trip ins question ??

[bsblady01]

Our area has a bad shortage of subs too. All my teacher friends lock in their subs as soon as they know they might need them. If they were in your place, they would be arranging a sub right now just in case. They would call their preferred sub and tell them that they are going on a cruise over spring break and then ask if would they commit to subbing for them if on the off chance there were makeup snow days over spring break.

I will look into doing that. This is our first time traveling over spring vacation so this is all new

 

[Mizzoufan]

I'd start getting a sub lined up now

 

[Unas]

Read your policy carefully to see whether it covers work requirements. If you purchase insurance through a good broker, you can buy this type policy.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Why in the world would you book a cruise for that time of year knowing that you might have to cancel with financial penalty?

We have a two week spring break. One week of that can be used for snow make-up. We live in an area that gets snow. Therefore, I don't book things like cruises for that week.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Why in the world would you book a cruise for that time of year knowing that you might have to cancel with financial penalty?

We have a two week spring break. One week of that can be used for snow make-up. We live in an area that gets snow. Therefore, I don't book things like cruises for that week.

Yeah it seems like it's just creating a problem and stress. Here days are added on at the end of the school year if too many snow days are used. People seems to give themselves at least a week buffer before school's end and a big trip.

 

[NewRVLady]

My son lives near OP...and his inlaws very close-by Bear Mountain
This has been the mildest winter in a long time-no snow-but who knows
-I'd line up a sub too

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

It happens to us every year we end up using all our days but we did not go over last year. If we go over I will not be able to go.

Don't you live in NY? I live in eastern NY, but isn't most of the state way under the average snowfall totals right now?

 

[barkley]

lol, sounds like your worrying about something that will never happen, I know the School around here use snow days like there candy, and once there all used they just write down to the State Capitol asking for more, and they give them more

boy howdy not the case in our state.

our district is VERY conservative on using their snow days but one near us that's not so got slammed with weather issues this school year such that they used up all their days before Christmas break. they've already announced that the 5 make up days they have budgeted will be used up so as of right now their school year will be AT MINIMUM 2 days longer. if they miss anymore days those students/teachers won't be getting out until near the end of june.

when our state says it requires x number of instructional days it holds the school to it-waivers are not easy to come by.

 

[ronandannette]

The policy we have says weather and death in family. So I don't know if this would be covered under weather.

No. Shmoo is correct - a weather-related incident must actually prevent you from being able to get to the port, like a cancelled flight or officially-issued travel advisory to stay off the roads/road closures. Unless you have a blanket "Cancel for any reason" clause explicit in your policy there is nothing about your situation that will qualify for coverage.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Does anybody here know whether Disney self-insures, or whether, like most travel providers, they actually work with an insurance carrier. Most of the time, the policy is actually issued by a major insurance carrier, like Travel Guard, Allianz, etc...

Anyhow, I would want to know what was covered by my policy, and what is not.
they should have emailed you something, and maybe even sent you something, along with a link to the actual full policy.

The only info you need is an actual policy and policy number. If you don't have those, that is a problem.
If you don't have any email/paperwork and an actual policy with a policy number. I would call wherever and make sure that I had that right away.
Just a 'note' on any cruise booking papers is not enough.

The nice sounding promotional language on any Disney web-site or paperwork is not enough. That is NOT the information that you need.

Here is the thing.
These policies usually come it two types.
One covers only situations of injury, illness, etc.. of one of the travelers or a close family member (child,parent...) And, also any part of the trip that you miss because of the carrier, thru no fault of your own. (Airline, Cruise line, etc.)
But, what is called 'Cancel For Any Reason' is also available by most insurance companies.
It costs a lot more. A considerable amount more.

It is sometimes possible to upgrade a policy as well.
So, you might be able to get 'Cancel for any Reason'.
Just be prepared.

When Delta screwed up our flights on our last vacation trip, we cancelled and booked with another airline.
We called the actual insurance carrier, and made sure that everything was okay and this would be covered.
No problem at all.
And, we had even booked this insurance along with our Delta flights, thru Delta.

