Always Have Insurance

[MsSoCalCruiser]

I’m just going to leave this here because I have received helpful information from so many people over the years on this board. There are many times when people ask if they really need travel insurance or they think they don’t because they’ve never had a problem. Trust me, life happens. 

 

I unfortunately had a medical emergency and we had to cancel our cruise to Greenland. I purchased Princess Protection and I just started working with the insurance company today. I was told that I should receive a response within 15 days.

 

I wish they had coverage for our disappointment because we are so sad. 😭 

[Rick&Jeannie]

We missed a connecting flight to FLL for a transatlantic sailing a couple of years ago. Thanks to the Princess Platinum insurance we got a 100% FCC "reimbursement". We'll never sail without the insurance!

[voljeep]

So sorry about your experience, and hoping for a healthful and speedy recovery.

 

My experience with AON/Princess when I fell 5 days before a cruise and fractured the tibia and fibula near my ankle was very easy and timely.  I had all documents needed, submitted online with .pdf files and 7 days later had the direct deposit cleared in our bank account for the full cruise fares.  

[WisCruiser2]

Also check into insurance other than the PVP if you have a pre-existing condition (especially if you would need medical attention on the trip) that may affect the 60-day "look back." I recommend taking a look at theTrip Insurance Q&A forum on the Boards mainpage for information.

 

That being said, we appreciated the Princess CFAR when we cancelled a cruise last year because my husband had a procedure scheduled for shortly after we would have returned and we didn't want to chance Covid having to postpone it. 

[Astro Flyer]

@MsSoCalCruiser
 

Like voljeep, in 2018 we had to cancel our 2 week Norway cruise days before flying to LHR due to a covered medical reason. The Princess Platinum insurance’s claim process was easy & all refundable costs (air, tours, taxes/fees, etc) were quickly refunded to our c/c and within a month received a check for our non-refundable cruise fare.
 

There are times when life gets in the way of joy & thankfully by having insurance he costs are refunded. Hopefully you’ll return to full health soon even though the disappointment will linger…ours continues to this day because we have not rebooked that itinerary.

 

 

[duckey.l]

Just make sure your travel insurance also covers trip interruption and medical evacuation. My husband was hospitalized in London in the middle of our 3 week European vacation. We did not make our TA cruise but our non-Princess travel insurance covered our cruise, pre-paid hotels, pre-paid air, as well as got us emergency flights home.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

7 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

@MsSoCalCruiser
 

Like voljeep, in 2018 we had to cancel our 2 week Norway cruise days before flying to LHR due to a covered medical reason. The Princess Platinum insurance’s claim process was easy & all refundable costs (air, tours, taxes/fees, etc) were quickly refunded to our c/c and within a month received a check for our non-refundable cruise fare.
 

There are times when life gets in the way of joy & thankfully by having insurance he costs are refunded. Hopefully you’ll return to full health soon even though the disappointment will linger…ours continues to this day because we have not rebooked that itinerary.

 

 

We also have the Platinum insurance. I’m happy to hear that you received a check for your non-refundable cruise fare. I am truly blessed that I was not at sea or in Greenland because I doubt the outcome would have been very good. I doubt we will ever make it to Greenland but we are looking forward to the Sun Princess later this year.

 

I believe there is always a silver lining, we just have to look for it. 

[Sea Hag]

I was really happy to have the cancel for any reason some years ago when our cat got sick right before cruise time. Obviously, not a covered reason that would result in a cash refund, but the 100% credit for a future cruise was just as good.

[MsSoCalCruiser]

5 minutes ago, duckey.l said:

Just make sure your travel insurance also covers trip interruption and medical evacuation. My husband was hospitalized in London in the middle of our 3 week European vacation. We did not make our TA cruise but our non-Princess travel insurance covered our cruise, pre-paid hotels, pre-paid air, as well as got us emergency flights home.

