CroozBlooz Posted March 16, 2005 #51 Share Posted March 16, 2005 No, there is no grey, there are guidelines and rules and they should be followed. The other day there was a post from somone who had to cancel two days b4 sailing. No insurance but he thought he should be able to get a refund because "the ship was sold out, has a waiting list, and I know they are just going to resell my cabin." Catmand, I disagree with you that "there is no grey" but I agree with everyone on here that the OP does not "deserve" a refund. I have no problem, however, if she is able to work something out with Princess. I remember the thread from a week or two ago (they had a family member die), and I think you mischaracterized what the OP was saying. I just reread it, and I think the OP was just asking people what they thought, wasn't even sure if they would try to get anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJS Posted March 16, 2005 #52 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Can someone tell me approx how much is the trip ins. Thanks Here is a link to Princess Insurancehttp://www.princess.com/onboard/answer/travel.html Princess Insurance is based on cruise price and not age. It will cover Princess air also but still based on cruise price. Basically for: $1,000-1500 cruise =$99 or $149 for the Gold $1,500-2000 = $129 or $179 $2,00 - 2,500= $169 or 219 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suep Posted March 16, 2005 #53 Share Posted March 16, 2005 We are going on the Sapphire Princess with our two sons and two of their friends in October '05. I didn't really give insurance a second thought until I started reading this thread and realized with 6 people traveling, we need to be prepared. I checked out the insurance link that was in this thread (http://www.insuremytrip.com) and this site came up with insurance prices that vary from $272 to $501. Since I've never purchased insurance before, is there anything special I should look for or watch for in an insurance policy? Any special coverages that might be needed? Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957tbird Posted March 16, 2005 #54 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Just a quick note to let you know that even if you have insurance you must let the company know within three days of the medical emergency or notification from your doctor that you should cancel. My son inlaw has cance at twenty two years old and we ran into the problem of his treatments being extended. The insurance company refuses to reimburse because we missed the three day time period. The insurance was not with Princess but through our T.A. I will always buy insurance but read the small print. Tony Regal 2002 Alaska Diamond 2005 Mexican Riviera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssbeagle Posted March 16, 2005 #55 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Sorry to hear about your illness and it would have been nice if Princess would have changed your week's cruise. However, that is why they sell travel insurance. When we were younger we never bought it, but now that we are older we purchase the travel insurance every time. It is usually added on to our passage through the Princess program. After so many cruises we pay for the basic and get upgraded to the Gold package. Thank goodness we have never had to use it but there may come a day when we will. Even the airlines aren't so generous any more with refunds. We were struck by Hurricane Ivan the weekend my parents were scheduled to fly up north to attend a special function. Airports were closed all around us and there was no way for them to fly. The airline extended their reservation for one year and for a $100 fee per person they can reschedule for another time. That's similar to the principle that the cruise lines use with the travel insurance. They keep your money and you have to pay a fee to fly another time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted March 16, 2005 #56 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Even the airlines aren't so generous any more with refunds. We were struck by Hurricane Ivan the weekend my parents were scheduled to fly up north to attend a special function. Airports were closed all around us and there was no way for them to fly. The airline extended their reservation for one year and for a $100 fee per person they can reschedule for another time. That's similar to the principle that the cruise lines use with the travel insurance. They keep your money and you have to pay a fee to fly another time.He's right... I forgot about that. I was scheduled to go to FL over Labor Day weekend to visit my parents. The hurricane came through and the airport (FLL) was closed. I called Delta and they told me I had to rebook and complete my travel within 14 days or else there would be a $100 penalty. And, of course, another hurricane came through a few days later. And another. There was absolutely no way I was going to be able to book and complete a trip within the 14 days. After several phone calls with Delta, I was finally able to book it in mid-October, with no penalty. But they didn't make it easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorcalGuy Posted March 16, 2005 #57 Share Posted March 16, 2005 We did not opt for insurance, as it was so close (and we have never needed it before). But, of course, the unthinkable happened Like everyone else, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but this is exactly why one would buy insurance...in case the unthinkable happens. If I thought Princess would reimburse me otherwise, I wouldn't have bought it. Why should I (we) be penalized for paying the extra? I have told many people since this happened, (who have all been appalled,) and will continue to do so, until we have some satisfaction from the Princess Lines. I am hoping that this mechanism will give my situation even more exposure. Maybe they are appalled because they are not aware of contracts regarding cruises. I really don't think Princess is at fault. Most of us have made a purchasing mistake in the past and we just have to learn from it. Again, NO disrespect, just feel Princess shouldn't get a bad name because of your very unfortunate circumstances... