Couple crushed after losing thousands on dream cruise
A local couple’s dream cruise aboard the “Caribbean Princess” was canceled due to a flare-up of chronic back pain, highlighting the challenges of travel insurance policies.B.J. Degruchy and Dave Barton had planned to spend Valentine’s Day at sea, but Barton’s health issues forced them to cancel the trip.Barton said, “And I just called them up and said, ‘Hey, I can’t make it. I just don’t think I can make it.’ I thought we’d get our money back.”Barton had purchased the Princess travel protection standard plan, costing $251.16 for a total fare of $3,042.The plan offered future travel credits for uncovered reasons and cash refunds for illness, injury, or death.However, when Barton filled out a medical form indicating his symptoms began in November 2024, the insurance carrier deemed him ineligible for a refund.Degruchy said, “Absolutely, I thought we were covered, because that’s the way we understood it, from the agent.”After WESH 2 Investigates contacted Princess Cruises, the company applied a future cruise credit of $1,046.56 to Barton’s account and promised the same for Degruchy.Barton expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “Well, I’d like all of my money back. That’s not going to happen!”Degruchy added, “I still feel cheated!”Princess Cruises stated, “Princess did not control the insurance process but facilitated the claim. We remain committed to supporting our guests.”AON Affinity Travel, the third-party insurance carrier, said, “Our team reviews and processes every claim, and all submitted information, on its own merits.”For those planning a cruise, it’s important to consider insurance options. Some cruise companies allow insurance to be added after booking, and different levels of insurance are available with varying premiums.Jeff Swiatek from Sanlando Travel noted that Princess offers a “platinum” protection plan, which might have refunded the couple.He said, “It may cover a rental car while you’re traveling. You may want to have a pre-existing condition waiver.”Swiatek emphasized the importance of having some coverage, stating, “You never know what’s going to happen, so I think the best thing is, you should get some coverage even if you get base coverage.”
A local couple’s dream cruise aboard the “Caribbean Princess” was canceled due to a flare-up of chronic back pain, highlighting the challenges of travel insurance policies.
B.J. Degruchy and Dave Barton had planned to spend Valentine’s Day at sea, but Barton’s health issues forced them to cancel the trip.
Barton said, “And I just called them up and said, ‘Hey, I can’t make it. I just don’t think I can make it.’ I thought we’d get our money back.”
Barton had purchased the Princess travel protection standard plan, costing $251.16 for a total fare of $3,042.
The plan offered future travel credits for uncovered reasons and cash refunds for illness, injury, or death.
However, when Barton filled out a medical form indicating his symptoms began in November 2024, the insurance carrier deemed him ineligible for a refund.
Degruchy said, “Absolutely, I thought we were covered, because that’s the way we understood it, from the agent.”
After WESH 2 Investigates contacted Princess Cruises, the company applied a future cruise credit of $1,046.56 to Barton’s account and promised the same for Degruchy.
Barton expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “Well, I’d like all of my money back. That’s not going to happen!”
Degruchy added, “I still feel cheated!”
Princess Cruises stated, “Princess did not control the insurance process but facilitated the claim. We remain committed to supporting our guests.”
AON Affinity Travel, the third-party insurance carrier, said, “Our team reviews and processes every claim, and all submitted information, on its own merits.”
For those planning a cruise, it’s important to consider insurance options. Some cruise companies allow insurance to be added after booking, and different levels of insurance are available with varying premiums.
Jeff Swiatek from Sanlando Travel noted that Princess offers a “platinum” protection plan, which might have refunded the couple.
He said, “It may cover a rental car while you’re traveling. You may want to have a pre-existing condition waiver.”
Swiatek emphasized the importance of having some coverage, stating, “You never know what’s going to happen, so I think the best thing is, you should get some coverage even if you get base coverage.”
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