Kickbacks May Be Involved in Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program

As with many travel insurance programs offered at the point of sale by different cruise companies, the Royal Caribbean travel protection program may be pushed onto the customer by the cruise line without disclosing that they likely have a vested interest in selling it.

Some travel protection programs may be offered by third-party insurance companies that incentivize cruise companies to sell it by offering them a portion of the profit as a kickback.

The Royal Caribbean travel protection program has a mix of services offered under one umbrella like other similar programs. The individual cost for these services may not be broken down and itemized for customers, while promotional materials present it as an essential package whose price inflates if one decides to delay the purchase. Or the customer may be misled by opt-out tactics that could add insurance products to their purchase without their knowledge.

A quick overview of the Royal Caribbean travel protection program available at the cruise line’s website indicates that the insurance offers the following elements with certain conditions and exclusions:

• Trip Cancellation Coverage—100 or 75 percent respective reimbursement of cruise costs when traveler must cancel for illness and injury or other reason. Returned monies are based upon a portion of cruise package that remains unused at the point of cancellation.
• Coverage for Travel Delay—If a connecting flight is late or missed through no fault of the traveler such as weather, this coverage bridges the gap and helps them get to their cruise and begin their vacation as promptly as possible.
• Protection for Lost Baggage—$1,500 reimbursement for lost luggage and $500 to purchase replacement items if luggage is delayed prior to the start of the cruise.
• Phone Support 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week—Customer service support for any difficulties encountered at any point on the cruise.
• Medical Care and Emergency Transport—Expert physician, hospital care in the event of serious illness or injury beyond the scope of the ship’s doctor and coverage for an emergency flight to such facilities and back home.

Of the above features of the Royal Caribbean travel protection program, three of the last four are products underwritten by Arch insurance company, and another is a product of On Call International. No separate pricing is listed on the website, allowing for comparative shopping.

Failing to break out the different components with their respective costs may violate applicable insurance advertising laws. When it comes to comparative evaluation of the best travel insurance value, a breakdown of services and their individual cost is essential. Also necessary is access to a company’s record of payouts in the event putting in a claim becomes necessary.

What’s worse, some types of cruise travel insurance policies are written in such a way that it may be impossible to make a payable claim.

Did you or a loved one purchase Royal Caribbean travel protection or similar plans offered by Norwegian or Disney Cruise Lines after 2014? Were you or your loved one misled by the sales presentation? Whether these programs were purchased online or elsewhere, you may qualify to participate in a class action lawsuit investigation.

Cruise Vacation Protection Plan Investigation: Do You Qualify?

You may qualify for this investigation if you meet the following requirements:

• You purchased a Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, or Disney Cruise line ticket online after 2014.
• You purchased a Vacation Protection Plan online at the same time as purchasing the ticket

If you meet the requirements detailed above, you may qualify to join this cruise travel insurance class action lawsuit investigation.

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