Woman Loses Thousands On Missed Cruise After Flight Cancellation

[hrhdhd]

I didn't know that it was possible to fly from LA to Florida the same day and make it to the ship on time.

There are red-eye flights that'll get you in really early in the morning, but yes, they technically leave the day before.

 

[Dug720]

Yup. This is the risk you take if you don't get insurance. Speaking as someone who never buys it I FULLY understand if something like this happened I'd be out of luck and $. They can't give in to her or else no one else will ever buy insurance again. Why would you?

Right. If they caved and made an exception for her then they would have to give a refund or credit to everyone who couldn't make the departure for one reason or another.

Bingo. Especially in the days of the internet and social media.

It's such a double-edged sword. Yes, people like this woman will take to social media to try and get people on her side to pressure the cruise line or airline into refunding her - BUT the fact that it gets so many people involved and aware makes it even harder for them to do anything even if they wanted to because it would be all over the socials that she got refunded and then everyone would demand equal treatment.

Just look at these boards when someone says something about extra pixie dust they got (like that random upgrade from standard view to theme park view club level) and then the posts with people asking how they can get that or being disappointed that it never happens to them. And the number of times I've been at the registration desk at a WDW property or Guest Services on DCL and heard someone say "I read on the DIS Boards (or other social media)..." when they are about to make some kind of demand...scary, and I get why the CMs hate to hear those words.

 

[kps7795]

The only reason RCCL should even consider a refund/rescheduling is IF (and it doesn't sound like it) she had purchased airfare through their flights program - which considering Delta is refunding the cancelled flight sounds like it was NOT.

Otherwise, I'm sorry, but it's an expensive lesson to travel prior to the cruise and/or get trip insurance.

If you're traveling anywhere by air, it is essential to get travel insurance.

 

[Dug720]

If you're traveling anywhere by air, it is essential to get travel insurance.

I agree, and I clearly stated that I do NOT believe she should be refunded the cruise (or offered credit for another one) at the start of this thread.

 

[kps7795]

I agree, and I clearly stated that I do NOT believe she should be refunded the cruise (or offered credit for another one) at the start of this thread.

We live in South Florida and are spoiled with not having to fly for 90% of our cruises. Our philosophy is why pay for insurance for a cruise when we live so close. It always seemed to be so much money when the cruise wasn't all that much. So, we took the same arrogant approach when we were going on our first DCL Alaska cruise. No insurance....and I broke my neck and wrist in a car accident 3 weeks before our cruise. We went anyway, but we would have canceled if we had trip insurance. It's a lesson for everyone to not cheap out when spending thousands of dollars on a vacation.

 

[BrandyMcD]

The easiest way is apply for a Chase Sapphire credit card and never worry about travel insurance again, because it's included automatically for all types of travel charged to the card. You want a Sapphire Reserve or Preferred card.

We have a Chase Sapphire Reserve as well and I love it (for a million reasons!). I spent a lot of time looking into the insurance coverage, and it's pretty comparable to what you can buy from the agencies. The credit card "experts" agree its one of the most generous policies, including medical evac coverage. BUT, I wonder if it would have applied in this case? For exclusions it says "Travel arrangements canceled or changed by a common carrier, tour operator, or any travel agency unless the cancellation is the result of severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation" -- I guess it would depend on the reason the flight was cancelled?

 

[vetrik]

My understanding has always been that if you book your own transportation cruises have absolutely no responsibility to reimburse you if you miss it - my in-laws learned that painful lesson pre-covid. The first flight for their Alaskan cruise was delayed, and they missed their connection. By the time they could get rebooked they missed the cruise - it sailed away while they were still in the air. This was land and sea so they were able to meet up later, but it was an expensive situation! They got no money back for what they missed, and ended up paying for a hotel, food, and sightseeing in Vancouver while they were supposed to be on the cruise, along with finding and paying for ground transportation to meet up with the land portion.

So many things can go wrong with travel right now (even more than before) and companies are starting to roll back some of the more flexible policies they adopted during covid. Travel insurance seems even more important unless you understand and are willing to absorb lost costs and cover additional costs that may arise.

 

[mousefan73]

I didn't know that it was possible to fly from LA to Florida the same day and make it to the ship on time. I have a cruise booked for this fall and the earliest flight that leaves out of Omaha with SWA is around 8am but doesn't get to MCO until 2pm. They only have 1 non stop flight on the weekend and that is seasonal. Otherwise we always have to connect somewhere. It is at least a 5-6 hour ordeal to get to MCO. I always fly in the day before my cruises and stay at the Hyatt at the airport. No way would I risk flying in the same day, especially now with all of the cancellations and delays. And like I said, I always buy trip insurance with Allianz whenever I leave the Country for medical reasons and if it includes getting my money back, that is a bonus. As others have said, this person thinks that they are special and should basically get free trip insurance. Life doesn't work that way.

Possible maybe bit who in their right mind would do that?? you also have 2 time zones against you. I’m thinking 5am flight. That’s a nice way to ruin your first day on the ship by being too tired to enjoy it. I hope someone that does this book the flight through DCL and have them selves covered

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

If you're traveling anywhere by air, it is essential to get travel insurance.

Not sure I agree with this as a hard rule. We always have fairly flexible plans so missing a day wouldn't kill us. The worst we would be out in the event of a cancelled flight is a day of hotel/rental car costs and those are not that significant.

 

[Weedy]

Also pay attention to what your insurance covers …
If you pay for cruise insurance and something happens on you flight
( if you bought the flight separately) it won’t pay for that.

 

[n2mm]

We used non-DCL trip insurance for the one cruise we took where we needed to fly.

us too! We always have insurance, plus use a cc that has insurance. Dcl insurance does not cover air travel you purchase on your own. We’re seniors now, and things can change quickly. We also fly out 2 days early. Our 1 day early changed years ago when our flight had a 6 hour delay and got in after midnight instead of 6:00pm. I made myself sick worrying about getting there. So always 2 days prior and always have a plan B, and always insurance. Flying from the North.

 

[soniam]

Insurance isn't necessary if you aren't going to complain or whine about additional expenses or not reimbursed. If you want to be reimbursed or want those extra expenses covered, then you should get insurance.

 

[hmsTigger]

If you're traveling anywhere by air, it is essential to get travel insurance.

Which type of travel Insureance do you recommend?

 

[hmsTigger]

us too! We always have insurance, plus use a cc that has insurance. Dcl insurance does not cover air travel you purchase on your own. We’re seniors now, and things can change quickly. We also fly out 2 days early. Our 1 day early changed years ago when our flight had a 6 hour delay and got in after midnight instead of 6:00pm. I made myself sick worrying about getting there. So always 2 days prior and always have a plan B, and always insurance. Flying from the North.

Name of non-DCL trip insurance?

 

[Mommb]

Name of non-DCL trip insurance?

There are many companies. You can do an Internet search for trip insurance comparison and find sites that will let you compare companies.

 

[AquaDame]

Please start a new thread if you would like more responses; this one has little to do with your question. Thank you!