Any Travel Plan for 2019?

[explanade]

Sorry about your father.

Did you insure for the total costs of the trip or just those tours?

Because the higher the amount of trip cancellation, the higher the premiums obviously.

Also I thought trip cancellation policies for medical reasons mostly applied to the insured people taking the trip, not relatives of the insured.

At least that seems to be the case at third-party trip insurance sites like insuremytrip.com or squaremouth.com.

 

[iloveyoga]

Unfortunately my elderly Dad’s health suddenly declined last month and he started hospice. I’ve had to cancel most of our planned European fall trip - still holding onto an October section although who knows if we will be able to do it. The good news is this time I bought trip insurance as we had prepaid for two expensive tours. I’ve been flying back and forth - he lives several states away.

I am sorry to hear about your Dad. When my Dad's health went downhill, I started buying travel insurance on whatever I could.

 

[audreyh1]

Sorry about your father.

Did you insure for the total costs of the trip or just those tours?

Because the higher the amount of trip cancellation, the higher the premiums obviously.

Also I thought trip cancellation policies for medical reasons mostly applied to the insured people taking the trip, not relatives of the insured.

At least that seems to be the case at third-party trip insurance sites like insuremytrip.com or squaremouth.com.

I insured for all nonrefundable prepaid trip costs including airfare. Insurance definitely includes illness or death of immediate family members - that’s the primary reason people insure according to insuremytrip.com.

 

[Teacher Terry]

We started buying it for our big trips the last 3 years. It’s not that expensive.

 

[explanade]

Well if you put in say $5000 of coverage, the premium is into the hundreds, right?

 

[brett]

We have been fortunate. In over 40 years of international travel we have only had to cancel once.

That was last year on a trip to China. Our credit card insurance covered our claim and settled the claim within ten business days of claim submission.

 

[CardsFan]

Just booked for a week in Key West for the boat races

Been there before. This time we will spring for passes to pits and cruise pier viewing area.

Believe it or not, this was DW's idea

 

[krldrummerboy]

going to the big island (Kona) when the kids break from school at the end of the month. Lucky enough to get flights using miles and discounted room at the Hilton Waikoloa because my aunt waits tables there. My boys, 7,9 can't wait as it's their 1st time traveling out of the continental us.

I can't wait to get away for a week! Ever since moving into management I cant seem to turn it off, and really need a fruity drink to distract me from that life

 

[Nemo2]

We have been fortunate. In over 40 years of international travel we have only had to cancel once.

We always get/got medical insurance, (well, OK, not always......when I was young, even more foolish than I am now, and traversing some of what have since become among the most dangerous places on earth, I had zip).

But.....after last October's TIA/hospitalization fiasco, and coming down with sepsis earlier this year, from which I'm still recovering, we/I have finally come to the realization that no matter how good the shape you're in, or think you're in, there's always something poised to take you down a peg or three.

So...next trip....if there is a next trip (i.e. IF I can even get medical insurance - the insurers won't even consider it until an entire year has passed), we'll also get cancellation insurance......'cause the odds aren't becoming more favorable.

 

[brett]

Same here. We always get medical/evac insurance. We have never purchased cancellation insurance. Now we are covered for 60 days out of country medical through a pension benefit. We either stick to 58 days or buy an extrension prior to leaving.

 

[Souschef]

Well if you put in say $5000 of coverage, the premium is into the hundreds, right?

It runs roughly 10% for good coverage. Our latest was for an $11000 cruise (blow that dough), and the premium was about $900

 

[PawPrint53]

The first time we ever bought insurance, we used it . We'd booked a lodge to lodge hiking trip in southwest Oregon, and a nearby area was hit by forest fires. My DH has asthma so we didn't want to get stuck out on the trail when smoke rolled in. Got all our money back. Used it in May, too, when DH got pneumonia in England after our 56 mile Cotswold walk.

 

[Scusan]

Some good discussion on travel and travel medical insurance. As we begin to travel more, I guess it's something I need to do some research on.

We are planning a couple weeks in Scotland starting the end of Sept and into October. We're probably going to drive the "North Coast 500" route and will also have 5 or 6 days to spend elsewhere. Haven't driven on the "wrong" side of the road in 30 years so that will be a challenge.

Our last joint Europe trip was a lot of fun, but a couple years ago. I'm hoping we can get a good travel/packing system down on this one. GF is pretty well set in that area from a trip she made last year (over a month with just a carry on size bag that she could carry on her back). I need to figure out what must be taken and what can be left-- then how to schlep it around. We hope to be pretty mobile and possibly to avoid checking bags while our health and physical condition still allows.

