When to cancel

[Mustang93!]

A family member has gotten to the point where they can't walk and are unable to take the cruise, as they can't get into a specialist for several months, after the cruise.  At this point we are still outside of the 30 day range.  Should we go ahead and cancel or should we wait until closer to time of the cruise to cancel?  If we cancel now, we still get back 25 percent, but is it to early for the travel insurance, or better to wait until closer to time, forfeit all 100 percent of the cruise, then file?  She has a regular doctor who referred her to the other doctor, and went to the emergency room for same issue, but they won't do anything for her.  Please advise.  Thank you.

[LDVinNC]

Personally, I would cancel right away while you are guaranteed 25% back.  Then you can file for the insurance for the rest.  If you wait, the insurance company might somehow learn you knew of the situation earlier and would question that and perhaps not fully reimburse you.

[GeezerCouple]

51 minutes ago, Mustang93! said:

A family member has gotten to the point where they can't walk and are unable to take the cruise, as they can't get into a specialist for several months, after the cruise.  At this point we are still outside of the 30 day range.  Should we go ahead and cancel or should we wait until closer to time of the cruise to cancel?  If we cancel now, we still get back 25 percent, but is it to early for the travel insurance, or better to wait until closer to time, forfeit all 100 percent of the cruise, then file?  She has a regular doctor who referred her to the other doctor, and went to the emergency room for same issue, but they won't do anything for her.  Please advise.  Thank you.

 

My understanding is that the insurance policies do require that you not delay in canceling once you know you will need to cancel/etc., if that delay will cost them extra money.  That makes sense.
Read your policy!

 

But why would you WANT to make the insurer pay more, anyway?  If many do that (if it's actually allowed), it would raise rates for all of us.

 

When we had to cancel shortly before departure date, we were right at a date where there could/would be an increase in fees for the insurer.  We were VERY careful to document (to point out specifically in the cover letter) why we cancelled on the day we did, and not a few days earlier, even though the medical problem had already begun then.  (The physician's notes made it clear that the condition worsened unexpectedly in the meantime.  We didn't want the insurer to miss that, so we pointed it out.)

We were reimbursed for the full payment, given that there were no refunds possible at that point.

 

GC

[Mustang93!]

I just have never had to do it so didn't know.  I just learned as did the cruiser. Thank you!!

[GeezerCouple]

14 minutes ago, Mustang93! said:

I just have never had to do it so didn't know.  I just learned as did the cruiser. Thank you!!

 

But the most important thing to learn from this thread now is:  READ ALL THE TERMS OF YOUR SPECIFIC POLICY.

 

That is what will bind you, and determine whether a claim is paid in full, in part, or not at all.

It won't matter what anonymous forum posters say, this time or next.

 

GC

[iamtrustworthy]

On 3/4/2019 at 9:58 AM, Mustang93! said:

A family member has gotten to the point where they can't walk and are unable to take the cruise, as they can't get into a specialist for several months, after the cruise.  At this point we are still outside of the 30 day range.  Should we go ahead and cancel or should we wait until closer to time of the cruise to cancel?  If we cancel now, we still get back 25 percent, but is it to early for the travel insurance, or better to wait until closer to time, forfeit all 100 percent of the cruise, then file?  She has a regular doctor who referred her to the other doctor, and went to the emergency room for same issue, but they won't do anything for her.  Please advise.  Thank you.

 

Hi Mustang93!,

 

If you are in the USA with a policy bought from a USA based travel insurance company, you need to be sure your policy covers you should you cancel.

 

Based on the information you shared, it sounds like your family member has not seen a doctor who told them that they cannot travel. If this is correct, you need to be sure that your family member absolutely does see a doctor in person, who then tells them that they cannot travel.

 

My question to you is this: Has your family member seen a doctor in person, who then told them that they cannot travel?

 

Steve

[Mustang93!]

Great news everyone.  Once I found out I can reserve a scooter, my cruisee has decided that will work!  Thanks for everyone's advice!!  

[GeezerCouple]

15 hours ago, Mustang93! said:

Great news everyone.  Once I found out I can reserve a scooter, my cruisee has decided that will work!  Thanks for everyone's advice!!  

Excellent!

 

Have you contacted the cruise line to make sure you get an ADA-type cabin so the scooter will fit?

There will also be other modifications that might make it much easier for the person with difficulties.

GC

[Mustang93!]

 I talked to the scooter company.  They said a regular room is fine.  The cruisee feels it will be okay now with a way to get around.

[Mustang93!]

The next time I will advise them to book a handicapped room if still these difficulties.  They are qualified as handicapped by the state.

[GeezerCouple]

5 minutes ago, Mustang93! said:

 I talked to the scooter company.  They said a regular room is fine.  The cruisee feels it will be okay now with a way to get around.

 

Does the "scooter company" know the configurations of all of the cabins, the width of doorways (including into the bathroom), and possible thresholds into the bathroom (or into the cabin itself)?

I'd suggest getting that information from the cruise line special needs desk.

It's not just "hand holds in the shower" that make "accessible rooms" accessible.

 

And IF the scooter doesn't fit in the room or through the doorway, it's a violation of SOLAS to keep it in the hallway, blocking easy exit for others.

 

GC

Edited March 6, 2019 by GeezerCouple

[Mustang93!]

The company is on rccls recommended page for assistance.  They said it will fit.  They are supposed to place it inside the cabin the day of arrival.  They said it goes in the smallest of rooms.

 

Edited March 6, 2019 by Mustang93!
Misspelled

[GeezerCouple]

3 minutes ago, Mustang93! said:

The company is on rccls recommended page for assistance.  They said it will fit.  They are supposed to place it inside the cabin the day of arrival.  They said it goes in the smallest of rooms.

 

 

Great.

Then you should be fine.

 

Great that you are all able to go after all 

 

GC

[Mustang93!]

Thank you and thank you for your help!!  It is much appreciated.