We have Princess Platinum so hopefully that would be covered. I guess I should really always read the fine print. 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Just now, Sea Hag said:

I was really happy to have the cancel for any reason some years ago when our cat got sick right before cruise time. Obviously, not a covered reason that would result in a cash refund, but the 100% credit for a future cruise was just as good.

This is wonderful to know.

[RV Queen]

Nightmare experience for us.  Husband became ill on Alaska cruise in May. Admitted to critical care room on ship (Crown). Stayed there three days and two nights. Ship doctor felt it was necessary to medically evacuate him by ambulance to hospital in Victoria.  Thirty minutes before we were to evacuate, the manager of customer relations presented us with a $20,000 bill for stay in med center.  We  have Princess platinum insurance. Manager said OK but, we have to pay this bill and submit to our primary insurance first. Well that happens to be Medicare and we know how long that takes.  Meanwhile, manager escorts me up to customer service desk for payment.  Mind you, I am a nervous wreck worried about my husband and mgr wants $20,000.  Thankfully I had three credit cards I could spread them out on.  Off we go in the ambulance to Victoria BC.  A whole another story there. 
Back to the topic of how great Princess insurance is?. I submitted all necessary documentation for "Trip Interruption" (new flights, hotel, meals, cabs etc) reimbursement to Princess AON the first part of June. Called two weeks later and they said they never received. Had to resubmit, still waiting to hear back from them.  Meanwhile, we are still waiting for EOB from Medicare before submitting to secondary and waiting for that EOB before I can submit to Princess for their Medical part of reimbursement. Having Princess insurance should not be this difficult to file a claim. Anyone else been in this boat?  How long to resolve? Experience?

[Barry H]

We always purchase travel medical insurance ($5,000,000 coverage) in addition to Princess. Princess evacuation coverage is limited to $75,000. That may get you ashore but not necessarily home.

[PacnGoNow]

So sorry to hear you missed your cruise, but there’s another one around the corner!  Hope you’re healing and back to new soon!  Wait… that sounds like a PCL commercial. 😆

 

Yes, sadness insurance would be warranted!

 

Take care!

[DCThunder]

Don't just automatically purchase the Princess insurance, even if that's the "easiest" option.  Shop around to some third party insurers to see that you've gotten the best coverage for the best price.

[1emerald1]

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[MsSoCalCruiser]

2 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

So sorry to hear you missed your cruise, but there’s another one around the corner!  Hope you’re healing and back to new soon!  Wait… that sounds like a PCL commercial. 😆

 

Yes, sadness insurance would be warranted!

 

Take care!

Thank you! We have less than two weeks until our cruise. This was a serious medical emergency and while it was happening I looked at the doctor and reminded him that I was going to Greenland. 😂😂😂

[walkingsoon]

32 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I’m just going to leave this here because I have received helpful information from so many people over the years on this board. There are many times when people ask if they really need travel insurance or they think they don’t because they’ve never had a problem. Trust me, life happens. 

 

I unfortunately had a medical emergency and we had to cancel our cruise to Greenland. I purchased Princess Protection and I just started working with the insurance company today. I was told that I should receive a response within 15 days.

 

I wish they had coverage for our disappointment because we are so sad. 😭 

Always avoid absolutes. 🙂

 

Sorry to hear of your cruise cancellation and I wish you well with your health. Your insurance worked for you and was apparently an appropriate purchase. Please recognize, however, that many people, with eyes wide open after running their own cost benefit analysis, choose to pass on insurance. That's often a reasonable choice as well, despite what the insurance company promoters claim.

 

"Also check into insurance other than the PVP"  Protections included with Platinum Amex, and other high fee travel credit cards, might present an attractive alternative.

 

Heading for Boston myself soon,

 

Walkingsoon

[PacnGoNow]

9 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Thank you! We have less than two weeks until our cruise. This was a serious medical emergency and while it was happening I looked at the doctor and reminded him that I was going to Greenland. 😂😂😂

And the Dr said…..”Sure you are.”

