Icedonut

1 minute ago, FirstTimeFreddy said:

It's an awful situation us Brits have been put in and the conflicting information from Staysure isn't helping. I've contacted 5 other insurance companies in the UK and all of them have said that they cannot provide insurance for International cruises because of the government advisory.

 

We're 9 days from taking this cruise and Viking are acting like nothing has changed. Just last night I received a reminded that our health questionnaire would need to be completed in 2 days time. What's more confusing is that there was no mention of what will happen if we're unable to provide proof on International cruise cover. Can we still travel? Will we be denied boarding?

 

I've been racking my brain, trying to come up with a solution and the only thing I can think of is finding a non UK based insurance company to provide cover. I'm currently in contact with an insurer in the US that provides cover to non US International travellers. I'm still waiting for more information from them.

 

 

Just come off the phone with Viking - they are aware of the issue and are looking to see if they can find an insurer that is willing to work with them (not their normal practice) - but that is only just being discussed.
Give them a ring so that your record shows you have attempted but failed to get cover, so you will be contacted when they have more information - they were being understanding and as helpful as they could in the circumstances.

15 minutes ago, Queenie1603 said:

We are on the Iceland trip in August.  I contacted Staysure to check this out as our policy is with them. The person I spoke to was adamant we were covered. So there is a difference depending who you speak to!!  I think I  will email them and ask them to clarify this -  it takes a long time to get through to someone.

Asking for it in writing that 'international cruising' is covered, seems to be the key and once the underwriters pick it up, they are changing their minds.

Just received the following from Viking

Dear Viking Guest

We are looking forward to welcoming you onboard for your upcoming cruise.

As a reminder, we do ask that you re-confirm your policy details with your insurance provider, to confirm that your policy provides cover for international cruises. We do recommend asking your provider to confirm this for you in writing, to avoid complications should you need to make a claim.

24 minutes ago, les37b said:

 

I know someone on this cruise and they mentioned Staysure will cover cruises and the advisory issue, so no longer doom and gloom.

 

Good news on AZ too..... Malta no longer has problems with it. (The people I know we're also with problems because of this.) Viking should be able to confirm it for you.

I'm afraid they have been misinformed - you need to specifically mention the current FCDO advice on 'International cruises' and not the advisory's around the countries that are included. That is the key part that the insurers can't cover you for, so the cruise insurance in international waters is invalid.

Really annoying as I see that Croatia is also now on the green watchlist!

37 minutes ago, FirstTimeFreddy said:

That's not what Staysure have just said to me when I called them. This is so confusing. So have Viking told you that your FCDO extension was not acceptable? 

I know - I have spoken to Staysure as well - their staff are looking at the 'countries' covered by their FCDO extension, they were unaware of the FCDO international cruise advice. The lady I spoke to had to go and check with the underwriters and then told me that it was invalid. I queried why it was being sold to UK travellers and her response was that it had only just been opened up as an option - I suspect because they thought the FCOD advice was going to change - but it hasn't and they've missed it.

I think you need to ask them again, as others have been told it does not cover them.

56 minutes ago, FirstTimeFreddy said:

Thank you for this. My insurance company do indeed offer extra cover for travelling against FCDO advice. 👍

I fell foul of this as well - I had the FCDO extension for those countries that the FCDO advised against all but essential travel - BUT - that does not apply to the FCDO advice against International Cruise travel, therefore, policy invalid and no insurance companies will cover for international cruises while FCDO advise against travel.

4 minutes ago, les37b said:

 

I did when I booked, in case my one didn't cut it. He said, they don't sell insurance and cant give advice on it and its down to guests to sort.

 

 

So Staysure have informed me that my policy does not cover international cruises and when I asked why they were selling them, they informed me that they had only recently reopened that option - I suspect on the basis that they thought UKG advice was going to change.

Had to cancel the policy and luckily was still in cooling off period - sorry you aren't.

I have the added complication of being in the group with one of the disputed AstraZeneca vaccine batches, which Viking are waiting another 24 hours on, before telling me if Malta has a change of heart - the information on that has changed on and off over the last 48 hours as well with no real clarity.
 

Spent the morning speaking to Viking to establish if they could confirm if their cruises for UK passengers were able to proceed given the same FCDO advice that you quote above and I am also on hold with the insurance company to double check if I am still covered.

Also just noticed that SAGA have cancelled all their up coming Mediterranean cruises citing the FCDO advice against international cruising as the reason.
Looks like I'll be swapping to a UK cruise!