Cruise obligation to refund

[taxgal]

Oops was not done...
But back to the OP's question...there is not legal obligation as has been mentioned. Nor is there really a driving business reason, as has also been pointed out, since those who would quit the line or cruising are so few as not to effect the bottom line. It would be nice if they helped the incoming passengers, but they are helping the stranded passengers (assuming the $ cited are correct) because $75 or less a night for any room is a great price for lodging, meals and security in a disaster zone.

[bar_20]

What did the trip insurance cover that Princess sells? I would think this is what the majority of passengers purchased. Like any insurance you have, it's knowing what it isn't covered rather than what is covered that is most important. If the OP didn't have any insurance, especially for an International cruise, then they're getting exactly what they have coming to them.

[camNaud]

I just don't understand why anyone would travel abroad without insurance. Annual multi-trip policies cost very little in comparison to the cost incurred when a travel plan doesn't go to plan.

Some posters are saying that their policies do not cover natural disasters such as earthquake - but for a cancelled flight your not claiming due to a natural disaster - your simply claiming against cancelled flight / delayed flight - which has resulted in not being able to join the ship at a designated departure point. No different if weather was terrible say for instance a snowstorm closed your departure airport and your flight was cancelled or delayed. If you have a policy that doesn't pay out for these occurrences then it's not worth the paper that it's written upon.

As for asking Princess to refund - that will be difficult - your T&C's outline where and when they have limited liabilities - these T&C's also recommend Travel Insurance to cover loses due to unforeseen circumstances that are out with the cruise-lines control. If you read T&C's before signing up for a cruise and don't like what you are reading - don't sign up for the cruise.

As previous posters have stated - cruise lines still have overheads in these situations as well - staff, food, fuel, and everything else that is required by you during the cruise is mostly all in place for your arrival on board.

What many people forget is that cruises are often sold with little or no profit by the cruise line - it is not until you are on board and spending money on drinks, gifts, casino, trips etc. that cruise lines actually start to make their profit. Every passenger that did not make the sailings out of Chile - more than likely cost the cruise-line revenue. Hence the reason for limited liabilities for cruise-lines in these instances - and further more why travel insurance has become the way for the passenger to protect the money spent on a trip.

[sapper1]

[quote name='taxgal']Taking food is looting too....If you were the store owner whose goods and livelihood were being taking illegally you would think so too.[/quote]
If my family were starving and the only way to get food was to take it, I would take it. I would also reimburse the owner of the store when the crisis had passed. It is easy to pass judgement when we sit here in our cozy homes in a nice safe environment.

[bar_20]

[quote name='sapper1']If my family were starving and the only way to get food was to take it, I would take it. I would also reimburse the owner of the store when the crisis had passed. It is easy to pass judgement when we sit here in our cozy homes in a nice safe environment.[/quote]

Starving or hungry? Starving is to perish for lack of food, it takes several weeks to starve to death. After a couple of days I don't think anybody was starving in Chile. Starving No! Looting Yes!

[ehfl]

No...that's what travel insurance is for. The cruise line did not cause the earthquake. They are not liable for the earthquake. Just file an insurance claim.

[silverado44]

[quote name='sapper1']Taking big screen TV's and other such items is looting----taking food is survival.[/quote]


We all need food to survive, but to steal food is no excuse. Otherwise, everyone who shoplifts from supermarkets could claim they needed it to survive and should not be punished. Seems unfair to the shopkeeper.

[emjsea]

I hope all these holier-than-thou people who think taking food during a natural disaster is stealing all wind up in the middle of one tout-suite. Then you and your children can sit there and go hungry and feel smug. Nothing more loathsome than spoiled, gluttonous Americans sitting in front of their TVs and claiming to know better than the less fortunate.