"The insurance company always wins" if you give up before they do. The trick is in being RELENTLESS. I've never cancelled a cruise, but I've had a couple of year long fights with medical insurance companies that eventually resolved in my favor. Good luck, and never give up! 🥊
Yup still waiting for an insurance claim on my February cruise that I had to cancel due to an ankle break. My allianz policy paid out still waiting for Chase to pay.
Seconding the above comment. In our experience, the insurance company stalled for a long time. It took many phone calls, emails, so much documentation, over several months, to finally get our refund. Even though our case was so clear-cut, a serious illness, documented by doctor, forced us to cancel. The insurance company wants you to give up. They are counting on it. DON’T LET THEM CHEAT YOU.
Totally agree. I think it would be in their best interest to refund people willing to be honest about it, even if it meant documentation from a doctor or something.
If you are a truly ethical person, you don't go knowing you have covid or any communicable disease. The problem is blurring the lines when it comes to the refund policy. Someone's going to expect a refund because their dog sitter got sick.
@julieb7882 we all know ethics for some portion of society are always blurred when losing thousands 💰 is involved. The cruise lines are just rolling the dice that someone covid + has both integrity and travel insurance.
Although an ethical person would not show up for a cruise if they had a communicable disease like Covid, I'll bet that there are some whose symptoms were not that obvious and they went on the cruise anyway. It would be a great temptation if they had no insurance and it involved more money than they could afford to lose.
@DenaInWyo there is nothing fair about expecting a cruise company to have empty cabins and also give out cruise credits. They would be broke in a year with that policy.
Ah man, I know that's super disappointing. Good on you for asking the right thing and keeping others around the safe (at your own cost)... You are one of the good ones my cruising friend! Here's to you being fully reimbursed and to making quick and full recovery!😊
I paid for the cancel for any reason( up to the day of ) insurance through HAL (Holland America ). A family emergency actually caused me to cancel a week out. It was such an easy action with no questions no forms just my money back👍👍 Missed mentioning that I really enjoy your cruising views, stay healthy and smooth future adventures⛴🚢
Having gotten Covid on the last 3 cruises I’ve been on, I salute you for doing the right thing. Some people are so selfish they don’t care what they expose people to they go out sick anyway. And that goes for any illness- strep, flu, whatever. Stay home if you’re sick people!
I wear a sanitizer around my neck now… haven’t gotten COVID again since I have started sanitizing right before I put anything in my mouth. 😊. And I eat all the time. 😅
Actually 3 days before the cruise means he was contagious for 3-5 days before any symptoms. You could be walking onto the ship thinking you are perfectly healthy. By the way you can read that in any medical journal, it is not always clear as day.
Absolutely!! They were traveling sick during the height of the pandemic. The difference is most people were wearing masks, so you didn't know who was sick or not. My daughter got sick on a business trip in Las Vegas, we live on the East Coast. I told her just wear your mask (double mask if you have to) but get on that plane and get back
Sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip due to illness, and much admiration for you on doing the right thing. A few years ago, I caught covid in the middle of my cruise, reported it and was locked up for the rest of the trip. This was after protocols had been loosened up, but you still got locked up. The cruise line was supposed to refund me the last few excursions I had booked, my OB credit, etc., but they didn't do anything, and being locked up, I could not go to customer service. I was lucky to have a third-party insurance company. I sent them the on-board doctors report, all the details of my trip and pro-rated the balance of what I was asking a refund for. I had a refund within 2 weeks without any questions. Although it was a sad ending to a cruise, the insurance company made it so much easier. I'm not sure how accommodating insurance companies are now since covid has become so commonplace, but I still get my insurance through the same company.
I always get cruise protection… because I have gotten sick on a cruise… injured on a cruise… and anything can happen to you on a cruise. And I’m not just saying this because I’m a travel agent… I’m saying this from personal experience. Injuries do happen on slides, on stairs, in the ocean, on excursions … etc. Your medical at home does not cover you on a cruise.
