Preparing for the worst, and devastated

[EilonwyWanderer]

Definitely stay safe out there everyone--we had this exact scenario come up this week. My daughter had a sore throat, we got a negative covid test for her, then all of us got sore throats but negative home covid tests, then on the day we were bringing both kids to the doctor for strep tests I was like "let's just take covid tests one more time."

All positive. It's wrecking us and we're on Day 5.

We were supposed to be on a Disney Cruise at this time but thankfully I cancelled it before this. How the timing works out is we would probably have had no idea, gotten to the port, and tested positive :/

 

[china mom]

We were denied boarding at the port due to a positive test. We opted for the rebook option. They gave us a credit for re-booking minus our insurance and the port fees and taxes so we were in the hole about $700. And then, to add insult to injury, the only cruise we could find that fit the school schedule was $1200 more than the one we had originally booked so COVID has cost us about $2,000. I wonder if going thought our insurance would have been smarter because at least it would have covered about $400 in port fees and taxes. I am not going to cry about it now since it is all said and done. I am just grateful that I am in a place in my life where I can absorb a $2K loss. But use me as a cautionary tale. Spend the effort to figure out if it is to your advantage to take the cruise credit or use your insurance.

 

[lanejudy]

I wonder if going thought our insurance would have been smarter because at least it would have covered about $400 in port fees and taxes.

Couldn't you still submit to insurance for whatever wasn't refunded? Unless there's a time limit for when claims needed to be submitted. The cost of insurance won't be reimbursed, but if you really weren't refunded the port fees or taxes, that should be covered. I'm actually surprised, though, that port fees and taxes weren't reimbursed because those are only due "per passenger" based on how many onboard at the port.

 

[china mom]

Couldn't you still submit to insurance for whatever wasn't refunded? Unless there's a time limit for when claims needed to be submitted. The cost of insurance won't be reimbursed, but if you really weren't refunded the port fees or taxes, that should be covered. I'm actually surprised, though, that port fees and taxes weren't reimbursed because those are only due "per passenger" based on how many onboard at the port.

I might still look into it. We were just so devastated and then, within a week, so sick that I just didn't care. But I also didn't understand the port fees and taxes not being refunded.

 

[Geomom]

I might still look into it. We were just so devastated and then, within a week, so sick that I just didn't care. But I also didn't understand the port fees and taxes not being refunded.

The port fees and taxes should definitely be refunded. They usually separate that out from the cruise fee. It probably takes them a while to refund it though. If it's already been a while I'd contact them.

 

[sadiwest]

It's official. I tested positive and canceled the trip. I have to say that my ongoing relationship with our wedding coordinator paid off. Not only is she incredibly kind and thoughtful, she had a supervisor call ME so I didn't have to wait for hours on hold.

 

[Geomom]

It's official. I tested positive and canceled the trip. I have to say that my ongoing relationship with our wedding coordinator paid off. Not only is she incredibly kind and thoughtful, she had a supervisor call ME so I didn't have to wait for hours on hold.

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but glad the wedding coordinator had a supervisor call you so you can avoid the crazy hold times. I hope you experience mild symptoms and are able to do your cruise when you're fully recovered.

 

[sadiwest]

The port fees and taxes should definitely be refunded. They usually separate that out from the cruise fee. It probably takes them a while to refund it though. If it's already been a while I'd contact them.

Thus far the only things I'm stuck for are park tickets ($700 ish) and $300 per person air penalty. Honestly not sure how that happens when you've booked flexible fare but I am going to call the travel insurance company to see what I can do. Through USAA.
If I can't get that money back, maybe I can change the dates for the policy to minimize out of pocket costs. I have to pass on Disney for now, and booked a RCCL suite for.about a month out to make us all feel better.

 

[Husker Mike]

Your park tickets should be fine. I was told that that value never expires, so you can use it later at another time. (I still have Disney World tickets from March 2020 waiting for us.)

Airfare, it depends on the airline. If you cancel the flight, you usually have one year from the date you booked the ticket to fly. (Maybe longer with other airlines.)

 

[SirDuff]

Thus far the only things I'm stuck for are park tickets ($700 ish) and $300 per person air penalty. Honestly not sure how that happens when you've booked flexible fare but I am going to call the travel insurance company to see what I can do. Through USAA.
If I can't get that money back, maybe I can change the dates for the policy to minimize out of pocket costs. I have to pass on Disney for now, and booked a RCCL suite for.about a month out to make us all feel better.

FLEXIBLE usually means that you can change the flight without penalty (but would need to pay the fare difference if there is any).

REFUNDABLE means you can get your money back.

 

[dvcjoe]

It's official. I tested positive and canceled the trip. I have to say that my ongoing relationship with our wedding coordinator paid off. Not only is she incredibly kind and thoughtful, she had a supervisor call ME so I didn't have to wait for hours on hold.

So sorry to hear that. I was hoping for a false positive on your previous test. We looked forward to seeing you on the cruise. Although that was contingent on us passing the covid test at the port. This cruise is also our 3rd postponment. Still stressing for 8 more days. Wishing you the best on your RC cruise.

 

[cedricandsophie]

So sorry. We leave for Miami tomorrow to get on the transatlantic cruise on the magic that leaves on Sunday day. I’m testing all 4 of us tonight just to make sure we are all ok as of now. We will mask up at the airport and plane and hopefully be fine at the port. It’s very stressful. The same thing coming home from Barcelona when we need to be negative to get on a plane.

 

[sadiwest]

So sorry to hear that. I was hoping for a false positive on your previous test. We looked forward to seeing you on the cruise. Although that was contingent on us passing the covid test at the port. This cruise is also our 3rd postponment. Still stressing for 8 more days. Wishing you the best on your RC cruise.

Thank you so much. We're really sad but I think we'll try DCL again in a few years. Maybe for Alaska.

 

[vadersprincess12]

So sorry to hear this; we had a similar experience with all of the cancellations. Already saw many posts about how to handle the cancellation. Speaking from experience as a person with allergies, even if it's not Covid, you will probably be miserable and not enjoy yourself. Sure hope you are able to reschedule soon and have an enjoyable time.

 

[randumb0]

I am so sorry that is terrible news. At least you had not yet traveled