New Health Attestation/Ticket Contract

[ysolde]

Honestly at this point we are on the fence.  Our final payment is due in September (need to double check). We were so happy when we made our reservation for our Regent cruise for January, thinking it would be a perfect holiday/anniversary gift (our anniversary is in January) and that the worst of the pandemic would be behind us.  Then the delta variant grew ever larger and now . . . 

 

Well, the way things are going, I just don't know what we are going to do.  But I am starting to feel foolish even thinking about cruising again.

[DaveFr]

3 hours ago, pingpong1 said:

But I don't know how to "quantify" or "wrap my head around" the cost I would have to absorb myself, if I showed up on the pier on "cruise day" and some "Regent dude" hits me with a "positive" test result (either "real" or "fake") from his "buck-fifty Antigen test kit"!  And then a "Regent Guy" in a faux naval officer's uniform tells me "Goodbye, seeya next cruise, and by the way....we're not refunding one penny of your fare for this cruise"!       

Pingpong1,It’s not all doom and gloom.  Section 5f of the ticket contract provides:

“f. Known or Suspected COVID-19 Case Before Boarding. You agree that if at any time within 14 days prior to scheduled embarkation, You test positive for COVID-19, exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19, have had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19, or We otherwise determine in Our sole discretion that You are unfit to board because of any communicable illness, We will deny You boarding. Under these circumstances, unless We determine that You have failed to comply with Our COVID-19 Policies and Procedures or this Ticket Contract, if You are denied boarding because of a known or suspected infection with COVID-19, You will be entitled to a future cruise credit equal in value to the amount You paid to Us as Cruise Fare, or if required by law, a refund equal in value to the amount You paid to Us as Cruise Fare, subject to Your providing verification satisfactory to Us of results of tests administered by providers other than those retained by Us. Under no circumstances shall We have any other liability for any compensation or other damages whatsoever, including but not limited to compensation for lodging or travel.”

 

So, if you test positive for covid in the 14 days, prior to embarkation, including at the pier,  at a minimum you will get a FCC for your cruise fare. Not a perfect solution but it helps cut the sting of a denied boarding depending on the terms of the FCC.

 

Dave

[pingpong1]

6 hours ago, DaveFr said:

Pingpong1,It’s not all doom and gloom.  Section 5f of the ticket contract provides:

“f. Known or Suspected COVID-19 Case Before Boarding. You agree that if at any time within 14 days prior to scheduled embarkation, You test positive for COVID-19, exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19, have had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19, or We otherwise determine in Our sole discretion that You are unfit to board because of any communicable illness, We will deny You boarding. Under these circumstances, unless We determine that You have failed to comply with Our COVID-19 Policies and Procedures or this Ticket Contract, if You are denied boarding because of a known or suspected infection with COVID-19, You will be entitled to a future cruise credit equal in value to the amount You paid to Us as Cruise Fare, or if required by law, a refund equal in value to the amount You paid to Us as Cruise Fare, subject to Your providing verification satisfactory to Us of results of tests administered by providers other than those retained by Us. Under no circumstances shall We have any other liability for any compensation or other damages whatsoever, including but not limited to compensation for lodging or travel.”

 

So, if you test positive for covid in the 14 days, prior to embarkation, including at the pier,  at a minimum you will get a FCC for your cruise fare. Not a perfect solution but it helps cut the sting of a denied boarding depending on the terms of the FCC.

 

Dave

Hi DaveFR -  I had actually "missed" that whole (rather important) section in the ticket contract, and I Thank You very much for bringing it to my attention!!  😄  It puts a "bit brighter" light on this whole "Covid thing" now...at least as far as our upcoming Mariner P/C cruise goes.  I can "live" with an FCC or a refund under those circumstances, and my other coverages can easily take care of the return flight from Miami back home to Phoenix.  Although I wouldn't be particularly "happy" about having to do so, I've experienced much worse things in life than that.  Best Regards!   

[flossie009]

In the midst of a worldwide pandemic it does not seem unreasonable for Regent to clarify the company's and guests' respective liabilities before their cruises recommence, in order to avoid potential confusion & litigation.

This they have done by amending the Ticket contract/Ts&Cs and assuming that the guest's attention is drawn to the new clauses and that the guest accepts them by the attestation on the website.

 

The additional clauses (same in U.S. & U.K.) seem balanced:

• The guest agrees to abide by Regent's health protocols
• If denied boarding because of a positive test before boarding then the cruise fare is refunded by Regent
• If required to disembark because of a positive test during the cruise then a pro-rata refund of the cruise fare will be made by Regent
• Regent is not contractually liable for consequential costs such as hotel & travel expenses. It is therefore up to the guest to consider the potential costs and insure as necessary (NB: in the UK travel insurance is, and always has been, a mandatory requirement in Regent's contract)

 

 

I do agree that Regent could have done better with bringing the new contract clauses to their customers attention rather than just putting the new contracts on the website unannounced.

