NO REFUND...Be CAREFUL!!!

[AngAndBoys]

I would have a serious conversation with DR as to why he feels that way and than decide what to do.

 

He might have good reasons for this decision.

 

Right, absolutely. And if you were the doc in this situation, would you have one of your lackies call the patient to deliver this news by way of saying you wouldn't sign off on the oxygen? That's pretty cold. As a medical professional, I am wholly disgusted with his callous treatment of these people. I stand by my assessment, whether he is right that the parents are not well enough to cruise or not, he's still a turd.

[MsTabbyKats]

Because the doctor doesn't want to be held accountable if something happens to either parent......

 

Maybe OP or POA can sign a waiver....not holding him liable.

[RuthlessBoss]

I would have a serious conversation with DR as to why he feels that way and than decide what to do.

 

He might have good reasons for this decision.

 

Part of the doctor's decision may be medical and also the brother's negativity. Another reason Could be is if the doc says okay and something happens on the cruise, the family can come back and sue based on the fact the doc said "it's okay". It's called CYA!

[Carnival Cutie]

First of all I think it is wonderful that you and your husband want to take your parents on a cruise. My parents are gone but my father had such a bad experience with ships when he was in the military that is something that would have never happened. Having said that, I agree with many posters that said you should have a further discussion with your parent's doctor and have him explain to you (and them) why sailing is not feasible for them. If your brother is POA and has final say on their travel this may all be moot.

 

In any event, I hope things work out for you and them.

[Elaine5715]

Because the doctor doesn't want to be held accountable if something happens to either parent......

 

Maybe OP or POA can sign a waiver....not holding him liable.

 

Or just maybe Brother is refusing to sign and has asked the Doctor to veto any trip. We don't know what the medical issues are, we don't know what the capabilities are or responsibility level of the sister is. Maybe Brother doesn't trust Sister to be fully compliant with medication administration, treatments or other necessary medical concerns.

I would not have permitted my sister to take our mother out of town since Sister refused to follow her diet and appropriate administration of insulin during her final illness. Besides trying to avoid a fatal error, I knew I would have years of dealing with Sister's subsequent guilt so I said no and the Doctor backed me up.

[Elaine5715]

So, let me get this straight?

 

In many states you can go online and get a legal prescription for medical marijuana. In many states you can go online and get a legal prescription for male stimulation drugs, et al;.

 

I would bet, don't know for sure, that you could go online and procure a prescription for oxygen.

 

Just sayin;)

 

And when the travel provider decided to contact the physician to verify? This will why people are told to contact Carnival Special Needs department ahead of time, not just show up and expect to board. They can and will deny.

[Ken076]

A downside of the Early Saver booking is the restrictive cancellation policy.

A downside of the cruiseline Insurance is that it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions ( 3rd party policies cover pre-existing conditions if you purchase within 14-21 days after booking).

If you paid for the tickets then you should at least be able to get their future cruise credit transferred to your name.

Ken

[love my grandkids]

Part of the doctor's decision may be medical and also the brother's negativity. Another reason Could be is if the doc says okay and something happens on the cruise, the family can come back and sue based on the fact the doc said "it's okay". It's called CYA!

 

Suspect we will never get all the answers.

[simplelife]

A downside of the Early Saver booking is the restrictive cancellation policy.

A downside of the cruiseline Insurance is that it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions ( 3rd party policies cover pre-existing conditions if you purchase within 14-21 days after booking).

If you paid for the tickets then you should at least be able to get their future cruise credit transferred to your name.

Ken

Agreed. Cheaper fares come with strings attached, and companies (not just Carnival) should not be faulted for following published policies,

You can buy "cancel for any reason" coverage. Those who do would not be very happy if the company reimbursed someone without the coverage for non-covered circumstances.

This is a good time to recommend using a good independent TA. A professional would NEVER have booked ES for a client (especially when health might be a concern ) without making sure they understood all the ramifications.

[Teamv]

I am also sorry for what you are going through.....

HOWEVER, I also think you should have checked with their doctor(s) PRIOR to booking.

God forbid something horrible happened out in the middle of the sea, that would be even worse.

Hopefully Carnival, OR the insurance company will work with you.

 

Good luck!!!!!:D:D

 

If I was in my mid 80's and lived in a retirement home and slept all of the time because I am bored (as the OP's parents do) and my children wanted to take me on a cruise and "something horrible happened" I would die with a smile on my face, grateful for the chance to travel one more time. And I hope my children would be comforted knowing they did a wonderful thing for me.

