Claim for missed ports problems

[Cathygh]

We missed a port last week and some of our party used Holiday Extras insurance as they are the company recommended by P&O and our TA. P&O issued a letter last week sayong P&O would not refund the port fees and to send thr letter to the insurance company. Holiday Extras are saying they have to prove they have tried to claim from elsewhere and send proof they have tried and been refused. I assume that "elsewhere" means they should try to claim from P&O. 

 

Has anyone dealt with this situation with Holiday Extras and how did you deal with it please?

 

Thanks

[FangedRose]

P&O don't charge port fees (as American cruise lines do) so obviously they can't be claimed as you have not suffered a financial loss.

 

Specialist cruise travel insurance (often an 'add on' to normal tavel insurance) may pay a fixed amount (depending on your cover) for Missed Ports. Does the Holiday Extras insurance include this? If it does that is the route to take.

 

Tip: you need to claim for 'missed departure' as the standard claim forms don't (usually) have a box for Missed Ports.

Edited June 7, 2023 by FangedRose

[majortom10]

13 minutes ago, FangedRose said:

P&O don't charge port fees (as American cruise lines do) so obviously they can't be claimed as you have not suffered a financial loss.

 

Specialist cruise travel insurance (often an 'add on' to normal tavel insurance) may pay a fixed amount (depending on your cover) for Missed Ports. Does the Holiday Extras insurance include this? If it does that is the route to take.

 

Tip: you need to claim for 'missed departure' as the standard claim forms don't (usually) have a box for Missed Ports.

That is a misnomer P&O do pay port fees and taxes on every port of call and that is passed onto the customer but is included in the cruise fare. American cruise lines generally charge cruise fare with port fees/taxes added as an extra. Both are paid just different ways of doing it.

[Cloudyrain]

We had a missed port and the claim was settled quickly through the holiday extras recommended insurance - you just need to click that you have tried to claim through other means already and aren’t able (i.e. the cruise line, and you have your letter to prove it).

[FangedRose]

9 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

That is a misnomer P&O do pay port fees and taxes on every port of call and that is passed onto the customer but is included in the cruise fare. American cruise lines generally charge cruise fare with port fees/taxes added as an extra. Both are paid just different ways of doing it.

I know. I should have said it's included in the fare and not itemised separately as Americans do. But couldn't be bothered.

[Cathygh]

Ok I might have got the words wrong, but Holiday Extras are making things difficult. They have the letter from P&O saying they won't refund the fees/taxes or whatever for not going to a sheduled port and not replacing the port with another but Holiday extras are asking for proof they have tried to claim "elsewhere" when in fact there is no where else to claim from.

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by Cathygh

[Cathygh]

1 hour ago, FangedRose said:

Specialist cruise travel insurance (often an 'add on' to normal tavel insurance) may pay a fixed amount (depending on your cover) for Missed Ports. Does the Holiday Extras insurance include this? If it does that is the route to take.

 

Tip: you need to claim for 'missed departure' as the standard claim forms don't (usually) have a box for Missed Ports.

Yes it does include it.

I don't understand how it would be a "missed departure" when the ship did  ot dock at a scheduled port. Can you explain this please?

[Cathygh]

48 minutes ago, Cloudyrain said:

We had a missed port and the claim was settled quickly through the holiday extras recommended insurance - you just need to click that you have tried to claim through other means already and aren’t able (i.e. the cruise line, and you have your letter to prove it).

Thank you

[david63]

6 minutes ago, Cathygh said:

and not replacing the port with another

Replacing a port is irrelevant. Your claim is for missing a scheduled port. If your itinerary says that you will call at "Port A" and you do not go for whatever reason then you have a claim the fact that you go to "Port B" does not matter - unless there is a clause in the policy to that effect which is not something that I have seen.

 

Trying to claim port taxes from a P&O cruise will be virtually impossible as you have no way of knowing what they are - in fact you would not be able to work that out for an American cruise line unless the cruise line told you as on your invoice it is one lump sum for the entire cruise.

[FangedRose]

57 minutes ago, Cathygh said:

Yes it does include it.

I don't understand how it would be a "missed departure" when the ship did  ot dock at a scheduled port. Can you explain this please?

The claim form does not have a box to tick for Missed port. You need to tick the box for Missed departure.  Can't explain it any clearer. That is what you have to do.

[LA30]

I claimed for a missed port a year or so ago.  The form was useless as Missed Departure doesn't explain it at all.  However, there was a box at the end to add any additional information, where I explained everything.  Attached the letter from P&O.  Received £200 back.  Excellent!