ASK BOB

'DO I REALLY NEED TO

BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE?'

Bob Cook is Director of Sales at Go Travel. He has decades of experience advising travelers.

Buying travel insurance might seem like an extra expense on top of the cost of your trip or cruise, but it’s one of the smartest investments you can make. Here's why it matters:

Travel insurance gives you protection from a wide variety of unexpected situations. Insurance can reimburse non-refundable costs, such as flights, hotels, and tours, should you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to illness, injury, or other emergencies.

Your regular health insurance may not cover you internationally. Travel insurance can cover hospital visits, emergency surgeries, or even medical evacuations, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many policies offer global support hotlines to help with emergencies, translations, or finding local medical care.

If your luggage goes missing or is delayed, travel insurance can cover the cost of essentials or reimburse you for lost items.

You’ll have a sense of peace of mind no matter how far away you roam. Insurance can help you reschedule or cancel without incurring a loss, should your destination become unsafe due to political unrest or other factors.

Whether it’s a luxury cruise or a budget getaway, most travel expenses are non-refundable. But, insurance protects much or all of your money if plans change unexpectedly,

Some policies offer a “cancel for any reason” option, providing even greater flexibility.

There is an important caveat to consider: 

Buying insurance from your cruise line or tour operator might seem cheaper initially, but it comes with risks, such as limited coverage that only applies to the trip you're booking, not your entire journey, including hotels, excursions, or rental cars. Coverage may be excluded for parts of your trip booked separately.

Additionally, many of these so-called “supplier plans” are actually “waiver or protection plans” and are not regulated insurance. If a dispute arises, you might have no recourse through your state’s insurance department.

When you book a YMCA Alumni group or individual trip, your Go Travel agent will offer you an independent insurance plan with comprehensive coverage. It will protect all prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, including flights, hotels, tours, emergency medical, evacuation, trip interruption, and baggage loss, with cash reimbursements – not credits or future travel vouchers.

The policies offered by Go Travel to YMCA Alumni Travel Club members, their families, and friends are transparent, underwritten by licensed insurance companies, and regulated by state insurance departments.

2026 YMCA ALUMNI

TRAVEL CLUB ADVENTURES

Left: The Rocky Mountaineer, Classic Canada and New England; Right: Alaska, Madrid, The Caribbean

SPRINGTIME IN THE CARIBBEAN

MARCH, APRIL AND MAY 2026

CHOOSE YOUR DATES AND CRUISE

“Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.”

– Van Morrison

It's springtime in the warm and beautiful Caribbean. This YMCA Alumni option offers YOUR CHOICE of four relaxing cruises, port stops on two of Celerity's most exciting ships -- The Celebrity Apex and The Celebrity Beyond.

Our YMCA Alumni/Go Travel pricing is significantly less than the cruise line's pricing and includes Wi-Fi and a drink package. Come as a couple, solo traveler or bring the whole family by picking a cruise that matches your schedule. YMCA Alumni Travel Club pricing ranges from $1,962-$2,400 pp depending on stateroom choice.

March 14 - 21, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Basseterre, St Kitts.

April 18 - 25, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Round trip from Port Canaveral, FL with port stops in Key West, FL, Bimini, Bahamas, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Turks & Caicos.

April 25 - May 8, 2026 aboard the Celebrity Apex. Port Canaveral to Southampton, UK with port stops in Bermuda, Azores, and Lisbon, Portugal, and Southampton (close to London), UK (transatlantic cruise).

April 26 - May 2, 2026 aboard the brand new Celebrity Beyond. Round trip from Miami, FL, with port stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, St.Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Perfect Day, Cococay, Bahamas.

JUNE 5-12, 2026:

ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER

“To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world.“ -- John Muir

We'll cruise before the huge summer crowds arrive. We depart from Vancouver, B.C., and return to Seattle aboard the Celebrity Edge. This is an ideal seven-night trip for bringing along family and friends. This will be our Travel Club's third Alaska cruise. Visit Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, cruise the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier and disembark in Seattle. YMCA Alumni Travel Club pricing from $1,905 to $3,297 depending on stateroom choice.

JULY 20-25, 2026

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

“While you look out the panoramic windows of the train, the staff’s focus is on serving you fine wines and freshly prepared food.This is one of the most incredible luxury train trips in the world.”

--AFAR Magazine

The Rocky Mountaineer travels through stunning scenery with highlights viewed from the train’s expansive glass-dome coaches. Your journey will be complemented by vibrant storytelling, regionally-inspired cuisine, and exceptional Premier Class service onboard the train.

Arrive in Denver and depart the next morning for Glenwood Springs, heading through the famed Big 10 curve and the Moffat Tunnel, high in the Rockies. Continue your journey west to the unique and iconic desert town of Moab. Travel from Moab to the historically vibrant city of Salt Lake City for our final night.

SEPTEMBER 13-23, 2026

CLASSIC CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND

"I always seem to get inspiration and renewed vitality by contact with this great novel land of yours which sticks up out of the Atlantic."

-- Winston Churchill

A colorful 10-day YMCA Alumni fall cruise along Eastern Canada and New England's Atlantic Coast for some unforgettable leaf-peeping and ocean scenery. Our cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess begins in Quebec City -- Le Bijou Boréal (The Boreal Jewel), and ends in historic Boston, MA. Your YMCA Alumni hosts are Patrick and Jan Murphy of the Schreiner Chapter. Balcony cabin range: $2,424 - $2,782 ($240-to-$700 saving from direct booking).

