Cruise Talk: Refunds and claims against Premier Cruises

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Refunds and claims against Premier Cruises

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Topic: Refunds and claims against Premier Cruises

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-17-2000 12:46 PM

I have opened this topic as a possible collection place on any information on getting money back from the Premier fiasco.

Personally, I booked for travel with this line with full knowledge that there was an element of risk.
I did take certain precautions and these seem to be working out.
In the first instance,the province of Ontario has a government overseen organization TICO. Among other things, this organization manages a fund to reimburse travellers for losses if they have booked with an registered Ontario travel agent.
I have called them and seem to be in good shape.
Their number is 1 888 451 8426 and anyone in Ontario that travels would be well advised to keep a record of this number.

I always take cancellation and medical insurance. The insurer flatly refuses to make any refunds on any portion of the policy even though I shall not be travelling needing any medical coverage.
The policy premium was $255.00 Canadian funds for two persons.
The insurer is RBC Insurance/Voyageur Travel Insurance. They seem to have a stranglehold on the market, but from this experience, they are best avoided if possible. This companies buzzword on the policy by the way is "BRIGHT SOLUTIONS". Enough said.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 09-17-2000 02:19 PM

Topgun - don't knock Voyageur - the reason you buy insurance is that if anything happens you get your money back - minus the premium you paid. When my husband passed away and I had to cancel a cruise to Mexico, Voyageur were great - got my money back immediately for both of us and with no hassles minus the premium I paid for both of us.
You really didn't think you were going to get part of the insurance back for medical coverage, did you? Once the premium is paid, you don't get it back.
You are lucky that our Government has the TICO and you will probably get your money back. Think of all the Americans who probably won't get anything back. You said it yourself, "I booked for travel with this line with full knowledge that there was an element of risk."
Good Luck

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 09-17-2000 02:45 PM

Topgun,
I'm not sure I clearly understand your point. You are not expecting a refund of your premium are you? Many people who cancel for whatever reason sometimes expect a refund of the premium. No way, impossible not so. Insurance "usually does not cover bankrupcy but trip interruption. It's sometimes not clear to the agent who the underwriter is for a company they change all the time. The same insurance for less could also have been purchased at the bank. These things take a little time. When I was stranded in Nassau on the Rembrandt, the voyageur agent on the phone was extremely helpful. Now RBC(Royal Bank) wants me to prove my July cruise had a delay and the onus is on me to contact Premier (Ha! Ha!) These things take patience and a lot of paperwork but generally I've had previous emergencies and was very thankful also that I always purchase comprehensive insurance. The high cost of that premium is certainly worth the peace of mind. When my refund comes in and I dont know when that is, I'll simply apply it towards another cruise on my favourite line.

Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll laugh at all this someday.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-17-2000 03:37 PM

Justine. "you do not understand my point"

I paid for cancellation and medical insurance.

Cancellation is a dead issue. I clearly forfeit the premium for this portion. On the medical issue, the insurer no longer has any liability. Why not refund that portion of the premium for which they have no financial exposure.

I will admit that the representative that I spoke with had a very poor attitude. I also agree that its no big deal. I'm alive and healthy.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 09-18-2000 12:14 PM

Get your point now. Postings sometimes play tricks in communication and we dont get things the same way as in a conversation. It's maddening that Insurance companies combines things in one premium but I guess that's how they " spread the risk."

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-21-2000 04:41 PM

Pleased to report that a full refund for my cancelled cruise with Premier was credited to my Visa today.
Full marks to Holiday House the tour wholesaler for prompt action.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

MHP
First Class Passenger
Member # 1101

posted 09-21-2000 04:59 PM

Topgun...Wow that was fast. I thought you might have to fight to get it back! Well now you have you money back have you booked with a more secure cruiseline. I can't believe the deals to be had in the marketplace right now. A buyers market for sure...

Posts: 86 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-21-2000 05:15 PM

Bermuda here we come on the Pacific Princess.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 09-21-2000 08:29 PM

Have fun on the Looooove Boaaaat. forgot the rest of the words.

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

JanetD
Just Boarded
Member # 1601

posted 09-22-2000 12:59 PM

Okay, I booked directly w/Premier. I was a travel agent for 25 years and naturally I just picked up the phone and made reservations on the SeaBreeze to sail today out of Boston and on the Big Red Boat II sailing out of Tampa in October. I paid by money order for both. I also had insurance on the October sailing and have politely been informed by BerkeleyCare, the insurer, that they do not refund money when the cruise line goes bankrupt. So, I guess this particular insurance only works one way. Any ideas on how I get my refund?

Posts: 5 | From: New Haven, CT | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 09-22-2000 02:16 PM

It really depends on where you live, in Ontario we have Travel Insurance through the Province which is paid for by Travel Agencies and if a Company goes bankrupt the Insurance pays. However, if you were Canadian and booked directly with Premier you would not be covered because you were dealing out of Country and you were not purchasing through a Travel Agency. This really is a case to check and check again. There are many people who ask for the cheapest Insurance and do not check what is covered. It really is a case of buyer beware.
I do feel very sorry for you, this is a rotten thing to happen and all you can really do is take it as a learning experience. I really do not think there is a lot of recourse. The only other thing you can do is to check with the State Authorities where Premier Cruise Lines is registered and see if they have an Insurance scheme, also check back on the Bulletin Boards as there have been messages regarding a Bond that Premier Cruises had to take out and the quicker you register there the better.
Good Luck!!

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

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