Positive for Covid - "Traveling Party" - who does this include?

[Mrsberri0909]

Hi,

 

We are scheduled to leave on Quantum for an Alaska Cruise on Monday 5/16.  My teenage daughter, who is NOT going on the cruise, tested positive for Covid yesterday.  The Covid Refund and Cancellation clause seems to imply that we are covered for a cash refund if she tests positive (and we do not). Does anyone have experience with exercising this clause?  It seems like she may need to be 'assigned to the stateroom' for us to qualify. Of course, I'm on hold with our "Big Box" travel agent who knows how to read the clause but doesn't really know the answer.  I had to press her to get the right answer from RCCL (of which we are now on hold to hear the answer).  Our friend who has their own cabin also tested positive, so they aren't going.

For purposes of this Policy, your “Traveling Party” means your family members living with you in the same household and traveling companions assigned to your stateroom on the cruise

[Sunshine3601]

Everyone must complete a health questionnaire before boarding.     One of the questions asks if you have been exposed to anyone with covid in the last 10 or 14 days.     answer Yes, will get you denied permission to board   Not sure if that gets you a cash refund or a FCC.     Your TA will have to advise.

[Sunshine3601]

Also each party that tests positive pre cruise must send their test results to royal via email.    In your case your TA may have to send your Daughters test results.       Do you have a results from a lab or just a at home kit?

[Biker19]

If you want to go on the cruise answer no to all questions, if you don't want to go be ready for some documentation and perhaps other headaches along with a potential denial of a refund.

[Mrsberri0909]

@ biker19 why would RCCL deny a refund?  

[Biker19]

Just now, Mrsberri0909 said:

@ biker19 why would RCCL deny a refund?  

Because they interpret their rules differently than you do.

[Mrsberri0909]

@sunshine3601 we do have a positive test result from my daughter's physician.  The 'grey area' is she is not part of our cabin/traveling party.  She is just a resident at our home.

[Mrsberri0909]

@biker19 yes!  I have our TA calling RCCL to get the interpretation of the day 🙂

[Mrsberri0909]

On the phone with our Big Box TA (can't wait to end this relationship after 3 years)... They said if we have been 'exposed', we can get a cash refund.  I'm like "okay... so if I go to a movie, and say I was exposed, how do I prove that and get a full cash refund?" - I'm on hold again.  I think they like to be unclear just to prolong the agony of this relationship.  My husband has fears that we will test negative on Sunday, get on the cruise, and then get Covid.  I can tell he just wants out of this.  We have avoided Covid this whole pandemic..

[yogimax]

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

If you want to go on the cruise answer no to all questions, 

... and possibly endanger others.

[powelweb]

15 hours ago, Mrsberri0909 said:

On the phone with our Big Box TA (can't wait to end this relationship after 3 years)... They said if we have been 'exposed', we can get a cash refund.  I'm like "okay... so if I go to a movie, and say I was exposed, how do I prove that and get a full cash refund?" - I'm on hold again.  I think they like to be unclear just to prolong the agony of this relationship.  My husband has fears that we will test negative on Sunday, get on the cruise, and then get Covid.  I can tell he just wants out of this.  We have avoided Covid this whole pandemic..

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's test result and its impact on your cruise plans. I hope she is experiencing mild symptoms and recovers quickly.

 

We had a similar experience yesterday as DH and I were booked on NCL's Pearl sailing to Bermuda out of Boston when our 18- year-old son who lives with us but wasn't sailing tested positive at 8am. He then went to an urgent care site for a lab test that would satisfy our 3rd party insurance requirements which also came back positive ( he does have mild symptoms). Since this was to be our 1st NCL sailing with family (some of whom also tested positive), we opted to cancel outright with NCL and file the claim with the insurance company instead of accepting an FCC. 

I made multiple calls to NCL, insurance company and my travel agent over a few critical hours yesterday to clarify our situation and reach our decision , so I can relate to your experience.

