Ken076

Thanks for taking the time to scan and post! Ken

Not to worry - who among us hasn't occasionally done similar. Thank you for coming back with the "closuree". Enjoy the cruise - I'm sure you will enjoy the Magic! Ken

Doublecheck by doing a mock booking for same cruise/ship/dates, same Cabin Category and same #PAX, for all Fares that you're eligible for all the way thru until actually booking; after accounting for any OBC, cruisefare is less than you paid? Try to get a screen shot or printout. Ken

Thanks Sparky2!!!

Policies offer widely varying "Cancel for Any Reason Coverage" and you have to read the Policies closely wrt this coverage. Coverage is usually NOT the 100% that you "assume", but may vary from 50% to 90% and may vary from 50% to 90% depending on when you cancel, and generally you can't cancel at the very last minute. AND you usually have top purchase within 14-21 days of Cruise booking and the added premium can approach added 50%. Ken

SandyBShores - As asked earlier, does your daughter have Carnival VPP (or other Insurance)? Ken

If I lived in North Carolina, I would be booking Magic out of Port Canaveral rather then Breeze out of Galveston. Easier to get to Port Canaveral.

Also, If you're driving, a number of Hotels in Cocoa area participate in Voucher program for 40% off of the Port Cruise Parking. Ken

The Carnival Policy covers "cash" reimbursement for cancellation for the specific reasons stated in the Policy - this coverage is provided by the Insurer; if you cancel for one of these specific reasons, you're reimbursed in "cash" via the insurer.

The Carnival Policy also automatically includes "Cancel for any Reason" whereby Carnival reimburses you with a 75% future Cruise CREDIT if you cancel for reasons not stated in the Policy (this coverage is provided by Carnival not the Insurer).

The Carnival Policy is available on Carnival.com.

Ken

lyndamr -- just make sure that you didn't have it x-rayed, examined, treated or any associated Prescription changed in the 60 days prior to your cruise, or it will be considered "pre-existing". Ken

That is why we book past guest.

We now book Military rate which (for all the examples I've seen) is same as the Early Saver Rate. Ken

You may want to first check your personal Health Insurance to see if it includes (adequate) out-of-country coverage and the Credit Card used to pay for the cruise/airfare to see if it includes (usually) minimal trip cancellation and lost/damaged/delayed baggage coverage.

Ideally you'll purchase insurance w/in 14-21 days of booking so as to get "waiver of pre-existing conditions" included AND to be able to optionally purchase "cancel for any reason" coverage.

If you're USAA member you can get their policies at something of a discount and with some increased coverages.

You may want to compare policies for features like cancellation for business reasons, cancellation for kids school schedule change, kids insured free with adults, etc.

Ken

If you cancel and re-book in the same phone call, they can apply your original deposit less $50pp to the new deposit. Ken

Check your personal Health Insurance for "out-of-country" coverage (we have BCBS FEP) and the credit card used to pay for the cruise (World Mastercard includes minimal trip cancellation and lost/delayed baggage coverage) and if both are adequate you may not need trip insurance.

Otherwise -- the "third party policies are generally less expensive and include higher and broader coverages than the cruiseline insurance; if you purchase w/in 14-21 days of cruise booking most include "waiver of pre-existing conditions" and tghe opportunity to purchase "cancel for any reason" optional coverage. You can research and purchase direct from most insurers sites, or via sites like insuremytrip that handle and compare many/most of the insurers.

USAA sells TravelInsured policies at a slight discount and with a few increased coverages, for USAA members.

Ken

I was wondering if anyone has purchased Carnivals Cruise Vacation Protection plan? It looks like it waives the nonrefundable portion of the ticket contract. So, am I right in thinking you get your money back if you have to cancel. Is it better to go with a third party pan?

If you cancel for he reasons stated in the Crnival Policy, you'll get your money back; if you cancel for anyu other, not included, reasons, you get a 75% future cruise CREDIT.

