Sorry to drone on about the E111 issue, but I finally got round to checking my insurance documents yesterday and couldn't find anything about HAVING to take an E111. So I phoned Virgin this morning (I've got an annual multi-trip policy with them) and was told I needn't get one. They said they've had lots of phone calls about that lately, so I wondered if forum members (and visitors!) have been checking??? Anyhow, Virgin said that I'm covered for private treatment and an E111 only gets you NHS-type care. That's what I was originally told some years ago, by the way, but as a result of so many posts on this thread I thought it must have changed. Another thought: the E111 only applies to Europe, whereas many Med cruises call at ports in north Africa too.

Another point: Virgin said that if one HAD to have an E111 I wouldn't have to search for that in my documents, it would be made very clear somewhere obvious, like in the letter accompanying the docs.

I'm not suggesting that all insurance companies do things the way Virgin do, that's obviously not so, as you've said in your posts. Also, Virgin is slightly more expensive than some other policies, and one of the reasons for that may be the private treatment.

Fay

I have had an E111 for nearly ten years, but have never used it. After an altercation with a skate wing four years ago I ended up in a really swish hospital ln Fuegarola, attached to a morphine drip.

The insruance paid up and l didn't need the form, but my handbag was £60 00 lighter when l left. The insurance paid for that too, even though the police were not informed.

How about prescription drugs you have occasion to buy? I think you can claim a refund with an E111 if you follow certain procedures.

Joan.

p.s., the skate wing was dead, and lying in front of me on a plate waiting to stab me in the oesophagus. J.

Transferred from a separate topic:

val100
New User...

Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 8

16 HTPoints

Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject:

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Hi, well i have actually had my phone call today from a nice lady called veronica. I was told I could have £175 cash, a longhaul flight, a holiday in portugal or spain for a week, at least 3 * near the beach or a cruise in 2006. I said I didnt want either and they then said i could have a cruise in the next couple of months if i didnt mind sharing with a stranger, there were no extra costs as far as i could work out. i think i will stick with waiting until 2006 as i used my holiday allocation when i thought i was going on the libya cruise, they are rining back on wednesday to finalise things, i will believe it when i see it,

Regarding the E111, some insurance policies insist that you produce this if you are seeking treatment within the EU as they may be able to recoup some of your treatment costs via the reciprocal agreement. Any additional treatment will be provided by your insurance policy.

Not all insurance policies insist on this and it is up to the individual to check their own policy terms.

I have a Nationwide annual policy and although it is not listed as a requirement, I also have a current E111 just in case. Remembering to take it with me on holiday is another matter....

luci

Val,
my advise is don't give up! Persistence pays off. It depends whether you are prepared to pay the costly phone bill! I just kept pestering until I got what I wanted. Good luck!

Just noticed on the 'who's going where' thread, there is another success - Floeeohy has been offered a cruise, sharing, on the 18th June. Great.

Elaine.

Rise Travel allocated my cruise today, will be going to the Med on 19 September on board the Melody and will be sharing with another DE reader. Rise have passed on the person's details I will be sharing with, so we can at least speak to each other before September.

Really excited and looking forward to my trip already.

Jacqui

Great news Jacqui!!! It seems that the only way to get a cruise this year is to be willing to share. I, too, have been allocated a cruise thanks to the generosity of Sarah, who said she would share with me! We're both off on 25th July on Melody.

im going to call rise tomorrow,as they said i would receice call today,but never.did they call you today or you call them.well done on getting booking
david

Edit to remove phone text. Please do not post in phone text style as per the T&C's. Thanks, luci - HT Mod

Well done, Jacqui. Great news

Elaine xx

Elaine

I was looking at your lovely rose and noticed your location. I am actually in ther spare room with a laptop on my lap as I spilt a cup of tea over the other keyboard so it does not work.

Dizzy

I've been on the Pride of B" several times. The last time, the weather was so bad we had to stay in bed! - Captain's suggestion not because we were ill. It was December.

Has anybody actually travelled on the Melody at any time? I was wondering how formal formal is. I have usually worn a long dress regardless on the QE2 as it is quite a formal ship but I have heard few dress up on the other one.

Peter as you have a good knowledge of computers, any idea how I can use my laptop with my bluetooth cellphone while I am in Menorca next week so that I can read the postings?

