Thread: Costa North America offers new Job Loss Protection Program

COSTA CAREFREE: COSTA NORTH AMERICA OFFERS NEW JOB LOSS PROTECTION PROGRAM

MIAMI (July 29, 2009) — Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, is offering guests an added protection for job loss under its “Costa Carefree” Job Loss Protection Plan. The program provides coverage for cruise guests who involuntarily lose their job and covers cruise and air fares.

The plan is part of “Costa Carefree,” a recently renamed program that also features Costa’s existing Guest Protection Plan. Both plans must be purchased separately. Job Loss Protection Plan prices range from $19 to $69, depending on the cruise itinerary and may be purchased up to the final cruise payment. The plan allows for reimbursement of cruise fare (and air fare if purchased through Costa) should an individual be involuntarily terminated from their job and has worked for their employer for three years or longer.

“We wanted to offer a guest protection program that allowed our guests to customize based on their needs and that provided assurances that would allow them to truly be more carefree about their cruise purchase,” said Ruben Perez, senior vice president of guest services and revenue management for Costa North America. “The plans in our ‘Costa Carefree’ programs do just that by allowing guests to chose our already existing Guest Protection Plan, our Job Loss Protection Plan, or both.”

Costa’s Guest Protection Plan, administered by BerkelyCare, covers trip cancellations/interruptions, travel delays, emergency medical expenses, evacuations, baggage delays and loss, and emergency worldwide assistance among a variety of other benefits. Plans are commissionable for travel agents at 10%. Complete information on “Costa Carefree” is available at the Costa website.

Hmm, seems kinda pricey and that provision that you have to have been employed by the same employer for three years would immediately disqualify me. I have not worked for the same employer for three years since the 80's.

I guess contract employees are out, Neal. I wonder how many folks will buy it?