James S

It must have been the Whisper. I can’t believe my email was right on the cusp of penalty-free cancellation. Looks like I’m at the mercy of SS. 

Here’s my first email string on the subject I found from April 20, right around 120 days prior to sailing:

On Apr 20, 2020, at 6:43 PM, James Shapiro <judgeshapiro@gmail.com> wrote:
 

Hi Jason,

 

Karin and I are concerned about the cruise in August. Other people are advising us to cancel. First, what is the cancellation fee if we cancel by the end of April? Second, I assume if Silver Sea cancels it, there would be no penalty? Finally, if we cancel first, subjecting ourselves to some penalty, and Silver Sea cancels later, would we get our cancellation fee back?

 

Since you have been so wonderful to work with, we will be rebooking with you for next year. We really want to go on this trip, but are concerned about being trapped on a cruise ship the way so many others have been, together with the possibility of catching something while we are are in a foreign country.

 

Thanks,”

 

The next day, he wrote back saying that “starting today” there would be the 15% penalty. I suppose if he had known that the day before, we might have been able to cancel without penalty. Maybe I shouldn’t sweat it so much, unless SS goes bk! 

That is apparently not the policy in the United States. I wanted to cancel more than 120 days out, but my travel agent told me it would be a 15% penalty. I am not a very happy camper right now. 

I certainly hope they have enough money left over for refunds for the anticipated August cancellations! 

NJ Cruiserman, my TA has been telling me it’s a 15% penalty up until May 20 and then a 50% cancellation penalty after that. I haven’t seen the cancellation policy in writing from SS, but I assumed he was telling me the truth. Are you saying he’s been misinforming me? The TA was referred by a friend, but is not the brightest bulb in the box. 

Right, but less a 15% penalty, no? 

Thanks, Alexandria. I am trying to cancel my dispute now. Thanks so much for your suggestion. 

Thanks so much, Jolly Jones. Now my agent is offering me 125% FCC, but I still kind of want my refund. Not sure what to do. I wonder how long they’ll wait. The agent is telling me they could move the cruise from Venice to a new cruise embarkation port, but that would defeat part of the purpose of the cruise, as we wanted to spend a little time in Venice. I really don’t want to play chicken with them. I want them to be honorable and cancel the cruise and give me my refund. 

Thank you both so much! Yes, that’s what I was planning to do. I hope and assume they will cancel. I actually disputed their charge with my credit card company in an effort to get their “attention.” 

My cruise line, Silver Sea, is requiring me to forfeit 15% of the almost $10,000 I paid them if I cancel by May 20. Fifty percent after that. Their cruise sails out of Venice, one of the epicenters of COVID-19 in Italy, in late August. My girlfriend doesn’t want to risk it.
 

Silver Sea claims they are still sailing, but I don’t really believe them. I believe they are claiming they are not canceling so as to make money off our cancellation fees. Any suggestions?