bboop51

Here is another (maybe stupid) BOA credit card OBC points question.  If I redeem my points now, for my cruise in January and for some reason do not use them, can I use them for my cruise in June ?  I've never used my points before for OBC, so this is new for me.

Thanks !!!!

13 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

If you're somewhat tech savvy, you should consider the proctored at-home test that is sold by eMed and Optum.  You'll need a cell phone or a computer with a webcam and a microphone, plus you'll need to download an app.  The tests do cost some $$$ and you may or may not get reimbursed.  I'd recommend it more highly, but (1) eMed is currently out of tests and are waiting for Abbott to make more - they'll probably be back in stock in November, and (2) Optum is currently guaranteeing that the tests they're selling are good through December 15.  It would be a gamble, if you were to buy some from them now, that they would have an expiration date in January or beyond.

13 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

If you're somewhat tech savvy, you should consider the proctored at-home test that is sold by eMed and Optum.  You'll need a cell phone or a computer with a webcam and a microphone, plus you'll need to download an app.  The tests do cost some $$$ and you may or may not get reimbursed.  I'd recommend it more highly, but (1) eMed is currently out of tests and are waiting for Abbott to make more - they'll probably be back in stock in November, and (2) Optum is currently guaranteeing that the tests they're selling are good through December 15.  It would be a gamble, if you were to buy some from them now, that they would have an expiration date in January or beyond.

Thank you. That was my original plan. But tech has never been my friend. I though I'd get them as a back up or vice versa.  I know it's early to stress but that's who I am. Someone I know recently sailed Royal. They claimed they got a test two days before sailing and got to the port and was told the test was five hours out of time. Royal re-tested them and charged them $110 each for the test. 

4 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Check your county's department of health site. Many counties offer free rapid testing at county-run facilities. You should also check the urgent cares in your area. Some will do rapid testing at a cost and some will have you consult with a doctor or nurse practitioner, order a COVD test, and then bill your insurance company.

Thanks, All of urgent care facilities have suspended rapid testing. It  does appear our CVS and another place about 20 minutes away does testing. I'll stay on top of it. 

We cruise in January, so I am trying to figure where to get tested. I am not worried about Medicare paying, just about us getting the test.  I was in Walgreens today to pick up an Rx (they indicate on their website they do rapid testing) and I asked at the pharmacy. The technician said they don't do rapid testing, because they can't get the supplies. 

I know I have plenty of time, but the date come up fast, when  you are unprepared.

2 hours ago, jagoffee said:

It is not too late to cancel your January cruise as long as you are willing to take a credit to apply to a cruise departing by the end of 2022.

Thanks. I know. Not cancelling, DH  is very excited about the cruise. I had a long chat with my Dr. this morning and he gave me lots of good advice. I'm much less worried. I can focus my cruise worries about what to pack now 😁, since  we are (for the first time in many many years)  flying and cruising .

21 minutes ago, Babr said:

Anyone who can buy insurance is not going to lose thousands of dollars. It is readily available in the US. Celebrity sells it.  Insurance will reimburse you for cancellation, trip interruption, and medical.

 

Yes, you need a diagnosis from a doctor, but it is not hard. If you test positive, you have Covid whether you have symptoms or not. A doctor will confirm the diagnosis and provide documentation. You file a claim. You get your money back.

I've already purchased the insuranc and I know the drill.  The insurance provider went over it with me. . My concern is a false positive from the pre-cruise Covid test and a negative from the Dr. If that is the case, I am sunk. I am going to stop stressing about it and get on with my life. Like I said, I have a lot of stuff between now and January 22nd. We are well vaccinated (three jabs for me)  and plan to do as much quarantining (as possible) the two weeks before the cruise.  

8 minutes ago, canderson said:

Interesting trigger point.  How high up in the food chain was the 'rep'?  More than first line phone support?

Not high  enough for me to hang my hat on (I'm sure.) I called Celebrity after realizing if either of us got a positive Covid test, we would get relief from our insurance only if our Dr said we HAD Covid and (most likely it) was confirmed by another test.  But, I have to make final payment on October 22nd, so it's a moot point.  Until then I have plenty of other crap to worry about (non cruise related.) 

