Brain tumor cruise cancellation advice needed

[mommydoc]

12 days ago our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/clarasherman)

 

She needs to start chemotherapy right away so our 14 day May 26th Alaskan cruise on the Sun is cancelled. We booked through an on line travel agency and our fare is paid in full and non-refundable at this point.

 

Does anyone have a contact email address with corporate NCL? I'd like to see if they could apply at least some of our paid fare to a similar cruise next summer.

 

This was going to be a 20th anniversary cruise for me and my husband. But a chemo's over celebration cruise would be even better!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Christy

[ColinIllinois]

12 days ago our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. (www.caringbridge.org/visit/clarasherman)

 

She needs to start chemotherapy right away so our 14 day May 26th Alaskan cruise on the Sun is cancelled. We booked through an on line travel agency and our fare is paid in full and non-refundable at this point.

 

Does anyone have a contact email address with corporate NCL? I'd like to see if they could apply at least some of our paid fare to a similar cruise next summer.

 

This was going to be a 20th anniversary cruise for me and my husband. But a chemo's over celebration cruise would be even better!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Christy

 

I believe if you have a TA that you need to go through them and have them contact NCL on your behalf.

 

Contact information on the website:

 

http://www.ncl.com/about/contact-us

 

Best wishes for your daughters health.

[NJ Johnny]

So sorry to hear about your daughter's health. Did you have any travel insurance?

[Ilovesailing]

NCL Resolution Specialist Exe.Mary Kephart mkephart@ncl.com

 

I doubt that your going to have any luck as you didn't book direct with NCL.

 

Did you have travel insurance and if not is there anything in your house/work policy.

 

If no luck with NCL I would continue to try your TA but because its online your not face to face so it's easier for them to say no.

 

In any event good luck and hope your daughters chemo is successful, stay strong for her.

[sverigecruiser]

12 days ago our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. (www.caringbridge.org/visit/clarasherman)

 

She needs to start chemotherapy right away so our 14 day May 26th Alaskan cruise on the Sun is cancelled. We booked through an on line travel agency and our fare is paid in full and non-refundable at this point.

 

Does anyone have a contact email address with corporate NCL? I'd like to see if they could apply at least some of our paid fare to a similar cruise next summer.

 

This was going to be a 20th anniversary cruise for me and my husband. But a chemo's over celebration cruise would be even better!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Christy

 

How did you paid for the cruise? Since it was through an on line travel agency, can I assume that you paid with a credit card? If yes, doesn't the limited insurence connected with a credit card normally cover it if someone needs to cancel because of an illness? (Mine does but maybe it's different in different countries.)

 

I really hope that your daughter gets well. Good luck!

Edited May 12, 2014 by sverigecruiser

[newmexicoNita]

12 days ago our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/clarasherman)

 

She needs to start chemotherapy right away so our 14 day May 26th Alaskan cruise on the Sun is cancelled. We booked through an on line travel agency and our fare is paid in full and non-refundable at this point.

 

Does anyone have a contact email address with corporate NCL? I'd like to see if they could apply at least some of our paid fare to a similar cruise next summer.

 

This was going to be a 20th anniversary cruise for me and my husband. But a chemo's over celebration cruise would be even better!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Christy

 

Christy,

 

Before I say anything, please accept my sorrow for what you and your family are facing. If prayers can help, I can assure you ours are with you, your family and especially your little girl.

 

You will need to contact your travel agent first. If you have insurance, you will get a complete refund. If you do not, I don't know what to say. In rare cases NCL has offered some form of credit but as you can imagine, they are under no obligation to do so. Good luck, I hope things work out and keep us posted.

[Novastar]

Best wishes to your daughter and the rest of the family. Fingers crossed that you had insurance.

[time2cruise1]

I am sorry about your situation. Most important thing is to take care of that tumor.

 

That said if you have travel insurance file a claim. As suggested see what coverage your credit card may offer if you did not purchase insurance.

 

The problem you face in getting any cruise line to step up and not enforce their cancelation policy even in a situation like this is they all sell insurance. Covering loses for those that did not purchase it would be unfair to those that did. In fact they could even run into issues with the state insurance commission. It is not that they would not like to help but for the most part their hands are tied.

[meatball_nyc]

Prayers for your daughter's health. Stay strong!

Good luck with everything.

 

 

~Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

[garycarla]

I am sorry about your situation. Most important thing is to take care of that tumor.

 

That said if you have travel insurance file a claim. As suggested see what coverage your credit card may offer if you did not purchase insurance.