As usual Regent's communication has been poor, and risks guests wondering if they are trying to sneak in changes unnoticed.

 

............... and perhaps, like Celebrity, it would have been good marketing to offer the reassurance of more assistance to guests embarking on the early cruises.

 

 

[mrstanley]

Things are getting really crazy. We need to have a Covid test within 3 days prior to flying from the US to Heathrow. Another Covid test prior to boarding. How many other Covid tests while onboard?

Then I need to have another Covid test as I'm staying in London four nights after the cruise.

The Covid test in London is 125 GBP per test. 

[rallydave]

36 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

If denied boarding because of a positive test before boarding then the cruise fare is refunded by Regent

Not exactly true flossie009.  At least in the US T's and C's they state a future cruise credit or refund if required.

[Snore42]

FYI - regarding testing fees.   So far we have been able to get reimbursed by our health insurance for all testing we've paid out of pocket.    This includes tests we've had to take while traveling in Europe earlier this summer.    The first time we tried to submit was for a PCR test that was $250 per person, we were happily surprised when 3 weeks after submitting it to our health  insurance, we received a check reimbursing in full. 

[GOARMY]

Ping:  

 

Here, again is another Pong response to your Post #34; and taking into account several subsequent Postings by others--

 

First, and of most-importance:  GO ARMY--Beat Navy! 

 

Second:  Yes, have Tricare for Life, which has turned out to be a great benefit obtained from 28 years' Army service.  

 

Third:  I will email you later today with details as to the guy who has provided our travel insurance on several previous trips, as well as our hoped-for October Explorer sailing from Barcelona.  Before purchasing this coverage, we had taken into account those Section 5f details highlighted in Post #36 as to Regent's responsibility to refund the cruise fare or give us FFCs if we don't get past EITHER the British Airways pre-flight testing requirement; or that Regent guy or gal at the Barcelona Pier.  Our coverage will take care of travel expenses and possible quarantine/hotel/meals involved getting out of Spain and back home.  The VISA credit card we now have provides lots of FF miles; but not the kind of coverage your card has regarding those specific "incidentals".  

 

Take care.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

[njcruiser2007]

I called Regent the other day about my upcoming Caribbean cruise.  We would have to follow all the  testing requirements of every country we visit.  That would mean that we could possibly have to test every 2 or 3 days.  I can't imagine a more stressful experience then worrying every few days whether we'll have to leave the ship.  We are fully vaccinated but that is not a guarantee we'll test negative.  We are seriously thinking of cancelling.

[ysolde]

17 minutes ago, njcruiser2007 said:

I called Regent the other day about my upcoming Caribbean cruise.  We would have to follow all the  testing requirements of every country we visit.  That would mean that we could possibly have to test every 2 or 3 days.  I can't imagine a more stressful experience then worrying every few days whether we'll have to leave the ship.  We are fully vaccinated but that is not a guarantee we'll test negative.  We are seriously thinking of cancelling.

Why is it that you may have to test every few days on your Caribbean cruise?  Need more information on this.  All I have in writing at this point on my Regent Caribbean cruise is testing at embarkation and disembarkation.  What were you told about additional testing protocols?

[Jimmcdaniel]

In many parts of the world right now you have to provide a negative covid test taken no more than 72 or 48 hours before departure or arrival (depending on the rules of each country) every time you cross an international boarder. For a Caribbean cruise (on which I am booked this November) we will be coming into a new country almost every day. If Regent is going to comply with local rules I can see how frequent testing may be necessary. 
 

On Viking right now they are testing every passenger every day as part of their protocol. The cruising are going and people seem to be enjoying themselves. 

[mdunne48]

Taken from the NCL Website: https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/sail-safe?intcmp=pdt_sl_SAILSAFEVAC#faq1-12-answer

 

Thanks to Dr. Cocktail for the link above!!!

 

If one person in the party tests positive for COVID-19, immediate family members, those travelling in the same cabin as the guest who tested positive and those identified as a close contact will be denied boarding.

If you are denied boarding due to a positive COVID-19 test at embarkation, the cruise line will coordinate and cover costs for travel arrangements, for you and those travelling with you if they are also denied boarding. The cruise line will not be able to assist with travel arrangements if a guest is denied boarding as a result of a violating the cruise line's health and safety protocols.

 

There is a lot of information and FAQ's on the NCL site.  There is a ton more information than Regent is supplying. I'm not saying that Regent will do as NCL does but it would be horrendous publicity for Regent if they did not.