 

Of course I wouldn't want myself, my spouse or mynchildren to be bankrupt due to medical or other bills, so I would only go if the insurance issues were solidly worked out.

 

I understand that everyone's interpretation of "something horrible happening" is different.

[tea4ular]

I disagree with you. If a customer States their situation very carefully to a Carnival representative and that representative schedules them for a cruise but its obviously not the correct choice for their situation Carnival is at fault. It may not be Carnival Cruise Lines fault that her parents are sick but the OP didn't keep it a secret that her parents are sick and the representative who booked the cruise for them did not point out the potential hazards of their plan. What these folks should do is get a note from the doctor stating that their parents have become more ill and are unable to cruise then they can at least get their insurance.

 

So not medically related but I had a situation where Carnival made a financial error (in my favor) - on the phone call with Carnival they quoted a price and told me (with my TA & I both on the call) that in order to lock it in (not a cruise fare) I would have to pay, in full, at that moment. So I did. The next day they attempted to charge me the extra that they mistakenly neglected to charge. My TA climbed the supervisory ladder and asked them to listen to the recorded conversation we 3 had (we were told up front "for quality assurance our call would be recorded" guess what? Carnival listened, heard the agent clearly state her "in order to lock the rate..." story and I was not responsible for the error.

 

One suggestion to the OP...go up the chain, ask if your call was recorded, request they review you (OP) specifically asking about the senior fare VS early saver, and being cajoled into early saver (who on earth would suggest such a restrictive fare for passengers of such an age?) and request a refund ONLY on the parents fare (OP you should not even begin to expect a refund on your or your husbands fare). At the very least request a "future cruise" credit in your names for your parents fare. BTW THOSE expire too so don't sit around thinking they're there forever.

 

Be courteous and make REASONABLE requests, not demands.

 

Also, between you & me I would not go over the doctors head trying to find a loophole for your folks to sail.

 

I hope it all works out.

[Budget Queen]

Maybe I missed it, but when was this cruise to take place? If it's ES it must be a ways off.

 

As for the Dr., I'd be pissed if it were me. He's not God to say they cannot go. It's your choice what to do, they are your parents and feel they can handle it. Perhaps the Dr is protecting his license.

 

OF Course he is protecting the license. Where do you get off, claiming his assessment, of not being able to go, isn't valid? This pt. is oxygen dependent due to some "problem" which you don't know, and likely other health compromises.

[RuthlessBoss]

OF Course he is protecting the license. Where do you get off, claiming his assessment, of not being able to go, isn't valid? This pt. is oxygen dependent due to some "problem" which you don't know, and likely other health compromises.

 

I never said the assessment wasn't valid. Many who travel are oxygen dependent. The daughter stated he's not dependent at all times, so that could mean anything. I'm not going to argue with you, but I've been in geriatrics over 15 years and have seen a lot.!

[dave_k58]

Just take them anyhow. Who cares what the doctor says. Let them have some fun

 

I like this idea - except for the insurance thing - if they are not healthy you are looking at thousands of dollars to have them flown back to the states.

[Ralphinsc]

As posted above, they can be denied boarding due to concern about potential medical crisis and no refunds given.

Acting against the current physician's medical advice can result in violation of their care center.

 

And that's why you get a new current physician.

[richstowe]

It's impressive that so many are convinced that the parents Doctor is so wrong about not wanting to

have 2 of his patient take a cruise he doesn't think is in their best interest .

It's even more impressive that you believe it will be no big deal finding another Doctor who will come to

a different conclusion . Perhaps Jim Walker Esq. can recommend a good one . :rolleyes:

[WoodsDrive]

From working in a nursing home, they love love Medicare and they can legally "milk". I don't think they are medicare though.

 

To explain about keeping their regular doctor, they can't unless their regular doctor has privilege to treat in that facility. Few doctors have them.

 

While this is off topic, in my state they can and the nursing home has to provide transportation to see your doctor if they don't have rights at the facility.

[WoodsDrive]

It's impressive that so many are convinced that the parents Doctor is so wrong about not wanting to

have 2 of his patient take a cruise he doesn't think is in their best interest .

It's even more impressive that you believe it will be no big deal finding another Doctor who will come to

a different conclusion . Perhaps Jim Walker Esq. can recommend a good one . :rolleyes:

 

If the doctor is aware of equipment available for use while at sea, the ability of med staff on the ship and whether the patient could get assistance if needed, then the doctor is making an informed recommendation. I have an auto-immune disease. I took a recent cruise and did so only with my specialist's blessing.

