Do I really need trip insurance if…..?

[squirk]

…I or a member of my sailing party tests positive for COVID at the port?

And before anyone says anything, yes, I am still getting trip insurance for all of the other situations where it would come in handy. My question is more academic than anything else.

Disney will refund the full fare, and we usually drive to the port, so there’s no airfare in the mix (and even if there were, most airlines aren’t charging change fees anymore).

So……purely from a testing-positive-at-the-port perspective, would there really be any out-of-pocket expenses that would justify the cost of insurance? I’m wondering if I’m seeing this clearly.

 

[lanejudy]

For embarkation testing -- probably only if you want/need trip interruption coverage (hotel and/or meals). Or any medical if someone is actually ill.

Another consideration is if you or a member of your traveling party ends up quarantined or testing positive during the cruise. You may want COVID coverage for that - medical and possibly trip interruption if you needed to leave the ship at a port stop.

 

[insureman]

Probably you won't need it for trip interuption but what about medical or medical evacuation if you do go on the cruise. That's the main reason we get it.

 

[squirk]

Thanks. Again, I’m getting insurance regardless.

Like I said - asking purely from the perspective of testing positive at the port. Seems like in my circumstance, not much risk in that specific scenario.

 

[lanejudy]

If you are getting insurance anyway, wouldn't the embarkation testing scenario be covered by that?

 

[squirk]

If you are getting insurance anyway, wouldn't the embarkation testing scenario be covered by that?

I assume it would, but I am still 180 days out, and haven't really checked.

But even if "regular" insurance didn't cover denial of boarding due to COVID, it seems like it wouldn't be much a problem for me anyway, in terms of expense.

 

[2goofykiddos]

Check your credit card. If you pay for your cruise with that it often includes trip insurance

 

[mousefan73]

I believe insurance wouldn’t cover your cruise fare anyways since you’re being refunded from DCL. Correct me if I’m wrong but does this refund include all port fees and taxes? Maybe insurance will cover that part. But seriously if you’re driving to the port it’s not that far, not paying much gas money. There’s really not anything to cover. You’re very lucky as the only stress you have is dealing with disappointment in not sailing.

 

[lanejudy]

Correct me if I’m wrong but does this refund include all port fees and taxes?

DCL will refund or credit the full amount you have paid.

 

[Chemist]

What if your family comes down with Norovirus the day before? Or some other illness that keeps you from traveling.

You won't get the "Covid refund", but you will still be denied boarding.

(After the experience of deciding to travel with a sick child rather than throw away $5k of sunk costs, we always buy insurance. Thankfully child got better fast and hopefully he didn't make anyone else sick. Not saying we made a good choice, but its the choice we made, and we made it because we didn't have insurance to refund the cost.)

 

[Cheburashka]

…I or a member of my sailing party tests positive for COVID at the port?

And before anyone says anything, yes, I am still getting trip insurance for all of the other situations where it would come in handy. My question is more academic than anything else.

Disney will refund the full fare, and we usually drive to the port, so there’s no airfare in the mix (and even if there were, most airlines aren’t charging change fees anymore).

So……purely from a testing-positive-at-the-port perspective, would there really be any out-of-pocket expenses that would justify the cost of insurance? I’m wondering if I’m seeing this clearly.

I got medical emergency-only coverage for my upcoming cruise. If you can't board due to illness, you're getting your money back from Disney. I'm using airline credits to fly so I couldn't get cash back from the insurance company for them, anyway.

 

[MomOTwins]

Don't forget, it is not just denial of boarding, but the risk of a quarantine because of close contacts or coming down with symptoms on ship (or on ship testing, if applicable). Our very first cruise DH got noro and spent the cruise in quarantine, but luckily that was just a 3-night so it was an inexpensive blip. My coworker though spent a full week on the Fantasy in quarantine with her kid who threw up at the kids club and that is a lot of money wasted to watch TV and order room service food for a week!

 

[Cheburashka]

Don't forget, it is not just denial of boarding, but the risk of a quarantine because of close contacts or coming down with symptoms on ship (or on ship testing, if applicable). Our very first cruise DH got noro and spent the cruise in quarantine, but luckily that was just a 3-night so it was an inexpensive blip. My coworker though spent a full week on the Fantasy in quarantine with her kid who threw up at the kids club and that is a lot of money wasted to watch TV and order room service food for a week!

I believe DCL has stated that they will pro-rate refunds for onboard quarantine due to Covid. I recall reading that in the fine print. They seem to really, really want to keep people honest about their symptoms & are now making it financially palatable for people to do so. Just like you can call them a week before the cruise, tell them you feel feverish with no documentation, and get a full refund. They're serious about not wanting Covid to spread onboard.

 

[squirk]

What if your family comes down with Norovirus the day before? Or some other illness that keeps you from traveling.

You won't get the "Covid refund", but you will still be denied boarding.

(After the experience of deciding to travel with a sick child rather than throw away $5k of sunk costs, we always buy insurance. Thankfully child got better fast and hopefully he didn't make anyone else sick. Not saying we made a good choice, but its the choice we made, and we made it because we didn't have insurance to refund the cost.)

Once again, I am buying insurance. For the reason you cited, among many, many others.