Possible policy change....what are your thoughts?

[galavant3]

Your body will develop immunity to Norovirus pretty quickly. Perhaps a better option would be to send a pill with norovirus to everyone 2 weeks before the cruise. If they, like most people, have immunity to it, then nothing would happen after taking it.

 

For those few that lack immunity, they would have 24 hours of discomfort at home (which is much better than having it on vacation!).

 

Taking it would be voluntary, of course. I would certainly do it. The most likely outcome is no reaction. The worst case, is that I know I won't get sick on my vacation. Sounds like a win-win for most people.

 

Very creative but I cannot imagine that this would be legal.

[DrD]

Your body will develop immunity to Norovirus pretty quickly. Perhaps a better option would be to send a pill with norovirus to everyone 2 weeks before the cruise. If they, like most people, have immunity to it, then nothing would happen after taking it.

 

For those few that lack immunity, they would have 24 hours of discomfort at home (which is much better than having it on vacation!).

 

Taking it would be voluntary, of course. I would certainly do it. The most likely outcome is no reaction. The worst case, is that I know I won't get sick on my vacation. Sounds like a win-win for most people.

 

Actually this is the main reason that it seems people who are more paranoid about germs and hence sanitize/wash frequently get sick more often. (personal observation.) Less exposure/immunity.

 

We do know that to some extent, kids in cleaner environments tend to have more allergies/asthma.

 

I wash my hand frequently but don't walk around with a can of lysol, and I hardly ever get sick.

[stones902]

Your body will develop immunity to Norovirus pretty quickly. Perhaps a better option would be to send a pill with norovirus to everyone 2 weeks before the cruise. If they, like most people, have immunity to it, then nothing would happen after taking it.

 

For those few that lack immunity, they would have 24 hours of discomfort at home (which is much better than having it on vacation!).

 

Taking it would be voluntary, of course. I would certainly do it. The most likely outcome is no reaction. The worst case, is that I know I won't get sick on my vacation. Sounds like a win-win for most people.

 

I definitely give you points for thinking outside of the box but this would never happen. Way too much liability in case someone has an adverse effect to the medication, a child get's hold of it, etc.

 

Also, I personally don't know enough about Norovirus to know if a single medication is sufficient to deal with it. There may be several different variations of the virus (sort of like the flu) so that it impossible to medicate for each and every possibility? Perhaps a medical professional can address this part?

Edited January 27, 2014 by stones902

[time4u2go]

Your body will develop immunity to Norovirus pretty quickly. Perhaps a better option would be to send a pill with norovirus to everyone 2 weeks before the cruise. If they, like most people, have immunity to it, then nothing would happen after taking it.

 

For those few that lack immunity, they would have 24 hours of discomfort at home (which is much better than having it on vacation!).

 

Taking it would be voluntary, of course. I would certainly do it. The most likely outcome is no reaction. The worst case, is that I know I won't get sick on my vacation. Sounds like a win-win for most people.

So does this mean that those that have had it can never get it again?

[DrD]

I definitely give you points for thinking outside of the box but this would never happen. Way too much liability in case someone has an adverse effect to the medication, a child get's hold of it, etc.

 

Also, I personally don't know enough about Norovirus to know if a single medication is sufficient to deal with it. There may be several different variations of the virus (sort of like the flu) so that it impossible to medicate for each and every possibility? Perhaps a medical professional can address this part?

 

Yes there are several genetic subtypes, so any vaccine will not be 100% effective. The last one tested was about 50% effective.

[ehfl]

Immunity to Noro doesn't last long. That's why I suggested sending out about 2 weeks prior to the cruise.

 

Most people are exposed to Noro throughout the year...at the mall, at work, at restaurants, etc. and so most of us have an immunity. It's one of the most common viruses in our environment after all, but you lose immunity if you are not exposed to it for a while.

 

So does this mean that those that have had it can never get it again?

[styles27]

That's your opinion.

 

I feel just the opposite, if you have to buy insurance, you probably can't afford to cruise.

 

In the very unlikely event I have to cancel a cruise I'll just eat the cost and go next year. I lose the money either way. What people are really insuring is the ability to go on a cruise. In other words, if you cancel, lose the money, and that means you can never go on a cruise again, or not for a long time, then you need insurance. If OTOH you can afford to cruise again next year, then why take the insurance? (other than for medical evacuation which is really a different thing.)

 

We are limited much more by time off than money, so we don't buy insurance. After 14 cruises we are way ahead.

 

 

Really?

 

Last Feb we spent $8,000 on our vacation...we spent an extra few hundred on insurance.

 

2 days in my father in law died unexpectedly and we needed to fly home from Mexico (where we were when we received the news)

 

The insurance covered EVERYTHING, including the added cost of flying home early...we would have lost most of that $8,000 had we not bothered to buy insurance.

 

It would have taken us a lot of vacations to make up that $8k.

 

We always buy it for cruises and land vacations and we've used it only one other time but our vacations are usually thousands of dollars not hundreds so for us an extra few hundred per vacation is well worth it.

 

We're ahead of the game the other way.

[ehfl]

I never thought for a moment they would actually do it.....

 

But as a matter of public policy, maybe this should be available by prescription, so that those that wanted to ensure a nice vacation could inoculate themselves under doctor's supervision prior to their trip.

 

I definitely give you points for thinking outside of the box but this would never happen.

[deltahog]

If you travel anywhere beyond the borders of the United States and do not have some form of travel insurance to ensure you can receive medical treatment and transportation back to the US you are out of your mind.

 

Then I shudder to think of the millions of stark raving mad people roaming our ships every year. That seems to be a FAR more dangerous situation than norovirus.

[time4u2go]

Then I shudder to think of the millions of stark raving mad people roaming our ships every year. That seems to be a FAR more dangerous situation than norovirus.

Not just on ships, but people that fly to international destinations, too. :eek::D

[DrD]

Really?

 

Last Feb we spent $8,000 on our vacation...we spent an extra few hundred on insurance.

 

2 days in my father in law died unexpectedly and we needed to fly home from Mexico (where we were when we received the news)

 

The insurance covered EVERYTHING, including the added cost of flying home early...we would have lost most of that $8,000 had we not bothered to buy insurance.

 

It would have taken us a lot of vacations to make up that $8k.

 

We always buy it for cruises and land vacations and we've used it only one other time but our vacations are usually thousands of dollars not hundreds so for us an extra few hundred per vacation is well worth it.

 

We're ahead of the game the other way.

 

As I said, insurance makes sense for evacuations/ emergency travel.

 

It does not make sense for the cruise itself.

 

You fell right into the trap (even though I warned you in my post lol) of saying you would have "lost" the money without insurance.

 

As I said, you lose the money either way. It's not like you get your money back at the end of the cruise!

 

What you lose is the cruise, not the money.

 

Insurance is generally recommended for things that have to be replaced, likes cars, houses, etc. A cruise does not have to be replaced, one can go without.

 

My vacations are also thousands, but if I miss it, I'll just go next year. the money's gone either way. Of course I'd be happy to get the money back, but considering how much I have to pay upfront for insurance it's just not mathematically worth it.

 

But as you know this is a common discussion here on boards so I doubt anyone will change their minds. But to say you can't afford to cruise if you can't afford insurance is pretty close-minded. I can certainly afford insurance but choose to forgo it. IMHO if losing a few grand is a major financial disaster such that you have to buy insurance to prevent it, well then...

[TC1957]

If you travel anywhere beyond the borders of the United States and do not have some form of travel insurance to ensure you can receive medical treatment and transportation back to the US you are out of your mind.

 

Your opinion. Face it...when someone is buying insurance they are betting a large corporation that something unfortunate is going to happen to them during a specified period of time.

 

Just like in a casino, the house usually wins.

[Vitality08]

As I said, insurance makes sense for evacuations/ emergency travel.

 

It does not make sense for the cruise itself.

 

You fell right into the trap (even though I warned you in my post lol) of saying you would have "lost" the money without insurance.

 

As I said, you lose the money either way. It's not like you get your money back at the end of the cruise!

 

What you lose is the cruise, not the money.

 

Insurance is generally recommended for things that have to be replaced, likes cars, houses, etc. A cruise does not have to be replaced, one can go without.

 

My vacations are also thousands, but if I miss it, I'll just go next year. the money's gone either way. Of course I'd be happy to get the money back, but considering how much I have to pay upfront for insurance it's just not mathematically worth it.

 

But as you know this is a common discussion here on boards so I doubt anyone will change their minds. But to say you can't afford to cruise if you can't afford insurance is pretty close-minded. I can certainly afford insurance but choose to forgo it. IMHO if losing a few grand is a major financial disaster such that you have to buy insurance to prevent it, well then...

 

I tried to make this same point a few weeks ago on another thread. People thought I was crazy...lol. But I agree. If you have to miss a cruise, you don't really loose the money, you loose the experience. Glad at least one other person had that same thought.

[stones902]

Great topic but I think everyone is getting off track with opinions on the value of travel insurance. I think the OP's question centered around how you can deal with folks who may be ill but are still inclined to board the ship anyway (insurance or not).

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ehfl]

[quote name='DrD']Yes there are several genetic subtypes, so any vaccine will not be 100% effective. The last one tested was about 50% effective.[/QUOTE]

The idea is not to create a vaccine that doesn't make you sick. The idea is to get exposed so that you do get sick. Put all the possible strains in the pill (or liquid, or whatever).

[ehfl]

[quote name='DrD']
What you lose is the cruise, not the money.

[/QUOTE]

If you get the money back, then it's not really lost.

[papaflamingo]

[quote name='okiecruiser71']I can afford to cruise and I can afford the insurance and yet I still don't get it. I like to live dangerously, and I know the companies that offer the policies will literally do everything and anything they can to keep from paying out one cent to anyone making a claim. The horror stories I have heard when it comes to dealing with those companies match anything I've heard from those not purchasing the insurance.[/QUOTE]

Pretty harsh. I always get insurance. I have used it and they have been remarkably accomodating and easy to work with. My actual experience is just the opposite of your generalization. But insurance is individual. Get it or don't. But if you don't, and you have to cancel your cruise, quit whining about not getting a refund. It is your choice, live with the consequences.
As for Norovirus, there is no way to really prevent it. What would help immensely is if people would constantly wash their hands correctly, use the hand sanitizers, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and if you feel sick, stay in the cabin to avoid spreading the germs. I suspect most Norovirus is brought on unwittingly. It is fairly prevalent around the country. We just normally aren't in large groups confined to a small space for a week. My son is in the Navy and they fight illness on the ships for months due to the closed environment.
I think RCCL did the right thing to bring the ship home early and spend a couple days doing a complete sanitation. Obviously they tried everything to avoid doing that, but made the right decision.

[Scribbles77]

I do purchase insurance and i am a little confused.

There are comments on here stating that you loose the cruise not the money, but surely if you don't cruise and don't get your money back then you have lost both ? Either way i guess it's person l choice live and let live i say.

BUT

My parents were refused boarding on Indy because my mother declared a GI problem. The insurance refunded the cost of the cruise. After a call to RCI (UK) they agreed that as they had refused boarding they would refund the cost of the hotel the night before in the form of a £370 next cruise certificate. No money lost except the cost of the insurance itself (£83) compared to the £4500 that the cruise had cost.

My point is yes you may not be allowed to board and the cruise is missed but surely being honest is better for everyone, why go on the ship if you know you could make others ill ?

[time4u2go]

[quote name='Scribbles77']I do purchase insurance and i am a little confused.

There are comments on here stating that you loose the cruise not the money, but surely if you don't cruise and don't get your money back then you have lost both ? Either way i guess it's person l choice live and let live i say.

[/QUOTE]

The point is, if you go on the cruise, you pay the money. If you don't go on the cruise (and don't have insurance), you still pay the money. So you don't lose any more money than if you [I]had [/I]gone on the cruise. You just don't go on the cruise. Hence, you [I]lose [/I]the cruise.

