Bastet

Now that we are getting older, we always buy trip insurance.  I've learned to be sure to have trip Interruption and well as trip Delay.  We didn't have the Interruption, not sure why, when we were delayed in Charlotte for 2 days due to weather.  

We used the insurance twice for trips to the Caribbean when one of our suitcases was delayed a couple of days. No problems being reimbursed.  I believe it was Allianz.

We had Allianz insurance for our trip to Aruba last year.  Hubby tested positive for COVID prior to our return, so we had to stay 4 extra days in Aruba. (Ah shucks).  He felt fine, so we were very surprised.  Anyway, we did get all of our extra costs (room, meals, airline change fees) covered, but it took months and constant phone calls.  I had tried using their site to file the claim, but I guess I used the wrong reasons.  I also kept getting letters about needing documents, but not saying what was missing.  I must have uploaded 20 documents, some twice. Whenever I talked with someone, they were always polite and helpful, but every phone call seemed to reset the clock as to when the claim would be worked on.  Lesson learned, just call and talk to a person to start the claim.  Use the website to upload documents.

This year for our Viking River cruise we are going with Trawick.  I think that it is a Nationwide policy.  I hope we don't need to use it.

We were on the Island earlier this month in a Caribe Balcony room and both ny husband and I thought the bed was great. Slept wonderfully. Pillows were good too.

Jim,

I was on the Island Princess for the Panama Canal cruise Sep. 25 - Oct 12. The people who say move around are absolutely correct. Having said that, we were on the Caribe deck and there are doors at the very front and very back of the deck that lead to small balcony areas that allow you to see directly in front of the ship and directly behind. These decks weren't very crowded, and became less so as the day went on, so you could get a good view. And people were very nice about moving aside to allow you to get your pictures. I think there are also doors on the Emerald deck.

I was on the Island Princess for the Sep. 25 - Oct. 12 Panama Canal cruise. There was a yoga class every Sea day. There were 2 different instructors who alternated days. The cost was $12 per class.

I just recently had an issue with our flights using EZAir, but I had a better outcome. I received an email a few days ago saying that there had been a change to our itinerary. I figured a few minutes difference or change of plane type as before, but no, our 2:30pm flight was changed to 7:40am. I also noticed that the flight number was still the same which I thought was odd. I checked with the airline and could not find the flight number at all. Also, this change would have had us waiting 5 hours between flights. I called Princess, and yes it was a long process, but the agent I dealt with was able to get our flights re-booked so that we didn't have such a long layover. I guess it just depends on who you talk with. Sorry your experience was so frustrating.

My recommendation for people travelling with another person, is to crosspack! That is, put one complete outfit in your travelling companions checked bag, and they put one of their outfits in your bag. Packing cubes make this easy. That way, if one checked bag is lost or late, you have another outfit.

Also, don't forget your sense of humour, and patience.

Enjoy your vacation.

I can't endorse this idea enough. My husband and I always cross packed until our last vacation. And sure enough MY luggage was delayed!! :( Of course I did get a new swimsuit and flipflops out of it, but I would have rather had a change of clothes. Never again will I forget to do this.