Zak, I have so much respect for people like you who did the right thing and stayed home when being sick. So many thoughtless people go onboard these cruises ill and infect the rest of us. So sorry about the headache with your insurance company. I made the decision to take my chances and not buy cruise insurance.
Sorry to hear you got sick before your cruise. Thank you for informing us how your experience of canceling cruise went. Luckily, I have never had to cancel a cruise so far to date and I have taken at least 15 cruises. I do hope you get your money back from the insurance company.
We need to know which insurance companies are dependable if a claim is needed. I buy insurance but without making a claim you never know if they will pay for your loss.
Hi Zach: We had a simIlar problem 2 years ago when my husband got really sick two days before a cruise with Viking. We had the travel insurance that Viking offers. Our doctor had to fill and sign a form that that insurance provides and we got a 100% refund of the cruise fare within few weeks after I mailed the paperwork by certified mail (do not forget to do that). I hope the same will happen to you. Best of luck.
My cancellation and insurance stories in brief: 1. A couple of years ago, I called customer service of my chosen cruise line because my travel plans would take me to the port just as the cruise would be leaving. They advised me not to try to come to the port and generously offered me FCC in the amount of the cruise. I was healthy and this didn't involve insurance, so this was a pleasant surprise for me. 2. A few years ago, I had CFAR insurance on a cruise where I had just put down a non-refundable deposit. I canceled and got the deposit money back. The refund was about the total cost of the insurance, so that was a push.
sorry to hear you were sick, Zach. You gave me a real fright when you said about the wi-fi and excursion not coming back to you - thank goodness it did in the end!
Yup ...I too accept the risk but wish there was a better system for cancelling and reimbursement - especially if I'm buying insurance from the cruise line. Also - sorry you had to cancel yours...but major kudos for making the responsible decision.
These Cruise policies are really draconian. Which is why I really don't want to book anymore cruises. Even though I'm on one now, that's mu favorite so far and is finally selling me on the idea of Cruising. These type of policies, solo supplements, etc. are a turn off. I think if you are sick you should be able to cancel and get a Future Cruise Credit. Not even a full refund. Most people would choose to go on the cruise and infect everyone else if it means not wasting thousands of dollars. But this is why I always get the top tier insurance. But still. And who wants to fight with insurance when it'd be easier just to let people get FCC.
Covid & any other medical conditions that make it unsafe for someone to travel should get Future cruise credit. Not giving these options to people just makes some people say "well I guess I'm going anyway" putting themselves as well as other people at risk. Like Zach said, they already have the money, just give people cruise credit. If they don't use it within a certain amount of time then they lose it.
Cruises use to be about ease, enjoyment, luxury. This whole thing sounds so bothersome to me. It's not enough you being ill ( glad you're better😊)but to deal with any of that is so unnecessary.
If someone needs to cancel for medical reasons or another emergency, it would be nice if the ship gave a partial refund or future cruise credit if they rebook your cabin. It’s not right that they get to keep your money and then money if they sell the cabin to another customer.
I think the cruise lines really want you to purchase trip insurance. You can buy other brands, good call to go through your credit card company. It will take forever. Refunds for illness, even COVID are not as negotiable now that we all are traveling. Sorry this happened, I have seen Covid on every ship I’ve been on lately. Good information for everyone!
Aww Zach!!! I’m so so sorry.. I’ve never purchased e before but I learned that my AE credit card has cancellation insurance that you can buy up until the day before the cruise. I’m so glad to have that in my back pocket just in case. I had no idea I could do that… I hope you are feeling better.
So sorry Zach. Get well soon! I get the rules but things happen. A future cruise credit seems to be the most logical solution for the cruise line instead of taking someone’s money and saying…”tough, it’s your fault.” You come back and will more than likely spend the same or even more, and they don’t lose a customer for life. Nobody loses. Seems like something the Transportation Department should look in to it like they’ve done with airlines. It’s about consumer protection and fairness I would think.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am planning my first cruise and you made me feel thankful for buying travel insurance. I think I will have to be in a coma before I cancel my cruise though, because the pandemic is over and many people are leaving the cruise sick anyway. Thanks again for sharing. I agree with travel insurance because life happens.
