Vacation Protection.

[hondo1717]

Greeting Fellow Princess Cruisers.

 

Have a question related to vacation protection. We are planning on doing a cruise in Europe next year, traveling from Le Havre  and doing the British Isles Cruise. We have the Princess Vacation Protection "Platinum".  My question, do we need to also acquire flight insurance since we are doing that on our own and not through princess air? Do we need additional travel insurance? Any and all information is greatly appreciated.  Happy New Year everyone.

[STREETKING]

Yes, I believe you do.  You can also find an outside agency that will cover all aspects of your trip.

[voljeep]

Check the "Announcements" to the right - the one with Q&A: Cruise Insurance

[Kartgv]

Yes, you need to cover your air travel separately unless it was booked through Princess, but read the terms & conditions carefully to see what you're actually getting before you buy.   We had airfare coverage for one trip that we had to cancel and it didn't work out so well...the airline gave us a credit for the fare amount that could be used within a year, so the insurance wouldn't pay.   When we weren't able to use it in a year we learned that the insurance only covered the airfare if you claimed it within a year!   

 

We also carry the Princess insurance for 2 reasons:   At our age, it's cheaper than alternative private insurance since they don't factor age in their pricing, and also because we get the free upgrade to the Platinum level.   However....their medical and evacuation coverage are not enough to cover a serious medical issue.   We also carry an annual medical/evacuation policy.    The annual policies are pretty reasonably prices, since most do not cover cruise line or original airfare costs.

[hondo1717]

Thank you so much for this valuable information.  We too because of our age carry the Princess Protection Platinum level.  What is the medical/evacuation policy you speak of?  Would you be able to recommend an insurance company or individual? Also, your thoughts on a good air travel coverage.  The main reasons I ask these questions is because of the fiasco that happened with Princess last year at Le Havre. Evidently, Princess could not get back into that port for disembarkation and had to go to Southampton leaving around 300 people to be on their own getting back to Paris for their flights. Trying to avoid that type of headache with insurance.

 

Once again, Thank You.

[Kartgv]

Can't be of much help with air travel insurance - obviously our most recent buy didn't work out so well.   I think that one was purchased through the airline for a pretty low price when we booked the airline tickets.    Try asking on the Cruise Critic Insurance forum (listed on the CC Forum page, under Cruise Discussion Topics) or a site like "InsureMyTrip" where you can set pretty much whatever parameters you want.   Also check the credit card you use to purchase your tickets - some of them offer insurance protection.    

 

The annual medical/evacuation insurance we have is a GeoBlue Trekker Policy, but there are others; again try looking on "InsureMyTrip".     

Edited January 9, 2019 by Kartgv

[hondo1717]

Thank You again...