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tandy22 Posted March 16, 2005 #58 Share Posted March 16, 2005 If Princess started makein exceptions to their insurance policy. What would be the purpose for the rest of us to buy insurance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyOh Posted March 16, 2005 #59 Share Posted March 16, 2005 AMEN!!!! Also, what is wrong with a corporation making money, if Princess didn't make money we would not be cruising on their ships. Would you go to work everyday and not expect not to make money? why should Princess? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeniceglassman Posted March 16, 2005 #60 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Having just lost a girlfriend to cancer in the last two months my take on this is different. If it was found last year, you have been treated and are now healthy enough to kevetch there are a zillion things you should be grateful for. Why would you expend energy on dissing Princess for a situation you created when you didn't purchase insurance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheelbelle Posted March 16, 2005 #61 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Did you pay with a credit card? Perhaps they might have some leverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheelbelle Posted March 16, 2005 #62 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I hope that you are doing well. I will take a contrary point of view. I believe that insurance is wise if the loss of the cruise fare (and other incidental expenses, med evac, etc.) would create a hardship to you. Otherwise, it's probably best to "self insure" the risk. Sometimes I take the insurance, and sometimes I don't. However, I would never suggest that it would be wrong if Princess did something for you. Just because I bought an extended warranty on my car, for instance, doesn't mean that Chrysler won't provide extended coverage free to another purchaser who is persistent. I view the insurance as a "painless" way of resolving a claim. In your case, you don't have the insurance, so you will have to be more persistent if you are to receive anything of value. My view is that if you have sailed several times before on Princess that they should consider doing something for you as a gesture of goodwill. Just in case anyone from Princess reads these boards, maybe they should enhance their Captain's Circle by providing free insurance coverage to Platinum and Elite members. That's one way they can get around this problem. Good Luck to you, both with your health and in your efforts to with Princess! For Platinum and Elite, they do upgrade from the basic insurance to the Gold level for free... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK Cruiser Posted March 16, 2005 #63 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I was diagnosed with cancer about six weeks before our first cruise. We cancelled and claimed on our insurance - no problems. I have been cancer free for over two years now and I cannot live by only booking holidays a few months in advance - I want to carry on a normal life. This means that although I have insurance for my future cruises I will not be covered for anything cancer related. I know I am taking a risk if I have to cancel - I will lose my deposit, but I still buy insurance for all other eventualities and figure if I have to cancel because the unthinkable happens again(!) I will have more important things to worry about than my deposit. I would suggest to the OP to get on with enjoying life - let this one go and look to the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryPoppinz Posted March 16, 2005 #64 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Did you pay with a credit card? Perhaps they might have some leverage. Pretty unlikely to have chargeback recourse after 90 days. There is other credit card recourse (claims and defenses), but it's unlikely the OP would qualify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totallynewtocruising Posted March 17, 2005 #65 Share Posted March 17, 2005 UK Cruiser, I also have had cancer and also my spouse. I'm working under the impression that as long as you buy your insurance within a specified time (usually 15 days) of putting the down payment on your trip, they will cover pre-existing conditions. Perhaps this varies from policy to policy but the travelguard one I bought said this. If I am wrong, someone please tell me. I also paid more than is usually quoted on this site so that we'll have a lot of coverage. I agree with the posters (Largin perhaps) who said the OP worded the post in such a way as to suggest a veiled threat. If the OP is actually reading, I would hope you give up this negative fight for your own sake entirely. You've done what you can in asking Princess for consideration. Accept the fact that you did not buy insurance and let it go. It isn't worth the negative impact on your health. Better to plan your next vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyOh Posted March 17, 2005 #66 Share Posted March 17, 2005 TravelGuard does cover pre-existing conditions if taken out within 15 days of initial deposit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 17, 2005 #67 Share Posted March 17, 2005 If you buy insurance through Princess and have pre-existing conditions, make sure you read the fine print closely. It is different then TravelGuard/Access America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NitaBcruising Posted March 17, 2005 #68 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Now see, what a great thread this has turned out to be! While most here agree that Princess doesn't owe the OP anything, some here have learned more about insurance, and why we may need it! I never bought insurance until I came to CC, read the stories, and what insurance covers! I now buy it every time, different coverage to suit the need. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CroozBlooz Posted March 17, 2005 #69 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Is Princess' insurance generally the best? What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna5 Posted March 17, 2005 #70 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I have a princess travel care booklet here from last year. "There will be no refund of cancellation or interrution fees by Princess under any circumstances. You must recover fees from your own travel protection plan or from Princess Travel Care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monk888 Posted March 17, 2005 #71 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I have a princess travel care booklet here from last year."There will be no refund of cancellation or interrution fees by Princess under any circumstances. You must recover fees from your own travel protection plan or from Princess Travel Care. That about says it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 17, 2005 #72 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Is Princess' insurance generally the best? What do you think? Princess' insurance allows you to cancel for any uncovered reason (changed your mind, work committments, etc. .) and receive a future cruise credit towards another cruise (percent depends on which plan you purchase). This is a very cool feature that most (all?) other plans do not have. A few negatives about Princess' insurance - it won't cover air and hotels that you book on your own and it has an unusual pre-existing clause. Due to this pre-existing clause, I don't book with Princess for insurance - I prefer to go with 3rd party (Access America) which allows you to waive the pre-existing conditions if purchased within 14 days. Last time I looked at Princess' pre-existing condition, it only covers you if the pre-existing condition hasn't changed in the last 90 days or something like that. Since I have a parent with health issues and her medications are always being adjusted - I can't depend on this plan. Remember - pre-existing conditions isn't just for the people traveling, if you need to cancel due to a parent's illness, their pre-existing conditions fall into play here. There are a variety of plans and some that may be best for some are not best for others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CroozBlooz Posted March 18, 2005 #73 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I was under the impression that Princess' coverage had to be purchased no later than the date of final payment, and that the pre-existing conditions provision was waived as long as you purchase the insurance at the same time as the cruise. I do like the provisions that permit you to recover something if you cancel for "uncovered" reasons. The kinds of things that might cause me to cancel are work related constraints that likely would not be covered elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted March 18, 2005 #74 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I was under the impression that Princess' coverage had to be purchased no later than the date of final payment, and that the pre-existing conditions provision was waived as long as you purchase the insurance at the same time as the cruise. Princess' insurance has to be purchased by final payment. I just pulled the book and on the day you buy the policy (pay for it not just add it to your trip), the previous 60 days days must not have any change in health conditions in order to exclude pre-existing conditions in the coverage. If there is a change in health conditions (or medications), you are not excluded from pre-existing conditions. It appears to deal with those traveling with you. I would read the fine print on this if it does affect you or if you have sick relatives at home as I am not sure sure how they are covered if you have to cancel because of them or fly home because of them. Insurance is so tricky! Other policies (TravelGuard and Access America) usually say that if you buy the insurance within 14 or 15 days of deposit on a cruise, they will cover pre-existing conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy Posted March 18, 2005 #75 Share Posted March 18, 2005 I have to chime in on this, because the unthinkable just happened to us on our Grand Princess cruise at the beginning of March. My dad had complicated surgery in February, but was home from the hospital and doing well when we sailed on March 5th. On Tuesday the 8th we got an emergency call that my dad had passed away. Our insurance will reimburse us for the cost of the plane tickets to fly home, plus the unused portion of the cruise. Insurance is just that...insurance. Nobody ever thinks they will be the ones that have to use it. Sadly, in our case, we needed it. It's small consolation for what happened, but our thought has always been that the cost of the insurance is worth it. Hopefully this is the only time it will have to be used, but we'll always take the insurance. On a side note, we were also glad we always travel with passports when we leave the country. It seemed to make leaving the ship in a foreign port and getting back to the states much easier than it would have been with birth certificates. Cindy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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