 

[MichaelB]

Our MediGap Supplemental gives us emergency coverage outside the US. We charge all our travel using a new credit card that provides travel insurance. Last year, without any insurance, we had a bad experience with American Airlines which cost us over $1k, and that convinced me of the benefit of travel insurance - reasonably priced and comprehensive.

The only question I have is on emergency evacuation, as most of the policies require pre-authorization, and I imagine most emergency situations don’t allow for that.

 

[Finance Dave]

Audrey sorry to hear about your Dad. I don't think it's unfeeling at all...you'll look back on it when you're at the "delayed" trip and feel ok about things. I lost one of my best friends while I was on vacation last year...couldn't get back in time to help the spouse emotionally as I would have wanted...but did get back in time for the funeral and was able to support her there. Prayers go out to you and your Dad.

 

[Finance Dave]

For those of you going to Greece, would love to hear more when you get back...that's on our "short list" of international trips we'd like to take.

Wife and I have a bucket list item to see the NFL Oakland Raiders (will be Las Vegas Raiders next year) play in every NFL city. We've been to 24 cities so far. In 2 weeks we'll be seeing them play in Minneapolis. Next year is Atlanta and New York, then we have Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and maybe a couple others I can't recall right now. Really having fun doing this....should complete in 2024 in Tampa.

 

[Lsbcal]

We have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card which gives us some travel insurance. Have always figured on self insurance other then this card. Am I missing something?

 

[Freedom56]

Heading to Las Vegas this weekend to do some night photography and catch some shows.

 

[iloveyoga]

I have a trip planned to Miami South Beach in mid October with two of my very good friends. Very excited!! We are close to the beach and will be able to walk to many fun things. I have been friends with these ladies for many years and I am looking forward to it.

 

[Kabowest]

OK. Bought tickets for 5 to Hawaii with island hopping for October. Also booked Airbnbs. We took the children to Oahu when they were under 10, and now in their 30s, they do not remember much. They are pretty excited about this family trip.

Still debating whether to book the Panama Canal Cruise at the end of the year. That would make it 3 trips for ourselves this year. I dunno if that's too much. I am getting old.

We spent 10 days on Maui and one day on Oahu. We loved it - I highly recommended splurging on a helicopter ride. In 47 days we are of to the Panama Canal on a 12 day NCL crusie.

 

[braumeister]

Our recent Ireland experience

Just back from nearly a month in Ireland. Since a few people asked me about it, I thought I’d post a brief summary.

We had booked an OAT tour, but since I noticed that it ignored the southeast of Ireland I decided to do our own tour of that region before the guided tour began. Flew into Dublin and rented a car, then drove to Waterford for the factory tour (and a couple of crystal baubles), then to Kilkenny. Loved Kilkenny and would have enjoyed more time there. Then on to Cobh (last Titanic port of call) and then Cork. Cork and surroundings were fun and we included a visit to Blarney Castle before continuing on to Killarney.

There we turned in the rental car and joined the OAT tour group. This was our first experience with OAT, and although I would have changed a few things I have to say it was excellent. There were 15 people in the group and we traveled with our Irish guide on the same 19 passenger bus for the whole trip. Since we did the “pre-tour” as well as the basic tour, we had 19 nights in what we felt were all good hotels, and nearly all meals included.

It worked out to about $350 per person per day, and we felt we got our money’s worth. Our guide was outstanding and worked hard to educate everyone on Irish history from Stone Age to the present. I was pretty familiar with all of that (I’m half Irish and have read a lot of history) and I thought he did a great job.

With OAT we went from Killarney in the southwest all the way up the west coast into Northern Ireland, across to Belfast, and back down to Dublin. The experiences along the way were mostly great, and we enjoyed it all. Some things we probably wouldn’t have found on our own, like visits to sheep farms to see some incredible performances by border collies herding flocks, dinner with a local family in a small town, and much more. Of course we did all the typical tourist stuff as well, (Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Giant’s Causeway, etc., etc.).

Instead of staying with the OAT group for the “post-tour” in Dublin (which really didn’t amount to much more than using a HOHO bus and a walking tour), we stayed on our own in Dublin for four nights. Hired a private guide for a day in the Boyne Valley, and can’t say enough good about that.

This was our first visit to Ireland, but I definitely see a return in the fairly near future.

 

[MichaelB]

Just back from nearly a month in Ireland. Since a few people asked me about it, I thought I’d post a brief summary.

