Thread: HAL Enhances Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan

Holland America Line Enhances Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan
Friday October 24, 8:00 am ET Modifications to CPP Platinum provide increased benefits

SEATTLE, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line guests now have the option of purchasing an enhanced version of its Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP), which covers the cost of a cruise fare in the event of cancellation by the guest. While the former plan required an approved covered medical reason to cancel within 24 hours of departure, the new CPP Platinum will feature a 90% refund upon cancellation for any reason up to departure, as well as increased baggage protection and relaxed rules related to recovering expenses for a trip delay. The new plan is effective for cruises departing September 1, 2009, and beyond.


Extension of Cancellation Period
Eliminating a previous one-day notice clause, the updated CPP Platinum offers a "cancel-for-any-reason" refund at 90% of the of the eligible amounts paid (excluding the protection plan cost) up to the point of departure. The extension of time allows for any circumstance that might prevent travel within 24 hours prior to departure, regardless of the reason.

Standard CPP reimburses 80% of eligible amounts paid for cancellations for any reason up to 24 hours prior to departure. For most sailings, Holland America Line's standard cancellation policy allows guests to cancel in writing without penalty up to 76 days prior to the departure date.

Trip Delay Benefits
Compensation up to US$500 per person for accommodation and travel expense is provided with the enhanced CPP Platinum for any length of trip delay. Previous per diem limits and minimum trip delay length restrictions have been eliminated.

Baggage Protection Increased
In addition to the reimbursement of US$600 for baggage delays, liability for baggage loss or damage has increased from US$600 to a total of US$1600 under the CPP Platinum Plan.

The non-refundable CPP Platinum is available to U.S. and Canadian residents and must be purchased at the time of deposit. Pricing varies by cruise fare. For example, CPP pricing for a guest paying $1,200 per person for a seven-day Caribbean cruise would be $99 for Standard CPP and $129 for CPP Platinum. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.

That's better! That $600 was a laugh!

We still won't buy HAL's insurance.

They ask for it when you make your deposit.

If you change your mind about a cruise -- and we often have -- they will not move that insurance over to the new cruise. You just lose that money.

We don't either! Our TA has one we use.

This year when we had to cancel our Eurodam, it was transferred to our next cruise.

We have been using Access America. We never buy it until it is time to make final payment as we know that we can always cancel a cruise before final payment without any penalities. Unfortunately with Access America they will not transfer the insurance to another cruise if you cancel. That is why we don't purchase it until final payment.

AAA -- they don't have a good insurance plan.