COVID-19 Protection Program?

[Mom2labs]

Just received typical Princess marketing email that mentioned the above.  Linked to this on Princess website:
 

 

This new policy within our Cruise with Confidence program provides reassurance if you are within 30 days of sailing, all the way through to disembarking from your cruise. It is designed to assist you if, as a result of being suspected of having or testing positive for COVID-19 or as a result of government travel restrictions put in place within 30 days of embarkation, you may be unable to travel to your cruise embarkation port, may be denied boarding, may be quarantined on board or disembarked early. COVID-19 Protection Program is available on all cruises sailing through December 31, 2021, for bookings made on or before September 30, 2021.

 

Cannot find anything about cost?  Does anyone have any more information on pricing or electing this? 

 

 

[caribill]

7 hours ago, Mom2labs said:

Just received typical Princess marketing email that mentioned the above.  Linked to this on Princess website:
 

 

This new policy within our Cruise with Confidence program provides reassurance if you are within 30 days of sailing, all the way through to disembarking from your cruise. It is designed to assist you if, as a result of being suspected of having or testing positive for COVID-19 or as a result of government travel restrictions put in place within 30 days of embarkation, you may be unable to travel to your cruise embarkation port, may be denied boarding, may be quarantined on board or disembarked early. COVID-19 Protection Program is available on all cruises sailing through December 31, 2021, for bookings made on or before September 30, 2021.

 

Cannot find anything about cost?  Does anyone have any more information on pricing or electing this? 

 

 

 

My impression is that it was at no cost to the customer.

[In Toronto]

I just had my Travel Agent check this - yes, there is a cost.  It is an insurance product.  Princess was very confusing on whether government travel restrictions are included which was my main question.  The rest of it is fairly straightforward from what I have read.  But, I do not see that benefit mentioned.

I have the phone number of the insurance company and plan on calling them directly.  My TA may have not understood my concern.

I would be interested in others' experiences.

[Mom2labs]

Thank you for posting what you found out.  When is it available for purchase?  I can’t find it on my booking options. 

[Babr]

I just googled it, and a link to the Princess page came up.

 

There is no cost, but it does not replace travel insurance. The assistance plan gives you FCC for unused portion of cruise, helps with testing, some medical, and helps you file insurance claims.

[Mom2labs]

10 hours ago, Babr said:

I just googled it, and a link to the Princess page came up.

 

There is no cost, but it does not replace travel insurance. The assistance plan gives you FCC for unused portion of cruise, helps with testing, some medical, and helps you file insurance claims.

I’m not sure about that since my friend booked his last night and his Princess rep added it for a charge on top of the Princess Vacation Protection but she told him that they haven’t had their training on it yet!  That’s next week.  LOL.  I think I’ll call Princess after the holiday and hopefully there will be some more clarity. 

[AF-1]

Does anyone know what other cruise lines are doing? I know Celebrity had some Covid cases onboard their ship in St. Martin.  Wonder if those pax were charged anything

[Babr]

6 minutes ago, Mom2labs said:

I’m not sure about that since my friend booked his last night and his Princess rep added it for a charge on top of the Princess Vacation Protection but she told him that they haven’t had their training on it yet!  That’s next week.  LOL.  I think I’ll call Princess after the holiday and hopefully there will be some more clarity. 

You may be correct. I made an assumption since I did not see any mention of pricing, and the policy itself does not seem to do much. It does not replace travel insurance. In fact, it could get in the way of an insurance claim. If you get a FCC, the insurance company may consider that you have been compensated and refuse to pay.

 

I’d need more information than the web page gives before I’d consider it, especially if there is an additional fee. A good travel policy might be a better investment.

[Babr]

3 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Does anyone know what other cruise lines are doing? I know Celebrity had some Covid cases onboard their ship in St. Martin.  Wonder if those pax were charged anything

From what I’ve read on the Celebrity web site, their Covid Assistance plan is provided at no cost for a limited time for bookings made in a certain window. I’m being vague because I have not read it recently and don’t want to give the wrong information. At any rate, it provides cash refunds, medical, and transportation home. The Celebrity/ Royal Caribbean brand has already had to deal with a couple of incidents. 

 

The program is no longer available this year for cruises departing from Florida on Royal Caribbean, a Celebrity brand,  with the exception of those booked in a window from March 19 until June 28. Everyone else is required to purchase insurance with quarantine specific coverage and defined minimum dollar limits. I suppose they have determined that positive tests and actual cases will be more likely than they are willing to cover since Royal will be sailing with more unvaccinated children and perhaps adults.

[AF-1]

Babr,  do you know if Princess has offered or will offer this plan to people?  I just booked a cruise yesterday doing 5 night to Cabo in Oct.  I forgot to purchase the insurance so will go back a take a look

[Babr]

9 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Babr,  do you know if Princess has offered or will offer this plan to people?  I just booked a cruise yesterday doing 5 night to Cabo in Oct.  I forgot to purchase the insurance so will go back a take a look

I have not looked at the Princess policy lately. I do not know if it has been redesigned to include Covid specific coverage. There are third-party policies that do.

 

I don’t see a lot of value in the Princess Covid Assistance Plan. It seems to offer concierge type services for making arrangements so it will take a bit of research to figure out the best way to go.

[Mom2labs]

56 minutes ago, Babr said:

You may be correct. I made an assumption since I did not see any mention of pricing, and the policy itself does not seem to do much. It does not replace travel insurance. In fact, it could get in the way of an insurance claim. If you get a FCC, the insurance company may consider that you have been compensated and refuse to pay.

