Cruise insurance missed ports

[nicdu]

Hi,

So after reading many recent threads about the ships having issues with docking at CC due to weather issues, I would like to search for an insurance policy that includes significant compensation for missed ports. I already know I am going to be buying a high end policy since I am going to tack on a 'cancel for any reason' rider (Florida resident travelling during hurricane season), so I'd like to find one with both. Especially since CC is such a driver for the high cost we're willing to pay for the cruise, I'd like to ensure I insure my investment/perceived value. Thanks!!!

ETA: Do you know of any companies that offer policies like this? I wrote a whole post, but forgot the question. doh.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi,

So after reading many recent threads about the ships having issues with docking at CC due to weather issues, I would like to search for an insurance policy that includes significant compensation for missed ports. I already know I am going to be buying a high end policy since I am going to tack on a 'cancel for any reason' rider (Florida resident travelling during hurricane season), so I'd like to find one with both. Especially since CC is such a driver for the high cost we're willing to pay for the cruise, I'd like to ensure I insure my investment/perceived value. Thanks!!!

Yes, there are companies that cover missed ports. Not all do. And it's not available in some states. Nationwide is the one I've seen mentioned most often.

 

[GPaLarry]

After eight DCL cruises we have only had one port cancellation/change. The four times we were to dock at CC we were able to do so. Our Med. cruise involved a switch from Monte Carlo (too rough for tendering) to Marseilles the next day...DCL had clearance to dock, a dozen or so excursions lined up, and got the word out to all of us on board in about three hours. They are ready for almost any circumstance and will try to make up for surprises/disappointments where they can.

 

[Meriweather]

7 cruises we have always docked at CC
The one we have missed several times is Grand Cayman due to it being a tendered port

 

[CrawfordMomof3]

Thanks to you all that have cruised before. I was starting to worry about possibly missing Castaway Cay, but if it’s only a slim chance I feel better.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

6 DCL cruises that were scheduled to stop at Castaway Cay - made them all.

 

[DM Minnie]

We missed CC on our early march cruise. But there was so much to do on board that I wouldn’t even think of buying insurance to cover that missed port.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

What exactly do you think insurance would compensate you for if you missed Castaway Cay? If you booked an excursion (they are only offered through DCL) and couldn't dock at CC, you would get your money back. Same for any port, you would be refunded any port charge or DCL excursion fee. I only book excursions with third party companies that would refund the cost of an excursion if DCL was unable to dock at port. Insurance covers costs that would normally not be refunded to you.

 

[Ravenne]

What exactly do you think insurance would compensate you for if you missed Castaway Cay? If you booked an excursion (they are only offered through DCL) and couldn't dock at CC, you would get your money back. Same for any port, you would be refunded any port charge or DCL excursion fee. I only book excursions with third party companies that would refund the cost of an excursion if DCL was unable to dock at port. Insurance covers costs that would normally not be refunded to you.

I wondered the same thing. We just got back from Alaska, and I'd booked the Chilkoot train ride in Skagway. We made the port, but the train ride was cancelled due to a rock slide. I'd heard about it during Endicott Arm day from other cruisers who booked the same excursion through DCL. DCL just removed the charges from their account, but because we booked directly through the operator, we met with the guide at the gangway like we normally would have if the excursion had happened, the guide told us the train portion was cancelled, but could still do it by bus, we opted not to, he gave us their business card to call for a refund, we did, and it was refunded back onto our credit card by the time we got home. Not surprisingly, we couldn't make it into Tracy Arm due to icebergs, so we missed that and went to Endicott Arm instead. People booked on the charter boat excursions at Tracy Arm still did it at Endicott. I assume if they didn't want to do it in Endicott, that DCL would refund/cancel it for them.

With that said, I don't know what kind of insurance coverage the OP is looking for. I had travel insurance that was a pretty standard policy that covered costs of excursions if the operator went out of business, or something along that nature. One of my credit cards also offered the same benefits without having to buy an additional policy.

 

[ljm23]

16 cruises, never had an issue with Castaway Cay or any other port for that matter .

 

[jdb in AZ]

We've missed Castaway Cay once out of three times. We sailed onward to Aruba and had more time in port there.

On our Fantasy cruise immediately after Hurricane Sandy we were able to stop at Castaway Cay -- the crew did an amazing job of cleaning up the place -- but we had to miss two other ports due to damage.

