Do you buy Vacation Protection?

[woozles]

40 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

The thing about trip cancellation insurance is that literally everyone can absorb the cost of the "catastrophe" of missing a cruise.  They actually are better off financially if they miss the cruise as you get ancillary expenses, taxes, fees, etc. returned.  Which makes cancellation insurance all the more ridiculous.  Contrast that with evac and medical, which pretty much everyone should have as those expensive are truly catastrophic.  But dang, such great marketing and sales to be able to sell people "disappointment insurance" - I'm in the wrong business!

 

Yes, I am more concerned with evac and medical coverage than cancellation coverage. We did buy the 'cancel for any reason' policy through other than Carnival when we were cruising a month before our first grandbaby was due. It was not a huge amount extra and purchased shortly after booking. Our last cruise we booked three weeks before leaving and simply purchased evac and medical coverage. 

[2wheelin]

48 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

The thing about trip cancellation insurance is that literally everyone can absorb the cost of the "catastrophe" of missing a cruise.  They actually are better off financially if they miss the cruise as you get ancillary expenses, taxes, fees, etc. returned.  Which makes cancellation insurance all the more ridiculous.  Contrast that with evac and medical, which pretty much everyone should have as those expensive are truly catastrophic.  But dang, such great marketing and sales to be able to sell people "disappointment insurance" - I'm in the wrong business!

 

Not everyone can absorb $4-5000 when insurance could run only $150-200. Subtract the amount paid for med and evac and the cancelation ins is pretty minimal. And you still get coverage if you need to fly home but don’t qualify for evac. True, maybe on a cheap cruise where the ins is a higher percentage of the cost it makes less sense.

If you’re lucky enough to go on lots of cruises, sure your expense ratio changes but don’t make fun of people who have to save a long time for a cruise and really want to spend a small fraction to protect themselves.

 

 

[BNBR]

17 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

 

Not everyone can absorb $4-5000 when insurance could run only $150-200. Subtract the amount paid for med and evac and the cancelation ins is pretty minimal. And you still get coverage if you need to fly home but don’t qualify for evac. True, maybe on a cheap cruise where the ins is a higher percentage of the cost it makes less sense.

If you’re lucky enough to go on lots of cruises, sure your expense ratio changes but don’t make fun of people who have to save a long time for a cruise and really want to spend a small fraction to protect themselves.

 

 

 

Literally everyone can absorb the cruise cost, no matter how much it is.  They already paid for it...  It's not a new expense.  The only thing lost is the cruise itself which isn't going cause any financial hardship at all, or anything beyond disappointment.  I'm not making fun of anyone.  And if someone had to save a long time to go on a cruise, they are the last people who should be spending even more of their hard earned savings on disappointment coverage.

[Sea Hag]

Always.

[Doggielover68]

We never used to purchase it, but after reading many horror stories we do purchase it now through a 3rd party. On our last cruise, I had severe stomach pain that turned out to be harmless, but it was so intense that I could barely walk to my cabin. I was curled up in the fetal position on the bed for at least an hour and I was beginning to panic about the possibility of appendicitis or something. Fortunately, it subsided. Long story short, I would rather be protected for $70-100 than go bankrupt if a medical emergency happened. It's a small price to pay for piece of mind. 

 

If you think about it, it seems silly to spend money on things like Faster to the Fun to avoid lines, but not pay a similar amount to protect your life/finances. 

[Doggielover68]

23 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

Literally everyone can absorb the cruise cost, no matter how much it is.  They already paid for it...  It's not a new expense.  The only thing lost is the cruise itself which isn't going cause any financial hardship at all, or anything beyond disappointment.  I'm not making fun of anyone.  And if someone had to save a long time to go on a cruise, they are the last people who should be spending even more of their hard earned savings on disappointment coverage.

 

For me, it's more about the medical coverage/evacuation. However, there are so many other things that can go wrong. Your cruise may be paid for, but what if something happens on the way there? For example, you get in a car accident, spend time in the hospital, miss the cruise, etc etc. The money you get back can help pay for your expenses incurred. 

[pacruise804]

2 hours ago, BNBR said:

 

The thing about trip cancellation insurance is that literally everyone can absorb the cost of the "catastrophe" of missing a cruise.  They actually are better off financially if they miss the cruise as you get ancillary expenses, taxes, fees, etc. returned.  Which makes cancellation insurance all the more ridiculous.  Contrast that with evac and medical, which pretty much everyone should have as those expensive are truly catastrophic.  But dang, such great marketing and sales to be able to sell people "disappointment insurance" - I'm in the wrong business!

