This could have been avoided

[RedSox68]

As an aside, the older I get, the more I hate to fly, I hate the tsa stuff, I hate the way a lot of people do not shower before they get on a plane, or hoe they make no effort to be civilized. And the people who work for airlines seem abused themselves. I avoid flying whenever possible.

I am right there with you. After 60 years of travelling (my Dad started the travel bug when I was young), we have come to enjoy the trips that require no flying for the past two years. We had a September trip planned to Europe, but had to be cancelled for personal reasons and I'm kind of glad now. I don't like anything about flying anymore and the points you make are so true. I still remember the days when you could have family take you all the way to your gate to say goodbye, and there was no stripping clothes and shoes off to even get to the gate! Those days when all you had to worry about was getting to the airport on time, not what was in your luggage or how much it weighed or how many pieces you could bring before you were charged. You know, those days when you actually got real snacks and soda and meals that were "included"!

The last flights we took in 2015 to London on British Air were not fun -- tightest seats we've ever had for a 7 hour flight. The seat in front felt like it was literally in our faces. And (unfortunately) on our return flight we had some of the rudest flight crew we've experienced in years of traveling. Granted, they may be tired and frustrated with us stupid passengers and our requests, but this is the job they chose. Our trip last year we drove to the port (glorious -- no TSA) and boarded a cruise. This year we are driving again to the port, and then another trip has us taking Amtrak in luxury accommodations. If I could take a cruise to Europe, stay a week and then take another cruise back, that would be my ideal mode of travel

 

[Tozzie]

Supposedly she did not speak English (or if she did, not well), she had twins, and any parent flying with twins, especially by herself, is probably very stressed. Regardless if the gate agent meant to remove the stroller roughly or not, the stroller came close to hitting one of the babies. Given that you can gate check a stroller, and that this mother didn't speak English well, perhaps she was confused (and maybe this was her first time flying, including with her babies), that she didn't understand that you're supposed to leave it when you get to the plane. I'd be in tears if anyone nearly hit me or my kids, accident or no, and then started yelling. I feel bad for this poor mom, she looked absolutely terrified when that agent and other passenger got into it. It's too bad we can't be more empathetic in these situations and look at it from both sides.[/QUOTE ]
Empathy for what? Children are a choice not a trump card reasearch your trip if you dont then that is on you not the cruise line or airline

 

[elvispursley]

Well, I guess it's clear we don't all have empathy

 

[maxiesmom]

Well, I guess it's clear we don't all have empathy

For someone who puts themselves in a bad position and then looses it and blames others? Not so much.

 

[Ryan Rosevear]

If you fly in the day before, is trip insurance most likely not necessary?

 

[maxiesmom]

What I don't understand is how she had that stroller in the cabin. I have travelled by air many times (domestically and internationally) with strollers and even when I pushed back a bit flight attendants always told me that I could not bring the stroller beyond the door to the plane. I quickly learned after about two flights that it was much better this way, as the stroller would be waiting for you right at the door upon arrival. When the male flight attendant told the passenger who tried to intervene something like, "you don't have the full story," I believe him. I suspect that the woman was quite pushy at the entrance to the plane and that the female flight attendent there could not deal with her and sent the male to get the stroller, knowing full well it would not fit in the cabin. I also am skeptical of the language barrier because I have never met an Argentinian who was wealthy enough to travel, who could not speak English. And there is a difference between understanding and communicating. It is a lot easier to understand foreign languages than it is to communicate verbally yourself. So if she could speak even imperfect English, I suspect she could understand the rules quite well. That being said, there is something about travelling by plane alone with young children (especially those in diapers) which can break down even the strongest soul. And from my vantage point that is why she broke down. Being a flight attendant is a thankless job, and it looks to me like that male flight attendant was trying to do his job. Unfortunately, he does not have a very sympathetic persona, and the woman with the baby (2 babies!) does. I think it is very important for people to respect authority in situations like this, and no one seems to want to respect authority anymore, or they just want to try and get some form of settlement. It is not a good situation. As an aside, the older I get, the more I hate to fly, I hate the tsa stuff, I hate the way a lot of people do not shower before they get on a plane, or hoe they make no effort to be civilized. And the people who work for airlines seem abused themselves. I avoid flying whenever possible.

