Trip Insurance for free cruise

[ccpalmtree]

We have signed up with Celebrity for a free cruise in March 2021 thru Blue Chip Club (Casino). Our expenses are port charges and taxes at this point. We will incur gratuities, and ad ons, excursions, etc as well as our air travel to and from, hotels, etc. Our main concern is having trip delay, medical evac, etc. We have been on several cruises where we have seen people miss the ship, been evac off the ship, and had ambulances meet us at the port. Is there a policy available for this? Thank you for your time.

[iamtrustworthy]

11 hours ago, ccpalmtree said:

We have signed up with Celebrity for a free cruise in March 2021 thru Blue Chip Club (Casino). Our expenses are port charges and taxes at this point. We will incur gratuities, and ad ons, excursions, etc as well as our air travel to and from, hotels, etc. Our main concern is having trip delay, medical evac, etc. We have been on several cruises where we have seen people miss the ship, been evac off the ship, and had ambulances meet us at the port. Is there a policy available for this? Thank you for your time.

Hi ccpalmtree,

 

Will you have any other prepaid and non-refundable trip costs like airfare, a pre-departure or post-departure hotel?

 

What date did you pay the port charges and taxes?

 

Steve Dasseos

 

 

[klfrodo]

CCPalmTree

I'll share what I do.

Let me preface this with I live in Washington State. Each state regulates insurance sold in their state. Your Texas mileage may vary.

 

When I setup my Travel Insurance and all I really want is medical and evacuation, when the question is asked about how much the trip cost is per person, I put in $499. (Why $499? insurance companies break down the price they are going to charge you based upon $500 increments. For example Trip cost $1 -$500 will cost you X amount. $501 to $1000, another higher amount, and so on.)

My Trip cost of $499 gives me the full medical benefit and the full evacuation of the policy limits. What it DOES NOT give me is full Trip Cancellation, Trip delay, Lost baggage, etc. Because those loss limits are based on the % of '"Trip Cost" In my case $499.

So, I could just put $1, but since the price is the same as $499???? why not. Might NEED a hotel stay that would be covered. Or, maybe a flight change. Since those would be covered (maybe), I get to share any loss event with the insurance company.

[trburks]

On 6/7/2020 at 8:41 AM, ccpalmtree said:

We have signed up with Celebrity for a free cruise in March 2021 thru Blue Chip Club (Casino). Our expenses are port charges and taxes at this point. We will incur gratuities, and ad ons, excursions, etc as well as our air travel to and from, hotels, etc. Our main concern is having trip delay, medical evac, etc. We have been on several cruises where we have seen people miss the ship, been evac off the ship, and had ambulances meet us at the port. Is there a policy available for this? Thank you for your time.

This is off topic, but I am confused on how you received a free cruise on Celebrity when your cruise history does not show any prior cruises on Celebrity.  You have been on Royal Caribbean, but their players club and Celebrity's player club are separate systems (e.g. point counts).  Please share the secret so I can join the party!    

[ccpalmtree]

On 6/7/2020 at 7:30 PM, klfrodo said:

CCPalmTree

I'll share what I do.

Let me preface this with I live in Washington State. Each state regulates insurance sold in their state. Your Texas mileage may vary.

 

When I setup my Travel Insurance and all I really want is medical and evacuation, when the question is asked about how much the trip cost is per person, I put in $499. (Why $499? insurance companies break down the price they are going to charge you based upon $500 increments. For example Trip cost $1 -$500 will cost you X amount. $501 to $1000, another higher amount, and so on.)

My Trip cost of $499 gives me the full medical benefit and the full evacuation of the policy limits. What it DOES NOT give me is full Trip Cancellation, Trip delay, Lost baggage, etc. Because those loss limits are based on the % of '"Trip Cost" In my case $499.

So, I could just put $1, but since the price is the same as $499???? why not. Might NEED a hotel stay that would be covered. Or, maybe a flight change. Since those would be covered (maybe), I get to share any loss event with the insurance company.

Fabulous advice! Thanks so much.

[ccpalmtree]

On 6/8/2020 at 9:19 AM, trburks said:

This is off topic, but I am confused on how you received a free cruise on Celebrity when your cruise history does not show any prior cruises on Celebrity.  You have been on Royal Caribbean, but their players club and Celebrity's player club are separate systems (e.g. point counts).  Please share the secret so I can join the party!    

Well I haven't updated our history. We have traveled Celebrity and received a bump in regular status as they reciprocate, Royal does not. Got a little put off with Royal as they keep running specials with second guest 60% off and kids free. Though I don't mind the people, it just exceeds the buffet, restaurant, showroom, etc capacity. We literally could not find seating in the buffet area and they made constant requests for guest to please leave and make room. Not cool as we were a group of 70+ people.

 

We were rated on gamble on Celebrity and they sent us an offer. We are mainly table games, so more points. Don't know how or why, just took advantage! 

[ccpalmtree]

On 6/7/2020 at 7:14 PM, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi ccpalmtree,

 

Will you have any other prepaid and non-refundable trip costs like airfare, a pre-departure or post-departure hotel?

 

What date did you pay the port charges and taxes?

 

Steve Dasseos

 

 

We paid port charges on 5/26. We will have airfare, hotel pre and after, however can't even book yet as they are not open to flights in March yet. I know a general rate from San Antonio to Ft. Lauderdale from prior experience.

[trburks]

2 hours ago, ccpalmtree said:

Well I haven't updated our history. We have traveled Celebrity and received a bump in regular status as they reciprocate, Royal does not. Got a little put off with Royal as they keep running specials with second guest 60% off and kids free. Though I don't mind the people, it just exceeds the buffet, restaurant, showroom, etc capacity. We literally could not find seating in the buffet area and they made constant requests for guest to please leave and make room. Not cool as we were a group of 70+ people.

 

We were rated on gamble on Celebrity and they sent us an offer. We are mainly table games, so more points. Don't know how or why, just took advantage! 

I agree that current cruise specials being advertised by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are not actually specials.  For the Alaska cruise cancelled by Celebrity this August, the exact same cruise with the exact amenities next year in August is $600 more when compared to the price we paid for the cancelled cruise.

[iamtrustworthy]

3 hours ago, ccpalmtree said:

We paid port charges on 5/26. We will have airfare, hotel pre and after, however can't even book yet as they are not open to flights in March yet. I know a general rate from San Antonio to Ft. Lauderdale from prior experience.

Hi ccpalmtree,

 

There are three trip cancellation plans you can get that allow you to insure a minimal trip cost, and still have all the pre-existing conditions coverage like klfrodo described.

 

You may also get one of the Geo Blue plans that includes the pre-existing conditions coverage.

 

If you email me your ages at steve@tripinsurancestore.com, I'll send you the prices & details.

 

Steve Dasseos