 

I'm not sure if you are arguing with me 🤷‍♀️- I thought we were saying the same thing that many don't get trip cancellation, but all should get evac and medical.  I agree that missing the cruise would not fall into catastrophic.

 

That isn't to say the cost of trip insurance isn't a reasonable price for peace of mind, even if that is all they are likely to get for their money.  Many posters purchase drink packages they know are in excess (often several hundreds excess) of what their bar tab would be just for the peace of mind to not have a bill at the end.  We own our home and vehicles outright, but still have insurance to cover property damage because the cost to transfer the risk to the insurance company isn't that great and is worth the peace of mind.

 

Each person's situation is different.  Someone who cruises 6 times per year, are likely retired, and if they miss one cruise, big deal - they probably don't need trip cancellation and even purchasing for peace of mind seems silly.  Someone who cruises once or twice every 5 years and had lots of moving parts to make the vacation work (children, sick parents, work schedules) - it might be worth the peace of mind to have the insurance if it is a small percentage of the overall cost.

[pe4all]

After we book our cruise, the next phone call is to Travelguard to book travel insurance. Have used it 2x over the years without any hassle in getting our money back. (once when dh got norovirus the day before the cruise, and once when dd had appendicitis attack and we were off-loaded in Belize for 3 days). 

Just beware - Carnival insurance will cover only the cruise fare.  You would get back the port taxes, excursion costs, fun shop purchases,  etc. from Carnival even without insurance.  If you fly to your embark port, CCL will NOT cover the flight cost.  CCL also does not have pre-existing conditions coverage.  You will definitely get better bang for your buck looking elsewhere. 

[Joebucks]

There's so many options out there, and most of them are unnecessary. There are countless people out there buying CFAR/trip cancellation insurances which are a joke. I've been on 40+ trips in my lifetime. Never had to cancel any yet. (Yes I am fortunate, but there is a different point). If I had insurance on all of those, how many more thousands would I have lost, essentially paying for trips I didn't take? It's only good for those who find peace of mind in things that don't make financial sense, to be honest. Obviously, you could afford to take that vacation. You just don't want to feel like you wasted the money. When you insured it every time, you wasted your money. It's like the people who complain about a smaller tax return but got more money throughout the year. They are poor with money management, and need outside assistance for budgeting, all while being penalized for it and seeing it as a positive.

 

Now that's not to say it's completely worthless. Again, you have to know your options. Are you a high risk? Are pre-existing conditions covered? Primary vs secondary? Where are you going? What coverage do you already have? Does a different company offer a better coverage?

 

I'd say the third party coverages recommended here are better, but still excessive. To me, who is generally a lower risk for injury or illness, insurance is against catastrophic damages or I'm not interested. Medical evacuation is that. You can buy annual plans for just that for a very reasonable amount. Even annual complete packages can be a better deal if you travel often. Personally, I use my travel credit card which includes very good coverages for no additional cost. 

[midwestman]

Its short-sighted not to have some kind of travel insurance, whether you use Carnival's or find a different policy.  I had to use it once due to my mother's death 4 days prior to sailing.  And I've read of the horror stories of not getting it.  

 

The case last year of a couple that were gifted a cruise through friends.  They chose not to get the insurance.  One of them got sick and had to be hospitalized in the Bahamas.  Sadly, their medical coverage was Medical Assistance, and the hospital would not accept it.

 

Another story I read.  A family trip to Mexico from California.  The family decided not to get the insurance for whatever reason.  The grandmother in the group did not want to pay for a hotel room the night before the cruise and they decided to drive to the port (4-6 hour drive,) on embarkation day.  Along the way, the car broke down.  Once that was resolved, they got to the port at 3:15pm, and final boarding was at 3pm.  TSA and Carnival denied them boarding.  When they tried to get their money from the cruise back, they were told that without the insurance, nothing could be done about it.

 

Travel insurance sure is a waste when you don't need it (and you rarely need it.)  But then it sure comes in handy in those rare circumstances.

[pacruise804]

@midwestman, I think everyone here agrees to get medical and evacuation insurance of some sort.  What is more debated is insuring the cost of the cruise and associated costs to take the trip.

 

The couple in the Bahamas example would have benefited from the first type, and probably should have had the second since this trip represented a large cost in their world (from what I remember of the story).

 

If the family from Mexico only had med/evac insurance they still would not have had any coverage for being late.  If they were against the "insurance" of spending a night closer to port I doubt they would have spent the extra for CFAR insurance.

 

For posters who have take 20, 40, or more cruises and never needed insurance of course it looks like an unnecessary expense.  For those who are planning a special trip might take 5 or less cruises in their lifetime, the CFAR/trip cost insurance might help to lessen the blow if something happens that they can't take the cruise.  Each person needs to evaluate their own circumstance.

