More Than Insurance
Cancellation Options
for Cruise Passengers
by Linda Coffman
It can't happen to me... or can
it?
"It can't happen to me" Scenario 1: You receive a grand jury appointment the week before your scheduled
departure and can't wiggle out of fulfilling your civic duty.
Right there in the fine print, the
cruise line literature says that cancellation at this late date will
cause you to forfeit the entire fare. However, IF you purchased travel
insurance and IF jury duty is a "covered" situation, the
insurance will reimburse you. That’s why you bought it in the first
place. Before buying insurance, read the policy carefully to determine
what's covered and what isn't. Generally,
you are covered for illness, a death in the immediate family, certain
listed perils, and jury duty — however, a "business
emergency" is probably not covered.
"It can't happen to me"
Scenario 2: Your boss announces a corporate take-over and cancels
all vacation time during the lengthy transition. All your pleading
fails.
"It can't happen to me"
Scenario 3: Rover, the family golden retriever has taken sick with
a mysterious illness. Your conscience won't allow you to leave until
he's well.
An all critical "penalty
period" usually kicks in after your final payment is made, often
as far out as 75 days before your cruise. What can you lose?
Everything from your initial deposit to the entire cruise fare.
Under Scenarios 2 and 3, you stand to
forfeit a significant investment in your trip if you are in the
penalty period — unless you are covered by a cruise line
cancellation program that recognizes extraordinary situations.
Silversea's Reassurance Program
For
peace of mind when planning your cruise, Silversea’s Reassurance
Program protects you from any unforeseen circumstances.
The ultra-luxury line offers the option of
canceling your cruise for any reason. Enrollment in the Reassurance
Program insures that you can cancel your cruise 1-14 days before
sailing and receive 100% Reassurance Cruise Credit on a future cruise
to be used within one year.
The Reassurance Program is in
addition to "Silversea GuestCare" Optional Insurance Program,
which covers typical incidents —
trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay, accident and sickness
medical expenses, emergency evacuation, baggage and personal
effects, baggage delay, and traveler’s assistance. At this time, the
Reassurance Program will be available through May 31, 2002.
Holland America Line's
Cancellation Protection Plan
Under Holland America Line's Standard
Cancellation
Protection Plan (CPP), passengers also have the flexibility to cancel
up to twenty-fours hours prior to their cruise and receive an 80%
discount on a future cruise. Also included is $500 in liability for
lost, damaged, or delayed baggage. CPP does not include any other
insurance.
For additional coverage, Holland
America's CPP Platinum Plan supplements the Standard coverage with
insurance, travel assistance, and a 90% future booking discount.
Discounts are valid for two years and may be applied to any Holland
America sailing.
Princess Love Boat Care
&
Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Care Free
Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise
Line offer similar insurance programs that include the extra
feature of voluntary cancellation clauses for non-insured reasons.
Reimbursement is a credit applicable for a future cruise and is equal
to 75% of the non-refundable fee at the time of cancellation.
Upgrade to Love Boat Care Gold or Norwegian Travel Care Free Platinum for an additional $50 premium and
the cruise credit is bumped up from 75% to 90% for cancellations that
are otherwise not covered.
The Choice is Yours
Unspoken, but included in these
plans, is flexibility and unprecedented choice — the choice to postpone traveling for any
personal reason or if you just feel like staying close to home in
troubled times.
More about insurance —
Going
"Bare" has
nothing to do with sunbathing au natural. Here's
the scoop on protecting your cruise investment and yourself.
What can you expect
if you get ill on board? Share our "sick bay"
experiences in Cruise Care.
More Articles
Information
Courtesy of Silversea Cruises, Holland America Line,
Princess Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line
