Husband may not go on cruise. Help needed figuring possible refund.

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

My husband, due to work issues, may not be able to join us on our 4 day Christmas cruise. I'm trying to figure out our options. When I talked to Carnival it was very confusing. If I take him off the booking, they said that there is a 75% penalty. Is this with the Carnival insurance or without the insurance? I have not purchased the insurance, but apparently I can still purchase it. Is that a better way to go? If so, is it hard to get the refund through the insurance company? Thank you for any help!

[nwcruiselover]

If you purchased Carnival’s insurance, it includes “cancel for any reason” coverage.  I don’t know about the processing of the claim, but with this of coverage it wouldn’t be a refund.  It would be a future cruise credit for 75% of your cruise fare.  The taxes/port charges would be refunded to your original form of payment.

 

Another option, if you want to sail without him, is to leave him on the booking and do a “no show” on sailing day.  Just show up to check in and say he couldn’t make it.  His taxes/port charges will be refunded and you sail solo at no extra charge.

Edited December 1, 2021 by nwcruiselover

[klfrodo]

I'm not sure if you would be caught, but since you have already spoken to Carnival and stated your possible intentions on a public forum on the internet,,,, should you now buy insurance and file a claim, it could be considered fraudulent.

Travel insurance is a shared risk between you and the insurance company to cover unexpected happenstances. You are trying to cover something that you know will or likely will happen. That goes beyond the scope of travel insurance.

Who knows? You might get away with it though.

Let us know how it works. Good luck.

Edited December 1, 2021 by klfrodo

[n6uqqq]

At this point in time your only viable option is for him to be a no show. Like posted above you will automatically be refunded port fees/taxes and any prepaid gratuities. If you cancel him they will take 75 percent of his fare as penalty. Then you will have to pay this difference again as you are now a solo cruiser but must still pay for double occupancy. So if you are intent on cruising solo absolutely do not cancel him. 

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

1 hour ago, klfrodo said:

I'm not sure if you would be caught, but since you have already spoken to Carnival and stated your possible intentions on a public forum on the internet,,,, should you now buy insurance and file a claim, it could be considered fraudulent.

Travel insurance is a shared risk between you and the insurance company to cover unexpected happenstances. You are trying to cover something that you know will or likely will happen. That goes beyond the scope of travel insurance.

Who knows? You might get away with it though.

Let us know how it works. Good luck.

Thanks but I am not trying to cover or get away with anything. I am simply asking what our best option may be. 

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

1 hour ago, nwcruiselover said:

If you purchased Carnival’s insurance, it includes “cancel for any reason” coverage.  I don’t know about the processing of the claim, but with this of coverage it wouldn’t be a refund.  It would be a future cruise credit for 75% of your cruise fare.  The taxes/port charges would be refunded to your original form of payment.

 

Another option, if you want to sail without him, is to leave him on the booking and do a “no show” on sailing day.  Just show up to check in and say he couldn’t make it.  His taxes/port charges will be refunded and you sail solo at no extra charge.

Thank you. I don't want to sail without him, but I will still go, as other family members will be sailing also. Unfortunately, we think this may be my mother's last change to go on a cruise. She always wanted a Christmas cruise.

[BlerkOne]

Have your husband call in sick and enjoy the cruise.

[Silent Penguin]

1 hour ago, Steve and Sharon said:

Thank you. I don't want to sail without him, but I will still go, as other family members will be sailing also. Unfortunately, we think this may be my mother's last change to go on a cruise. She always wanted a Christmas cruise.

Speaking from personal experience, I understand not wanting to cruise without your husband.  If he gives you his blessing to go and have a good time, don't hesitate.  I just came back from my first solo cruise (dh couldn't go)  and I had a blast!  Joining an an active (non-CC) online roll call did have something to do with that.  

[firefly333]

If just the two of you are booked in the cabin, your options for a refund for his part of the fare are minimal at best this close to sailing. Most solos pay double, 200% so even if you cancelled him then it would be refared and you would owe more. 

 

You could do a mock booking to see if perhaps you are one sailing without a solo supplement but they seem to be gone. You cant downgrade on carnival. Some fares allow for a name change for a fee is all I can think of. Add some friend and pay for the change. Refund ? If you are still going .. good luck. Call but I dont know of a way.

[klfrodo]

2 hours ago, Steve and Sharon said:

Thanks but I am not trying to cover or get away with anything. I am simply asking what our best option may be. 

I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to imply that you were trying to get away with anything. I'm just sharing the potential situation one might run into.

 

Had the insurance been purchased prior to one running into this situation, under Carnival plan, the job situation would have been covered.

However, now that the horse is out of the barn, so to speak, maybe bite the bullet, take the penalty, maybe move someone from your party into your cabin for booking reasons, then they can sleep wherever. (that is if someone has a 3rd or 4th on their reservation)

[firefly333]

39 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to imply that you were trying to get away with anything. I'm just sharing the potential situation one might run into.

 

Had the insurance been purchased prior to one running into this situation, under Carnival plan, the job situation would have been covered.

However, now that the horse is out of the barn, so to speak, maybe bite the bullet, take the penalty, maybe move someone from your party into your cabin for booking reasons, then they can sleep wherever. (that is if someone has a 3rd or 4th on their reservation)

And if she had the insurance and cancelled him  then she would be refared for the amount and owe double fare. ..so even if he could collect would be a wash with the extra she would owe.