3 hours ago, LGW59 said:

It has got to end at some point, time to get on with living (carefully) in this new COVID world.  Many folks here are cruising and posting very positive experiences.  If it is not extended and then I decide not to take my cruise, that is on me, not Celebrity.

I hear you. But Celebrity is not doing this out of kindness. They are doing this because many won't book if they think they may lose thousands of dollars. I spoke to a Celebrity rep today and they indicated  the offer would extend as long as they are requiring the two day Covid test.  

If this is not true,  it will be too late to cancel our January sailing, but we many seriously rethink our June sailing. 

We live very carefully, but there is still unknown {sigh.} 

On 9/23/2021 at 12:37 PM, loving goldens said:

I hope it gets extended into January also...  🙂 It would be a great peace of mind   about taking the chance of travelling only to test positive....

 

We are cruising in January 2022 and would be upset to find this policy is not extended.   It would be quite a lot of money to be out.  Trip insurance only pays  IF you have a Covid 19 diagnosis, not just a positive test. 

I had my Moderna booster, when they first allowed it. I had a reaction, just like I did for #two.

I understand that now only the Pfizer folks can get the booster.

We'll wait patiently for them to allow the Moderna booster for DH to get his third jab.

On 6/29/2021 at 7:54 AM, SargassoPirate said:

 

 

I travel with She Who Must Be Obeyed and sometimes introduce her as my first wife - just to keep he on her toes.  35 wonderful years so far.  There's always somebody looking for something to be offended about nowadays.  They need to get over themselves and get on with life.

LOL... She Who Must Be Obeyed is what my DH uses  (or if someone really really needs my attention  he'll say, I'm sorry buy I'll have to set the The Dog of War on you.  He is very polite (English.) He tries to settle things in a gentlemanly fashion. It doesn't always work.  That's where I come in.

It works for us.

I think the Trophy Wife reference is adorable. I would not be offended. It just would not work for us LOL.

We have no medical coverage from our health insurance co. once we leave the US. When I looked into Celerity's coverage it looked thin compared to other insurance.  Each trip I call call insure my trip and get the best "any reason to cancel" insurance. They have been fantastic. They explained everything to me in non technical insurance terms. It was important to me since I have pre-exisitng conditions and needed to make sure everything was covered.

My travel agent is happy for me to get my own.

I am also so disappointed in the lack of activity in the our roll call. We are on the June 12th 2022, Summit and it just about trading water. By now, in previous sailings, it would be really building up steam.

We've met so many nice people, starting with the roll call / activities. Oh well. Hopefully things will perk up.

Seany527 Thanks for taking us along on your trip to St. Maarten and on your cruise. WOW. Fabulous !  SXM is my favorite place ( I met my husband there : ) ) and you are on my favorite cruise line. What could be better ! Have a wonderful time.

Same ! Booking through my fantastic travel agent has not failed me.

I'm fine with it. I have to take the internet, since I need it to keep our business going while we cruise.   We always take the booze package and I just upgrade hubby's to premium. I just use my for water and Al Balcio.

47 minutes ago, disneygirl2 said:

Thanks, feeling a bit stronger every day.   I now feel obliged to tell everyone to get it!  Check with your health insurance, your visa cards, and make sure you are covered.  I count my blessings now that I am home weeding through all of this, hoping that the bulk of it gets paid in the end.  

I'm so glad you seem to be on the mend. I am big proponent of trip insurance. I buy "any reason to cancel" insurance directly after booking our cruises. It covers any pre-exisiting conditions and look back periods. No Drs. notes etc if we find we have to cancel.  No muss no fuss.

I did get a call this afternoon from my friend who did manage to buy insurance to cover her trip. I was worried I had upset her, but she was grateful.

Be well....

39 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

NO ONE plans for two extra  weeks!  (+)

Exactly, I always packs meds for a few extra days, but to think of even packing for an extra week is no usually feasible.