 

The problem you face in getting any cruise line to step up and not enforce their cancelation policy even in a situation like this is they all sell insurance. Covering loses for those that did not purchase it would be unfair to those that did. In fact they could even run into issues with the state insurance commission. It is not that they would not like to help but for the most part their hands are tied.

 

Very well said.

 

Sorry for your situation and good luck with what will be facing you and your family. The above poster adds some frank logic to the situation.

[Love my butler]

12 days ago our 10 year old daughter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. (www.caringbridge.org/visit/clarasherman)

 

She needs to start chemotherapy right away so our 14 day May 26th Alaskan cruise on the Sun is cancelled. We booked through an on line travel agency and our fare is paid in full and non-refundable at this point.

 

Does anyone have a contact email address with corporate NCL? I'd like to see if they could apply at least some of our paid fare to a similar cruise next summer.

 

This was going to be a 20th anniversary cruise for me and my husband. But a chemo's over celebration cruise would be even better!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Christy

 

Probably a bit late in this case but that is why insurance is offered, for unexpected emergencies. Sounds like you didn't purchase any so I think you are out of luck as far as any refund.

[Laszlo]

Very sorry to hear about your daughters condition. I can't offer you any help on the cruise. What hospital is your daughter being seen and treated at? I only ask because my niece went thru a very similar problem. Many hospitals did not want to touch here because of the size and area where the tumor was located. Thank god for John Hopkins……..you can read here story here…..http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/neurologic/neurologic_winter_2012/for_pediatric_brainstem_tumors_operable_is_possible

Edited May 12, 2014 by Laszlo

[bonniboo1]

Christy,

 

I just went on to your sweet Claras' Caring Bridge site. My thoughts are with your entire family.

[newmexicoNita]

Christy,

 

I just went on to your sweet Claras' Caring Bridge site. My thoughts are with your entire family.

 

I am sure we all share your thoughts for the family. I am a little surprised someone actually posted on here, they should have had insurance if they didn't. Now is not the time to bring this up I don't think. I am sure the OP, if, indeed they didn't carry it knows that but she is dealing with many other issues.

[mjkacmom]

First, I'm so sorry - prayers to your little girl. Unfortunately, if you didn't purchase insurance, I think you are out of luck. I've seen many similar stories both here, and in the media, and what it boils down to is that, with cruises, after final payment, you get nothing, not even the option to transfer cruises.

 

Travel insurance is for those unexpected events that prohibit people from taking the cruise they paid for. I didn't pay for travel insurance for our family, in the past, until I learned how strict they are by reading things here on CC. I did purchase insurance for our last two cruises, even though we are 20 minutes from the port, and we're young and (hopefully) healthy, because of cases like yours (and sadly, many others).

 

My second paragraph is not really for the OP, but for anyone reading this thread, because honestly, I never read my cruise contracts before, and I don't think I really appreciated how important it is to have travel insurance. Fortunately, I have never needed to use it.

[Turtles06]

My thoughts and prayers that your daughter beats this.

[sailingnut]

I just went onto your daughter's site~~God bless her and your whole family! Prayers your way!

I do not know about insurance~~I book not through NCL but with a well-known cruise company~~I do not know how they would handle this with me if it was do close to sailing. I hope you make out with it. Prayers!

[kdzkatz]

In attempt to give some sort of option...if your TA and/or NCL are not able to do anything as far as future credit or refund would they be willing to let you transfer your reservation to someone else? I know normally there needs to be at least one name from the original reservation on the cruise but if they would wave that requirement maybe you could sell your reservation at a discount to a friend or family. They can help you recover some of your money and they get rewarded with a wonderful vacation. If possible it may be a way to make the best of an unfortunate situation.

 

Prayers coming from Everett WA that your daughter gets through this as quickly and painlessly as possible so she can get back to being a kid worrying about silly things like homework again :)

[mistshar]

I am so sorry that this has happened to your daughter and your family. I read your story on Caring Bridge. I am hoping and praying that it will not be as bad as it appears at this point and will be treatable. She is certainly a beautiful girl.

 

I hope that your story will help people realize that they need insurance regardless of their health or age at the time they book their cruise. Anything can happen. We never know. I know that was not your intent but it may save some other cruisers their hard earned money.

 

I certainly hope you are able to work something out regarding your cruise. I have seen some people who have been able to get a credit. It is varied though. Maybe they will make an exception in your case.

 

Thank you for sharing your story and I hope everything works out wonderfully for your little girl.

[wrestlemom]

Thought and prayers going out to your daughter. Stay strong as a family!!