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

So what I am getting from the responses is that I am better off just showing up without him and he will be a no show. Another issue I just thought about is that the booking is under his name. Will that make a difference? I can't believe out of about 18 or so cruises, this is the first time I didn't bother to buy the insurance! Lesson learned! 

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

49 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to imply that you were trying to get away with anything. I'm just sharing the potential situation one might run into.

 

Had the insurance been purchased prior to one running into this situation, under Carnival plan, the job situation would have been covered.

However, now that the horse is out of the barn, so to speak, maybe bite the bullet, take the penalty, maybe move someone from your party into your cabin for booking reasons, then they can sleep wherever. (that is if someone has a 3rd or 4th on their reservation)

Unfortunately we have no one to move. 

[firefly333]

18 minutes ago, Steve and Sharon said:

So what I am getting from the responses is that I am better off just showing up without him and he will be a no show. Another issue I just thought about is that the booking is under his name. Will that make a difference? I can't believe out of about 18 or so cruises, this is the first time I didn't bother to buy the insurance! Lesson learned! 

It would only make a difference for instance on a casino rate, and he has free drinks you wouldn't get his perks.. if it's a normal rate it doesnt matter who is first pax. 

 

Was his rate a special promo with perks? Usually if like early saver it doesnt matter who ism listed first or second. His taxes and port fees will automatically be refunded after the cruise if he is a no show. 

[sanger727]

Carnival offers cancel for any reason insurance where you can get 75% back as FCC. It would surprise me that they would allow you to add that this late in the game. But if they did, you could cancel the cabin and get 75% as FCC. Nothing dishonest there, any reason is any reason. Unlike medical or work reason cancellations where you can’t cancel for a known reason when you purchase the insurance.

 

but cancelling just him won’t do you any good if you still want to take the cruise. As others have said, you may have to turn around and pay it back as a single supplement. But if you prefer to cancel the cruise altogether and go later you would just be out 25% and the cost of the insurance.

[firefly333]

28 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

but cancelling just him won’t do you any good if you still want to take the cruise. As others have said, you may have to turn around and pay it back as a single supplement. But if you prefer to cancel the cruise altogether and go later you would just be out 25% and the cost of the insurance.

We agree, just him cant cancel. if he cancels ...and she is left in the cabin her fare will be repriced to current solo rate including solo supplements. I read a few sob stories from someone whose roomier cancelled to collect the insurance and left them holding the bag. He has to cancel to collect insurance ..and she isnt cancelling so cant collect because her rate goes up to solo rate.

 

Both need to cancel for this to be a good idea. I think above her mom or someone else is going is why she is still going. 

Edited December 2, 2021 by firefly333

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

5 hours ago, firefly333 said:

We agree, just him cant cancel. if he cancels ...and she is left in the cabin her fare will be repriced to current solo rate including solo supplements. I read a few sob stories from someone whose roomier cancelled to collect the insurance and left them holding the bag. He has to cancel to collect insurance ..and she isnt cancelling so cant collect because her rate goes up to solo rate.

 

Both need to cancel for this to be a good idea. I think above her mom or someone else is going is why she is still going. 

Yes, I have 5 other family members going, so my husband and I decided if he can't go, I should still go.

[Ilovesailaway]

Go

Have him be a no show

You have other family on board so you are part of a group. My DW is not as into cruising as much as I am. I was just sent another great offer from Carnival. Her time off for the year has already been planned for other trips so I am doing my first solo next month.

[nwcruiselover]

Yes, go on the cruise and have DH be a no-show. I would recommend just saying he couldn’t come on the cruise.  Some people say to tell them he’s parking the car or just checking in later.  I think the officials on the ship need to know he’s not coming so they can alter their manifest, rather than just waiting for him to come.

[DPTexas]

On 12/1/2021 at 6:53 PM, Steve and Sharon said:

So what I am getting from the responses is that I am better off just showing up without him and he will be a no show. Another issue I just thought about is that the booking is under his name. Will that make a difference? I can't believe out of about 18 or so cruises, this is the first time I didn't bother to buy the insurance! Lesson learned! 

You will need to review the booking b/c it is my understanding that if an offer - especially a casino offer - is under his name, he has to show up or it is no longer a valid offer.  There have been other discussions on this topic, but I would check with your PVP.  Read the fine print b/c if so, it will state that the person named in the booking has to show up or the "guest" is not able to cruise either.  I am not sure what happens if it is simply a standing booking - then a "no show" may apply.

[audcc77]

12 hours ago, DPTexas said:

if an offer - especially a casino offer - is under his name, he has to show up or it is no longer a valid offer.

LOL. My DH keeps getting insane offers. Not casino offers though.   Some kind of exclusive VIFP offer. 
 

Like $43 pp on the Mardi Gras for 6 days.  He doesn’t like cruising much at all.  It’s crazy. 

 

I almost want to have him fly down there with me and check in, then leave the ship.  I’m afraid that the cabin $$$ would go up though. 🤔

[S&S Cruisers 1983]

Name problem solved! I thought the booking was under my husbands name because the emails regarding the booking kept coming with his name on them and not mine. When I looked at my booking to call Carnival again, I noticed the booking is under my name. Not sure how that happens!