Our very first Disney Cruise (Update: Post #38)

[DisneyMomJen]

Dvc Mike,

I would try pushing the situation again with the insurance company. Like I said about my DSIL and someone else posted previously, this was covered before.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I contacted Access America (the company that provides the insurance for Disney Cruise Lines) and they stated that the insurance does not cover this particular situation. If my wife had been so ill that she had to be transported off the ship and flown home, that would have been covered. But since she remained on the cruise ship -- and even though she was restricted to her stateroom and unable to fully participate in the cruise -- the cruise insurance provided by Disney won't cover a thing.

This just confirms our decision to not take any future cruises. There's simply too much risk that your time and money will go down the drain if you catch a bug.

My next step is to write Disney Cruise Line and see what they say. I'm not very hopeful.

Wow, I am very sorry your wife got sick and the insurance didn't come through. We have cruised twice and are going again, and I make sure our insurance covers illness, and those that have to stay with them. Did you tell the insurance company that she was quaranteened and not allowed to enjoy the cruise?? I would double check and read your policy. Again, sorry this happened. We fell in love with cruising and can't wait to go again.

 

[sasser05]

I contacted Access America (the company that provides the insurance for Disney Cruise Lines) and they stated that the insurance does not cover this particular situation. If my wife had been so ill that she had to be transported off the ship and flown home, that would have been covered. But since she remained on the cruise ship -- and even though she was restricted to her stateroom and unable to fully participate in the cruise -- the cruise insurance provided by Disney won't cover a thing.

This just confirms our decision to not take any future cruises. There's simply too much risk that your time and money will go down the drain if you catch a bug.

My next step is to write Disney Cruise Line and see what they say. I'm not very hopeful.

4 years ago the same thing happened to us, we were with a group of 12 my daughter was 3 we wrote to Disney and we were given a voucher for a future cruise. we since have been on 4 more cruises with Disney.

 

[wildernessDad]

Mike, I am sorry to hear about your wife's illness.

I know that you will probably not do DCL again, but if you wife hadn't have gotten ill, do you think that you could recommend it for others?

By the way, my interest in DCL is very close to zero.

 

[tksbaskets]

Our stateroom host informed us (after we had already visited the Medical Center) that he advises guests who get sick to not notify Disney, but to order Gatoraide and other liquids and to stay in their stateroom until they feel better -- to avoid the 48-hour restriction. I guess enough guests get quarantined in their staterooms for him to suggest this.

First up - what a BUMMER for both of you. I couldn't have a good time either if I knew my spouse was under the weather.

I have to agree the DCL quarantine would make me think MORE than twice before I admitted to an illness. My DS had a GI upset from 4 chocolate milks on our last cruise. I threatened him if he even mentioned the 'd' word outside the cabin. I was afraid.....

 

[budwmn]

I contacted Access America (the company that provides the insurance for Disney Cruise Lines) and they stated that the insurance does not cover this particular situation. If my wife had been so ill that she had to be transported off the ship and flown home, that would have been covered. But since she remained on the cruise ship -- and even though she was restricted to her stateroom and unable to fully participate in the cruise -- the cruise insurance provided by Disney won't cover a thing.

This just confirms our decision to not take any future cruises. There's simply too much risk that your time and money will go down the drain if you catch a bug.

My next step is to write Disney Cruise Line and see what they say. I'm not very hopeful.

I checked the Disney Travel Insurance info on the DCL website and you are indeed covered under "Travel Interruption" insurance. Here's the link:

http://adisneycruise.disney.go.com/media/dcl_v0206/en_US/media/myCruise/VacationInsurance.pdf

Check out page 5 -- It specifically covers travel interruption due to medical illness and quarantine.

 

[dursin]

I contacted Access America (the company that provides the insurance for Disney Cruise Lines) and they stated that the insurance does not cover this particular situation. If my wife had been so ill that she had to be transported off the ship and flown home, that would have been covered. But since she remained on the cruise ship -- and even though she was restricted to her stateroom and unable to fully participate in the cruise -- the cruise insurance provided by Disney won't cover a thing.

This just confirms our decision to not take any future cruises. There's simply too much risk that your time and money will go down the drain if you catch a bug.

My next step is to write Disney Cruise Line and see what they say. I'm not very hopeful.

If you word your email to DCL properly, my guess would be that you'll receive an apology letter along with 25% off vouchers to use on a future cruise.

