Bummer Travel Insurance Question

[HeelMD]

We have the DCL travel insurance for our July 22, 2006 cruise. Unfortunately, I am currently being evaluated for what may be lymphoma. We have a lot of hand-wringing going on at our house right now along with a lot of prayer. Does the travel insurance allow for cancellation for medical reasons? Also, worst case scenario, do you think DCL would work with me to bump up the cruise date if it looked as if I might be in a very bad way by next year? If this happens, I want to be able to give my family periodic breaks from an unwelcome reality, especially things like the Disney cruises that we love so much.

Fingers crossed here and any advice is appreciated....biopsy results to come in the next several days.

 

[Angelgirl13202]

I dont have any answeres just wanted to send some pixi dust your way and prayers. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I will PM you.

 

[kcashner]

For a 2006 cruise, you can now get a full refund from DCL if you need to cancel...so your insurance won't play a part in it.

If you keep the dates as they are and then become too ill to travel, it depends on the terms of the policy and when you purchased it. If you purchased within 2 weeks of booking the cruise, it should cover even a last minute cancellation.

DCL will work with you to change dates providing they have the space on the cruise you want to do. DCL allowed me to change cruise dates when an emergency arose. The only extra charge was a "reticketing fee" which was very small. This was only because our docs had already been printed.

Sending Pixie Dust your way...along with a suggestion.....why not get the medical issues in order, then deal with when you might be able to cruise? Your doc can help you on this. You don't want to cruise while feeling really crummy or risk getting really ill on the ship.

 

[lbgraves]

You already have the insurance so yes, you should be covered if after the final payment is made and you need to cancel. This is not a pre-existing condition since you made the reservation prior to any diagnosis. We purchased insurance for my ILs due to MIL's stage 4 colon cancer even though it was a preexisting condition. Her chemo needed to be extended and they couldn't go on the cruise. It was covered.

On a personal note, I will pray for you and your family. You are someone with a very kind heart ~ as you showed when telling us about the soldier who recently returned from his deployment. I would hope that DCL would allow you to transfer your reservation to an earlier date. I do understand the need to escape from the stress and worry of the reality of life when you are living with such a disease.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I cannot help you with your insurance question, but please know that I offer my prayers for your health. (((hugs)))

 

[Jillpie]

I just wanted to let you know that prayers have just been said for you.

 

[b&j's_mom]

Don't have any insurance answers, just wanted to let you know we will be thinking of you and your family.

 

[Liz]

So sorry to hear of your health worries. Saying a prayer for you and your family that the test results are good news. Please keep us posted.

 

[dairyou]

Just wanted to let you know our prayers are with you.

A close friend of ours just had a biopsy for the same thing. They thought he had Lymphoma in the lung area. Just got the lab report today..he doesn't have Lymphoma, but some sort of Lupus.

Just wanted to give you some encouraging words. Hang in there Make sure to post and let us know how you are doing!

Deb

PS I hope you are able to attend your cruise!

 

[mickeyboat]

kcashner gave great advice. I want to give you a .

Denae

 

[ivanova]

FIRST AND FOREMOST, truckloads of pixie dust heading your way....

As for the insurance question, it will depend on your travel insurance carrier, and your specific policy.

But, in general, it depends in part on when your doctor advises you that you are unable to travel.

For example, let's say your final payment due date (and the date that penalties start to incur) is May 1, 2006. And the doctor informs you on May 5, 2006 that there is no way you can travel in July. At that time the penalties for cancelling are that you lose your deposit amount and DCL refunds the rest. Therefore, the insurance covers the amount of the lost deposit. But you decide to wait it out, see if you get better. You finally agree on July 10, 2006 that you won't be able to travel. You're now in a time frame where you lose 50% of your cruisefare if you cancel. The insurance company (in MOST cases, not all) will only refund you the amount of your deposit - because you did not cancel when your doctor first advised you that you could not travel.

I would read the certificate of insurance carefully. And if you have ANY questions whatsoever, call the insurance company or your travel agent for clarification.

 

[Laurarn]

Prayers for you and your family.
From a "neighbor" up "I-77",
Laura

 

[castlegazer]

My prayers are with you. As everyone has said, you should be covered with your insurance and the timing allows you to cancel without penalties. As for DCL working with you to move dates - this is something I don't think we can answer, but that I hope that they will work with you but most of all I hope you don't need to pick this option.

 

[Dreamer04]

I can't add to the great advice already given, but please know that you and yours are in my prayers.

 

[logan1_2000]

WHEN you have gotten through whatever treatment may be ahead, as you will, there can be no better celebration of life and health restored then a DCL cruise, and so together adding my thoughts and prayers to those already expressed, I commend you in advance for thinking of your family members when you mention wanting to give them a break, but make sure whatever changes you may end up making to your schedule, that there is a cruise on the Magic or Wonder after your treatments are complete, to celebrate the excellent prognosis you shall receive, coated in pixie dust.

 

[thatmom]

Hi,
You have my prayers too.
Just a note....three years ago or more by now I was told I might Lymphoma I was so scared. I don't have it I have Lupus. I'm praying you don't have either one..( Lupus isn't much fun either).
Carla

 

[Cruella de mom]

Adding my prayers to everyone else's.

My Dad had two different lymphomas and is still here playing with his grandkids. It can be a very treatable disease. However, if you do have lymphoma you probably won't have time to go on a cruise before they start treating you. Dad was in the hospital and starting chemo within 24 hours of confirming the diagnosis but his was an aggressive form.

Good luick, here's hoping you are cruising along with nothing but a big scare behind you.

 

[ChrizJen]

Just another note to say that our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family, and here's some pixie dust that you're OK, and everything can go as planned!
-Christal

 

[HeelMD]

Biopsy negative for lymphoma which is good. The bad is that there were some signs of possible malignant cells from another source that may have spread to the lymph nodes. They stated this was fairly unlikely and may just be an inflammatory response. Next step is more bloodwork and an MRI to look for any other areas that could be concerning. Happy about the lymphoma all-clear and waiting anxiously for the rest. Will keep you posted...