Question about travel insurance and sharing a stateroom

[Disney1fan2002]

My sister and niece are joining us for their 1st Disney cruise in November. I have an inside stateroom for my 4 of us and my sister wanted to go "whole-hog" and got a verandah. I put my daughter in with her and my niece. I will pay my daughter's fare.

My sister is looking forward to the cruise, but my bother-in-law was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He was given 5-7 years. If, God forbid my sister can't travel at the last minute because of something with my BIL, will my daughter still get to stay in that stateroom? I assume my sister and niece's fare will be reimbursed...but I my DD will still need the room.

Any experience on travel insurance that only effects some of the party?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My sister and niece are joining us for their 1st Disney cruise in November. I have an inside stateroom for my 4 of us and my sister wanted to go "whole-hog" and got a verandah. I put my daughter in with her and my niece. I will pay my daughter's fare.

My sister is looking forward to the cruise, but my bother-in-law was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He was given 5-7 years. If, God forbid my sister can't travel at the last minute because of something with my BIL, will my daughter still get to stay in that stateroom? I assume my sister and niece's fare will be reimbursed...but I my DD will still need the room.

Any experience on travel insurance that only effects some of the party?

If there's no adult remaining on the reservation, your daughter won't be able to be in the room by herself. Unless your daughter is herself an adult. Then you run into the single passenger costs (single passengers in a room usually pay 100% more - that is, even if only one person is in a room, the cost for that room is for up to two people, same cost.

Each person getting travel insurance (suggested that you look into 3rd party insurance, not DCL's) can cover whatever non-refundable expenses they wish. Your sister can cover her fare and her daughter's. You can cover your costs, including the costs for your daughter.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

If there's no adult remaining on the reservation, your daughter won't be able to be in the room by herself. Unless your daughter is herself an adult. Then you run into the single passenger costs (single passengers in a room usually pay 100% more - that is, even if only one person is in a room, the cost for that room is for up to two people, same cost.

Each person getting travel insurance (suggested that you look into 3rd party insurance, not DCL's) can cover whatever non-refundable expenses they wish. Your sister can cover her fare and her daughter's. You can cover your costs, including the costs for your daughter.

My daughter will be 20 when we sail. So, Disney will charge us the difference even though the fares will be paid in full? I thought travel insurance was a reimbursement? The fare is paid, but they would get all or some of it back through an insurance company.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My daughter will be 20 when we sail. So, Disney will charge us the difference even though the fares will be paid in full? I thought travel insurance was a reimbursement? The fare is paid, but they would get all or some of it back through an insurance company.

I'm not sure how DCL handles it. I know on other lines, if two people in a room and one cancels and gets refunded their "lost" money, the other person left on the reservation then pays the single supplement. Yes, even though the cruise line already has the money.

I'm not sure about whether a 20 year old can be on a reservation alone. Maybe.

That's all really something you'd have to clear up with DCL and the insurance company you're using.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My daughter will be 20 when we sail. So, Disney will charge us the difference even though the fares will be paid in full? I thought travel insurance was a reimbursement? The fare is paid, but they would get all or some of it back through an insurance company.

If your SIL and niece have to cancel last minute, your DD could stay in the stateroom because she is an adult (DCL considers an adult 18+). However, she will have to pay the single supplement to stay in the room by herself. Cruise fares are per person, not per stateroom, so if you take someone off a stateroom, the cancellation policies will apply to that person based on when you cancel. You would then file a claim with insurance for that person.

Have you priced out what it would cost to put another member of your family in SIL's stateroom? If you have one person in there who is definitely going, you won't face the single supplement if SIL and your niece can't go.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

If your SIL and niece have to cancel last minute, your DD could stay in the stateroom because she is an adult (DCL considers an adult 18+). However, she will have to pay the single supplement to stay in the room by herself. Cruise fares are per person, not per stateroom, so if you take someone off a stateroom, the cancellation policies will apply to that person based on when you cancel. You would then file a claim with insurance for that person.

Have you priced out what it would cost to put another member of your family in SIL's stateroom? If you have one person in there who is definitely going, you won't face the single supplement if SIL and your niece can't go.

I'm not sure that this is correct. If I understand the OP's question correctly, her sister would have paid for the room, and would not be getting a refund. Her sister would be reimbursed by the Insurance. DCL would still get its money. Thus, I don't see why they would want the daughter to pay extra. I could see them not wanting her to be in that room alone if she was a minor, but that is not an issue in this case.

I guess one thing that isn't clear, and might be relevant is if the trip insurance is through DCL our a third party insurance company. If it is through DCL, then I suppose their could be an issue. Maybe in that case one of the other passengers in the first room (like the OP's husband) could be switched into the second cabin?

 

[lanejudy]

I think it would depend on when the sister cancels. If she cancels truly last minute, no refund available from DCL - then the OP’s daughter is probably fine because as @Anchors Away 2016 mentions DCL is paid. The transaction between the sister and her insurance is outside the whole equation. BUT if the sister cancels at some point earlier, and still qualifies for a portion of a refund from DCL, the OP’s daughter would then be on the hook for the single-supplement to remain in the room herself. There may be insurance the daughter can purchase to help in such s situation (travel companions cancel leaving her a larger expense than planned) but she should research that specific issue when buying insurance.

If possible, OP might consider putting 2 passengers in the sister’s stateroom, though that is likely more expensive than she has budgeted for an interior room.

I wish the BIL well with his treatments and hope all get to enjoy the cruise!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm not sure that this is correct. If I understand the OP's question correctly, her sister would have paid for the room, and would not be getting a refund. Her sister would be reimbursed by the Insurance. DCL would still get its money. Thus, I don't see why they would want the daughter to pay extra. I could see them not wanting her to be in that room alone if she was a minor, but that is not an issue in this case.

I guess one thing that isn't clear, and might be relevant is if the trip insurance is through DCL our a third party insurance company. If it is through DCL, then I suppose their could be an issue. Maybe in that case one of the other passengers in the first room (like the OP's husband) could be switched into the second cabin?

I think it would depend on when the sister cancels. If she cancels truly last minute, no refund available from DCL - then the OP’s daughter is probably fine because as @Anchors Away 2016 mentions DCL is paid. The transaction between the sister and her insurance is outside the whole equation. BUT if the sister cancels at some point earlier, and still qualifies for a portion of a refund from DCL, the OP’s daughter would then be on the hook for the single-supplement to remain in the room herself. There may be insurance the daughter can purchase to help in such s situation (travel companions cancel leaving her a larger expense than planned) but she should research that specific issue when buying insurance.

If possible, OP might consider putting 2 passengers in the sister’s stateroom, though that is likely more expensive than she has budgeted for an interior room.

I wish the BIL well with his treatments and hope all get to enjoy the cruise!

I think OP should call DCL to clarify what would happen should a cancellation happen once no refund can be issued (typically at 14 days prior to the sailing date). Cruise fares, cancellation fees and refunds are on a "per guest" basis, not per room basis, so it doesn't matter if the room is paid in full. As lanejudy points out, if guests who cancel still qualify for a portion of a refund from DCL, it may put the single supplement fare into play. It may very well go into play within that 14 day mark as well. According to DCL's terms and conditions, "Please note that changes made to overall party size may result in a change to the rate." If I were OP, I would call DCL and get clarification ASAP. And, as was already suggested, if single supplement might come into play, price out what it would cost to move someone from their inside room into the verandah room so there is no chance of single supplement should the sister and niece need to cancel. I certainly hope it all works out.