🥴

[voljeep]

24 minutes ago, RV Queen said:

Nightmare experience for us.  Husband became ill on Alaska cruise in May. Admitted to critical care room on ship (Crown). Stayed there three days and two nights. Ship doctor felt it was necessary to medically evacuate him by ambulance to hospital in Victoria.  Thirty minutes before we were to evacuate, the manager of customer relations presented us with a $20,000 bill for stay in med center.  We  have Princess platinum insurance. Manager said OK but, we have to pay this bill and submit to our primary insurance first. Well that happens to be Medicare and we know how long that takes.  Meanwhile, manager escorts me up to customer service desk for payment.  Mind you, I am a nervous wreck worried about my husband and mgr wants $20,000.  Thankfully I had three credit cards I could spread them out on.  Off we go in the ambulance to Victoria BC.  A whole another story there. 
Back to the topic of how great Princess insurance is?. I submitted all necessary documentation for "Trip Interruption" (new flights, hotel, meals, cabs etc) reimbursement to Princess AON the first part of June. Called two weeks later and they said they never received. Had to resubmit, still waiting to hear back from them.  Meanwhile, we are still waiting for EOB from Medicare before submitting to secondary and waiting for that EOB before I can submit to Princess for their Medical part of reimbursement. Having Princess insurance should not be this difficult to file a claim. Anyone else been in this boat?  How long to resolve? Experience?

yeah, a somewhat similar experience, but not to that monetary expense - ours 'just' $1,200 bill from the medical center on board the REGAL P when I passed out on deck.  We also had to settle our account before leaving the ship, even with AON/Princess insurance, and a Medicare Advantage Plan ... long story shortened, we got the $1,200 back from Medicare Advantage Plan - and AON paid for post cruise testing, follow ups for deductibles and copays 

 

Primary Doctor

Weekend ER visit and Testing

Cardiologist the next day (which was already scheduled).

 

Seems like about a 3 month process from when I first started filing the forms, EOBs, etc

 

@Host CJSKIDS kindly got me a folio printout which we were missing/misplaced/never got the email, when she was on board a later cruise.

 

I believe our only out of pocket expense was a $28 fee for the shipboard medical record printout.

 

But, back on point - the having to settle immediately the on board medical center account can be very problematic.

[voljeep]

and just to add - it is very important to get a copy of the medical records and your final folio printout showing paid in full before leaving the ship ... no matter what it takes

[Host CJSKIDS]

12 minutes ago, voljeep said:

yeah, a somewhat similar experience, but not to that monetary expense - ours 'just' $1,200 bill from the medical center on board the REGAL P when I passed out on deck.  We also had to settle our account before leaving the ship, even with AON/Princess insurance, and a Medicare Advantage Plan ... long story shortened, we got the $1,200 back from Medicare Advantage Plan - and AON paid for post cruise testing, follow ups for deductibles and copays 

 

Primary Doctor

Weekend ER visit and Testing

Cardiologist the next day (which was already scheduled).

 

Seems like about a 3 month process from when I first started filing the forms, EOBs, etc

 

@Host CJSKIDS kindly got me a folio printout which we were missing/misplaced/never got the email, when she was on board a later cruise.

 

I believe our only out of pocket expense was a $28 fee for the shipboard medical record printout.

 

But, back on point - the having to settle immediately the on board medical center account can be very problematic.

And it was my absolute pleasure to have been able to help you!  

[MsSoCalCruiser]

21 minutes ago, walkingsoon said:

Always avoid absolutes. 🙂

 

Sorry to hear of your cruise cancellation and I wish you well with your health. Your insurance worked for you and was apparently an appropriate purchase. Please recognize, however, that many people, with eyes wide open after running their own cost benefit analysis, choose to pass on insurance. That's often a reasonable choice as well, despite what the insurance company promoters claim.

 

"Also check into insurance other than the PVP"  Protections included with Platinum Amex, and other high fee travel credit cards, might present an attractive alternative.

