tammymacb Posted March 5, 2014 #1 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Today I got a phone call from my sister. My dad, who's been ill for a while had a doctors appointment, and has been given only a few months to live. Our family, has had an 8 night spring break cruise booked on the Carnival Breeze since last year. No, I didn't buy insurance. I don't blame anyone but myself, and I'm not asking for special considerations. IF when we go ( Mid April ) something serious is happening with my father, I've asked my husband to go on the cruise and take the girls. Honestly, I want them to go. I'd hate to lose ALL the $$. My husband says he should stay home with me, but I'd rather they have the trip, I'll fly to NY ( We live in SC) and take care of business. IF this happens, should I let Carnival know or not? We have two rooms booked so I guess my DH could have a room to himself and the girls would have their own. Does DH just show up at the port with the girls and say there was an emergency and I'm on the way? The girls are both 17 if that matters. Just trying to cover all the worst case scenarios now, instead of panicking at the last minute. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof1son Posted March 5, 2014 #2 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I don't have any advice, being a first time cruiser, but I wanted to tell you I'm sorry for your dad's illness, and I certainly hope the doctors are extremely incorrect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwestgal Posted March 5, 2014 #3 Share Posted March 5, 2014 If it were me I would not call to tell them, just don't show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyjr88 Posted March 5, 2014 #4 Share Posted March 5, 2014 (edited) I'm really sorry to hear about your dad. Just wondering, is it too late to purchase insurance for your trip? Edited March 5, 2014 by grumpyjr88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysticks1 Posted March 5, 2014 #5 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Sorry about your father. I hope everything goes well and you are able to go. If not, I think I would just have him report you as a no-show because of a family emergency when he checks in. I would be afraid that they would make a mistake somehow and cancel the entire thing if I called in advance. They should refund you the port taxes and charges and gratuities if you paid those in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winddawn Posted March 5, 2014 #6 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Today I got a phone call from my sister. My dad, who's been ill for a while had a doctors appointment, and has been given only a few months to live. Our family, has had an 8 night spring break cruise booked on the Carnival Breeze since last year. No, I didn't buy insurance. I don't blame anyone but myself, and I'm not asking for special considerations. IF when we go ( Mid April ) something serious is happening with my father, I've asked my husband to go on the cruise and take the girls. Honestly, I want them to go. I'd hate to lose ALL the $$. My husband says he should stay home with me, but I'd rather they have the trip, I'll fly to NY ( We live in SC) and take care of business. IF this happens, should I let Carnival know or not? We have two rooms booked so I guess my DH could have a room to himself and the girls would have their own. Does DH just show up at the port with the girls and say there was an emergency and I'm on the way? The girls are both 17 if that matters. Just trying to cover all the worst case scenarios now, instead of panicking at the last minute. Thanks. I'm very sorry to hear about your dad, and wish you the best outcome. If you decide not to go, do not cancel your reservation. Just let the others go to the port and you be a no-show without notification. If you notify Carnival, you will be charged a cancellation fee. If you no-show, you will not be charged a cancellation fee. I have personal experience with this, and that is the best approach. Your DH can simply stay in the cabin you already have booked for the 2 of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizeemom4 Posted March 5, 2014 #7 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Today I got a phone call from my sister. My dad, who's been ill for a while had a doctors appointment, and has been given only a few months to live. Our family, has had an 8 night spring break cruise booked on the Carnival Breeze since last year. No, I didn't buy insurance. I don't blame anyone but myself, and I'm not asking for special considerations. IF when we go ( Mid April ) something serious is happening with my father, I've asked my husband to go on the cruise and take the girls. Honestly, I want them to go. I'd hate to lose ALL the $$. My husband says he should stay home with me, but I'd rather they have the trip, I'll fly to NY ( We live in SC) and take care of business. IF this happens, should I let Carnival know or not? We have two rooms booked so I guess my DH could have a room to himself and the girls would have their own. Does DH just show up at the port with the girls and say there was an emergency and I'm on the way? The girls are both 17 if that matters. Just trying to cover all the worst case scenarios now, instead of panicking at the last minute. Thanks. Buy the insurance TODAY. A few months could be May or June. Even though the insurance will have a pre-existing condition limit, his doctor could complete the paperwork saying the diagnosis was a few months, not a few weeks if, God forbid, he were to pass right before the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfanatic Posted March 5, 2014 #8 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Buy the insurance TODAY. A few months could be May or June. Even though the insurance will have a pre-existing condition limit, his doctor could complete the paperwork saying the diagnosis was a few months, not a few weeks if, God forbid, he were to pass right before the cruise. poor advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizeemom4 Posted March 5, 2014 #9 Share Posted March 5, 2014 poor advice Whatever. My brother and sister-in-law had to cancel their trip the week after my MIL passed away. The hospice doctor completed the paperwork and they were able to get their money back, despite her having the diagnosis before they purchased the insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christmas Posted March 5, 2014 #10 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I agree with Bizeemom4, get the insurance if you still can. If you can't and you know you can't make it DO NOT call Carnival as they will charge you a fee. Just have your husband explain at the pier and no fee will be charged. Sorry to hear about you dad. Good luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurab23 Posted March 5, 2014 #11 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Sory for the bad news.But just because doctors say a few months,doesn't mean so.Two people close to me were given 6 months to live.One lived a good life for 3 years and the other a good life for 4 years.Doctors give time frames within their experience but they don't make the final judgement only God does. Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalBelle Posted March 5, 2014 #12 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Is it possible to add vacation protection for yourself? I'm not sure but I just booked my cruise on Monday and when I go into my vacation manager I can add it to anyone still. I cruise on March 17th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotdog 52 Posted March 5, 2014 #13 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Go to insuremycruise.com and see if you can still get insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammymacb Posted March 5, 2014 Author #14 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Thanks all. From what I see, I'm past buying insurance. We sail in April and I paid in full Jan 27th. From what I see, for pre existing conditions to be covered, you have to pay buy the insurance within 15 days of payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pungo3 Posted March 5, 2014 #15 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I am very sorry about your father's illness. I agree with the other posters, do not tell Carnival in advance. Just don't show up. Your husband and children should definitely go. Actually, if you talked to your dad, I bet he'd tell you to go as well. Nothing will change with you staying home. I know you'd be sad, but what better way to relax and heal than being on a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyjr88 Posted March 5, 2014 #16 Share Posted March 5, 2014 What about cancel for any reason? Sent from my SGH-T989 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted March 5, 2014 #17 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I am so sorry about your father. I had almost the same situation a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooltch Posted March 5, 2014 #18 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Check out Allianz America for trip insurance ...we just booked a cruise for spring break...and paid in full...see what their policies say...it may be better than the cruise lines insurance...in fact I rarely buy through the cruise line for insurance. I know our policy covers death of family member and serious illness. Sorry to hear about your dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabash Posted March 5, 2014 #19 Share Posted March 5, 2014 So sorry about your Dad! I'm thinking you can still buy trip insurance. The way it was explained to me, the pre-existing condition clause applies to the individuals going on the trip, not family members who will not be traveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stargate fan Posted March 5, 2014 #20 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Buy the insurance TODAY. A few months could be May or June. Even though the insurance will have a pre-existing condition limit, his doctor could complete the paperwork saying the diagnosis was a few months, not a few weeks if, God forbid, he were to pass right before the cruise. Isn't that insurance fraud? And illegal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mousey Posted March 5, 2014 #21 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Sory for the bad news.But just because doctors say a few months,doesn't mean so.Two people close to me were given 6 months to live.One lived a good life for 3 years and the other a good life for 4 years.Doctors give time frames within their experience but they don't make the final judgement only God does. Laura I totally agree! Sorry to hear about your dad, I hope the doctor is wrong...it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsglovesapg Posted March 5, 2014 #22 Share Posted March 5, 2014 First, sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. Losing a parent is never easy. According to my Carnival PVP who I have used a few times and love! He is extremely knowledgeable. You can actually purchase the insurance through Carnival up until 2 weeks before your sail date...so, if your not going until the middle of April you should have more than enough time to purchase the insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin6 Posted March 5, 2014 #23 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Buy insurance now. Pre existing conditions only apply to those traveling not to their non traveling immediate relatives. If your immediate relative is near death or has died you will be covered Buy the insurance and do it online. The doctors have been wrong in the past and your sister may be overly dramatic I certainly sympathize with you and wish you luck and while your parent is very ill nobody can predict time of death in advance. If you choose not to go and to stay with your parent that is understandable and if you buy insurance and death is imminent the note from your dr should suffice for refund Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin6 Posted March 5, 2014 #24 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Buy the insurance TODAY. A few months could be May or June. Even though the insurance will have a pre-existing condition limit, his doctor could complete the paperwork saying the diagnosis was a few months, not a few weeks if, God forbid, he were to pass right before the cruise. Pre existing only applies to the traveling parties. How could one know of a relatives pre existing condition?or even be expected to know? My immediate relatives would probably not burden me with too much info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
med9114u Posted March 5, 2014 #25 Share Posted March 5, 2014 What about cancel for any reason? Sent from my SGH-T989 using Forums mobile app Cancel for any reason insurance needs to be purchased usually withing 14-21 days after booking the trip... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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