An Urgent Question That We Need Help With

[danny8826]

 

We are booked on a cruise that departs 5 to 6 weeks from now, but we ran into this situation.

My travel companion just found that one of his dear aunts who he loves very much is in ICU and for the next few days will determine if she will either make it or she will die.  If she doesn't make it, how does the cruise line handle this situation with our booking?  Am I still require to go if he can't go?  Is it too far out (a month away) that they don't count this as a death in a family scenario?  What kind of documents will they ask us for proofs?  We did buy insurance but not through them.

 

Thank you. 

 

 

[not-enough-cruising]

You need to contact your insurance carrier. You are too close to departure to receive much (if any) consideration from the cruise line. 

[danny8826]

6 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

You need to contact your insurance carrier. You are too close to departure to receive much (if any) consideration from the cruise line. 

 

Thank you.

[DallasGuy75219]

3 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

You need to contact your insurance carrier. You are too close to departure to receive much (if any) consideration from the cruise line. 

Also reading the insurance policy will answer several of his questions.  Is an aunt a qualifying relative for a death in the family (mostly likely yes)?  Will insurance cover OP if it's his companion who has a death in the family?  If companion cancels more than 30 days out for 25% refund, will insurance pay the single supplement for OP to still cruise?  How close to the departure date must the death occur for it to be covered event?

 

When my dad passed away a week before I was to fly out for a cruise, all I had to provide was a copy of the death certificate.  But that will vary by insurance company, and I can easily see other insurance companies requiring additional documentation to establish the passenger's relationship to the deceased. 

[Joseph2017China]

This all depends on the insurance, but if the event happened and the funeral happened, and it is a few weeks later, I don't think any insurance would cover it, unless it is a policy to cancel for any reason.  No one on this board can answer it, better than your insurance company.  

[mjkacmom]

If the aunt passes more than a month before the cruise, I doubt insurance would refund the fare.

[danny8826]

10 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Also reading the insurance policy will answer several of his questions.  Is an aunt a qualifying relative for a death in the family (mostly likely yes)?  Will insurance cover OP if it's his companion who has a death in the family?  If companion cancels more than 30 days out for 25% refund, will insurance pay the single supplement for OP to still cruise?  How close to the departure date must the death occur for it to be covered event?

 

When my dad passed away a week before I was to fly out for a cruise, all I had to provide was a copy of the death certificate.  But that will vary by insurance company, and I can easily see other insurance companies requiring additional documentation to establish the passenger's relationship to the deceased. 

 

4 hours ago, Joseph2017China said:

This all depends on the insurance, but if the event happened and the funeral happened, and it is a few weeks later, I don't think any insurance would cover it, unless it is a policy to cancel for any reason.  No one on this board can answer it, better than your insurance company.  

 

3 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

If the aunt passes more than a month before the cruise, I doubt insurance would refund the fare.

 

 

Thank you for your input.

[cruiseguy1016]

It all depends on the insurance carrier of course but this was my experience several years ago. We had a cruise booked with another couple, our best friends. One week before the cruise, the husband passed away due to a freak accident at work. I called our TA (everything was booked through her) and asked how to handle it. She called the insurance company and explained the situation. The insurance company had no problem refunding the full cost of the wife's cruise but they didn't want to refund ours. I argued that this was one of our trvael companions, our best friend, how did they expect us to go on vacation, and enjoy ourselves, when one of our best friends that was supposed to travel with us, had just passed away. They ended up agreeing with me and refunded our full fare also.

 

This was several years ago and only one week before the cruise. Your situation is different in terms of timing and who it effects so your results may not be the same. But, if/when the aunt passes away, call the insurance company and explain everything to them and see what happens.

[teddie]

22 hours ago, danny8826 said:

 

We are booked on a cruise that departs 5 to 6 weeks from now, but we ran into this situation.

My travel companion just found that one of his dear aunts who he loves very much is in ICU and for the next few days will determine if she will either make it or she will die.  If she doesn't make it, how does the cruise line handle this situation with our booking?  Am I still require to go if he can't go?  Is it too far out (a month away) that they don't count this as a death in a family scenario?  What kind of documents will they ask us for proofs?  We did buy insurance but not through them.

 

Thank you. 

 

 

So sorry to hear this. I hope things go smoothly for everyone.

 

teddie

[CruisinCadie]

We always get insurance that you can cancel for any reason.  If you have this type of policy, there should be no problem.  If not, it depends on your carrier.  They may or may not be compassionate.

 

I hope your friend's aunt does well.

 

Kathy

[danny8826]

On 3/13/2023 at 10:08 AM, cruiseguy1016 said:

It all depends on the insurance carrier of course but this was my experience several years ago. We had a cruise booked with another couple, our best friends. One week before the cruise, the husband passed away due to a freak accident at work. I called our TA (everything was booked through her) and asked how to handle it. She called the insurance company and explained the situation. The insurance company had no problem refunding the full cost of the wife's cruise but they didn't want to refund ours. I argued that this was one of our trvael companions, our best friend, how did they expect us to go on vacation, and enjoy ourselves, when one of our best friends that was supposed to travel with us, had just passed away. They ended up agreeing with me and refunded our full fare also.

 

This was several years ago and only one week before the cruise. Your situation is different in terms of timing and who it effects so your results may not be the same. But, if/when the aunt passes away, call the insurance company and explain everything to them and see what happens.

 

22 hours ago, teddie said:

So sorry to hear this. I hope things go smoothly for everyone.

 

teddie

 

7 hours ago, CruisinCadie said:

We always get insurance that you can cancel for any reason.  If you have this type of policy, there should be no problem.  If not, it depends on your carrier.  They may or may not be compassionate.

 

I hope your friend's aunt does well.

 

Kathy

 

Thank you so much everyone.  I hope she'll be OK