Might have to cancel cruise - what options do we have???

[Aussie TJE]

Just a brief update. I am pretty sure that we are going to have to cancel now - dad is still in hospital and they are doing more tests. My partner is still struggling with the pain and is having another CAT scan tomorrow, plus surgery has been booked for the 17th Feb.

 

I have sent an e-mail to our TA letting them know ALL the details and asking if they can assist us in any way. They are normally very good, and it doesn't hurt to ask them.

 

Also, I read in another thread, that someone on our cruise has been contacted about a move over offer - asked to go on another date and offered bonuses etc to do so - they said no. I mentioned this in the e-mail to our TA, so we'll see what happens.

 

I've also sent an e-mail to the hotel that I had booked to see if they will refund our payment. I'll also send an e-mail to Virgin Blue to see what they say. Doesn't hurt to ask - my favourite motto at the moment!

 

Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions. It is greatly appreciated.

 

I'll let you know what happens.

[Aussie TJE]

I just received a call from our TA in relation to our e-mail last night. They were very understanding and confirmed the move over offer from Princess. They received it yesterday and said they couldn't believe the timing - that it must be meant to be for us!

 

I think they are offering people in a balcony to switch their cruise to the 21 night Sun Princess Asia cruise in May. Will be upgraded to a mini suite, 50% of fare back as an on board credit and reasonable compensation for out of pocket expenses.

 

Does this sound like a good deal? To me it sounds very fair, as we probably would have been totally out of pocket anyway. I would have loved to cruise on the Diamond Princess, so will have to look at the Princess site and find out about the Sun Princess and see what a mini suite looks like and includes. Never had a mini before - this could be dangerous.

 

Let me know what you guys think???

[Aussie TJE]

Duplicate thread

[cynbar]

What a piece of good luck! I would grab any move over offer at this point since it seemed you were going to have to cancel anyway. Many people prefer the Sun class of Princess ships. I hope this is an omen for everything turning around in your life-- best wishes for more good luck to come.

[Cruise Gypsy]

I just received a call from our TA in relation to our e-mail last night. They were very understanding and confirmed the move over offer from Princess. They received it yesterday and said they couldn't believe the timing - that it must be meant to be for us!

 

I think they are offering people in a balcony to switch their cruise to the 21 night Sun Princess Asia cruise in May. Will be upgraded to a mini suite, 50% of fare back as an on board credit and reasonable compensation for out of pocket expenses.

 

Does this sound like a good deal? To me it sounds very fair, as we probably would have been totally out of pocket anyway. I would have loved to cruise on the Diamond Princess, so will have to look at the Princess site and find out about the Sun Princess and see what a mini suite looks like and includes. Never had a mini before - this could be dangerous.

 

Let me know what you guys think???

 

Sounds great to me - It is good to know how helpful Princess can be when situations like this happen.

 

I wish your family well and hope for speedy recovery - now hopefully some stress has been remove and you can focus on the more important thing - your family's health. Best Wishes.:D

[Coral]

Yea! The minisuites are huge on the Sun Princess.

[abqmommyof4]

I have to admit I don't remember all the details ( it was 18 years ago and I was in the midst of my own health emergancy. preterm labor with twins.. 18 years later they are fine)

My great uncle was scheduled to go on a honeymoon cruise and his bride to be ended up getting very sick ( and dying) the cruise company (i think RCL or Holland) allowed him to use his tickets for another family member ( ended up being my mom and dad)

I know this was pre 9-11 do that may be a factor. It never hurts to ask

[quincytoo]

I just received a call from our TA in relation to our e-mail last night. They were very understanding and confirmed the move over offer from Princess. They received it yesterday and said they couldn't believe the timing - that it must be meant to be for us!

 

I think they are offering people in a balcony to switch their cruise to the 21 night Sun Princess Asia cruise in May. Will be upgraded to a mini suite, 50% of fare back as an on board credit and reasonable compensation for out of pocket expenses.

