Cancelled cruise due to American Airlines mechanical issues

[GAT]

This won't help the LW at all, but would the situation have been different if she had let the cruise line book her air when she booked the cruise?

 

[weihlac]

This won't help the LW at all, but would the situation have been different if she had let the cruise line book her air when she booked the cruise?

If her entire trip was covered by the same insurance policy it might have helped her get reimbursement.

 

[Billylost]

Weihlac is correct.

We have company contacts on top of our pages. You can try and write to AA but they don’t owe you anything for this.

When you fly through smaller airports, you really need to fly in a few days early. Especially using AA.

With your insurance, did you Insure the cruise AND the air? If you only insured the cruise, this is why your claim was denied. Both pieces must be insured.

Why do both parts - air and cruise - have to be insured? Is that the trick of these travel ins policies - that one must have covered the entire trip to claim under one of the policies?

 

[Neil Maley]

Why do both parts - air and cruise - have to be insured? Is that the trick of these travel ins policies - that one must have covered the entire trip to claim under one of the policies?

Yes. The entire trip needed to be insured under one policy.

 

[Globetrottingal]

Why do both parts - air and cruise - have to be insured? Is that the trick of these travel ins policies - that one must have covered the entire trip to claim under one of the policies?

The reason why you need one policy is that the lack of service by the first party (the airline) causes an involuntary loss of the second party (missing the cruise). Since the two are not connected, both must be covered

 

[Neil Maley]

The reason why you need one policy is that the lack of service by the first party (the airline) causes an involuntary loss of the second party (missing the cruise). Since the two are not connected, both must be covered

That’s not even the entire issue- because they weren’t under one policy, the insurance for the cruise was declined because the reason for not getting there was not a covered reason.

 

[mmb]

That’s not even the entire issue- because they weren’t under one policy, the insurance for the cruise was declined because the reason for not getting there was not a covered reason.

Are you saying there is no insurance policy that would handle this situation?
Obviously one has to be able to travel to the port, one way or another. If that Travel is provided by a vendor, and is therefore pretty much out of the control of the PAX, are you saying it is uninsurable under most travel insurance policies ?

 

[Neil Maley]

Are you saying there is no insurance policy that would handle this situation?
Obviously one has to be able to travel to the port, one way or another. If that Travel is provided by a vendor, and is therefore pretty much out of the control of the PAX, are you saying it is uninsurable under most travel insurance policies ?

A single policy that was purchased to cover the air and cruise together should have. It also might have covered expenses for the OP to join the cruise at the first stop.

The policy must be purchased for the full trip- air and land together.

 

[Patina]

A single policy that was purchased to cover the air and cruise together should have. It also might have covered expenses for the OP to join the cruise at the first stop.

The policy must be purchased for the full trip- air and land together.

Same with any pre-paid excursions, etc. One continuous policy.

 

[FrankL183]

For my own education on cruises, couldn't they have call the cruise line and met the ship at the next port, would have given them an extra day to get to a new destination?

 

[Neil Maley]

For my own education on cruises, couldn't they have call the cruise line and met the ship at the next port, would have given them an extra day to get to a new destination?

That’s what I would have done. But if it’s a closed loop cruise it might not be possible depending on the ports.

 

[msmayor]

For my own education on cruises, couldn't they have call the cruise line and met the ship at the next port, would have given them an extra day to get to a new destination?

As Neil mentioned, it really depends on the ports involved.

The OP mentioned she was trying to fly to Puerto Rico for embarkation, so that tells me this is likely a Southern Caribbean route that hits a few of the smaller, southern islands. The OP also mentioned that the airline said 'nothing was available for days into the next week', presumably to Puerto Rico. That tell me that there may not have been much of anything flying from their home airport to any of the smaller islands to try and meet the ship - they'd likely have needed to get to Puerto Rico first, or fly to another airport with more flights. I can certainly understand how challenging it might be to find the right flight to meet the ship with any appreciable time remaining on the cruise.

Whenever one is flying to a port of embarkation for a cruise, it is wise to have a general idea of the number of flights available to be able to adequately set up a Plan B and even Plan C in the event of a delay or cancellation. Ships just don't wait, and missing the 'all aboard' time can ruin months of planning.

 

[jbb]

I use Travel Insurance in Omaha if I need more ... I prefer to talk to an agent and use their expertise when buying insurance.

What is the name of the insurance company? Is like to check out their policies.

 

[JVillegirl541]

What is the name of the insurance company? Is like to check out their policies.

I sent you a message

 

[jsn55]

As Neil mentioned, it really depends on the ports involved.

The OP mentioned she was trying to fly to Puerto Rico for embarkation, so that tells me this is likely a Southern Caribbean route that hits a few of the smaller, southern islands. The OP also mentioned that the airline said 'nothing was available for days into the next week', presumably to Puerto Rico. That tell me that there may not have been much of anything flying from their home airport to any of the smaller islands to try and meet the ship - they'd likely have needed to get to Puerto Rico first, or fly to another airport with more flights. I can certainly understand how challenging it might be to find the right flight to meet the ship with any appreciable time remaining on the cruise.

Whenever one is flying to a port of embarkation for a cruise, it is wise to have a general idea of the number of flights available to be able to adequately set up a Plan B and even Plan C in the event of a delay or cancellation. Ships just don't wait, and missing the 'all aboard' time can ruin months of planning.

You are so right, Msmayor ... I used to do this as a matter of course. But I've been incredibly lucky the last few years and got out of the habit. "Plan B, Plan C ... suss it out before you leave home". Excellent advice. The last thing I want to be doing at an airport is dorking around with the internet trying to find some solutions. I want to know who to contact and why ... I make a list of the following flights and hotels at any airport through which I connect ... and I write it on a piece of paper!

 

[Neil Maley]

Our OP hasn’t been back for a week- I’m sure she has the information she came here for.

 

[jsn55]

Our OP hasn’t been back for a week- I’m sure she has the information she came here for.

Another good thread with helpful information for many of our readers.

 

[dgyland]

All wonderful points, but let me add this thought..NEVER, I repeat NEVER, assume what your insurance covers or doesn't cover. Even a reputable insurance company might have denied this claim. ALWAYS check with your insurance company BEFORE taking action. Most have 24 hour emergency hotlines just for that purpose and may even offer concierge service to assist you. Whether or not you need to cancel, or claim trip interruption and go to a different port etc, can be easily determined by the insurance company. Often, insurance may not cover full cancellation due to airline mechanical failure, but they may instead offer coverage for assistance in getting to an alternate port, if that is indeed possible. And yes, make sure you are buying reputable insurance and that you understand the terms before you purchase. If you don't want to interpret a 21 page or more DOC, then perhaps rely upon a travel professional who is familiar.