Thread: Cruise lines reach out after accidents

Cruise lines reach out after accidents

BY JANE WOOLDRIDGE

jwooldridge@MiamiHerald.com

Book an excursion through a cruise line, and if something goes wrong, the cruise company will back you up. Arrange a shore visit on your own and, depending on circumstances, you could be on your own.

When 16 Celebrity cruise passengers were injured during a ship-arranged scenic drive in Dominica on Monday, the cruise line sent a ''care team'' to the island and paid for medical evacuations. The tour company had been vetted by Celebrity to ensure its staff was trained, equipment up to standards and insurance adequate.

But when 12 U.S. cruisers arranged their own tour in Chile in 2006, the bus driver and vehicle had not been certified to transport passengers, officials in Chile later said. The van crashed, and all 12 died. The cruise line -- again Celebrity -- sent staff to help passengers and family members.

Though they weren't responsible for expenses, Celebrity picked up the tab.
Other major lines have similar practices. ''Even if it's not our excursion, if there's an accident we're going to do everything we can to take care of those guests because reality is those guests are in a foreign country,'' said Tim Gallagher, spokesman for Carnival Cruises.

But when it comes to paying for medical expenses, the passengers -- or their travel insurance policies -- technically are responsible.

Shore excursion tickets typically state that cruise lines are agents only and therefore not responsible for safety or medical expenses related to accidents.

Cruise lines reach out after accidents

I thought this was a good reminder that if you book independent tours that you run the risk of being on your own in case of an accident.

Sometimes the cruise lines will step in as mentioned above, but we have read many stories where the cruise lines were not as helpful, especially where paying expenses comes into play. It really is not their responsibility to cover any expenses for those who book on their own.

Be sure you are willing to take full responsibility of booking off ship.

Always get travel insurance just in case

Originally Posted by sue miller

Always get travel insurance just in case

"Always" can't be stressed enough! Never leave home without it.