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Former manager of mine had a friend who went off on holiday. Youngish chap in his forties spending his pay off money on a trip before knuckling down to find a new job.
No previous health problems. No insurance.
Guy had a heart attack whilst away needing time in a Caribbean hospital and then on doctors order a booked at the last minute lay flat seat back to the UK where he was met by NHS ambulance.
Bang went his pay off money and a huge chunk of savings for the sake of a travel insurance policy that cost less than £100.
And we’ve probably all seen stories in the local papers on similar lines.
If the cruise line cancels, they should refund you or offer a future cruise. Definitely have travel insurance in place and make sure the cruise cover element actually covers missed ports, itinerary changes , confined to cabin etc.
.If you look at T&C on cruise tickets you will clearly see no port is guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Captain – this allows them to move to another port in event of bad weather etc
No way should you be allowed a refund or future cruise credit – you booked a cruise – no port guaranteed.
I was meaning if the cruise line cancels the ( entire) cruise.
I have had a full refund for a cancelled cruise which the cruise line instigated. They offered refund or cruise credit or same cruise different date . I’ve also experienced missed ports and other plans are put in place… that’s a given. Cruise insurance can cover missed ports, but I’m mainly interested in Travel Insurance for medical cover.I thought I’d update this as we did have an air evacuation and another person was taken off by boat. It just gives an idea what the processes are should anyone ever be unfortunate enough to need their services. Link to more details for the helicopter evacuation at the bottom of this post.
Helicopter Evacuation:
At around 12.00 lunch time there was a message from the captain saying we may have noticed that the sun was now on the other side of the boat. He said we had turned back towards Sicily as someone had fallen ill and a helicopter would shortly be arriving to airlift the patient off the ship and take them to hospital. The helicopter he went on to say would not be landing, a winch man would come down to collect the patient, sign the necessary paper work and take off. Whilst here could all passengers in the forward cabins keep off the balconies and close the doors. It would be arriving in about an hour’s time. About 45mins later the Coastguard helicopter arrived and hovered on the left hand side near the front of the ship. The doors we clearly open and you could see the winchman. It was all quite exciting! The ship had already stopped and the helicopter just hovered near the forward left hand side of the ship for a few minutes. Eventually it took off and circled the ship, returning to the same place. It then moved slowly sideways towards the front of the ship and we lost sight of it. We guess that this is the time the patient was picked up. Within what seemed like less than 2 minutes it took off again and heading fast towards the mainland. Surprising how quick the whole process was. Anyway couple of minutes later the captain came back on and said that we would now be continuing our journey and would still arrive at our destination on time.Boat evacuation:
On another evening as we were heading towards Sir Bani island the captain again advised us that were going back to Dubai for another ill person to be taken off the ship. This time it would be by boat and the process wouldn’t be long so we wouldn’t be losing much time. Anyway the Coastguard boat turned up and the cargo door of the ship was lowered. The patient was bought out lashed tightly on an orange stretcher and placed on the cargo floor deck. The boat turned around and backed up towards the ship. The patient was then picked up and carried over too the boat and laid on the deck. They didn’t take the patient inside the boat. I only mention this because to add insult to injury it started to rain. Again very quickly the boat then took off towards the harbour, the door was closed and that was that.Interestingly as you’re picked up by coastguard my understanding is their is no charge for either service.
You should have full travel insurance from the time of booking. Sir Bani Yas is a great place although hardly comparable to the other ports.
For the first time ever I find myself disagreeing with blenz101!
I did back to back cruises around the Gulf with RCCL just before the pandemic hit, and Sir Bani Yas was on both itineraries. The first stop we couldn’t even get ashore, there is/was no ship pier so had to tender, but the sea was deemed too rough even though it looked awfully calm to me – maybe there was worse weather in the forecast.
Anyway, second week we actually made it to the island, and what a disappointment it was. Unless you are prepared to pay for a tour around the worlds most unlikely safari park, there is/was nothing whatsoever to do other than lie on a sunbed and look back at the ship wishing you had never gotten off!I’d be genuinely intrigued blenz to find out what you thought was so great about it !
You should have full travel insurance from the time of booking. Sir Bani Yas is a great place although hardly comparable to the other ports.
there is/was nothing whatsoever to do other than lie on a sunbed and look back at the ship wishing you had never gotten off!
Have to agree with bungalow. We only walked half way down the pier and decided to turn back after passing so many others who were complaining and going back to the ship. Just a sandbank as far as we could tell.
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