On 2/12/2020 at 5:27 PM, disneygirl2 said:

We are back from the Oasis of the Seas cruise that started on Jan 26th.  Yes, you read that right, Jan 26th.  While on the cruise, day 2, I came down with the Flu that was diagnosed in the ship's doctor's office.  I received tamiflu and instructions to stay in my cabin. The following day I was not feeling better so I went back to the doctor hoping for an inhaler.  What occurred next is your worst nightmare.  The doctor on the ship freaked out a bit and decided I needed a CT scan to rule out a blood clot, which by the way I did not ever have. So in Jamaica at 4:00 I left the ship thinking we would be back for 6:30.  Well that never happened!  We ended up at the Jamaica private hospital where they proceeded to tell us that we needed cash otherwise, they would transfer us to the public hospital.  By the time this was all straightened out money wise (no they did not take the cruise insurance or our Aetna) the ship had sailed.  They finally were able to get me to Florida via lear jet on 2/1 where I stayed at Broward International hospital until my return home yesterday.  Let me say being in Jamaica was scary and the treatment was subpar.  Even the EMT's from the jet knew something wasn't right and had to tell the doctors what to do.  The staff in Florida were top notch.  Unfortunately by this point the Flu turned in Pneumonia with a few other things thrown in.  

Moral of the story......get the insurance, because my $2,000 cruise has turned into a $30,000 disaster that I am sure is going to take many months to fix.  Without that insurance though, I don't know where I would be right now.  Get the insurance, it is worth the $200

I wish you a speedy recovery and I am so glad you had to good sense to travel with trip insurance. I had a conversation with my friend this morning who is cruising (soon.)  They did not buy trip insurance. When I asked her why, she said they did not much for the cruise, so it wasn't worth it. I asked about medical / evacuation and almost fainted when she said, well Medicare will pay. I said nope and she said I have a supplement. I told her to check with her supplemental insurance and her credit card and then call insuremytrip.  I know her husband takes care of everything financial and I upset her. I felt badly for that. But I would feel worse if something happened and they had not been forewarned.

We are not cruising until the end of May and taking a short (five day) cruise from Cape Liberty to Bermuda and I'm starting to get (a little worried.) I am  immunocompromised, but that is not the biggest concern (believe it or not.) If somehow the ship were to get quarantined, for 14 days, we are sunk. I know our dog sitter has back to back bookings and we have our own business to attend to. That is why we take shorter cruises. Not to mention I wonder what happened to your medical needs after the time your trip insurance runs out, if you to get sick, out of the US. I know my regular insurance does not cover us our of the USA.   We take "any reason to cancel" trip insurance.  We'll decide as time gets closer to see how the virus progresses and how it is handled. 

8 minutes ago, hotsauce126 said:

 

Be happy yours went down at all. Mine hasn't changed

I'm happy it went down but still disappointed.  I'm thinking this almost a quarter of what the cost of cruise is (with the 18% gratuity) and that is with only one booze package.

Major disappointment here in their "sale." Our Deluxe Bev Pkg has been $59 for awhile. The cyber Monday sale price is $51.  I do have to admit the regular bev pkg went down to $19, which is a fair amount less than when I looked the other day (I can't drink alcohol, so I have to take this package or hubby can't have the alcohol pkg himself.)

I'll keep looking and hope for a surprise sale... who knows.

We took the Key Program for our May 2020 sailing (at hubby's insistence.) I do take the internet to keep our online business going while on vacation. The price was $31.99.  We get no alerts for sales from Royal (unlike Celerity ) so I diligently checked my planner just about every day for a price reduction. Well it paid off... the other day it showed up as $24.99. A call to Royal cancelled the Key and rebooked at $24.99. $70 saving.. Yah for me.

On 9/19/2019 at 8:50 AM, boscobeans said:

 

Nothing can beat a steak and kidney pie if the kidneys have been prepared well, if not.... 

 

I'll take your word for it.

3 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I tried them once, and afterwards decided I did not need to acquire a taste for them!

Once I knew what they were I didn't bother trying them. I made the mistake of trying kidneys and some other organ the Brits eat. I was assured since I liked liver I'd like it.. Ahh... NO NO and NO (thank you.)