My wife and I retired earlier this year and to celebrate, we booked a 2-week Panama Canal cruise on the Oosterdam, departing San Diego on 10/21/2017. We have always booked Neptune Suites on HAL because we appreciate the extra space. This cruise would’ve put us into the 3-Star Mariner category, which provides additional privileges. My wife of 41-years was diagnosed with breast cancer 5-years ago and 2-weeks before the cruise, something totally ununforeseen by either us, or her treating physicians happened and she was hospitalized, spent 1 week in ICU, then 4-days in hospice and passed away...it was the worse day of my life. No, we didn’t purchase the cancelation insurance because there was no reason to believe we would have a issue because my wife’s chemo treatments were scheduled around the trip. After she passed away, I contacted our travel agent and asked her to plead my case with HAL because of the circumstances and also my long term association with HAL. Not good enough. Out of the $13K spent, i got back the taxes and the beverage and specialty dining package we purchased. HAL didn’t even offer a partial credit, you should be ashamed.
HAL Passenger Beware
in Holland America Line
Posted
My wife and I retired earlier this year and to celebrate, we booked a 2-week Panama Canal cruise on the Oosterdam, departing San Diego on 10/21/2017. We have always booked Neptune Suites on HAL because we appreciate the extra space. This cruise would’ve put us into the 3-Star Mariner category, which provides additional privileges. My wife of 41-years was diagnosed with breast cancer 5-years ago and 2-weeks before the cruise, something totally ununforeseen by either us, or her treating physicians happened and she was hospitalized, spent 1 week in ICU, then 4-days in hospice and passed away...it was the worse day of my life. No, we didn’t purchase the cancelation insurance because there was no reason to believe we would have a issue because my wife’s chemo treatments were scheduled around the trip. After she passed away, I contacted our travel agent and asked her to plead my case with HAL because of the circumstances and also my long term association with HAL. Not good enough. Out of the $13K spent, i got back the taxes and the beverage and specialty dining package we purchased. HAL didn’t even offer a partial credit, you should be ashamed.