + $400 + 400)

If the wife had the NCL insurance (lets assume for simplicity it had a $0 premium) and she cancelled, here is what would most likely happen.

• Cash back - $400 (the taxes and fees)
• FCC back - $990 (90% of $1100)
• Single supplement charged to OP - $1100
• End result to the OP is $3700 to sail as a single, plus a $990 credit to use on a future cruise.  ($3000 - $400 + 1100)  

With the other approach and a covered reason, the end cost to the OP to sale alone would be $1500 and no FCC.  He paid $3000, NCL refunds $400, insurance refunds $1100 and insurance refunds the $1100 single supplement. Of course the cost of the insurance should be included in any real calculations.

I have personally run into this situation with Holland America and asked what would happen if one person cancelled and the other decided to go alone.  My example above illustrates that.  I have seen other posts (not sure which cruise lines) recommend not canceling the wife and just showing up.  Some people who did this said they were not charged the single supplement once on board, and in some cases they received a refund of the taxes and fees for the no show passenger.  I would never count on this approach unless I had no better option.

A little long winded, but hopefully it offers some thoughts for the OP.

HAL seems to be moving quickly to adopt Canada's new requirements. Voyage J264 on Oct 8th now also has the new rules.  Here is the link to check other voyages.  You need your booking number or your voyage number.   https://book2.hollandamerica.com/protocols/

26 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

What it really is is that you can cancel for any reason and get your insurance premium back. No cost for this. Sorry if what I wrote earlier was misleading.

Can you clarify.  My understanding is this is true if you are a NY resident and you cancel prior to being in the penalty phase.  If you cancel after cruise fare penalties start accruing, then the CFAR will cover a portion of the penalties, but you don't get your CFAR premium back.  Is this your understanding too?  

3 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I haven't checked HAL's prices recently, but I would be shocked if deals weren't available.

14 days from Quebec City to Ft Lauderdale shows $454 pp base fare on my TA's site.  Plus $100 pp onboard credits. That works out to just over $25 per person per day for the base fare. About as cheap of a non casino fare one can usually find, if you are willing to take an inside 🙂

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Looks like Princess wins the race to update their policy. It took them less than an hour to make official announcement that they are no longer requiring vaccination, arrivacam, or testing for cruises visiting Canada.

 

Here is the Princess link.

https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2022/09/princess-cruises-ready-to-welcome-all-guests-with-transport-canadas-removal-of-all-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-to-enter-country.html

I suspect HAL will be making the same changes shortly based on this quote from Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line:

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28337-holland-america-president-sees-win-with-canadian-restrictions-lifted.html

10 minutes ago, southpawsdakota said:

Wonderful news. Now hopefully Princess will follow suit on ALL cruises, even Enhanced Cruises.

Looks like they have for Canada cruises effective 10/1/22, but they are in the process of making updates and notifications.

https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2022/09/princess-cruises-ready-to-welcome-all-guests-with-transport-canadas-removal-of-all-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-to-enter-country.html