[mdunne48]

Another FAQ from the NCL site:

 

Guests who test positive for COVID-19 during their cruise and are required to quarantine will receive a pro-rated cash refund or a pro-rated Future Cruise Credit. If a guest followed all of the cruise line's health and safety protocols, the cruise line will coordinate and cover the cost of necessary onboard COVID-19 related medical treatment, required land-based quarantine and travel arrangements to get the guest safely back to their home.

All refund requests must be made within six months of the date they cancelled their voyage or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier, or they will be entitled to a Future Cruise Credit for the amount specified. To apply for a refund guests should visit https://www.ncl.com/case-submission.

[rallydave]

17 minutes ago, mdunne48 said:

There is a lot of information and FAQ's on the NCL site.  There is a ton more information than Regent is supplying. I'm not saying that Regent will do as NCL does but it would be horrendous publicity for Regent if they did not.

While it would be nice if all cruise lines under a single holding company had the same policies and procedures sincerely doubt that will ever happen.  The different levels of cruise lines from Mainstream to Luxury have many many differences and no way can they all be made the same  As they say, viva la difference!

 

Would hope policies regarding at least Coved would be the same but, strongly doubt we will see them all coming together to a single set of policies as the last few posts show.  If they were going to have the same policies, doubt the new revised Regent T's and C's would have been released this close to first cruise if they wee going to mimic NCL.

[flossie009]

Interesting that NCL's FAQs indicate that the company will cover the costs of travel arrangements etc even though the NCL Contract has almost identical clauses to the Regent Contract stating that the company will not be liable i.e. NCL appears to be offering to provide more assistance for their guests than their contractual liability.

 

Time for Regent to clarify its intentions, methinks 🤔

[ronrick1943]

49 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

Interesting that NCL's FAQs indicate that the company will cover the costs of travel arrangements etc even though the NCL Contract has almost identical clauses to the Regent Contract stating that the company will not be liable i.e. NCL appears to be offering to provide more assistance for their guests than their contractual liability.

 

Time for Regent to clarify its intentions, methinks 🤔

One would think so, that’s a big deal.

[njcruiser2007]

I was told that because we are going to a different county each day on our Caribbean cruise we have to abide by the rules of each country.  That's why we'll have to test every few days.

[Pcardad]

And abide by the mask rules for each country while in their waters.

[njcruiser2007]

Just called Regent again.  New policy is that for all cruises until 12/31 there will be a 60 money back policy.  You can cancel up until 60 days.  My cruise is 6 days later.  No change in cancellation policy.  Doesn't seem to make any sense to me.

[pingpong1]

16 minutes ago, njcruiser2007 said:

Just called Regent again.  New policy is that for all cruises until 12/31 there will be a 60 money back policy.  You can cancel up until 60 days.  My cruise is 6 days later.  No change in cancellation policy.  Doesn't seem to make any sense to me.

NJ - Yes, this is big news (at least for us and many others)!  We got an Email this morning from our T/A that for our cruise (Dec 18), will now be able to cancel with full refund up until Oct18.  Regent seems to be trying, as best as they can to offer some flexibility, given the fact they also (like us) have no idea how health events will "morph" in the near future.  Regards   

[ysolde]

1 hour ago, njcruiser2007 said:

Just called Regent again.  New policy is that for all cruises until 12/31 there will be a 60 money back policy.  You can cancel up until 60 days.  My cruise is 6 days later.  No change in cancellation policy.  Doesn't seem to make any sense to me.

I think you and I may be on the same cruise.  January 6, Regent Splendor, out of Miami?  Oh, boy . . . 

[njcruiser2007]

We are on the same cruise.  Final payment due by Monday.  Considering switching to Dec., 2022.

[wristband]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6364/  Sounds like fun - the end of cruising as we knew it?

 

"In a change of policy, Carnival Cruise Lines will now require masks for all passengers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, in certain areas indoors onboard its ships, as well as mandatory pre-cruise COVID-19 testing...After August 7, all passengers...will be required to wear face masks "in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking."

 

Other areas where masks will be required include prior to being seated in main dining rooms...and "occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate (signs will be posted)."

 

 

[wcsdkqh]

Shouldn’t be a problem since I will be eating and or drinking the entire time😀

[ronrick1943]

10 hours ago, wristband said:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6364/  Sounds like fun - the end of cruising as we knew it?

 

"In a change of policy, Carnival Cruise Lines will now require masks for all passengers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, in certain areas indoors onboard its ships, as well as mandatory pre-cruise COVID-19 testing...After August 7, all passengers...will be required to wear face masks "in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops, and in the casino, except when eating or drinking."

 

Other areas where masks will be required include prior to being seated in main dining rooms...and "occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate (signs will be posted)."

 

 

First - Carnival isn’t my type of cruise—-but thank them for doing what every cruise ship should be doing right now.