 

Does this sound like a good deal? To me it sounds very fair, as we probably would have been totally out of pocket anyway. I would have loved to cruise on the Diamond Princess, so will have to look at the Princess site and find out about the Sun Princess and see what a mini suite looks like and includes. Never had a mini before - this could be dangerous.

 

 

Let me know what you guys think???

 

Sounds great :)

 

Hope all goes well with your dad and your man and before you know it you will be writing your trip report about your wonderful cruise :)

 

I would be worried about that mini too...we just had our first balcony and now I just couldn't settle for less :rolleyes:

[Bowie MeMe]

Glad it worked out for you. Just make sure you get that trip insurance. It is worth the money just not to stress out. On the one trip that a member of our travel party had to cancel the airline (Iberia) sold the seat and refunded the money. The first notification to the airline was as we checked in at Dulles (illness started 2 days before flight) so that was very lucky.

[can786]

I'm glad it seems to be working out for you and hopefully everyone will be fine by May and you can sail then. You are very fortunate to be offered the minisuite as the minis on the Sun are like the full suites on the Grand Class ships. I have sailed on one on the Sea Princess (sister ship) and it spoiled us terribly. You will have two rooms as well as a split bathroom with the toilet and sink on one side with the shower and separate whirlpool tub on the other side. The balcony will be twice as wide as that of a regular balcony cabin.

[Aussie TJE]

This is starting to get more tempting all the time. We have managed to get the money back for our Bangkok to Syd flight, accommodation in Sydney, and tour in Bangkok. Just waiting to hear from Virgin Blue.

 

I can't believe that everyone has been so helpful and we will be going on a similar cruise in May and will have a mini suite, plus half our fare as on board credit. It almost sounds too good to be true. The only thing that worries me is that it appears that no one is one the ship - the roll call is almost non existent and there appear to be lots of cabins available. I still can't believe the deal as a mini suite on this cruise would cost over $16,000 - so I think it is a great deal as we wouldn't pay that for a cruise. We paid just under $6,000 inc airfares for a balcony. And even better, we get to select which mini suite we want as well!!!

 

I really must thank Princess, our TA (who I can't mention unfortunately), and everybody that has helped us. We really are very lucky that this happened at the right time, otherwise it could have happened during the cruise, or if the move over offer was mentioned, we could have lost over $6,000.

 

I really hope everthing is OK by May, but we can only do one day at a time.

[Tedirene]

Tamarah,

 

Glad to see it is working out for you. I hope everything is ok with Dad and your partner and look forward to reading your review of the May cruise.

[Bubble-Ont.]

I can identify with problem. We are scheduled to sail on CB Feb 21. I was admitted to hospital last week with acute pancreatitis....wow what pain. I was in hospital 5 days on morphine. I was home 1 day and diagnosed with pneumonia. I have been on clear fluids and antibiotics and tire very easily. We have insurance. However my concern is not for myself but my friend travelling with me.We were on B2B so that is a lot of money if insurance company won't cover. She is not a seasoned traveller and would not go by herself even if she could afford the single supplement.

[Aussie TJE]

I can identify with problem. We are scheduled to sail on CB Feb 21. I was admitted to hospital last week with acute pancreatitis....wow what pain. I was in hospital 5 days on morphine. I was home 1 day and diagnosed with pneumonia. I have been on clear fluids and antibiotics and tire very easily. We have insurance. However my concern is not for myself but my friend travelling with me.We were on B2B so that is a lot of money if insurance company won't cover. She is not a seasoned traveller and would not go by herself even if she could afford the single supplement.

 

I'm so sorry - I hope everything works out for you. It's awful when something like this happens to close to your cruise as you are so excited. It's amazing how life can change so quickly. I really hope the TI covers it. Maybe it might be worth checking with your TA if your cruise is popular, as you might be able to ask for a move-over offer like we managed to get. It's doesn't hurt to ask.

 

I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you can get well ASAP and make your cruise. Please let us know how you go.

[Aussie TJE]

Just wanted to thank everyone for all their help and support. It has meant a great deal to me.