 

I'm curious how many people who ridicule the idea of trip cancellation insurance are willing to pay higher costs for refundable deposits - isn't that also a relatively cheap form of insurance?

[Earthworm Jim]

On 2/28/2019 at 10:41 AM, BNBR said:

 

I like your chances! These insurance plans are basically a tax on people who are bad at math. 

 

I always said the casino is a tax on people who are bad at math.

 

On the insurance, in some circumstances when you think you have a high risk of missing the trip...say a close relative in very poor health, or you with a health condition that might flare up and keep you from going, it might make sense to get it. We've done it a couple of times for that reason.

[mpcaruth]

In 16 cruises we have never purchased insurance.  I typically book the cruise a year in advance, and am able to cancel the cruise before final payment if there are scheduling conflicts.  Assuming insurance had averaged $125 per cruise, then I would have expended $2000 alone on insurance in the last 10 years. Now, If something were to happen and I missed the ship, were ill, or had a death in the family, forfeiting my cruise payment would not hurt me financially. (I am not wealthy, I just live within my means). Insurance is a game of odds, and odds are you will not need it and the insurance company profits. BTW, I never buy extended warranties on things either.   I hope I did not just jinx my upcoming cruise!

 

On the flip side:  if I had been saving money for years for the cruise, and it was to be a once in a lifetime experience that I could not replace, then I would probably buy the insurance. (I'm thinking perhaps a Galapagos Cruise)

 

 

[summersigh]

I didn't read the rest of the thread BUT ... we always buy insurance and twice have had it useful as we had to cancel our cruise twice within a week of sailing.  Between Carnival and their Insurance we were refunded all the $$ we spent except the cost of the insurance within 2 weeks.

On trips to the Caribbean we buy the Carnival Insurance.  The amounts are enough to cover medical and evacuation.  If we go where we'll be far from home like Europe, Alaska or Aruba we buy an independent policy from insuremytrip.com because it covers more.

[southbayer]

I bought the Carnival Ins. for the first time, I normally don't buy insurance, but this time I did... I know there is more coverages out there, but it would seem easier to cancel for most reasons to get back your cruise money, or get a 75% future cruise credit just because you want to cancel... 

[jimbri]

On 2/28/2019 at 10:11 AM, BNBR said:

The first thing you need to do is check your primary medical insurance to see how it's handled overseas.  It probably covers everything but evacuation.  In which case, just buy a super cheap evac plan.  I would venture to say that many people here are way over insured and wasting a lot of money on comprehensive plans that are totally unnecessary.

 

 

Of course.  The OP was asking about the Carnival Vacation Protection specifically.  I would never buy any of the above.  I have an annual evac plan that costs $79.99/year and nothing more, which covers our RV trips as well as cruises, skiing, family visits to Denmark, etc.  If we have a medical issue, we are already covered by our primary health insurance and as I said above, I'd wager a good portion of the people posting here probably have insurance coverage already and don't even realize it.  Most common carriers DO cover overseas emergencies.  Which means you don't need anything more than evac.  And even then, how many may even have credit cards that offer this and not even know it? (ie. Amex Platinum, some Chase cards, etc.)

May I ask what company you use for the evac plan only?  I am pretty sure you are allowed to post the name of the company on the forum  If not, please don't. I covered our trip through insuremytrip. It was reasonable and I got both cancellation, doctors  evac etc.  My health insurance does cover me overseas so for the future I would like to purchase just the evac.  Thanks.

[BNBR]

2 minutes ago, jimbri said:

May I ask what company you use for the evac plan only?  I am pretty sure you are allowed to post the name of the company on the forum  If not, please don't. I covered our trip through insuremytrip. It was reasonable and I got both cancellation, doctors  evac etc.  My health insurance does cover me overseas so for the future I would like to purchase just the evac.  Thanks.

 

Good Sam Travel Assist.  It's $79/year for the entire family, unlimited trips. Cheaper for single or couples. 

[jimbri]

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

 

Good Sam Travel Assist.  It's $79/year for the entire family, unlimited trips. Cheaper for single or couples. 

Thank you.

[jimbo5544]

CC is littered with posts of people who WISHED they had taken insurance and have no recourse.  It amazes me how many there are.  There are many options that depending on the cost of your VACATION (not just the cruise in most cases but getting to and from and hotel stays as well) and preexisting conditions which make it foolish not to buy.

