MIL has created a problem

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Allright my MIL has created a problem, it is really not her fault she comes by it naturally. She is a worrier, in fact she comes from a long line of worriers her mother is a worrier as I am sure her Grandmother had to be one also, and she has passed it down to DW and at least two of my DD's.

Here is the scenario, we booked a May 1, 2004 7 day Eastern Cruise using points. We had to book two cat. 10 staterooms, because of having myself, DW, DD 8, DD 5, and DD 2. Therefore we ended up using 129 points for 4 adults, since the first 2 in a stateroom are considered adults, and 22 points for the baby(or boss as we like to call her).

Part II, talked to my in laws over Turkey day and my FIL says to me "How much would it be to get the Grandparents on that cruise?" So being the good servant to the Queen, I call Member Services and find out how much it would cost to get the Grandparents on the cruise. First MS says that it would be nine hundred and fifty dollars for each additional adult, then I explain to them that I had two adults in that cabin already so I would like prices for an 8 year old and a 5 year old. To make a longer story shorter they ended up booking for 950 for both of them by paying for their Grandchildren and using the points on them.

Here (finally) is my question (because of the worrier), my MIL wants cruise insurance because DW grandparents are older and we don't know what the future holds. My in laws could purchase the insurance that the Vacation Club offers which I believe reimburses them at 5 dollars a point, but then what would I do since then my DD's are on cash and the first two people in the stateroom are supposed to be adults?

If my in laws did that they would get back 1290.00 dollars, (sorry my dollar sign does not work on this keyboard) but would I be responsible for forking over the difference between the children and the adult prices for the second cabin? Or could I switch the princess's back to the points and what would be the cancellation penalty for the cash reservation? (I ask this because 30 to 59 days it says you forfeit your deposit amount, but because of MS we had to pay the price in full)

I hope this is not to confusing (blame my MIL if it is), I was just going a long without a care in the world and then this was dumped in my lap on Christmas day. I guess I should avoid holidays with my in laws, any response to this mess would be appreciated.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

My MIL has created a problem

If I had a dollar for every time I said that........LOL.......If you are still going to have only 2 staterooms.......cancell, you are more than 60 days out......rebook with MIL and FIL in one room, yourself and DW in the other.....then split up kids any way you want. The only time it matters who is where is at the saftey drill the first day (or if the ship does actually have a problem)....good luck

 

[Buckleybunch]

So if I read this correctly, the problem is the insurance??
Have them purchase the insurance on their own. I have a link in my favorites. Okay I can't find it.
Some one here will have it.

Linda

 

[kcashner]

Probably the easiest thing would be for them to purchase their own insurance thru a private company. That should also cover their airfare (if that is an issue). Keeps everyone happy, and doesn't get your points involved.

 

[rwcmath]

Getting private insurance was worth it for us. DDiL's mother was hospitalized before we were going on a MAJOR family vacation, and we were able to get the entire $10,000 back for DS and DDiL's cruise fare, even though her parents were not part of the trip. Luckily, DDiL's mom recovered and is doing fine.

I think it's prudent and not a "problem" to plan for emergencies.

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

I'm sorry, I appreciate the responses very much and I don't disagree, I think insurance for my in laws would probably be a good thing. The problem we have is the way I had to set up the cruise to get my in laws a great deal, and how now do I go about getting them insurance to make sure that they don't lose their $950 when I have put them on points.

They are the ones using the 258 points at the adult level for the second stateroom, they paid $950 to take the place of my two DD's.

I am going to call MS this morning, to see what they might be able to suggest. Again thanks for your responses.

 

[ChattyKathy]

Would you be open to letting them walk-the-plank...? LOL, J/K!

(couldn't resist) Good Luck!!


Kathy

 

[dianthus]

Travelguard offers a points based insurance product for DVC. As your inlaws are the cruisers of record on your points, they would purchase this. Air and medical protection is an extra add on. You are correct about $1290 being the value of the points. If they don't go, a claim would be filed & they would receive $1290. They should just give you the difference - $340 over what they paid for your kids, as you lose the use of the points. I think it's that simple... Whether they would give you the $340 if they cancel is another issue...

They can obtain the insurance themselves, or you may want to do it to protect your cruise, as you need those two adult fares now to make the ressie work. In that case, you would be reimbursed & you could give them the $950. An orange flyer comes with your docs. Give Travelguard a call & ask them about it.

I purchased travel ins. for all of us prior to our 11/8 cruise. I have just submitted a claim to Travelguard, as my daughter's friend became very ill 2 days before our cruise & couldn't go. We paid for our cruise with points & lost the points paid for her, as it was within the 60 day penalty period & the 30 days from the end of our use year, so nothing could be done. We had to pay modification fees to the ressie, which DVC said we should have reimbursed as well. I will let you know how it goes...

Good luck! Despite the problems, you will have fun! The insurance on the points is not that expensive. I'm glad I purchased it, as you never know!

~ Linda

 

[dianthus]

I think I should have added to my above post that I am assuming before your inlaws got into the picture, you had 2 adjoining cabins & planned to have the 3 girls in the cabin next door to you, with no adults in them. Correct? You had to pay for the first 2 kids as adults pointwise...

With the inlaws in the pic, they took over the adult points ressie & paid for the 2 girls in cash - $950. The baby will be in your cabin now- correct?

In this scenario, if your inlaws cancelled, you would go back to your original plan, as you are losing the 2 adult points fares as they have been allocated to the cruise. They have been paid for, so it's still OK. That's what the insurance claim is going to be based on. You can still sail the way you intended, except the 2 girls fares were paid for in cash unneccesarily... If my thinking is correct, you are still OK. You are just going back to plan A & need to be reimbursed for the point fares if they don't go, which = $1290 with DVC insurance. If you purchase the insurance, you will be the one to be reimbursed & you can give them the $950 out of the funds received. That's the way I would do it, as they are your points...

Add on air & medical is another issue. I'm speaking strictly of the points issue...

I hope this makes sense?!! Check with DVC to see if I am right...

~ Linda

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Linda,

I think that I do understand you and I believe that you are right. I have talked to MS about my situation and they have never had to deal with this sort of thing before. They called DCL and DCL said that I should buy insurance for everyone and then it would not be a problem, of course I don't think that they totally understand our situation. MS also gave me a phone number of the company that they use for insurance, and explained what and how I should explain it to them. I am getting ready to call them right now.

By the way Diane at MS who deals with cruises was absolutely fantastic, she was very patient and understanding with our situation. Once again, I have been impressed with Member Services through the Disney Vacation Club.