I agree with you. And I totally don't buy that a gate agent, knowing the stroller wouldn't fit in the overhead, would tell a passenger to try it anyway. No way.

 

[Msmit002]

If you fly in the day before, is trip insurance most likely not necessary?

Depends on your trip insurance, and why you purchased it. I always fly in the day before and make sure I have a very generous time buffer but I also purchase the insurance. I make sure I get insurance that will allow me to cancel for any reason AND covers medical expenses - both regardless of preexisting conditions. Why? Glad you asked....

First, the cancel any time clause: 6 years ago I was forced to cancel my vacation a week before we left because our home suffered significant damage due to a hurricane that came through my area the week before. Not the cruise line's fault, not the airline's fault, not MY faulty. I was due to fly in the day prior. But it was nearly impossible for me to drop everything and go on a vacation while I was busy working with insurance companies, contractors, etc. to not only secure my home from looters but also get whatever belongings I could salvage and set up our new 'base camp' in a local hotel.

Second the medical coverage. IF something should happen to you or your travel companion, most (but not all) insurance plans will either not cover providers and/or costs Out of Network OR they will cover it partially (typically 75%-80% of the cost). The rest is out of pocket for YOU. Never mind if you have to be flown from the ship to the nearest port, or you must stay behind at port get medical care there, or fly home from there... no matter. It's VERY expensive. How did we learn this? My nephew was on a Disney cruise 4 years ago. He was 6 years old at the time and got quite ill. Turned out to be his appendix, he had to have emergency surgery. The surgery was performed in Mexico (which was scary enough for my SIL) and then they had to worry about transportation home. Thank goodness she listened to me and bought passports for their trip because they were not necessary for their particular cruise but it sure made getting home a heckuva lot less complicated.

My upcoming trip is fully insured as well. One additional reason, my husband is currently deployed, but should have no trouble being on this cruise. BUT, the changing geopolitical landscape means he can be pulled back to wherever the military wishes to send him at any time. So, I had to plan for that possibility.

Bottom line: I buy insurance and hope I never need it but am keenly aware that the few hundred dollars I spend on it is a drop in the bucket compared to having to cancel or even if a minor medical issue arises.

 

[truck1]

If you fly in the day before, is trip insurance most likely not necessary?

Trip insurance not only covers your travel, but also incidentals, such as lost luggage or damaged luggage and in some cases medical. You also have to remember that getting here is half the battle. Once your stay is over, you still have to get home. We typically will find a policy that fits our needs as a opposed to the 1 type fits none.

 

[RedSox68]

Trip insurance not only covers your travel, but also incidentals, such as lost luggage or damaged luggage and in some cases medical. You also have to remember that getting here is half the battle. Once your stay is over, you still have to get home. We typically will find a policy that fits our needs as a opposed to the 1 type fits none.

This. We always start our trip insurance date with the day we are leaving the house for the airport, and end it the day after our trip ends, in case there are delays.

 

[Mrs. Johnson]

This will be my Family's first time going overseas and the first time I would purchase insurance. I'm starting to look at flights from Florida to Europe.... Do I have to purchase the insurance before purchasing the flight tickets? I've already booked the cruise. Please help and thank you!

 

[cheermom2four]

This will be my Family's first time going overseas and the first time I would purchase insurance. I'm starting to look at flights from Florida to Europe.... Do I have to purchase the insurance before purchasing the flight tickets? I've already booked the cruise. Please help and thank you!

I purchased our tickets before buying the insurance so that way I could include it along with the cruise and hotel costs in the insurance quote.

 

[Dug720]

This will be my Family's first time going overseas and the first time I would purchase insurance. I'm starting to look at flights from Florida to Europe.... Do I have to purchase the insurance before purchasing the flight tickets? I've already booked the cruise. Please help and thank you!

I've also seen the major airlines offer flight insurance when you purchase the airline ticket. Seems like that might be easier to deal with having it separate in case...

 

[MillauFr]

If you fly in the day before, is trip insurance most likely not necessary?

I never buy travel insurance. I prefer to only insure to avoid catastrophic financial losses. The only travel insurance I would even consider is the medical evacuation insurance. If I had to cancel a $10k cruise I would be upset but life would go on.

