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Fanmail Friday: February 27th Edition

Written by T.I. Cruiser on February 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment

I will be taking a cruise with my husband and our three teenage children this summer. I was thinking that text messaging would be a good way to keep in touch with the kids, is this a viable option aboard a cruise ship?

To be perfectly honest it would probably depend on which plan you have. If I were you, I would contact my wireless service provider to get the specifics but I will tell you my experience with text messaging aboard a cruise ship. IT IS EXPENSIVE, and that’s with unlimited texting. Due to the fact that you will spend at least some of your time in international waters, you will probably be subject to international roaming rates. If you have a plan that includes international roaming (aka if you are a big shot) you will be safe but if you like most of us you will have to pay the roaming. When I text internationally I pay 45 cents per text, in other words, I don’t text much while cruising.

I am really looking forward to my first cruise, on one of Royal Caribbean’s mega ships. One of the things I am most excited about is the rock climbing wall and ice-skating rink onboard the Voyager of the Seas. I wanted to know is the skating rink so cold that I would need to pack heavy clothing in order to be comfortable?

Being from the northeast United States I may be less susceptible to a chill than your average person may be, but I will tell you that I have never had a problem with the temperature in the skating rink. Although I do usually wear long pants, the rink is frozen from the ground not from the room’s temperature. However, f I were you I would take along a light jacket or sweater, just in case. Besides, you may find having a light cover-up useful because it can get chilly at night up on the lido deck.

I was thinking of buying some shares of stock for Carnival Cruise Lines so that I can receive the onboard credit. Can this onboard credit be used for any and all expenses onboard the cruise ship?

First, I will answer your question and then I will give you some free financial advice. Yes the onboard credit can be used for any expense you incur onboard the cruise ship. It is added to your account as an onboard credit and then functions the same as any other onboard credit (by being applied to your account). Now, its time for me to play financial advisor. Never buy shares in a cruise line for the rewards. Stocks are volatile and while we hope they go up, sometimes they go down. In fact, they can lose value that by far eclipses the amount gained in any onboard credits. As with any investment, make sure to do your homework before you purchase these shares. Buying solely for the onboard credit just sounds like a terrible idea.

NCL’s New Plan to Protect Cruisers in Today’s Economic Climate

Written by T.I. Cruiser on February 26, 2009 · Leave a Comment

As of today Norwegian Cruise Lines has implemented a new plan to protect cruisers in case one of their worst fears was to come true, the loss of your job. The new plan, called the Booksafe travel protection plan will provide a full reimbursement to passengers who need to cancel a cruise due to the loss of a job.

The new policy works just like a travel insurance policy. Passengers make a payment based on the cost of your cruise; coverage starts at the low price of $29, a small price to pay for peace of mind. The new Booksafe plan will cover everything purchased through NCL, including any airfare and accommodations. The only cost that will not be reimbursed is the cost of the actual plan.

Booksafe may be purchased by anyone that has been an active employee in your company for at least one year. The best part is passengers can purchase this plan at anytime before your final payment date, not within two weeks of booking like most travel insurance packages.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the existence of “for any reason” travel insurance. However, note that you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain timeframe of booking (usually two weeks). Also, note that most plans do not refund 100% of your costs. As I mentioned earlier you can purchase the plan at any time before final payment is due and NCL will reimburse you 100 percent of your costs minus the plan fee. I would ask anyone who is interested in learning more about Booksafe to speak to either the cruise line or a qualified travel professional.

A Change to My March Cruise Itinerary

Written by T.I. Cruiser on February 24, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Last night I made a small modification to my March cruise itinerary. Previously I mentioned I would be staying at the Condado Plaza hotel. I have since changed my pre-cruise hotel to the Caribe Hilton. While I will admit the Condado Plaza is a nicer resort, I could not pass up the savings I was able to get by booking the Caribe Hilton. By using Priceline’s, name your own price option I was about to the Hilton for 134 dollars including tax. By canceling the Condado and switching to the Caribe Hilton, I was able to save 150 dollars. Even though the Condado is one of my favorite places to stay in Puerto Rico, I simply could not pass up the chance to stay at a comparable hotel for half the price. This is especially true since I will likely be spending the bulk of my time in Old San Juan.

This is where things got complicated. It seems my girlfriend had her sights set on staying at the Condado Plaza; the problem is she never adequately communicated the importance to me. Let me just say it made for an interesting evening of conversation (or lack there of). While she has never even laid eyes on the Caribe Hilton, she has already made up her mind that it won’t measure up. Luckily I will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico which in my mind is one of the most romantic places I have ever been, in other words, let the wining and dining commence. I have an idea of how I will make it up to her, but am also open to any suggestions. So, if you have an idea on what the perfect evening in Old San Juan should consist of, feel free to let me know.