[RuthlessBoss]

While this is off topic, in my state they can and the nursing home has to provide transportation to see your doctor if they don't have rights at the facility.

 

I'm not sure on that as far as a primary goes. Usually the family chooses off a list of in house drs. To see a specialist, yes they go and are transported by the facility or even family.

[HLGW60]

I like this idea - except for the insurance thing - if they are not healthy you are looking at thousands of dollars to have them flown back to the states.

 

 

EXACTLY! If money isn't a problem then go right ahead and take them. Just be prepared for your insurance not covering any medical expenses or evacuation.

[skittl1321]

Agreed. Cheaper fares come with strings attached, and companies (not just Carnival) should not be faulted for following published policies,

You can buy "cancel for any reason" coverage. Those who do would not be very happy if the company reimbursed someone without the coverage for non-covered circumstances.

This is a good time to recommend using a good independent TA. A professional would NEVER have booked ES for a client (especially when health might be a concern ) without making sure they understood all the ramifications.

 

Cancel for any reason insurance typically only covers 75% the cost of the non-refundable part of the vacation, minus the (higher) cost to purcase the insurance initially. It is rarely a good value on a low cost vacation.

 

Did the OP TELL the person on the phone at Carnival that they had health worries? It sounded to me like she told them she wanted the lowest rate, and the person on the phone ASSURED her that this was absolutely the lowest rate. If she had said "we need a refundable deposit" it is highly unlikely she would have been steered towards early saver.

Edited June 7, 2015 by skittl1321

[elainmir]

Kimala see if you can find a doctor who will let your parents go on what could possibly be their last vacation with you. Don't take no for an answer hon..a lot of doctors will see what you are trying to do and do what's best for them and let them have this last hoorah if you will. Just try hon ..that's all you can do. At least at the end of the day YOU will KNOW you tried your hardest. Best of luck to you hon.

[RangerEvans]

Find another doctor.....Carnival deals with old and disabled folks everyday!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[BenjiRodney]

Sorry, hope it works out, but Early Saver can be a beast if you are not prepared to take the penalties that come with it.

[Surfwench]

Just want to tell everyone out there considering booking a Carnival cruise to be careful!! This is what just happened to me...

 

My parents are in a retirement home and are in their mid 80s. My father is 90 % in a wheelchair and requires Oxygen available occasionally. sadly they sleep all the time because they are bored out of their minds ...Anyways out of compassion my husband volunteered to take them on a cruise so they don't feel their life is over. I was so happy and excited to do it for them even though I knew it would be a lot of coordination with the medical needs and everything...I found "special needs @sea..recommended here and saw that it was actually possible!!! I was so happy and encouraged. I called a Carnival rep and she booked us two cabins ones wheelchair accesable and one regular next door on the Paradise 4 day at our closest port Tampa FL. I asked her for the best deal as this was going to be an unforeseen expense for us , we already have vacation plans for later in the year. she suggested the "Early Saver" I even asked if it would be better to elect the senior discount but she insisted the early saver was best. two days later, yesterday, I contacted their Drs Ofc to get the Dr to write a RX a for the Oxygen and received a call back later saying that the Dr was not going to allow my parents to go on the cruise because their health was too bad. I was devastated!!! I wanted to do this for them so badly!! But the bad news had only just begun. when I called the Carnival rep back she said I had purchased the Early Saver and there was NO REFUND!!! The best she could do was charge a cancellation fee of $100 per room and put the other 298 on a future cruise credit...I explained that my parents were not getting any younger and there was not gonna be a future cruise for them...oh, BTW...no transfer policy also!!! I tried to argue the case with the Carnival rep because after all I had just booked two days ago and we had taken the insurance...She called the insurance and they gave her the impression that they would look at it as pre existing and shoot down my claim so my best bet was basically to take the future cruise deal. She claims that she advised me about the no refund policy but if she did Inreally didn't remember that...I feel that under the circumstances Carnival could have made some concession for us...This has left a very bad taste in my mouth and I just want to make everyone aware that they need to make sure they don't have stars in their eyes when they make deals with the Devil, ( Carnival Corporation)

 

They record all phone conversations. Find a supervisor and politely request a copy of the conversation. If you paid by credit card you might be able to get the charges reversed. Failing ALL else... take the cruise and let your parents be no-shows.