H1N1 threat to December cruise to Mexico

[Heron Bay]

If Holland America changes the itinerary before sailing, can you cancel for a refund? If you have trip insurance, will the policy cover under trip interruption? The Oosterdam embarks from San Diego and we would not want to just cruise around California. If anyone has experienced this situation, we would like to hear how it was handles.

[f-mattox]

Since the cruise lines reserve the right to change the itinerary you would not get a refund from them; and I can't imagine any insurance carrier considering a change in itinerary as a "trip interruption."

I don't think you have anything to worry about, though; the cruise lines have resumed their regular itineraries--not that there couldn't be another outbreak in December or anytime, but I think it is highly unlikely that they would have to make changes like they did earlier this year.

[Dave]

There are many insurance policies out there to purchase, so there is no way to say what your particular policy covers. However, looking at this example I agree with f-mattox. Trip interruption is not a valid claim if your cruise skips a port.

Other than if the cruise line decided to offer penalty-free refunds because of a dramatic change to an itinerary, you would only be eligible if you cancelled outside the penalty window.

[Cruise Fanatic]

Itinerary change definitely isn't a trip interruption. Trip interruption is when something happens to prohibit you from completing your trip. IE: Half way through your cruise you were taken ill and had to be medically evacuated.

[wooddon]

Why worry about Mexico! This swine flu is all over the world now. There are more cases in the US, than any other country. We miss Mexico due to this last May and were very upset about it and made our comments known to the cruise line. We had family and friends who were staying at a resort during this time frame and they say everything was normal, so it was no big deal. If we sorry about this, no one would be travelling at all. We continue to travel and this does not even play into our plans.
Thanks.

[queenofcruzin]

We are sailing out of San Diego with stops in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in October, Heron will promise to give you an update upon our return. As Woodden says the swine flu (or whatever the PC name today is) and Mexico are not exclusive. Happy Sailing !