 

[cruiser21]

I never buy travel insurance. I prefer to only insure to avoid catastrophic financial losses. The only travel insurance I would even consider is the medical evacuation insurance. If I had to cancel a $10k cruise I would be upset but life would go on.

I can't afford to lose 10k so I spend the 100.00 bucks to insure the cruise plus medical. I don't worry about airfare hotel and other incidentals that aren't a big expense.

 

[tarheelz]

This is an interesting thread. Seems securing passports, traveling a day early, booking a nearby hotel, and purchasing trip insurance are great ways to mitigate risk.

Others gamble a little by using a birth certificate and flying in nice and early on the day of embarkation.

Now listen here...

Y'all are overlooking the most exciting ways to travel with Disney. For ID, I've got my drivers license and a charming personality. I throw some swim trunks and sunglasses in a bag (Sunscreen? Bah). For the flight, I book when I wake up on the day of embarkation. I shoot for a flight that will land at MCO about 2:45 p.m. I hail a cab (or hitchhike) from there! Disney cruises are about Wishing Upon Stars and Having Magical Days. Planning things out? That, my friends, is for real life.

You Don't Need to Plan! All you Need is Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust.

PS - If you're ever again delayed at the airport, remember what Peter Pan instructs: "Just think of happy thoughts and you'll [we'll you know]."

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I never buy travel insurance. I prefer to only insure to avoid catastrophic financial losses. The only travel insurance I would even consider is the medical evacuation insurance. If I had to cancel a $10k cruise I would be upset but life would go on.

Are.you only paying for your own self (meaning no family traveling with you ).and you drive to the ports in perfect weather? Bc that's the only scenario where I'd see not buying travel insurance. With a family of 5 with 5 air tix needed and hotel rooms and small children, i can't understand how anyone would risk cruising without insurance. We've already had to use ours when we missed debarking on time bc of bad weather in port, missed our flights, needed new transportation to airport (and were charged as a no show) and hotel for flights the next day, and all changes to air for 5. Everyone's scenario is different so i don't think saying not to buy travel insurance is good advice. And heaven forbid needing medical evac, which has never happened to us but has happened to two very close friends (2 different instances ).

 

[Dug720]

Are.you only paying for your own self (meaning no family traveling with you ).and you drive to the ports in perfect weather? Bc that's the only scenario where I'd see not buying travel insurance. With a family of 5 with 5 air tix needed and hotel rooms and small children, i can't understand how anyone would risk cruising without insurance. We've already had to use ours when we missed debarking on time bc of bad weather in port, missed our flights, needed new transportation to airport (and were charged as a no show) and hotel for flights the next day, and all changes to air for 5. Everyone's scenario is different so i don't think saying not to buy travel insurance is good advice. And heaven forbid needing medical evac, which has never happened to us but has happened to two very close friends (2 different instances ).

I'd just like to know if the poster who can afford to lose $10K is adopting family members, because I'd like to apply.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I purchased our tickets before buying the insurance so that way I could include it along with the cruise and hotel costs in the insurance quote.

That's not necessary. .. i haven't purchased travel insurance yet and I've already paid for everything. That scenario is if you think you will need "cancel for any reason " which needs to be purchased by a certain time frame.

 

[MillauFr]

Are.you only paying for your own self (meaning no family traveling with you ).and you drive to the ports in perfect weather? Bc that's the only scenario where I'd see not buying travel insurance. With a family of 5 with 5 air tix needed and hotel rooms and small children, i can't understand how anyone would risk cruising without insurance. We've already had to use ours when we missed debarking on time bc of bad weather in port, missed our flights, needed new transportation to airport (and were charged as a no show) and hotel for flights the next day, and all changes to air for 5. Everyone's scenario is different so i don't think saying not to buy travel insurance is good advice. And heaven forbid needing medical evac, which has never happened to us but has happened to two very close friends (2 different instances ).

Me and 3 others. I fly in 2 to 3 days in advance. That is the best insurance. Plus not flying on Spirit

 

[MillauFr]

I can't afford to lose 10k so I spend the 100.00 bucks to insure the cruise plus medical. I don't worry about airfare hotel and other incidentals that aren't a big expense.

Does it matter if you make the cruise or not? You are still out 10k