This is why post every cruise message board is loaded with people reporting they brought Covid home. Good for you looking out for other humans! Sadly others don’t and cruise lines are inhumane
I'm sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad for the sake of your potential fellow passengers that you did The Right Thing and not show up to the port. In the past, cruise lines had a health questionnaire for Noro and The Little C where if you show symptoms of either, you would be asked to take an exam and if you give the wrong answer on their test, they wouldn't allow you to board. I think you could also self-declare and get the exam. I don't know if the refund policy was different if you failed the test. Cruise lines really really don't want anyone with noro, the flu, little C, or any highly communicable disease onboard, so you'd think they would be generous with the refunds to those who are or claim to be sick.
You’re not complaining! I broke my ankle and had to cancel a birthday cruise the week before. It costs the cruise line nothing to give you a non refundable credit, even if you do have insurance it’s a nightmare to get them to pay! Blame the cruise lines!
@@Nrustica yeah…it’s there if people use it or not just like a hotel and they still get to keep my money. Not every cruise is full. Either way it doesn’t COST them thousands. In my case it was a suite that they undoubtedly upgraded someone into.
Sorry to hear that you had to cancel your cruise. Hope you are feeling better. That is the important thing. I only had to cancel one time and that was when the cruise line changed some of their requirements as the COVID problem was easing up. As a result, I did get a 100% refund of everything since their rules changed AFTER I contracted with them as I was no longer bound to their requirements. I was lucky. Hope you are successful, Zach. Look forward to hearing how you made out.
That sucks be relentless with insurance to get the money. I applaud you doing the right thing, in Feb day one I was in Luminae and this guy was coughing straight for an hour so he was really sick. Part way through the 12 night cruise he didn't come to dinner for a couple of nights - well day 11 of the cruise I woke up feeling like death - did a covid test in my room. Yep I was sick, warned the butler so skipped cleaning that day, they would bring anything I wanted to the room (I stayed away from the room service people and gave them a head's up) and even I asked if they had a mask for disembarkation which they went and got me. Yes you can get it anywhere but people can do better if actually sick, I did the best I could on day 11 by not leaving my room at all, getting room service and getting a mask for leaving
I’m sorry you had to cancel the cruise but am glad you’re doing better. Excellent point about trip insurance! My parents have had to cancel a couple cruises for medical reasons (though not Covid thank G-d).
Long time traveller here...the unfortunate part is companies are not in the wrong, as it's all laid out in the agreement when you purchase. Unfair about the amenities you booked onboard. Insurance works but you also have to read what you are buying. Remember ppl "responsibility starts at home". Great that you brought this up cause so many ppl think the "what ifs" won't happen to them. Question: if you were a business owner depending on income for that week and your clients cancelled last min. And wanted their money back and they can't fill your spot, is that fare? (Hint... NO).
The cruise-line should have at least offered you a future cruise-credit and be thankful you did cancel. You could have boarded and gotten many others sick. You looked out for your and their best interest and they did that. Before covid, several years back, I had to cancel a cruise due to a death in the family. I called the cruise-line 4 days prior to departure and they gave me a 80% refund in future cruise credits.
I ended a cruise in Santiago, Chile. When I arrived at my home airport my bag had tape around it from Chile Customs, all of my souvenirs were gone. The watch I had purchased on the ship was gone and the emergency cash I kept hidden in a book was gone, but the book was still there. Travel insurance refused to pay because I needed a police report from Chile and the country refused to investigate or write an incident report. I was just out because someone in customs raided my suitcase
It is all just a part of traveling, you are in their country living by their rules. My complaint is with the travel insurance company that asks for things that they know that you can never get in order to pay a claim
Yes, but there is the advantage of having gone on that trip and enjoying the adventure. What they thought was worthy of theft was just a small thing in the long run to me. I learned and will take the cruise on to Buenos Aries next time to avoid the thieves in customs in Chile
I had a similar experience flying in from Mexico City. My suitcase was “inspected” and most of my souvenirs and all (three) liquor bottles were taken. My new MO is to take an empty duffle bag, pack it with all of my dirty laundry to check in and use my largest permitted carry on for souvenirs and I have also given up on bringing back liquor from countries that have theft problems in customs “inspections”. Never do I put money, jewelry, or electronics in my checked bag. Guaranteed it will not make it home.