 

It was a very tough decision deciding on which mini suite to have (tough choice to make - getting a guarantee is a lot easier LOL), we have finally decided to get an Aft AB mini - B755. We are so happy with the way things have worked out - still can't believe that Princess are giving us a mini - so much more expensive that we we had booked on the Diamond. It's funny how things work out.

 

Thanks once again everyone. I'd be lost without this board - it has helped me remain (relatively) sane and has been a great distraction and kept me company while my OH has been sleeping.

 

You guys are the best!! Now I just need to get some of you to join us on the ship as the roll call is dead - anyone!!!

[Eagleboy]

A lady at our work is going on that cruise she is from Adelaide also. My mum is on the on before yours 17 nights may 14th sun pincess would have just done only one cruise since she is in dry dock for 2 weks mid april lots of things will be quite new.Hope all goes well for you,:)

[Cruise Gypsy]

[quote name='tamarah']Just wanted to thank everyone for all their help and support. It has meant a great deal to me.

It was a very tough decision deciding on which mini suite to have (tough choice to make - getting a guarantee is a lot easier LOL), we have finally decided to get an Aft AB mini - B755. We are so happy with the way things have worked out - still can't believe that Princess are giving us a mini - so much more expensive that we we had booked on the Diamond. It's funny how things work out.

Thanks once again everyone. I'd be lost without this board - it has helped me remain (relatively) sane and has been a great distraction and kept me company while my OH has been sleeping.

You guys are the best!! Now I just need to get some of you to join us on the ship as the roll call is dead - anyone!!![/quote]

I am so happy things have worked out for you. I hope your family is doing better. Have a wonderful cruise and best wishes.:D

[Aussie TJE]

[quote name='Eagleboy']A lady at our work is going on that cruise she is from Adelaide also. My mum is on the on before yours 17 nights may 14th sun pincess would have just done only one cruise since she is in dry dock for 2 weks mid april lots of things will be quite new.Hope all goes well for you,:)[/QUOTE]

Oh someone is joining me - I was getting worried as the roll call is dead! Ask your mum and lady at work to join the roll call so they can join me - I'm lonely over there all by myself!!!

I hope your mum has a great cruise, will be interested to hear what she thinks of the ship - tell her to look after her for us!

Do you know what they are doing when she is in dry dock???

[Aussie TJE]

[quote name='Cruise Gypsy']I am so happy things have worked out for you. I hope your family is doing better. Have a wonderful cruise and best wishes.:D[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the best wishes Cruise Gypsy. I still can't believe how it all worked out. Just got an e-mail back from VB airlines and it looks like they are going to refund/recredit our airfare - as they have asked for a doctor's certificate, which I offered them.

[donna5]

See princess does care about you Aussies. Have a great cruise.;)

[WCAB]

My what a lucky break. Please come back and post regarding your cruise and tell us if it was everything you were told to expect.

Carol

[Aussie TJE]

[quote name='donna5']See princess does care about you Aussies. Have a great cruise.;)[/QUOTE]

Yes, Donna5, they have been absolutely great. I think our TA helped a great deal as well, plus our timing was perfect for once as they really wanted balcony cabins on the Diamond Princess. So to be able to request a move-over and get an aft mini (the value is sooooo much more than what we had paid for other cruise, it isn't funny), and the OB credit - it seems too good to be true.

Now we really need to get my OH's pain/nausea under control. The morphine is making him very sick at the moment, it's a real battle. Apparently, it takes are few weeks for your body to get used to morphine - if not there are some other very expensive drugs that he can get a lot cheaper, because of his condition. At least we have 3 months to do our best to get on the ship! I know we will have a great cruise - we have never had a bad one (and we are not about to start now LOL).

[Aussie TJE]

[quote name='WCAB']My what a lucky break. Please come back and post regarding your cruise and tell us if it was everything you were told to expect.

Carol[/QUOTE]

Hi Carol, yep, we were lucky in our timing. It would have been terrible if this all happened during our cruise - we would have had to get off and get back to our specialist. I'll be back to let everyone know how it went.

Thanks everyone for your interest and concern.