 

[Sytrace]

Out of 18 cruises we have missed CC only once and that was due to "Mechanical Challenges" in January 2016. That was the cruise that we had to limp back to Port Canaveral due to the left propulsion system tanking. We got OBC and a 20% discount to use on a future cruise which was VERY generous of DCL as they did not have to do that. It was certainly not something that could have been controlled or changed as it happened while we were on our way back from a port and had an extra sea day instead.
There have been reports of missing CC due to weather challenges of course, which is also out of control of anyone besides nature. If you read your cruise contract,it does indicate that DCL reserves the right to make port changes and miss ports as needed for a variety of reasons.

 

[nicdu]

Basically, your cruise is 'worth less' if you stop at less ports, missed port insurance will offer compensation for the inability to dock due weather and other conditions. The only policy I have found thus far, is not available to Florida residents (me) so I am asking for reqs.

And yes, I know the cruise ships don't compensate you for missed ports, which is why I am looking for insurance

 

[SnowWhite2]

I never felt my cruise was "worth less" when we missed a port. I guess I'm a glass half full kind of gal.

 

[CM Dad]

16 cruises, never had an issue with Castaway Cay or any other port for that matter .

Out of 15 cruises, 12 should have stopped at CC, and we missed docking 3 times. We did a Mediterranean cruise that was supposed to include Greece and Turkey, but months before the cruise, DCL dropped those ports. They did provide us with stateroom credit in that case.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Basically, your cruise is 'worth less' if you stop at less ports, missed port insurance will offer compensation for the inability to dock due weather and other conditions. The only policy I have found thus far, is not available to Florida residents (me) so I am asking for reqs.

And yes, I know the cruise ships don't compensate you for missed ports, which is why I am looking for insurance

Again, I'm confused what you expect to be reimbursed for if the cruise is unable to dock due to weather or other conditions. Are you out any money for just being unable to dock?

I guess you need to define "worth." Yes, historically, cruises that have less port stops, i.e. transatlantic or panama canal re-positioning cruises, are less "expensive." But does that mean that they are "worth less" than other cruises that have more port stops?

Technically, cruise ships never have to stop at ports at all, yet they are fulfilling their contract with you and providing you the "worth" of your cruise. IMHO, the "worth" of the cruise is not at the port, but on the ship itself. If you ask me, you lose some "worth" of the cruise when you go into ports because you're not on the ship. I guess "worth" is in the eye of the beholder.

Still, insurance is there to cover costs that are not reimbursable to you by the cruise line. How does an insurance company arbitrarily value a cruise day when you miss a port? You are still on the ship, you are still being supplied room and food and entertainment.

The only reference I can find on insurance sights for compensation for the "inconvenience" of missed ports, is that the port has to be changed prior to departure. For example. DCL changing from Tortola because of hurricane damage to St. Marten.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[bumbershoot]

Again, I'm confused what you expect to be reimbursed for if the cruise is unable to dock due to weather or other conditions.

There are policies that give a certain amount of money for missed ports. I get that it’s not the typical insurance that reimburses nonrefundable costs, but it does exist. Several reports on cruisecritic during Irma and Maria showed that.


OP I would google “insure trip”. You might notice a sticky thread talking about such a website we can’t link to, not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because they requested that we don’t link to them. You want a clearinghouse that will show you a bunch of inairance products.

I would recommend calling to talk to places like that to make sure you know what you’re getting.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

There are policies that give a certain amount of money for missed ports. I get that it’s not the typical insurance that reimburses nonrefundable costs, but it does exist. Several reports on cruisecritic during Irma and Maria showed that.

I saw those, but it was only if the missing of port was determined before departure.

 

[bumbershoot]

I saw those, but it was only if the missing of port was determined before departure.

Did a seearch on CC and there was a poster who said they were reimbursed a smaller amount under a different clause for a changed-during-the-cruise port. That same Nationwide Choice insurance product.


BUT the issue is the state of residence. Looks like both Floridians and Washingtonians (like me) can’t get that. And some other states, too.

It might simply not be possible to get that coverage.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

In a way, insurance agents are like bookies. You are placing a bet, and they tell you the "odds" or in this case, the premium that makes the insurance worth issuing. As with gambling, the odds are in the "house" favor, but as with gambling some people do it. I can understand that it can be worth piece of mind to some to know that if they miss a port they will be compensated, and it makes sense to the insurance company because they've done the math to make sure they will meet their profit margin. Now, other people might not think a missed port is worth actually dollars, so to them, it wouldn't be worth the cost of the insurance, so they just don't buy it.