Had to cancel cruise 2 days prior last year due to infection. Zac is correct about documentation. Keep copies of everything associated with the trip from beginning to end. Don’t delete or toss out anything! You also may need copies of your card statements reflecting trip associated charges. Credit card trip insurance works, but can be a difficult process.
Travel insurance is extremely important when you are laying out thousands of dollars for a trip of any kind. Check the medical portion of the coverage. I have put in claims at least twice during a cruise. Yes , there were multiple forms to fill out to collect on the insurance, and it can be very stressful. However, I have always recovered what I was entitled to from the insurance policy. Just another tip, don’t forget to insure your flights to and from embarkation. Save all the information you get, including your FOLIO from your cruise if your claim occurs while onboard. You will need it to prove your claim.
Sorry to hear you get sick, but I guess covid is here to stay, and I hope you do wind up with all your money back or at least a credit for the next cruise. Get better, we look forward to your next cruise.
Enlist an experienced travel agent to handle the insurance claim on your behalf. They have likely dealt with every travel insurance scenario out there and will battle the insurance company in your behalf!
I had a similar situation. I got covid but took an at home covid test because the clinic wouldn’t let me in to office until I took an at home test. Needless to say the cruise line would not accept an at home test. I lost all my money. I had insurance through the travel agent but again they wanted a doctor note. 😢
I use an airline travel card plus 3rd party trip insurance. I have been sick on cruises...by sick just minor stuff no doctors,. Not sure if I would go on if really really sick. A small cough or minor sore throat is not a reason to stay home. I think a doctor would say you aren't in bed....go on your cruise.
This is why I get trip insurance. There are a lot of moving parts with travel and I know for a fact there will be people getting on who are sick. The potential of a mishap is high enough that the insurance is worth it.
I haven't had good luck with the third party insurance company. They never have covered anything. I stopped booking third party and just book with each travel provider I am using in hopes it'll work out better if there's another issue.
I got sick with the bad cold virus going around on the 2nd 7 day cruise of a b2b. I basically stayed in my cabin to avoid spreading my germs around. Lot's of people did not however & coughing was prevalent throughout the ship. That was 2 weeks ago. People don't always do the right thing.
In Jan. My husband wanted to cancel going with me on the Cruise, he was feeling really sick. We had insurance with the Cruise line. They refused to give us a refund. They wanted to Charge me an additional $125 to change remove his name from the reservation additional $$ to add my Sister’s name instead. We understand fees to remove his name. But, we felt it was ridiculous that they wanted several hundreds is $ to add her name instead. The Cruise was paid in full. Moral of this story in my opinion… the Cruise insurance worthless, better to use Alliance or you Credit Card insurance.😮
Hearing about your nightmare, as a cruiser I wish they would give the person with COVID his/her money back otherwise, we will be having people come into the ship with the COVID, and selecting if/when he/she will be going out of the room.
I’ve had to cancel a cruise in the past as have several of my cruise mates. All of whom have had travel insurance. I do not think the cruise line is responsible for me having to cancel. Otherwise, they’d be losing money left and right. It took time and, yes, we had to jump through hoops. But we did all receive our money back. These situations took place on a variety of cruise lines at different times. I’m sorry you’re going through this and I understand your frustration, but you will get through this. It’ll take time, but you’ll get your money back. I’d be surprised if you didn’t.
I'm not 100% sure, but I've been told that Chase is the only card with travel insurance, and possibly AMEX. I have one of the top Citibank cards, and even it doesn't come with travel insurance.