 

Heading for Boston myself soon,

 

Walkingsoon

I haven’t received a response from the insurance yet, but I’m positive the small cost for the insurance is minimal compared to what we would have lost or if I would have been evacuated by helicopter. Safe travels and enjoy. 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

49 minutes ago, RV Queen said:

Nightmare experience for us.  Husband became ill on Alaska cruise in May. Admitted to critical care room on ship (Crown). Stayed there three days and two nights. Ship doctor felt it was necessary to medically evacuate him by ambulance to hospital in Victoria.  Thirty minutes before we were to evacuate, the manager of customer relations presented us with a $20,000 bill for stay in med center.  We  have Princess platinum insurance. Manager said OK but, we have to pay this bill and submit to our primary insurance first. Well that happens to be Medicare and we know how long that takes.  Meanwhile, manager escorts me up to customer service desk for payment.  Mind you, I am a nervous wreck worried about my husband and mgr wants $20,000.  Thankfully I had three credit cards I could spread them out on.  Off we go in the ambulance to Victoria BC.  A whole another story there. 
Back to the topic of how great Princess insurance is?. I submitted all necessary documentation for "Trip Interruption" (new flights, hotel, meals, cabs etc) reimbursement to Princess AON the first part of June. Called two weeks later and they said they never received. Had to resubmit, still waiting to hear back from them.  Meanwhile, we are still waiting for EOB from Medicare before submitting to secondary and waiting for that EOB before I can submit to Princess for their Medical part of reimbursement. Having Princess insurance should not be this difficult to file a claim. Anyone else been in this boat?  How long to resolve? Experience?

Oh, that’s awful. I’m sure not everyone can pay $20,000 prior to leaving a cruise ship. What would they have done if you told them you didn’t have it? Would they make you stay on the ship?  A world cruise sounds great to me. 😂

Edited July 29 by MsSoCalCruiser

[MsSoCalCruiser]

1 hour ago, voljeep said:

So sorry about your experience, and hoping for a healthful and speedy recovery.

 

My experience with AON/Princess when I fell 5 days before a cruise and fractured the tibia and fibula near my ankle was very easy and timely.  I had all documents needed, submitted online with .pdf files and 7 days later had the direct deposit cleared in our bank account for the full cruise fares.  

Sorry that happened to you. Fractures are so painful. 

[walkingsoon]

46 minutes ago, RV Queen said:

Nightmare experience for us.  Husband became ill on Alaska cruise in May. Admitted to critical care room on ship (Crown). Stayed there three days and two nights. Ship doctor felt it was necessary to medically evacuate him by ambulance to hospital in Victoria.  Thirty minutes before we were to evacuate, the manager of customer relations presented us with a $20,000 bill for stay in med center.  We  have Princess platinum insurance. Manager said OK but, we have to pay this bill and submit to our primary insurance first. Well that happens to be Medicare and we know how long that takes.  Meanwhile, manager escorts me up to customer service desk for payment.  Mind you, I am a nervous wreck worried about my husband and mgr wants $20,000.  Thankfully I had three credit cards I could spread them out on.  Off we go in the ambulance to Victoria BC.  A whole another story there. 
Back to the topic of how great Princess insurance is?. I submitted all necessary documentation for "Trip Interruption" (new flights, hotel, meals, cabs etc) reimbursement to Princess AON the first part of June. Called two weeks later and they said they never received. Had to resubmit, still waiting to hear back from them.  Meanwhile, we are still waiting for EOB from Medicare before submitting to secondary and waiting for that EOB before I can submit to Princess for their Medical part of reimbursement. Having Princess insurance should not be this difficult to file a claim. Anyone else been in this boat?  How long to resolve? Experience?

Has anyone ever tried pushing back against this? They've got your one credit card on file already and run it daily for potential charges, but if that doesn't cover excessive fees (and $20K is indeed excessive) then why can't they be the ones to wait for insurance resolution rather than you? Hard to do while your main concern is your ailing spouse, but what would happen if you just shrugged and said: "Sorry, can't help you. Send me a bill". Would they deny you disembarkation?