After American Queen adjustments its COVID protocols, Patricia Voorhees Furlong and her husband need to skip their river cruise. Is that allowed? Or will they lose $7,858?
Q: My husband and I’ve a cruise scheduled to depart this month on the American Empress from Vancouver, Wash., to Clarkston, Wash. I logged onto the cruiser line’s web site to examine the Covid protocols together with required PCR assessments and masks necessities. Once we booked the cruise, my husband and I completely reviewed the procedures in place. We felt snug and that the general requirements had been glorious.
Nevertheless, I used to be shocked to see how lowered the requirements had change into. A PCR check was now not required and solely antigen assessments can be given earlier than boarding. Proof of vaccinations (not booster photographs) had been necessary. However social distancing and masks had been now not required.
I instantly reached out to our journey agent who was equally stunned. She promised to name me again. I’m nonetheless ready to listen to again from her. Within the meantime, I contacted our physician for his recommendation with the lowered protocols. He despatched us a letter strongly advising us to not take part within the cruise with the elevated variety of circumstances.
I’ve additionally contacted our journey insurance coverage, however our firm stated we might file a declare if we had a motive to not be vaccinated. My husband and I are each vaccinated.
American Queen, the cruise line, will hold 100% of our cruise fare if we cancel now. However the cruise line modified its protocol with none notification. And the corporate’s current protocols are lower than different main cruise traces. Might you assist us both get our a refund, or a cruise credit score? — Patricia Voorhees Furlong, Lebanon, Pa.
A: I can perceive your causes for canceling your cruise. Your well being is extra necessary than any trip. However is American Queen required to refund your cruise when it adjustments its COVID necessities?
Earlier than I reply, I needed to make clear the timeline on this. Your cruise was scheduled for Might 2022, when circumstances had been rising once more, however many cruise traces had loosened their masking and social distancing necessities.
American Queen doesn’t handle well being and security necessities in its passenger ticket contract, the authorized settlement between you and the corporate. Which means it could make a change like including or eradicating a masks requirement, and it owes passengers nothing. American Queen might hold your cash.
However I don’t assume it ought to. COVID turned every part the wrong way up. Passengers made some concessions to cruise traces — and vice versa. American Queen ought to present somewhat understanding and give you both a refund or a voucher for a future cruise.
Additionally, I feel you purchased the fallacious insurance coverage in your circumstances. If you happen to had a “cancel for any motive” coverage, you would have canceled and acquired between 50% and 75% of your pay as you go, nonrefundable bills. You had a inexpensive named-perils coverage, which wouldn’t permit you to cancel and get your a refund.
I contacted American Queen. The corporate supplied you vouchers which might be legitimate for the subsequent two years. The corporate has additionally refunded your port charges.