 

I’d need more information than the web page gives before I’d consider it, especially if there is an additional fee. A good travel policy might be a better investment.

My thought exactly,  I read through my Travelguard policy last night again and based upon the blurb on the Princess site not sure it’s really needed.  I’d like to also fully read the terms and conditions of this COVID 19 protection program and what it costs.

 

[Knickearth]

4 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Does anyone know what other cruise lines are doing? I know Celebrity had some Covid cases onboard their ship in St. Martin.  Wonder if those pax were charged anything

I read the other day about Royal Caribbean.  They are not playing around.  If you go unvaccinated, they will test you and charge you for it, plus have other charges as well.  You will be required to wear a mask over entire ship.  You cannot use certain areas and the casino was definitely mentioned.  

 

I was wondering how they would learn if you were vaccinated or not (especially travelling from Florida), but I guess if you have to fill out paperwork like Princess has us do online, they might be requesting a copy of vaccination card.  I praise them for what they are trying to accomplish and looking after the safety of passengers and crew.

[memoak]

8 minutes ago, Knickearth said:

I read the other day about Royal Caribbean.  They are not playing around.  If you go unvaccinated, they will test you and charge you for it, plus have other charges as well.  You will be required to wear a mask over entire ship.  You cannot use certain areas and the casino was definitely mentioned.  

 

I was wondering how they would learn if you were vaccinated or not (especially travelling from Florida), but I guess if you have to fill out paperwork like Princess has us do online, they might be requesting a copy of vaccination card.  I praise them for what they are trying to accomplish and looking after the safety of passengers and crew.

RCL and Celebrity I believe are asking for you to voluntarily show your vaccine card, if you don't want to show it you will be termed not vaccinated and be tested and limited as to what you can do on board.  I have seen on RCL that the casino, night club and several bars are off limits unless you are deemed vaccinated

[Babr]

I should have added that the insurance requirement is for the unvaccinated.

[roamerfromtexas]

This is a policy within the Cruise with Confidence, and in the General Terms and  Conditions mentions the benefits as goodwill benefits so there should be no charge. However, it is very specific to COVID and to cruises booked and happening during  certain periods.  Doesn’t replace travel insurance as someone already said.  Hope this helps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[In Toronto]

Yes, I was wrong - or, at least, I can blame partly on TA -HaHa.

Two different programs. We are part of the group that qualifies for the Cruise With Confidence program - booked in March and sailing in November.  I think that sound good.

The other is an insurance which has a cost.  Just checked it out properly.  Very reasonable, BUT the medical coverage could easily be only enough for a day in hospital.  Will get our own as usual.

[AF-1]

knickearth,  thanks for the feedback.  I believe Princess requires all pax to be fully vaccinated 14 days prior to sailing.  If you don't have your card;  you can't sail with them this year

[Ldyandrea]

On 7/1/2021 at 12:10 PM, Knickearth said:

I read the other day about Royal Caribbean.  They are not playing around.  If you go unvaccinated, they will test you and charge you for it, plus have other charges as well.  You will be required to wear a mask over entire ship.  You cannot use certain areas and the casino was definitely mentioned.  

 

I was wondering how they would learn if you were vaccinated or not (especially travelling from Florida), but I guess if you have to fill out paperwork like Princess has us do online, they might be requesting a copy of vaccination card.  I praise them for what they are trying to accomplish and looking after the safety of passengers and crew.

Yeah, short of carrying your vaccination card with you all over the ship the whole cruise, I'd like to know how they'd otherwise tell if you were or were not vaccinated for entry into various events or venues onboard, or allowed to leave the ship at port stops. Maybe it's tagged to your Medallion account somehow? 🤷‍♀️

[memoak]

39 minutes ago, Ldyandrea said:

Yeah, short of carrying your vaccination card with you all over the ship the whole cruise, I'd like to know how they'd otherwise tell if you were or were not vaccinated for entry into various events or venues onboard, or allowed to leave the ship at port stops. Maybe it's tagged to your Medallion account somehow? 🤷‍♀️

I believe that other cruise lines are punching holes in the cruise cards of un vaccinated   I would assume that Princess would do the same on the medallion 

[LACruiser88]

2 hours ago, Ldyandrea said:

Yeah, short of carrying your vaccination card with you all over the ship the whole cruise, I'd like to know how they'd otherwise tell if you were or were not vaccinated for entry into various events or venues onboard, or allowed to leave the ship at port stops. Maybe it's tagged to your Medallion account somehow? 🤷‍♀️

I heard that some of the cruise lines that are already back in service are placing wrist bands on the vaccinated.  No wrist band means you are unvaccinated...

[Knickearth]

7 hours ago, Ldyandrea said:

Yeah, short of carrying your vaccination card with you all over the ship the whole cruise, I'd like to know how they'd otherwise tell if you were or were not vaccinated for entry into various events or venues onboard, or allowed to leave the ship at port stops. Maybe it's tagged to your Medallion account somehow? 🤷‍♀️

I live in calif. and two weeks ago got the digital proof of vaccination and it is on my iPhone and iPad.  Thei phone is always with me anyhow 

[deliver42]

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are giving wrist bands to vaccinated, and punching a hole in the Sea Pass card for unvaccinated. Seems pretty easy.

[caribill]

14 hours ago, memoak said:

I believe that other cruise lines are punching holes in the cruise cards of un vaccinated   I would assume that Princess would do the same on the medallion 

 

I doubt they can punch a hole in the medallion.

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, caribill said:

 

I doubt they can punch a hole in the medallion.

Right, that might cause it to have even more glitches.