Cruise Canceled Due to Emergency: How We Got Our Money Back
Sometimes, no matter how much you plan, life has other ideas. We were just days away from setting sail on a long-anticipated cruise when we faced an unexpected family emergency. Our plans changed in an instant, and instead of packing for a relaxing getaway, we were navigating hospital visits and last-minute trip cancellations.
The biggest question on our minds: Would we lose all the money we had spent on this cruise?
The Unexpected Call That Changed Everything
About three days before our departure, we got a call that no parent ever wants to receive—one of our kids needed emergency surgery. Without hesitation, we dropped everything and rushed to be by their side. Thankfully, everything turned out okay, and our child made a full recovery. But in the midst of the chaos, we realized that our cruise was no longer an option.
Step 1: Canceling Excursions and Prepaid Expenses
Since we had planned ahead, we knew exactly what needed to be canceled first. We had pre-booked excursions through the cruise line, and luckily, those were fully refundable as long as we canceled before embarkation. That money was back in our account almost immediately.
Next, we had also pre-paid for parking at the cruise port in Tampa. After a quick phone call, they processed a full refund within a day. Small wins, but at this point, we were still concerned about the biggest expense—the cruise fare.
Step 2: Calling the Cruise Line
Since we had never canceled a cruise before, we weren’t sure what to expect. We contacted Royal Caribbean, explained our situation, and asked about our options. Unfortunately, because we were so close to the sail date, our entire cruise fare was non-refundable. The only money we were eligible to receive back was port fees and taxes. While we understood their policy, it was still tough to accept.
Step 3: The Power of Travel Insurance with Our Credit Card
Fortunately, we had unknowingly prepared for this scenario. One of the best decisions we made before this trip was booking the cruise with our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. This card comes with trip cancellation insurance, which covers non-refundable travel expenses in cases of emergencies.
We reached out to Chase, and they guided us through the claim process. Here’s what we needed to submit:
A doctor’s statement from the surgeon verifying the medical emergency
Proof of payments made for the trip
A cancellation statement from Royal Caribbean
Other items specified in a tailored list for your situation
While the process required some back-and-forth communication and paperwork, the good news is it worked! Within several weeks, we were fully reimbursed for our cruise fare.
Why Travel Insurance is a Must-Have
This experience was a wake-up call about how valuable trip protection can be. We always hope that emergencies won’t happen, but having the right insurance can make all the difference. Whether through a credit card benefit or a separate travel insurance policy, we now highly recommend having some form of coverage.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, family comes first—no vacation is more important than the well-being of a loved one. We would have gladly accepted the financial loss if necessary, but having trip cancellation insurance helped ease the burden. If you’re a frequent traveler or cruiser, we highly suggest looking into credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve for added peace of mind.
Want to learn more? Check out our video on how we cruise for free using credit card points: https://youtu.be/2NchKwQibRg
Interested in the Chase Sapphire Reserve? https://www.
Have you ever had to cancel a trip due to an emergency? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your experiences!