[mike91911]

I've never bought insurance through the cruise line but buy it through another company.  Cruising with 3 kids adds so many reasons cancellation could be an issue.  To me it also increases the odds of sickness or injury while on the cruise.  What I paid for insurance for the 5 of us was a small fraction of the price of the cruise and worth it for the piece of mind.  I do understand it seems like a "waste of money" to many people because the majority of cruises are problem free.  I've never had to use it and sure that money could have been put to use on more enjoyable things.  I'll probably continue to think that until the time comes that I have to use it.  

[evandbob]

I've bought car insurance for the last 50 years and only used it once.  I've bought condo or house insurance for 35 years and never had to use it.  I don't consider these extravagant or foolish purchases.  I buy car or house insurance even when it is not required by law, and when it is required, I buy more than the minimum coverage.

 

I posted earlier that we purchase annual travel insurance that covers medical, evac,, cancel for any reason etc. simply because we take up numerous trips a year and it comes out way cheaper.

[tallnthensome]

On 3/3/2019 at 11:44 AM, mpcaruth said:

In 16 cruises we have never purchased insurance.  I typically book the cruise a year in advance, and am able to cancel the cruise before final payment if there are scheduling conflicts.  Assuming insurance had averaged $125 per cruise, then I would have expended $2000 alone on insurance in the last 10 years. Now, If something were to happen and I missed the ship, were ill, or had a death in the family, forfeiting my cruise payment would not hurt me financially. (I am not wealthy, I just live within my means). Insurance is a game of odds, and odds are you will not need it and the insurance company profits. BTW, I never buy extended warranties on things either.   I hope I did not just jinx my upcoming cruise!

 

On the flip side:  if I had been saving money for years for the cruise, and it was to be a once in a lifetime experience that I could not replace, then I would probably buy the insurance. (I'm thinking perhaps a Galapagos Cruise)

 

 

This thinking and approach is all wrong ...... You mention missing the ship, cancelling, or an ill family member. You seem to forget the most important aspect of cruise insurance, your personal health. You don't mention what you would do or how you would pay for a medical emergency for yourself on board or in a port. What if you had a stroke, a heart attack, major illness, broke a leg .... anything ... It would cost you thousands upon thousands for a hospital visit or even worse a hospital stay or even medivac ..... That $2000 that you boast about saving would be a drop in the bucket compared to what it would cost you if something happened to you ..... A very bad and risky approach on your end ...... Keep playing the odds and you may very well come out on the wrong side by the thousands $$$ down the line. 

[Purvis1231]

I buy travel Guard. It is easy to understand, and have excellent customer service. I had to use it once due to a medical problem right before a cruise. 

[bingomamma19]

yes we do purchase...we go with insure my trip and usually pay under 200 bucks for 3 of us for full coverage (is me 51, DD 13 and mom 78).   My mom is 78 and medicare does not cover anything outside of the US, so there is no question.    My own personal health  insurance has a $5000 deductible per person.

 

So yes, we get it and have peace of mind our entire trip.   Its well worth it to us.    Its not an insult to someone to say they want to insure their trip, so please stop suggesting that.   I have paid car insurance all my life and never collected 1 dime..same for my home insurance.   Its all about what kind of risk you are willing to take. 

 

We save for every trip and even 1 cancelled non refunded trip would be devastating...much less some medical issue that would happen that would cost us a fortune.   Insurance is just part of the trip for us.

 

 

Edited March 10, 2019 by bingomamma19

[ShakyBeef]

33 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

This thinking and approach is all wrong ...... You mention missing the ship, cancelling, or an ill family member. You seem to forget the most important aspect of cruise insurance, your personal health. You don't mention what you would do or how you would pay for a medical emergency for yourself on board or in a port. What if you had a stroke, a heart attack, major illness, broke a leg .... anything ... It would cost you thousands upon thousands for a hospital visit or even worse a hospital stay or even medivac ..... That $2000 that you boast about saving would be a drop in the bucket compared to what it would cost you if something happened to you ..... A very bad and risky approach on your end ...... Keep playing the odds and you may very well come out on the wrong side by the thousands $$$ down the line. 

 

You're passing quite a strong judgement on her without knowing her financial situation or other travel protection coverage that she might already have in place.  You even note that she does not mention how she would pay for medical a emergency, but go right ahead and assume and criticize her as if she has no plan in place and no capability of doing so without buying extra insurance.

 

Self insuring (having the funds to cover unexpected issues or absorb the loss of a missed cruise, etc.) is something that a lot of us who live within our means, have a good emergency fund in the bank, and follow good financial practices can do for a lot of situations.  For catastrophic and very expensive emergencies, such as Medical Evac, there are other options without buying "trip insurance".  And, as you stated, you don't know that mpcaruth doesn't have that protection already in place, as so many of us who don't buy trip insurance do.