OCT. 31-NOV. 7, 2026

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SPAIN

"You can't buy happiness but you can go to Spain and that's pretty much the same thing!" -- Unknown

Embark on an unforgettable guided luxury motor coach tour through the marvelous cities of Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona, all while enjoying the benefit of the “All-In-Inclusive” advantage of C.I.E. tours. Our YMCA Alumni trip covers 9 days, 8 nights, and includes 13 meals. Your luggage is taken care of from the coach to your hotel and back each day. Cost: $3,395 pp.

PLEASE DON'T DELAY BOOKING

AS SOME TRIPS SELL OUT QUICKLY

We've said it before, so we'll keep saying it: If a trip looks enticing to you, don't delay registering. Go Travel reserves a limited number of cabins and motor coach seats for our groups, but they can go very quickly. Note that our Scenic Switzerland by Rail trip May 15-23, 2026 sold out completely more than a year ago, days after it was announced. Our Queen Mary II cruise, including America's 250th Birthday celebration in NY Harbor on July 4, 2026, sold out in just 48 hours after we announced it. All trips are completely refundable up until a specific date before departure should life interfere with your travel plans. Be sure you have your space reserved.

MAY 10-17, 2026

A VERY SPECIAL INVITATION TO YMCA ALUMNI WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS

"As a widow, I came to realize that healing often requires support beyond the comfort of family and friends. The idea of a relaxing, inspirational cruise just for us came to me."

--Dr. Isabelle Richmond, MD, PhD (photo below)

Join this very special 7-day journey aboard the luxurious, new Celebrity Beyond, designed specifically for widows and widowers. You will be surrounded by people who genuinely understand and will be guided by professionals who care deeply about your healing. This cruise provides an opportunity for rest, reflection, and renewal, set against the beauty of the sea, with trusted professionals offering wisdom, tools, and encouragement along the way.

Each of our experts brings unique gifts to support your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Along the way, enjoy the delightful port stops in Puerto Plata, Tortola, and St. Maarten. This unforgettable journey strikes the perfect balance between relaxation, exploration, and inspiration. Infinite Veranda Stateroom is $2,399 (ocean view and interior cabin pricing on request).

OCT. 31- NOV. 7, 2026

YARN, FUN AND SUN

Here’s a very special seven-day Caribbean cruise vacation aboard the Celebrity Apex for our YMCA Alumni members who love to knit. You’ll join fellow knitters from all over the country for a knitting adventure like no other.

This cruise is the perfect blend of knitting immersion, tropical exploration, and pampered relaxation, all surrounded by like-minded yarn lovers. A special guest on our cruise will be knitting guru Steven B., 

the “Glitter Knitter,” (pictured) known for his bold designs and fearless creativity. Prices range from $1,949 to $2,249 pp depending on stateroom choice. There is a $250 event fee per participant.

BON VOYAGE

ALUMNI MEMBERS ON NEW

EXPLORA SHIP IN OCTOBER

Bon Voyage to YMCA Alumni Travel Club members, family and friends who set sail Oct. 8 on Explora 1, the new luxury cruise ship experience departing from Istanbul, Turkiye and ending in Venice, Italy, with port stops in Croatia and Greece. The cruise is themed "A Journey of Sunsets in the Cyclades and Bosphorus." The limited space available on the new cruise line sold out quickly last year. Several other members will be aboard the Explora cruise leaving Oct. 18, dubbed "A Journey to the Mediterranean’s Panoramic Best" from Venice to Barcelona with port stops in Croatia, Italy and Spain.

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF TRAVEL

ALASKA, HAWAIIAN REWARDS

Alaska Airlines has launched a new combined loyalty rewards program with partner airline Hawaiian Airlines, called Atmos Rewards, which provides various benefits including fast, free Wi-Fi connectivity through T-Mobile. Atmos Rewards combines Alaska's Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Miles, and includes ways to earn and spend miles on both airlines, along with their 30+ partners. It's quickly been heralded in online reviews as one of the best rewards plan available.

NEW TERMINAL FOR O'HARE

One of the busiest airport hubs in America has just broken ground on a sweeping new terminal project. Chicago O’Hare has officially started construction on its new Concourse D, a $1.3 billion investment that’s the first phase of the airport’s even larger terminal expansion plan. The light and airy 590,000-square-foot terminal is expected to be completed by 2028.

HIGH-SPEED AMTRAK TRAINS ON TRACK

Amtrak has just launched its brand-new NextGen Acela trains, debuting the company's newest generation of high-speed cars. The rail company will roll out 28 larger trains through 2027, each offering upgraded amenities and increased capacity. The trains will feature maximum speeds of 160 mph and utilize a new “tilt system” which provides a "smoother, quieter ride."

CRAVING THE BEST PIZZA IN EUROPE?

Figure you’ll find it somewhere in Italy? Wrong. Travel & Leisure's 2025 top pizza spot on the continent is Napoli on the Road, located in two West London towns on the banks of the Thames River. “Every detail is designed to offer a dynamic and ever-evolving gastronomic experience. The restaurant has revolutionized the concept of contemporary pizzeria,” say the editors. Pass the napkins.

407-774-2229

Be sure to identify yourself as YMCA Alumni

when you call or email us.

Go Travel/YMCA Alumni Travel Club

2811 W. State Rd.

Longwood, FL 32779

ymcaalumni@gotravel.com

GOING PLACES is written, edited and produced by

Craig Altschul and Peggi Simmons

Next issue of GOING PLACES: Novembr 15, 2025

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please think twice when unsubscribing to any unsolicited email. If it has been sent to you by Constant Contact, they are not allowed, by law, to send any more emails to you, including from YMCA Alumni. Just flick away emails you don't want -- but please don't "unsubscribe." We can get you re-subscribed ONLY ONCE. Send us an email if you are not receiving our newsletters or you have accidentally unsubscribed and we will try to reinstate you. --editor