Community Chat

[terrier3]

On 7/27/2014 KathyPet said: people who go to,the media to attempt to get "special,benefits" by attempting to embarrass companies publicly just annoy me. This is a sad situation no doubt but I am sure there are a lot of sad situations that cause people to cancel vacation plans last minute. They rolled yhe dice and chose not to buy insurance and now they want to be made whole for their bad decision. Norwegian should not have caved.

I agree.

People are falling all over themselves to get on TV and show how they were "wronged".

I always bought travel insurance for trips to Disneyworld...who know - someone could break a leg!

[brii]

On 7/27/2014 KathyPet said: people who go to,the media to attempt to get "special,benefits" by attempting to embarrass companies publicly just annoy me. This is a sad situation no doubt but I am sure there are a lot of sad situations that cause people to cancel vacation plans last minute. They rolled yhe dice and chose not to buy insurance and now they want to be made whole for their bad decision. Norwegian should not have caved.

I agree. Travel insurance is available for a reason.

[expatgal]

Most people either simply don't think anything will really happen to stop them from going on their cruise or they simply don't want the added expense of insurance. But take it from a veteran cruiser ... GET THE BEST INSURANCE YOU CAN GET! You really never know what will happen before or even during a cruise.

[goodstuff]

Any time you're paying ahead on an expensive vacation trip, it's wise to purchase travel insurance which gives a number of useful benefits (depending on the policy), including covering refunds if your trip has to be cancelled due to illness. It's sad that the boy is seriously ill, but it isn't reasonable to expect the cruise line to "eat" the cost of the trip because the family didn't buy travel insurance. It's readily available, and people should realize that many unplanned eventualities can interfere with a prepaid trip.

[sidsmom]

I agree most posters. It's too bad they're pawning they're child's illness for a free trip. SMH.

[brii]

While I feel very sad for the boy and the family, I don't like that they are making the cruise line look bad by not giving them their money back or giving them a free trip.

[Marp2]

On 7/27/2014 Vivian said: Yes, travel insurance would have made this case easier. However, someone in authority at the cruise company could have done something extraordinary in this extraordinary situation. The family could have been offered a raincheck to be used when the child is better. What great publicity it would have been for the company in addition to a being a simpe human kindness. Cruise lines already have a boatload of bad publicity (pun intended), with gastrointestinal illness, mysterious deaths, missing people, and fires among the many problems passengers have faced. What a missed opportunity for the cruise line and how cruel and greedy they seem.

Yes, and they would have gotten immediate kudos for being so compassionate. However, it would have come back to bite them once they publicly set such a precedence. The next time, and there certainly would be a next time, if they didn't do the same thing they would be facing more bad publicity and perhaps even a discrimination lawsuit.

[winamac1]

On 7/27/2014 Sunshine Kate said:

They should have purchased insurance.

Blessings to this family and little boy.

ITA

I am sad for their son, but I understand the cruise line's policy.

[pattypeep]

There has to be a line in the sand. Once exceptions to the standards are veered from, it could end up a tale of woe every time someone has an issue. I hope the best for the child and family.

[Junebug54]

Cannot stand people like that. Always wanting something for nothing. And running to the media. They should be embarrassed. Which cruise line is giving them a free trip? I will avoid them..