Maybe a better way to say it is, if you don't have insurance, then either way, you [B][I]pay [/I][/B]the money, but you don't [B][I]lose[/I][/B] the money. Hope that makes sense!:o Edited January 27, 2014 by time4u2go

[Scribbles77]

[quote name='time4u2go']The point is, if you go on the cruise, you pay the money. If you don't go on the cruise (and don't have insurance), you still pay the money. So you don't lose any more money than if you [I]had [/I]gone on the cruise. You just don't go on the cruise. Hence, you [I]lose [/I]the cruise.

Maybe a better way to say it is, if you don't have insurance, then either way, you [B][I]pay [/I][/B]the money, but you don't [B][I]lose[/I][/B] the money. Hope that makes sense!:o[/QUOTE]

Yup i kinda get it now LOL :D

[styles27]

[quote name='DrD']

As I said, you lose the money either way. It's not like you get your money back at the end of the cruise!


My vacations are also thousands, but if I miss it, I'll just go next year. the money's gone either way. Of course I'd be happy to get the money back, but considering how much I have to pay upfront for insurance it's just not mathematically worth it.
[/QUOTE]

Of course you "don't get your money back at the end of your cruise" but you've received what you paid for. Our vacation was cut short because of a family death back home. The trip cancellation/interruption insurance we paid for (just over $300) covered this horrible unexpected incident.


So, yes in fact we did get our money back, because we could not continue our vacation...we received a check for just over $7,000 which covered the remainder of the trip we had to cancel, and our travel expenses to get home.

The only money we "lost' was the cost of the insurance which was just over $300
We booked another trip and went later in the year.
If we hadn't purchased insurance we would have lost all of the $8k and most likely we would not have gone later in the year.

So explain to me how insurance wasn't "mathematically worth it"? :confused: Edited January 28, 2014 by styles27

[waterbug123]

[quote name='stones902']
A possible solution would be to offer someone who must cancel under these circumstances space on a future cruise during specified times a couple of months out. [/quote]

Can you imagine the hassles that would come with such a policy?....

"We had a corner aft balcony booked, but there were no corner aft balconies available on any of the cruises we could book as a replacement and RC wouldn't upgrade us.:mad:"
or
"We specifically booked this cruise because it goes to island X and none of the itineraries in the next few months go there.:mad:"
or
"We had a great deal on airfare but the airfare for our replacement cruise is higher and RC won't pay the difference for us.:mad:"

and so on and so on.

[Trainer]

I buy travel insurance, not only in case of cancelling. Travel insurance covers other stuff, too,
like lost luggage, delays in transportation, next port transport when needed, plus the need for medical evacuation. I insure with Travelguard for longer trips and have had two claims. Both paid promptly and completely. The less expensive trips I take the offered insurance as it is quite cheap. For me, it's a case of " rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it"

[A&L_Ont]

[quote name='DrD']Yes there are several genetic subtypes, so any vaccine will not be 100% effective. The last one tested was about 50% effective.[/QUOTE]

Seriously I would take the vaccine over getting Noro again. Unless of course, the side effects were nausea and diarrhea.

Side note we always purchase cancellation insurance and have full medical as well. Edited January 28, 2014 by A&L_Ont

[Dave85]

[quote name='SA Traveler']We have had to make claims with RCI's Cruise Care, Travelguard and Access America and have never had a hassle. Filled out the claim form, attached required documentation, received a check - that simple.

What we would have saved in premiums over the last 20 years could be wiped out with one medical evacuation. We can't afford to self insure for that.[/quote]

My mother had a similar experience... can't remember which company, but she had a dental emergency and the company paid out without any difficulty or hassle whatsoever. We were very impressed and always travel with insurance.

Do I think RCI should credit people with show up at the pier with GI symptoms for a future cruise to not sail? Yes, I do. I acknowledge the counterarguments, but I think in the end its in RCI's financial interest to do whatever they can to make sure people with potentially contagious GI conditions don't sail given the potential magnitude of the consequences. Losing some on-board revenue is a small price to pay, and I don't find the personal responsibility arguments compelling because in the end, some irresponsible loser may hide the condition and board anyway to avoid a (perceived) complete loss of their investment who otherwise may not do so. Edited January 28, 2014 by Dave85