The third party policies are normally less expensive and way higher and broader coverages than Carnival's VPP; you really should purchase them w/in 14-21 days of booking in order to get "waiver of pre-existing conditions" and the opportunity to additionally purchase "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage.

Ken

If you book Early Saver and cancel prior to Final Payment deadline, your deposit (less $50pp penalty) is held toward cruisefare for a future cruise w/in 2 years; if you cancel after the Final Paym,ent deadline, the standard cancellation penalties (approaching 100% as you approach sailaway) apply. If there's chance you'll need to change or cancel, don't book Early Saver. Ken.

Unless the ship debarks you in some some place like Grand Turk, Jamaica, or who knows where... Then I want to get back the good old U.S.A. ASAP...

You have to be careful here, as many insurers (I believe including Carnival's VPP) only transport you to the nearest "adequate" facility to treat your condition - you don't get to choose where you're transported. Ken

(Not disputing klfrodo, as I've never seen a report of a non-CoastGuard ship evac) .... I've wondered this myself and never found a good answer. I tried (briefly) to research thru the CoastGuard but could not get any answers, but I may not have asked the questions (what's the "extent" of the CoastGuard ship evacs and where geographicaly do they support/not-support) to the right people. Ken

Thanks for the response. We will be driving down. It is about a 10 hour journey.

Hotels that participate in the 40% CruisePort Parking Voucher Program are listed at: http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_5.pdf I'd call to confirm same.

A poster on a December Magic cruise indicated that their excursions are now available!

Ken

I suspect they're more concerned about coverage during the cruise i.e. airline delay, missing the ship, lost luggage, medical illness or injury, Medical evacuation, etc.

ken

I'm new on here and have not figured out how to post a new message. All I can see is where to reply to messages....Help please?

At the top of the page of this Carnival Forum click on New Thread near upper left top. You have to have registered and signed-in to REPLY or Post.

Ken

You may want to go ahead and check on excursions. We cruise on the Magic in December' date=' and, our excursions are already available. :)[/quote']

 

As mentioned, not available yet! We'll do self-guided walking tour and lunch in OSJ, probably just the Paradise Point SkyRide in St Thomas, Beach Day in Grand Turk (so far we're the only ship scheduled there), and a Beach Excursion (or maybe stay aboard ship) in Amber Cove.

Looking forwrd to Guy's BBQ, but not the expected line!

Ken

.......... and will be out some $$$?

Thanks for any advice in this...

I don't think you can use Manager to do this, but Either way you'd still have to pay the $$$ difference? Ken

Checkout the Carnival Hub smartphone APP for when you cruise (might or might not be available/operational on Magic by January 2017 cruise!): http://www.carnival.com/cms/shipboard/funhub/funhub-landing.html

ken

The Magic just completed an overhaul and added a number of so-called Fun 2.0 upgrades.

You might like Guy's Burgers at lunchtime, the SeaDay Brunch (sea days only) in one of the Main Dining Rooms, Guy's BBQ (sea days only -expect LONG lines), entertainment in the Ocean Plaza mid-ship and the evening Comedy Shows in the Aft Lounge. Maybe dinner at the Cuchina above the Buffet.

Magic is much larger and newer than the smaller and much older Paradise. Lot's to do aboard ship. Checkout EXPLORE | SHIPS | MAGIC at Carnival.com!

A number of cruisers recommend La Quinta Beachfront Hotel. There are a number of Hotels in nearby Cocoa Beach. Some of these Hotels participate in a program offering a 40% off voucher for parking at the Cruise Port. We're staying at Holiday Inn Resort across from the CruisePort.

Watch your e-mails - Carnival may be starting staggered (scheduled) check-in at Port Canaveral one of these days.

Excursions aren't available yet - maybe 90 to 180 days before sailaway.

Are you flying or driving?

Ken

Under Explore | Excursions | Amber Cove, see the COUNTRYSIDE ZIPLINE ADVENTURE ??? but doesn't look to be at/near the pier.

Ken