 

Based on RCCL's refund and cancellation policy dated 5/3/22 online, it indicates that you would be able to receive a refund or optional FCC credit for cruise fare paid provided you meet the documentation requirements. The policy indicates that by default, FCC will be issued unless and until you request a refund in lieu of the FCC. 

 

Again, sorry covid has interrupted your sailing plans, and I hope your family gets back to good health soon.

[Sunshine3601]

16 hours ago, Mrsberri0909 said:

On the phone with our Big Box TA (can't wait to end this relationship after 3 years)... They said if we have been 'exposed', we can get a cash refund.  I'm like "okay... so if I go to a movie, and say I was exposed, how do I prove that and get a full cash refund?" - I'm on hold again.  I think they like to be unclear just to prolong the agony of this relationship.  My husband has fears that we will test negative on Sunday, get on the cruise, and then get Covid.  I can tell he just wants out of this.  We have avoided Covid this whole pandemic..

What was the outcome of the call?    

[Mrsberri0909]

Thanks all.  @Sunshine3601 The Big Box TA did call me back with a RCCL rep on the phone with her.  She stated that RCCL would give us a refund since my daughter tested negative. I still didn't hear clarity from them on their Traveling Party policy.  They wanted to be sent  a printout of my daughter's test result to receive a (cash) refund.  I didn't commit to cancelling at that moment as I had to discuss it with my husband.  The rep said RCCL noted my file.  The TA stated the refund would take approx 30 days.

Ironically, our traveling companion's husband tested positive for Covid yesterday.  My friend immediately called the same TA, spent hours on the phone, and just got a verbal confirmation that they would cancel their cruise and issue a refund.  The TA did send a cancellation confirmation but did not ask for any proof of testing. 

My husband and I are testing again today and tomorrow. We have tested every day for the past 4 days and came up negative. My daughter has been feeling better and just has symptoms of a cold.  She will test again tomorrow and if negative, she can cease quarantine as it will have been 5 days+.  We are all fully vaccinated and boostered.

I certainly do not want to get others sick and do not want to get sick on the cruise.  It is a hard call.  Alaska was not our first, second or third choice for a cruise and our friends, who can't go now, talked us into it.  I think ultimately we would love it and certainly could use a break (it will be our 27th wedding anniversary). 

[powelweb]

47 minutes ago, Mrsberri0909 said:

Thanks all.  @Sunshine3601 The Big Box TA did call me back with a RCCL rep on the phone with her.  She stated that RCCL would give us a refund since my daughter tested negative. I still didn't hear clarity from them on their Traveling Party policy.  They wanted to be sent  a printout of my daughter's test result to receive a (cash) refund.  I didn't commit to cancelling at that moment as I had to discuss it with my husband.  The rep said RCCL noted my file.  The TA stated the refund would take approx 30 days.

Ironically, our traveling companion's husband tested positive for Covid yesterday.  My friend immediately called the same TA, spent hours on the phone, and just got a verbal confirmation that they would cancel their cruise and issue a refund.  The TA did send a cancellation confirmation but did not ask for any proof of testing. 

My husband and I are testing again today and tomorrow. We have tested every day for the past 4 days and came up negative. My daughter has been feeling better and just has symptoms of a cold.  She will test again tomorrow and if negative, she can cease quarantine as it will have been 5 days+.  We are all fully vaccinated and boostered.

I certainly do not want to get others sick and do not want to get sick on the cruise.  It is a hard call.  Alaska was not our first, second or third choice for a cruise and our friends, who can't go now, talked us into it.  I think ultimately we would love it and certainly could use a break (it will be our 27th wedding anniversary). 

Alaska is amazing but I also understand if you had been looking forward to your friends' company onboard.

 

If your daughter is doing better and you continue to test negative, you may want to consider still going. Please keep us posted on your decision, and give your daughter best wishes for a speedy recovery.