Insurance and Transfers?

[turnlisa]

I am looking at booking our cruise for January 21, 2006. We have never done the cruise before and are really excited. I got a great quote from DU which included transfers. Now I am wondering if I should get the transfers from DCL or go with a towncar service? There are 4 of us so it is cheaper. Has anyone had any experience with a particular service? Why choose DCL rather than the service?

Also, the quote doesn't include insurance. I know that you can get insurance from outside companies. Which is best? Experienced cruisers, I would really appreciate any help you can offer. I need to decide what to do by 1/14! Thanks.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

I also have questions on trip insurance. I am doing a land/sea (booking everything separately). But, it seems like only the cruise would proabably need the insurance. So, who have you gone through, about how much am I looking at for Travel Ins. It's me, DH, DS(5), and DD(5). And, if for some reason I have to cancel, than my money will be re-imbursed for the cruise? Thanks everyone !

 

[3xthecharm]

bump!

 

[TheWog]

the car service is really your own choice. FLTours sponors these boards and people have had great luck with Southern Elegance. Do a search for Southern Elegance, there is a great thread about them. It may be cheaper to do it that way. If you go through DCL and arrive the same day, you won't have to worry about claiming your bags as they will just arrive at the ship for you using the provided luggage tags.

The insurance is best done on your own as you will be able to protect your entire trip. DCL covers cruise only if I remember correctly. insuremytrip.com is a great site to compare coverages and prices. We went with Travelex Travelite policy for our cruise next week. Had coverages we wanted and for a good price.

You can cancel the transfers or add them on to your trip at any time, so I wouldn't wait for just that issue. You can even purchase them for the ride to MCO onboard the ship if you wanted to.

 

[Greysword]

I think the DCL insurance is with a private company, unlike other cruise lines.

We are using Travel Insured ( http://www.travelinsured.com/Products/Products.htm ). It probably is not the cheapest, but this company has a very good rating for customer service. Travel Guard is another recommended company.

You will want to consider covering your whole trip and not just the cruise. If need or want to cancel the whole trip due to terrorist activity, a loved one's illness, a break-in, or any other factor, you will have every expense paid out covered (including hotel). This could be quite a bit, especially if staying at the World). The insurance will also cover lost baggage, airline delays, and a host of other things.

Keep in mind you will need to purchase the insurance with a week of getting your cruise reservations, so some of the denied coverage will be waived (like an airline going out of business).

As for transfers, they seem to be pretty hassel free. I also hear they have movies and a preboarding video to watch during the trip to the ship. I am sure the excitement flowing around the bus will be contagious, also

Good luck!

 

[turnlisa]

OK, I have been checking out insuremytrip.com and think I found what I want. How do I price the airline before I purchase it? Or do I have to wait to insure that portion until I buy tickets? I don't plan on buying those for awhile. Any answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated.