Big bad Princess

[hawkeyetlse]

I wonder if he could have gotten around the non-transferable condition by booking the cabin first as a solo (with single supplement), applying the entire $1500 credit, and then adding the friend later.

 

I agree with everyone here that Princess went well beyond what anyone could have expected, but as long as they were OK with the $1500 credit, it does seem petty to push back so hard about $400 of it. The second passenger would still pay the other $700, plus whatever he would have spent on board and on excursions, etc.

[KBS1607]

We have purchased trip insurance for each of our 13 cruises as well as for a land trip overseas. The most we've ever had to collect was about $100 for a hotel after a canceled flight. I will NEVER regret the money spent as it was money WELL spent - just in case.

 

Tomorrow I will probably be canceling a cruise for which trip insurance was purchased. I just have to suck it up and know I made the correct decision when we booked.

 

Do you have insurance on this one? Sorry you have to cancel.

[PescadoAmarillo]

I have to ask this question, as I have not been fortunate enough to take back-to-back cruises, but for those of you who do, do you purchase trip insurance for each leg?

 

 

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We took 13 B2B cruises in a row on the Emerald Princess last winter and purchased Princess Vacation Ptoection for every one of them. We spend over $2000 anually for travel insurance plus purchase Medjet Assist for over $400. That may be why I have little tolerance for those who don't purchase insurance but still want concessions.

[Daisyloo]

We took 13 B2B cruises in a row on the Emerald Princess last winter and purchased Princess Vacation Ptoection for every one of them. We spend over $2000 anually for travel insurance plus purchase Medjet Assist for over $400. That may be why I have little tolerance for those who don't purchase insurance but still want concessions.[/quote]

 

I agree. We have travel insurance for all our trips. Even a one day trip to the U.S. Because you never know when you might need it.

It also bugs me when on the news you see a story about someone who loses everything in a house fire, then says they have no insurance to cover the loss. Who of us wants to pay for insurance? But we do it because it's the smart thing to do, so when I hear about people who didn't bother to buy it I lose all sympathy for them.

[CATGUY7]

We took 13 B2B cruises in a row on the Emerald Princess last winter and purchased Princess Vacation Ptoection for every one of them. We spend over $2000 anually for travel insurance plus purchase Medjet Assist for over $400. That may be why I have little tolerance for those who don't purchase insurance but still want concessions.

 

 

We purchase insurance, but it had not occurred to me that considering B2B's would also include the cost for insurance for each leg. Hadn't gotten that far in the thought process, I guess. Looking forward to your next blog!

 

 

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[tserface]

We seldom buy insurance. We just figure the most we have to lose is the cruise and airline fares if something happens and it's a gamble, but a reasonable one. After considering all of the insurance premiums we've saved we figure we've more than made up for the cost of a cruise we may miss if something ever happens. And if we missed a cruise because one of us passed on the $$$ from the cruise would be the least in our thoughts at the time. Once we pay for the cruise we just consider the money gone.

 

We also plan enough time so that our plane could be significantly delayed (by at least a day) so that we don't miss the cruise for that reason.

 

It may not be everyone's strategy, but it works for us and we wouldn't try to get our $$$ back if we missed the cruise.

 

Tom

 

What people who don't buy insurance don't seem to realize is that when something goes wrong, as it did in this case, and a cruise line makes concessions, it's horribly unfair to those of us who always buy insurance. Should we all whine and complain to our local media outlet when we read of such concessions?

[waltd]

We seldom buy insurance. We just figure the most we have to lose is the cruise and airline fares if something happens and it's a gamble, but a reasonable one. After considering all of the insurance premiums we've saved we figure we've more than made up for the cost of a cruise we may miss if something ever happens. And if we missed a cruise because one of us passed on the $$$ from the cruise would be the least in our thoughts at the time. Once we pay for the cruise we just consider the money gone.

 

We also plan enough time so that our plane could be significantly delayed (by at least a day) so that we don't miss the cruise for that reason.

 

It may not be everyone's strategy, but it works for us and we wouldn't try to get our $$$ back if we missed the cruise.

 

Tom

 

For me it's not so much the money paid for the cruise. I would worry more about the cost getting home if we were out of the country. That could be thousands of dollars additional.

[Cruise Junky]

We seldom buy insurance. We just figure the most we have to lose is the cruise and airline fares if something happens and it's a gamble, but a reasonable one. After considering all of the insurance premiums we've saved we figure we've more than made up for the cost of a cruise we may miss if something ever happens. And if we missed a cruise because one of us passed on the $$$ from the cruise would be the least in our thoughts at the time. Once we pay for the cruise we just consider the money gone.