I agree with your stateroom host...if DCL wants people to report illnesses then they really must implement some sort of automatic compensation system for those who wind up quarantined, otherwise it's some Gatorade, a day of rest and 'lets see what happens'.

 

[alldiz]

Sorry your cruise was a bust. I am dying to do a DCL cruise but the "variable" stop me....ie, bad weather, sickness etc.

I'll try it one day....hopefully you will try it again one day and have the BEST time ever
Kerri

 

[tfc3rid]

You only live once... Don't let anything stop you!!!!

DVC Mike... Sorry about the illness situation... It's a definite risk in sailing...

 

[JeannieH]

How sad that your cruise was spoiled by sickness. Dont let it put you off cruising! Sadly, these viruses are rife - due to lack of personal hygiene by a lot of guests. Weve witnessed literally dozens of people leaving the restroom without washing their hands........therefore passing on germs to everyone who touches bannisters/doorhandles, etc., after them.

Glad you had fun at WDW.........although Im not sure how your wife managed to survive Splash Mountain SO many times..........if she suffers from motion sickness! Ive cruised many times, but still cant face riding those drops!

 

[Googelibear]

If you word your email to DCL properly, my guess would be that you'll receive an apology letter along with 25% off vouchers to use on a future cruise.

I agree with your stateroom host...if DCL wants people to report illnesses then they really must implement some sort of automatic compensation system for those who wind up quarantined, otherwise it's some Gatorade, a day of rest and 'lets see what happens'.

I think a "real" letter via snail mail would be a lot more effective. Emails just don't do it for me

 

[DVC Mike]

I think a "real" letter via snail mail would be a lot more effective. Emails just don't do it for me

Just mailed the letter today. Now I'll wait and see if there is any Disney "magic" at DCL.

 

[sasser05]

Just mailed the letter today. Now I'll wait and see if there is any Disney "magic" at DCL.

It took a few weeks to get a response back but it came with the vouchers so let us know how it turns out.

 

[dursin]

I think a "real" letter via snail mail would be a lot more effective. Emails just don't do it for me

Not sure....emails are a lot easier to forward to the 'right person' who might actually be able to do something for you. A simple email after our 2006 cruise got us 25% off vouchers which we used on our 2007 cruise!

 

[jship210]

If you do e-mail, you can probably figure out the CEO, Board of Directors and CFO's e-mail adresss' by checking out the DCL Corporate Website. use their names in your e-mails. I'm pretty sure Tom McAlpin (The big cheese at DCL) has not heard of your ordeal but would be interested. As they say "The squeaky wheel....." We love DCL and have been on many different lines, it happens, sorry to say but IMO it's the only way to travel.
Best of luck.

 

[Googelibear]

Not sure....emails are a lot easier to forward to the 'right person' who might actually be able to do something for you. A simple email after our 2006 cruise got us 25% off vouchers which we used on our 2007 cruise!

They are also easily deleted or lost

 

[Monica D]

I am so sorry that happened. We went on our first cruise last year (4 nt.) and I was really worried about something like that. I think it makes it even worse when you're on a 3 or 4 day, because you end up in your room the entire time!

Hope you get some resolution with DCL.

 

[DVC Mike]

Update: I received a call from Disney Cruise Line in response to the email I sent to DCL Guest Relations. He apologized for the bad experience we had on our April 27 cruise on the Disney Wonder.

• He said he was surprised that Access America was refusing to cover the incident. He said the cruise insurance we purchased from Access America through DCL should absolutely cover the portion of the cruise that my wife was restricted to her stateroom. Rather than having me call back and try to get a claim processed on my own, he was going to call his contact at Access America and have them mail us a claim form.
• He said DCL would refund the cost for the Romantic Escape package we purchased.
• He said he would be sending us two vouchers for 50% off a future DCL cruise, and he hoped we would give them another chance.
• He explained that while our dining servers were aware of my wife’s food allergies, room service typically isn’t.
• He explained that when DCL had a bad virus outbreak in 2002, the measures they have implemented (disinfectant wipes, etc) have kept outbreaks to a minimum.

 

[Muushka]

Mike, I think DCL has been more than fair with you.

What do you think?

 

[DVC Mike]

Mike, I think DCL has been more than fair with you.

What do you think?

Yep. I am happy with their response.