OMG....now what do I do?

[bnelvr]

My son was in a car accident on Friday. He has a broken pelvis and a tear in his bladder. We are not sure at this time if he is going to be able to make it on the cruise. I don't want to call DCL and get everyting in an uproar and find out he will be able to make it. We did get the trip insurance. Also, his friend is going with us. My husband said that he would stay home with our son if he has to but wants me and our daughter to go. I am just sick. He was moved out of the ICU today and is looking good. He wants to go so much.

 

[Regina]

I am so sorry to hear this news. It's a parents worst nightmare. I hope that he recovers fully.

Since you have the insurance, you can wait a bit to see what you'd like to do.

It's not going to be an easy decision. {{{{HUGS}}}}

 

[sdptalk]

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. There will always be cruises to take...you only have one son like him so feel blessed that he will will recover.
When is your cruise scheduled? I hope you can make the scheduled trip with your son and also that he will be able to enjoy it pain free.

God bless you and your family.

Sandy

 

[Cruisin]

Wow, it sounds like your son has some healing to do? What do the doctors say, have you discussed the recuperation time with them?
I hope your son will be well enough to go with you, even if he has to take it easy and just enjoy the sunshine and ocean breezes.
Robin

 

[cindy21494]

I'm so sorry to hear that your son was in an accident. I hope he has a speedy recovery . Is postponing your trip an option? I'm not sure if there is a penalty this close to the sail date. We had to postpone our cruise in 2002, but that was four months before we were to leave. I would call DLC and see what they suggest. I hope everything works out. Keep us posted.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Please don't flame me, but I think this is a no-brainer. According to your countdown clock, you are leaving in 2 weeks. I don't think that a broken pelvis can heal that fast - if it was a leg, arm, etc. then you can still get around in a cast, but a pelvis? I don't know. I would just concentrate all my energy on getting my children, and postpone the trip. I am sure DCL would be understanding about it. Pixie dust to you and your family, especially your son for a speedy recovery.

 

[DisneyGator01]

If I were in your position, I would post-pone the cruise, especially with the trip insurance. Why spend all that money to not get to fully enjoy it.. and risk anything traveling. I am not sure what the limitations are for a broken pelvis, but I would guess there are much more limitations then with a broken arm or leg.

I hope he has a speedy recovery. The DCL ships aren't going anywhere, it's most important to get healthy.

 

[Eggleboo]

So sorry about your son. I've gotten that car accident phone call and it is never an easy thing to deal with. Thank God he is going to be ok. I would call DCL or whomever you booked through and find out what your options are. I am sure they will be understanding with your situation. I would imagine your son wanted to go on this cruise and what an incentive for him to put all his strength into getting better. SOmething to look forward to at the end of his tough battle!! Good luck!

 

[RagamuffinMom]

Oh thank God your son is ok! Wow - that must have been terrifying for you.

Do keep us posted on how he is doing...

Wish there was something we could do to help - you made a wise decision to invest in the trip insurance.

 

[dianthus]

I am so sorry to hear about your son's injuries. I hope he recovers quickly!

We just came back from the 11/8 cruise. 2 days before we were to leave my DD's friend became very ill & could not travel. We had purchased the insurance too. I called DVC, our booking agent. They asked whether we wanted to reschedule & we said no. There is a $75 modification fee to make any kind of a change, which we paid to take her off the reservation ( kind of insult to injury, but what can you do...). We called the insurance company & they started a claim. My DD's friends parents got a letter from the doctor, so we can get the money back for her fare. It seems like DCL would work with us if we wanted to reschedule, but it was our anniversary & we didn't want to. They were very understanding of the situation.

I think it would be wise to call them & let them know what happened. They could go over the options available with you. Sounds like you would feel better waiting for him to get well & cruise together.

Good luck & a speedy recovery for your son!

 

[Lisa F]

I'm sooo sorry to hear about your son's accident. Thank goodness he will be okay! I agree with everyone else, postpone the trip. Don't think of it as a cancellation, but with trip insurance rescheduling it for when everyone is feeling better sounds like the best thing to do. I think you will be glad you did rather than sending part of the family etc.

 

[Alex]

I think you need to speak to the doctor. Remember you are going to be on a ship which has medical care but you may be far away from a real hospital. He may not be thrilled with even thinking about your son going and that will settle that.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Sorry to hear about your son's accident. Here's to hoping he recovers quickly.

 

[jwann]

Prayers and pixie dust to your family and your son's speedy recovery!!!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I am sure DCL would be understanding about it.

It's not DCL you have to deal with. It's the the insurance company you'll will have to deal with, they are a third party who's insurance DCL sells.

I tried reading their liturature as we tried to recently decide the go/stay question due to illness. Here is my attempts at trying to simplify what page 8 of the protection plan seems to be trying to say.

Coverage is provided to cover expenses associated with cancellation of your trip due to a medical condition requiring you or a fimily member to receive treatment by a licensed physician who advises cancellation of the trip. An actual examination or visit must take place before the canellation is made.

Basically, DCL keeps all your money and you have to file a claim with the insurance company to try to recoup your loss. In addition, you might have to hurry if you know you'll have to cancel because I recall something about you have to cancel as soon as reasonably possible to avoid additional losses. For example, if 4 weeks out, when DCL keeps only a portion of your money, you realize you can't make the trip, but wait until the day before (when DCL keeps all your money) to canel the trip, the insurance is not going to reimburse you the full cost of the trip.

Beyond that, I don't know if the insurance DCL sells is good to you or one of those PIA insurance companies that won't pay a dime if you forgot to dot an 'i' or cross a 't'.

 

[jiminy579]

I am truly broken hearted for you, and will definitely keep your family in my prayers!!!!
Blessings,

 

[rae519]

Our prayers to you. This is not an easy time for anyone and although the cruise is a concern, our hearts go out to you for your peace and strength during this time.

Rae

 

[my3kids]

Oh how frightening. I hope he will get better soon.

My opinion would be to cancel. These injuries don't sound like something that will be healed in 2 weeks. You don't want to take a chance on needing emergent medical care while out of the country. Reschedule when the whole family can enjoy it together.

I would cancel immediately. When we had trip insurance I remember the policy saying it would pay for a covered cancellation, but only to the extent of when the cancellation became necessary and not any extra due to waiting. I thnk at one week, the cancellation penality becomes twice what it is at two weeks out. If he had the accident in one period and you cancelled in the next one, you'd not get that additional money back. (I got mine from a different company though, not DCL directly)

If part of the family goes, they'll spend the whole time worrying about the injured one at home. Start planning anew for a wonderful trip to celebrate his full recovery! Best of luck to him as he heals.

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by bnelvr
My son was in a car accident on Friday. He has a broken pelvis and a tear in his bladder.

You have my deepest sympathy. I hope your son will recover quickly.

Regarding cruising: It appears from your countdown that your cruise date is in 2 weeks? Regarding accident or injury causing cancellation, The Cruise Protection Plan states: <I>"...an actual examination or visit must take place before the cancellation or interruption is made, and <B>you must notify the appropriate travel supplier of your cancellation or interruption within 72 hours</B>, unless the condition prevents it . . ."</I>

I have always taken that to mean within 72 hours of the doctor's examination and diagnosis, if such accident was serious enough to prevent cruising. I hope, for your sake, that I am mistaken on this, since it has already been longer than that.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Very sorry about your son. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm siding with the "reschedule your cruise" votes. What if there is some complication/infection/problem while you are on the ship? No - take care of your family. You aren't cancelling forever, you are just going to get over this bump in the road. Besides, your son will have a much better time once he is healed.
Take care!!!