@@jaywoods378I actually have the NCL card I’ve been using since my last Norwegian cruise in 2018. I booked my October cruise w it. I guess I’m going to call tomorrow to find out, since I don’t have travel insurance. I could see me calling & even though it’s THEIR card (put $4000 on it) they’ll be NO COVERAGE 😂 Wish me luck 😉
You probably should wait until you actually get yout money back before you declare that your credit card coverage is "really good insurance." 😂 Also, you don't know who will secondary if you have two different travel insurance policies. My guess is, like healthcare double coverage, the companies will both argue that they are secondary and neither will pay until the other one pays. You may have accidentally given bad advice
I ha to cancel last Oct. my travel agent immediately sent me a copy of my original costs and the cancellation papers. Not too hard. I’ve had 3 cancellations, one a partial cancel. All of them were cruise line policies: Aon. They went mostly smoothly other than the hotel for the partial which they said are never covered. For other destinations I have a higher cost policy because of the repatriation coverage. Never collected on them.
Not playing devil’s advocate here but, I would think that all the food on board a cruise ship is paid for and allocated to each specific cruise way in advance. Returning the cost of food possibly consumed by one specific customer would not be possible.
I had to cancel the great barrier, reef cruise. I did get all the excursion money back, and the other port, taxes and fees. still waiting for Chase to pay out my insurance claim it keeps saying pending. I’ve sent them all the documentation so many times.
Why would you buy travel insurance if you have coverage through your credit card that will cover the full loss? Seems to me that is a waste of money. We have relied on our Chase card’s insurance, and Chase has paid, but not without months of time, patience and anguish.
So if you buy the the trip insurance through the cruise line at the time of booking, does the cruise line give you a credit when you're sick right before...or do you still have to deal with a separate insurance company to get reimbursed?
you need to go through the insurance company. The cruise line wont reimburse you if you cancel past their deadline for reimbursement which varies with each line but is usually at least 55 days before the cruise date. The cruise line offers you travel insurance but is always from a separate insurance company.
One different perspective - if you cancel at the last minute, the cruise line cannot resell your cabin. They could give you future cruise credit if they had more notice and could fill your spot, but after a certain cut off date they would be losing revenue losing sailing with an empty cabin and also giving you future credit.
Sorry to hear you were ill, but it’s obvious you have never worked in the travel industry or managed a business open to the public. Feel better soon but always include the insurance.
I had Covid last week (only 2nd time) & body aches were excruciating, nauseous w stomach cramps, no energy so I slept the week away. Now….if you were me, would you want to go on a cruise you absolutely couldn’t enjoy😅?? PLUS - I wouldn’t want to EVER give that miserableness to ANYONE😉
@nicolewiltsey7793 many people go anyway. If I was going to lose a couple of grand, yeah I would have gone. I would have taken precautions to not expose to others. Obviously, cruises lines don't care. They never really did. I went on 2 cruises during covid. No one followed the rules and worse, no one enforced. But it kind of sounds like you were pretty sure you could get most of your money back from your credit card company
@@tazzel2699 😂Actually the opposite. I got the NCL Mastercard (ship is the pic on card) on my last cruise 2018 for the extra bonus points & have not cruised since then. I just commented on another’s post that “wouldn’t it be funny if after I booked everything on that card for cruise in October spending $4000, that they WOULDN’T cover anything”. Just my luck since my dumbass didn’t buy any travel insurance, uugghh😉
If you’ve been on 35 cruises so you are well to do, wealthy by most folks standards so what’s the big deal, you lost a few bucks? It’s a cost of operation, you received lots of free stuff now it’s time to pay up. Big deal.
I can definitely see why the Crews company doesn’t want to refund you because you’ve had a couple thousand dollar room reserved for probably months if not a year that they will just not have to make the money off of. As everyone always says there’s always trip insurance that you could have bought which you did. Others like me will take their chance that they’ll be healthy and no incidents will come up in their life to save a few bucks.
I can definitely see why the Crews company doesn’t want to refund you because you’ve had a couple thousand dollar room reserved for probably months if not a year that they will just not have to make the money off of. As everyone always says there’s always trip insurance that you could have bought which you did. Others like me will take their chance that they’ll be healthy and no incidents will come up in their life to save a few bucks.
