Holland American charges for dead people?

[RDC1]

18 minutes ago, Cancun01 said:

All valid points to a certain extent.   I suspect that the pre-existing condition may not have been disclosed and as suggested above it is being used as a loop-hole to not refund.

 

 To add insult to injury, the cruise line will probably turn around and resell the stateroom thus “double-dipping”.  In other words they will sell the stateroom twice with no refund to the original  purchaser.  That is the unconscionable part.  Just because it is common practice doesn’t make it right.  To the O/P ...make sure that your friend at least receives the port fees back. She is entitled to those fees. 

 

BTW Some of the luxury lines have been known to offer some type of partial credit on a future cruise in similar  circumstances if they are indeed able to resell the stateroom.   They see the bigger picture and don’t want to loose potential future business.  Then again there are others who won’t even give a voucher for a cheap bottle of wine on a future cruise. 

 

Your friend should contact one of the various travel ombudspeople to ascertain if there is anything that can be done. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

the luxury lines also have fare structures that allow them the luxury of accepting some risk, the mainstream cruiseline fares are for a risk level in accordance with their published refund practices with all risk outside of those practices assumed by the passenger as is very clearly stated.

 

the OP does not state where they purchased their travel insurance nor provided anything beyond the most basic claims, but the cruiseline is clearly not at fault.

[Cancun01]

Agree the cruiseline is not at fault.  However,  they have been known to “double dip”  in such circumstances.

It doesn’t hurt to ask if the “ friend” 

can receive a credit or OBC etc.  The worst that can happen is “no” which I suspect will be the case.  The “squeaky wheel gets the grease” sometimes!

[Goldensea]

Very unfortunate situation, however if my spouse passed away the last thing I would worry about is a couple thousand dollars for a cruise.

[Tampa Girl]

5 hours ago, Cancun01 said:

A

 

 To add insult to injury, the cruise line will probably turn around and resell the stateroom thus “double-dipping”.  In other words they will sell the stateroom twice with no refund to the original  purchaser.  That is the unconscionable part.  Just because it is common practice doesn’t make it right.  To the O/P ...make sure that your friend at least receives the port fees back. She is entitled to those fees. 

 

 

 

It is not unconscionable because non-refundable fares, be them cruise fares, air fares, hotel rooms, etc., clearly state that they are non-refundable.  If one doesn't like that provision, one either takes out travel insurance or self insures.  Therefore, the practice of non-refundability, albeit unpleasant, is legal and within the right of the vendor.