 

 

 

We also plan enough time so that our plane could be significantly delayed (by at least a day) so that we don't miss the cruise for that reason.

 

 

 

It may not be everyone's strategy, but it works for us and we wouldn't try to get our $$$ back if we missed the cruise.

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

You forgot your house and life savings should you have to be airlifted or got injured outside the US

 

 

 

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[M4dC0w]

Travellers forget that insurance is not just in case they have to cancel a cruise, it is for anything that happends on the cruise, theft, losses, injuries, etc.....bills can skyrocket for any reason

 

Seasoned travellers know the importance of this....period.

 

If you want to gamble, go to the casino

[elliair]

We seldom buy insurance. We just figure the most we have to lose is the cruise and airline fares if something happens and it's a gamble, but a reasonable one. After considering all of the insurance premiums we've saved we figure we've more than made up for the cost of a cruise we may miss if something ever happens. And if we missed a cruise because one of us passed on the $$$ from the cruise would be the least in our thoughts at the time. Once we pay for the cruise we just consider the money gone.

 

We also plan enough time so that our plane could be significantly delayed (by at least a day) so that we don't miss the cruise for that reason.

 

It may not be everyone's strategy, but it works for us and we wouldn't try to get our $$$ back if we missed the cruise.

 

Tom

 

So, you or your spouse can afford to be airlifted off the ship for medical care? Have you checked the cost of medical evacuation, or being insured for preexisting health issues? If you're on Medicare, it won't cover medical problems at a foreign port. What about one of you falling and breaking a bone on the ship or off the ship, are you prepared to fork out $$$ for that? I've been on cruises where this has happened to someone on the ship. They got a hefty bill upon leaving the ship. I prefer not to gamble with unforeseen events.

[SingerEsq]

We seldom buy insurance. We just figure the most we have to lose is the cruise and airline fares if something happens and it's a gamble, but a reasonable one. After considering all of the insurance premiums we've saved we figure we've more than made up for the cost of a cruise we may miss if something ever happens. And if we missed a cruise because one of us passed on the $$$ from the cruise would be the least in our thoughts at the time. Once we pay for the cruise we just consider the money gone.

 

We also plan enough time so that our plane could be significantly delayed (by at least a day) so that we don't miss the cruise for that reason.

 

It may not be everyone's strategy, but it works for us and we wouldn't try to get our $$$ back if we missed the cruise.

 

Tom

 

Under this logic, why buy health insurance? Why buy fire insurance for your house? Most of us will pay out more for home, health and auto insurance than we will ever re-coup via a claim. That's sort of the point .... spreading the risk among a large pool.

 

Yes, it is a calculated risk, but the whole point of insurance is to balance the risk with the possibility of the need for coverage. Insurance is never worth the money ... until you need it.

[helenb]

Here's what I don't understand... Why didn't he just use the extra $400 to purchase OBC for the cabin? Then he could pay for his friend's onboard expenses, including autotips, as well as his own. It likely would have been a wash at that point.

Edited September 11, 2014 by helenb

[mollyanne]

Do you have insurance on this one? Sorry you have to cancel.

 

Yes - we had insurance and will forfeit that cost. :( It is what it is.

[donaldsc]

Simple answer - BUY INSURANCE!!

 

Way back when, fire companies were paid by homeowners to provide fire protection for their homes. You got a badge to put on your home to tell them that the money had been paid. If you did not pay your fire insurance, the fire companies just let your house burn down. This is the same thing.

 

DON

Edited September 12, 2014 by donaldsc

[cdngrl]

I hate insurance, I hate the cost and that I will likely never get my money's worth (which is a good thing!).

 

however, I ALWAYS buy insurance.

it makes me snaky when I read of people who choose not to buy insurance.

I worry for them! one trip to the infirmary and I was out about $1200...all reimbursed. just thinking about pam's brother in law and the tens of thousands of dollars they thankfully had insurance for.

 

please reconsider buying at least medical insurance!

[avcruz]

The anchor was just plain ignorant and probably trying to create further controversy (and ratings) when there should be none.

 

 

 

What really gets me is the anchor person who was bashing Princess. What happened to her impartiality?:( The reporter was fair and warned people to get insurance.

 

 

That anchor is a glorified weather girl - which is what she was until a couple of years ago. You can't expect the professionalism because it isn't there.

 

 

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[awesome girl]

I don't pay out $1 dollar out on a cruise before I purchase travel insurance.

A few years ago DH became ill on a round Australia New Zealand cruise from

Sydney we were one day out of Melbourne and he was hospitalised on board.

One night $5000, Ambulance to hospital ashore $1000, they wouldn't pay

for my accommodation at a hotel, but they did pay the airfares back to

Tasmania and they did pay for the 13 nights we didn't finish.:):)

[A.stew12305]

I think the man said that the fcc couldn't be transferred into obc.

 

My husband and I have never bought travel insurance.. we have to pinch pennies to cruise, and didn't think it was a worth it. Our health insurance will cover us if we need care abroad. We DID buy insurance for my mother and nephew for our upcoming cruise, though.

 

I can say for sure, I've been scared straight, and will add on insurance next time!

[GUT2407]

I don't pay out $1 dollar out on a cruise before I purchase travel insurance.

A few years ago DH became ill on a round Australia New Zealand cruise from

Sydney we were one day out of Melbourne and he was hospitalised on board.

One night $5000, Ambulance to hospital ashore $1000, they wouldn't pay

for my accommodation at a hotel, but they did pay the airfares back to

Tasmania and they did pay for the 13 nights we didn't finish.:):)

 

Best advice anyone will ever give.

[aaerobear]

We purchase annual travel insurance with VERY good coverage and a "not to bad" premium. We travel several trips a year by air and about 5 cruises a year (separate trips although we do fly to the cruises) so the annual policy saves us a great deal of money and time.

 

Being older the insurance for each trip runs about 150 to 200 per voyage so with paying 500 or so a year per person it saves us a lot.

 

Anyway, I think the guy was looking for some publicity and public sympathy, not sure he got a lot of either by reading what the comments were, both here and on the sites of the TV station. I think he found out...Cheap is cheap, which is what it boils down to, he was simply to cheap to buy the insurance.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

We seldom buy insurance. We just figure the most we have to lose is the cruise and airline fares if something happens and it's a gamble, but a reasonable one. After considering all of the insurance premiums we've saved we figure we've more than made up for the cost of a cruise we may miss if something ever happens...

 

If you can afford to self-insure for the travel portion of your trips, that is great. Just be sure that you have medical insurance in place that will cover you both onboard and in all ports of call. Many senior travelers don't realize that Medi-Care will not cover you once off US soil.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...The statement that he was "confused by the insurance portion of the booking" was particularly silly sounding. Princess has a whole section in their FAQ link about the insurance. Plus, its not like there aren't 1-800 numbers for Princess and Berkely Insurance company. They are more than accommodating when it comes to explaining everything.

 

I thought the same thing at first, then realized that when he said that he booked online, he may have booked on a third-party website. I am not defending him, though. If he was that confused by a website, he should have called Princess directly or consulted a TA.

[nbsjcruiser]

If you can afford to self-insure for the travel portion of your trips, that is great. Just be sure that you have medical insurance in place that will cover you both onboard and in all ports of call. Many senior travelers don't realize that Medi-Care will not cover you once off US soil.

 

One other thing to note is that some ports wont even accept insurance from abroad. I broke my collar bone in Nassau and was taken to the Doctor's Hospital. First thing they asked for the second I entered the hospital was my credit card. They told me they do not accept insurance no matter who its from. Apparently they've been stiffed too many times.

 

I have medical insurance through my place of employment that will cover me but I have to pay up front and get reimbursed when I get back. Its why I carry a high limit credit card with me when I travel. In extreme cases they will reimburse the hospital directly but it has to be a major incident.

 

Also, my credit card has travel insurance that is free provided I purchase the entire trip on the card, which I do every time. This is what I would encourage many to do. You don't have to fork out the extra $200-$300 and as long as you put the air, cruise and hotels on the card you're covered for trip cancellation as well as health up to $1Million.

[bhopal21]

I have little tolerance for those who don't purchase insurance but still want concessions.

 

I agree.

 

I think that Princess offered too much in the way of compensation to begin with.

 

Mike:)

[princessfan12]

As I read through this thread I have a question and the OP touched on it a few posts back.

 

So when I book my cruises or other vacations, I don't feel the need to purchase extra insurance as I have coverage for if I get sick before or have an accident/get sick during from my credit card(covers the family). If something happened like a loved or close friend got sick/passed, I'm sure it wouldn't cover that and I'm fine with that, I accept responsibility for the possibility of something going wrong and me losing my cruise with no reimbursement. My question is most of the people are mentioning that they always get insurance so do most american credit cards(assuming most posters are in the US) not come with travel insurance? I have confirmed my insurance since having kids, as I could not travel not knowing if they were properly insured. Am I missing something that I should take into consideration?