Cruise insurance

[cookingqueen]

We are planning a family cruise on the Dream in July with my older parents, brother & his young son, sister and her daughter and my husband and teen son. My parents are treating all of us!!
We are concerned that my brother may decide at the last minute (maybe a few weeks before) that he won’t be able to go...family is the best.
What’s our best option for recouping his cruise cost? I know trip insurance but does it work so that if only he cancels (& his son) we could get a refund?
Any suggestions on a way to make this as easy as possible for my parents (besides un inviting him!!) would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are planning a family cruise on the Dream in July with my older parents, brother & his young son, sister and her daughter and my husband and teen son. My parents are treating all of us!!
We are concerned that my brother may decide at the last minute (maybe a few weeks before) that he won’t be able to go...family is the best.
What’s our best option for recouping his cruise cost? I know trip insurance but does it work so that if only he cancels (& his son) we could get a refund?
Any suggestions on a way to make this as easy as possible for my parents (besides un inviting him!!) would be greatly appreciated.

If mom & dad are paying for everyone. And they purchase travel/cancellation insurance, they would be refunded any non-refundable costs due to covered reasons (illness, work schedule, cancelled flights for example). Generally "because I don't want to go" isn't a covered reason, unless you get "cancel for any reason" insurance and it's more costly.

I'll also mention, it's often best to purchase 3rd party insurance, not insurance through the cruise line. You can get better coverage, for a lower cost that way.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

If you want to get Cancel for any reason trip insurance, which does cost more, you also have to purchase it at the same time(within 24-48 hours) the first payment (first down payment to Disney Cruise Line) is made. You can do this through a 3rd party Insurance company (does not have to be Disneys travel insurance) but you have to plan to do it right away. If your parents already booked the cruise and paid the initial down payment more then a few days ago, your out of luck on that end.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If mom & dad are paying for everyone. And they purchase travel/cancellation insurance, they would be refunded any non-refundable costs due to covered reasons (illness, work schedule, cancelled flights for example). Generally "because I don't want to go" isn't a covered reason, unless you get "cancel for any reason" insurance and it's more costly.

I'll also mention, it's often best to purchase 3rd party insurance, not insurance through the cruise line. You can get better coverage, for a lower cost that way.

Yes, this. "I don't want to go anymore" is not a covered reason. You would need to purchase "cancel for any reason" insurance that, if I'm not mistaken, must be purchased within 21 days of the first trip deposit and typically only cover 75% of non-refundable costs. It's also much more expensive. We always buy third-party insurance as well.

 

[su_A_ve]

Cancel for any reason policies typically need to be purchased within 1-3 weeks from making the initial deposit. DCL's policy is purchased at pay-in-full time.

 

[Minnie368]

If all you want is insurance to cover cancelling for medical reasons how long can you wait to purchase it? Not worried about pre existing conditions because none of us have any. Can you still purchase after your PIF date? Like maybe a month or two before your cruise? My parents did not purchase and I’m wondering if they should just in case but if we’re cruising in April is it too late?

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

You can purchase travel insurance up until a few days before your trip it it's not covering cancel for any reason, pre-existing medical conditions. You can't purchase it for say two weeks before your sale date when you already know the weather looks bad and the cruise might get canceled. If there is a hurricane you have to have insurance before it's formed/named etc. If you are thinking of purchasing for a trip in April, you can defiantly still purchase now.

 

[rcchello]

They really need to market "my brother/sister-in-law/relative is a jerk and might leave me holding the bag" insurance. This would also be good for the DVC people whose relative doesn't show up and says "it didn't cost you anything it's just points".

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Different companies have different policies, so definitely shop around and see what you can find. You don't say WHY he may cancel, but if it is to care for someone who is sick or injured or for certain work reasons it may be covered, even without "any reason" insurance. Also, many policies allow multiple people to cancel (or even the whole group) if one person needs to cancel.

Another thing to note, is that (depending on the company) you may have to purchase several separate but linked polices. When we went with my Mother and my sister's family, they said we had to buy three policies because we lived in three houses, but they linked our policies, so if one family had to cancel, we would all have option to cancel. Or some of the people could still go if we chose.

Best of luck.

Oh, and as for "we don't need pre-existing conditions insurance," that is great, but just keep in mind if some medical issue (injury or illness, etc) happens between now and when you buy the insurance, presto, now you have a pre-existing condition that won't be covered. Hopefully that won't happen to you, but I just wanted to mention it in case anyone is considering that, they can factor that in.

 

[Lupe Herring]

Yes, I agree with you there are different policy plans for individual and group. It becomes more convenient if you get a group insurance for your family. You can design the insurance plan with the helpful hints from experts, that will cover all requirements. The insurance plan should include all the medical coverage for the family and help secure life.

 

[LNMom]

FYI- some credit cards offer trip insurance for travel expenses paid with the card, such as CITI Prestige. It does not cover "changed my mind" incidents though. But at least you have coverage without paying for trip insurance.