 

[Wishing on a star]

PS: If I could not get 'Cancel For Any Reason'... and the trip was not insured just because my kid was supposed to be in school.
My could would be missing some school!

 

[debster812]

OP--I'd maybe cross post this on the Cruise Board, or even venture over to Cruise Critic. There are a LOT of repeat cruisers on both sites, and they may have better info for you.

 

[Wishing on a star]

She DID book insurance.
She does not need judgement here.
She does not need posters who are not familiar with her situation giving her specific advice.
She does not need to go to the DCL forum here, or to Cruise Critic.
She does not need weather reports or predictions.

ALL she needs is her policy number, and the 1-800-number to call the insurance carrier.

OP, you believe that you purchased trip insurance.
Do you have that policy number?

 

[kaytieeldr]

She DID book insurance. Nobody said she didn't
She does not need judgement here. Where do you see judgment?
She does not need posters who are not familiar with her situation giving her specific advice. When she states her policy covers weather and responders understand and explain that means current, not past, weather, that's not being unfamiliar with the situation; it's the OP being unfamiliar with the conditions of her purchase.
She does not need to go to the DCL forum here, or to Cruise Critic. Well, topic-specific forums really are the best source for such specific information.
She does not need weather reports or predictions. What responses are you reading?

ALL she needs is her policy number, and the 1-800-number to call the insurance carrier.

OP, you believe that you purchased trip insurance. No, she doesn't "believe" she purchased trip insurance. She purchased trip insurance. Why are you so skeptical?
Do you have that policy number?

There aren't any red flags here, the OP purchased travel insurance that appears not to cover what she needs or expects it to.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Can you not get a sub?

Some districts only let you take a set number of personal days. And you need to get permission first. Depends on the state and district.

 

[mommasita]

We cruise quite often, take our own insurance ALL the time. Cruised DCL when the kids were younger. I will not say I am an expert on insurance, but can't see this being covered. I would suggest calling the 1-800 number, they have the best customer service.

 

[mnrose]

I think this is a lesson in where NOT to buy trip insurance. Insurance offered by the cruise line, or other trip provider is RARELY a good value for money they want. You will pay less, and have it cover more, when you independently purchase the trip insurance, which is what I already do. For example, I just booked DD a trip for spring break through an airline (hotel, airfare, etc). The "trip insurance" offered by them was $170 something and DID NOT cover pre-existing medical conditions (which I need). I purchased it from a third party vendor (insuremytrip) and it was $117 and covered pre-existing conditions.

OP, I wouldn't borrow trouble. At this point, there is absolutely nothing you can do (except possibly line up a sub) but honestly, you can't control the weather. What is the point in worrying about it? Worrying won't change it. Take what concrete steps you can (the sub maybe), and then let go of the worry. Chances are, it's all going to work out.

 

[MSLRAC]

Some districts only let you take a set number of personal days. And you need to get permission first. Depends on the state and district.

I understand that and if that was the case then I wouldn't book a cruise during a break that usually gets shortened but I guess that's just me.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I agree with everyone else that "weather" would only cover weather delays happening when you are meant to be travelling-not cover you if prior weather meant your work schedule changed.

I am surprised that you would risk that kind of money on a booking you were worried you would be unable to use (given that you say you have had to work those days most years). I hope you do not end up with a problem.

I would say your current options are:

1. Talk to your administrator about the issue and try to get a promise, in writing, that you can be gone those days regardless of what happens with the snow (and if it helps to line uo a sub in advance, do so ASAP)

failing the above (ie, your admin says you will have to work and are risking your job if you take the vacation if snow days force the shortening of the break), then:

2. If you have not made final payment yet, cancel the cruise and book something in a more reliable time of year (summer vacation, at least a week after the last day of school, for example)

or

3. Purchase third party cancel for any reason insurance now (check with them that it will be valid if you buy now--often there is a time limit after you buy the vacation)

 

[shoney]

Has this type of situation come up before? Were other co-workers effected by it? What was there outcome?

I know the winter after Superstorm Sandy our school district cancelled winter break in February. We didn't have anything planned, so my kids went to school. Half the teachers and students weren't there!

I would look into cancel for any reason insurance if it would put your mind at ease.