We had booked an OAT tour, but since I noticed that it ignored the southeast of Ireland I decided to do our own tour of that region before the guided tour began. Flew into Dublin and rented a car, then drove to Waterford for the factory tour (and a couple of crystal baubles), then to Kilkenny. Loved Kilkenny and would have enjoyed more time there. Then on to Cobh (last Titanic port of call) and then Cork. Cork and surroundings were fun and we included a visit to Blarney Castle before continuing on to Killarney.

There we turned in the rental car and joined the OAT tour group. This was our first experience with OAT, and although I would have changed a few things I have to say it was excellent. There were 15 people in the group and we traveled with our Irish guide on the same 19 passenger bus for the whole trip. Since we did the “pre-tour” as well as the basic tour, we had 19 nights in what we felt were all good hotels, and nearly all meals included.

It worked out to about $350 per person per day, and we felt we got our money’s worth. Our guide was outstanding and worked hard to educate everyone on Irish history from Stone Age to the present. I was pretty familiar with all of that (I’m half Irish and have read a lot of history) and I thought he did a great job.

With OAT we went from Killarney in the southwest all the way up the west coast into Northern Ireland, across to Belfast, and back down to Dublin. The experiences along the way were mostly great, and we enjoyed it all. Some things we probably wouldn’t have found on our own, like visits to sheep farms to see some incredible performances by border collies herding flocks, dinner with a local family in a small town, and much more. Of course we did all the typical tourist stuff as well, (Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Giant’s Causeway, etc., etc.).

Instead of staying with the OAT group for the “post-tour” in Dublin (which really didn’t amount to much more than using a HOHO bus and a walking tour), we stayed on our own in Dublin for four nights. Hired a private guide for a day in the Boyne Valley, and can’t say enough good about that.

This was our first visit to Ireland, but I definitely see a return in the fairly near future.

Thanks for the update. If you don't mind sharing, what are the 2 or 3 things you most would like to do on a return trip?

 

[braumeister]

Thanks for the update. If you don't mind sharing, what are the 2 or 3 things you most would like to do on a return trip?

First and foremost, visit outside of tourist season.

As I said, Kilkenny would certainly be worth more time than we spent. Same goes for Dingle.

Waterford is interesting (oldest city in Ireland, founded by Vikings) but was so overrun with tour buses that it was impossible.

Parts of the Boyne Valley that we didn't get to, although we saw quite a lot. Less than an hour outside Dublin and easily worth two days.

In Northern Ireland, Derry (or Londonderry if you prefer) was a fascinating town and worth another visit.

The Irish, both in the Republic and in Northern Ireland, are incredibly friendly people and just delightful to talk with. And we ate extremely well everywhere -- the food is wonderful.

 

[Bestwifeever]

First and foremost, visit outside of tourist season.

As I said, Kilkenny would certainly be worth more time than we spent. Same goes for Dingle.

Waterford is interesting (oldest city in Ireland, founded by Vikings) but was so overrun with tour buses that it was impossible.

Parts of the Boyne Valley that we didn't get to, although we saw quite a lot. Less than an hour outside Dublin and easily worth two days.

In Northern Ireland, Derry (or Londonderry if you prefer) was a fascinating town and worth another visit.

The Irish, both in the Republic and in Northern Ireland, are incredibly friendly people and just delightful to talk with. And we ate extremely well everywhere -- the food is wonderful.

How was the driving for the days you were there without the tour?

 

[braumeister]

How was the driving for the days you were there without the tour?

No problem. I got a small Skoda because the roads are relatively narrow, just like in England. I'm OK with a right hand drive manual transmission, but DW tends to stare down at the phone in her lap while we're on the road. Actually, driving anywhere in Europe makes her nervous.

There are a lot of roads in Ireland that are only about 1.5 cars wide, although they're two-way roads. Also quite a few in more rural areas that are not much more than one car wide. You just have to pay attention and be willing to maneuver a bit (or even back up to a wider spot if necessary). Pretty similar to parts of the Lake District in England IMHO.

It's a pretty big deal to get a driving license over there. Once you pass the basic test, you have a very large "L" decal on your rear window, meaning you're a Learner. No driving without a fully qualified driver in the seat next to you. Then when you get your full license, you have a very large "N" decal meaning you're a Novice driver. You have to wear the N for two years until you can take it off and you're fully qualified. They take it seriously.

Right now they're running notices on the radio telling Northern Ireland drivers that their UK licenses won't be any good in the Republic once Brexit is final, so they had better make plans!