Maureen H

Hi all,

here is an exerpt from the E111 conditions:

What treatment is covered

The Form E111 covers you for any treatment that becomes necessary during the course of your visit. This includes all maternity care, renal dialysis and oxygen therapy (see below).

Treatment of chronic diseases and pre-existing illnesses that require ongoing medical care is included, but not if the purpose of your visit is to obtain medical treatment abroad. For example, blood tests, injections or medications are covered on the same terms as that available to 'insured' residents of the country you visit.

Getting treatment

Always keep a photocopy of your Form E111 with the original. This is important if you apply for treatment in France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic and Spain as a photocopy is required as well as your original E111. You will be given back your E111 but the photocopy will be kept. However, in some countries the original E111 may be kept by the authorities.

It is certainly true with the Post Office Travel Insurance (through Fortis Insurance Limited) that pre-existing conditions are NOT covered. This may well be an important lifeline for many people who have a recurrence of an existing condition only to find out that their travel insurance does not cover it.

The law of averages must dictate that of all the people up for a cruise from the DE offer, there must be a significant number of people who have pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, angina etc.

Here is another good reason for taking the E111 (Taken from PO insurance cover/exclusions online booklet):

Reciprocal Health Agreement
If you are travelling to a European Union country which is listed on the back of the E111 form that is available from your local Post Officeâ„¢ branch, you will be entitled to treatment from the equivalent of the National Health Service in the country you are visiting. If you make use of these arrangements or any other worldwide reciprocal health arrangement and your claim under the Medical Emergency and Associated Expenses section is reduced, you will not have to pay any excess under this section.

Using the E111 to reduce their liability means no excess charges for you!

Here is a link to the E111 info:
E111 Info

and here is a link to the Post Office Insurance "T&C`s":

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content2?catId=1500003&mediaId=3800106&keyname=ti_terms

Hope this all helps someone not to end up in the lurch...........too much cover is better than not enough.......take the E111 is my advice.

Cheers,

Tony

Edit to shorten link that was stretching the page. luci - HT Mod

Hi all, I'm back The cruise was fantastic. No problems with the flight over, hotel or ship. I met Chris on the plane.

The ship was clean and the staff very friendly. The food was excellent. The cabin though it was inside was big enough for a double bed and a small couch. Not that i spent much time in there.

The bars were reasonably priced, it was about £2 somthing for a bottle of corona beer. Tequila's were about 3 or 4 pound. (had plenty of Tequila slammers)

The only crtitasiscm (I can't Spell !!) i have is of one of the excursions, that was supposed to be tubing along a jungle river in Belize. The water was so low that we had to carry ouir tubes part of the way, and in other parts of the river we were scraping along the bottom. Also there was no flow so it had stagnated a bit and the guides had to pull us. a lot of people complained about that. If Alii see's this and it is not too late, don't do that excursion.

It was a great cruise and everything flowed like clockwork. thanks Rise

When i get a bit of time I will post some pictures.

Colin

I have read that the Melody (and the Sinfonia) are only just back from being refitted. I'd imagine that MSC will be giving them the art-deco style that seems to be fairly unique to their newer ships. I'd imagine the early cruisers will report back about this and the formality.

MEH, if this isn't too personal a question, do you have a bluetooth dongle (for some reason that amuses me :lol:) or bluetooth built in? If you do you should be able to use your phone as a modem. I haven't actually done this but know that i probably could with a little setting up. Although the dongle is cheap, mine cost £12, using your mobile may be expensive. You could also get a wireless card for wifi access which, if available, should work out cheaper.

Insurance - My policy covers me for pre-existing medical conditions, but apparently not many do. I haven't needed to make a claim so can't vouch for them but it was The Sunday Times travel section that recommended them so i think they must be OK. The company is called Preferential, the cover appears to be good, with the option of no excess, and the price compares well. It is worth saying that with any insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition and don't report it you won't be covered.

Welcome back, Colin. Good to hear of another cruiser returning so stisfied, it gives us all heart. Just a shame that there are so few of you going to the Caribbean.

Did you read in an earlier post that Watchdog reported that only three Daily Express readers had had their cruise? We reckon that you, Chris and William must be the lucky three!

Criag, fame at last

But are you famous or infamous? After all there are 39,997 others green with envy. To quote Julius Caesaer (in a Carry On film), Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me .

Welcome back colin. We are so pleased that you had a wonderful trip. What were the Americans like? what was the nationality mix of the ship? And did you find the rich American gal?

dizzy