Holiday cancelled due to pregnancy

Cassie5000

I booked a cruise & flight for January 2013 with Cruise Nation, for myself & my husband. I've paid them for most of the trip. I wasn't pregnant at the time. I then discovered, in September, that I was pregnant & told Cruise Nation. They informed me that the airline won't take me as I will be beyond 30 weeks by then. We expected following this to get a full refund but have been shocked to receive a 'Cancellation Invoice' from Cruise Nation stating that we owe them money! How do we go about getting our money back (approx £2000)? Our insurance company is refusing to cover us as they say pregnancy is not a medical condition. I have written to Cruise Nation twice but haven't even received the courtesy of a reply from them. Does anyone know what our rights are?

malkie76

If your insurance doesn't cover pregnancy they you are in a bad position.
It's not a medical condition (as you point out), and something you achieved through your own actions.

I think sadly you've lost your money, but I'd challenge them over the remainder.

[edit]

I guess you didn't like the responses in your original thread?

Cruise company have kept their side of the contract - it's not their fault you got pregnant.

NFH

Check the terms and conditions for where it states that pregnancy will cause you to be denied travel.

With regard to insurance, which is a separate matter, you could complain to the Financial Ombudsman. Perhaps give them a call first for advice.

malkie76

With regard to insurance, which is a separate matter, you could complain to the Financial Ombudsman. Perhaps give them a call first for advice.

That would be a waste of time. They aren't covered for pregnancy.

ppc1

I feel that you are very unlikely to get the resolution that you want.

Why not go back to Cruise Nation and are if you can change the date of your cruise until after the child is born? You may want a relaxing break after going through all that pain! lol.

I think Cruise Nation will do this for an amendment fee. I know that it is someting that Holland America and Celebrity would do for you.

Failing that you will lose your cash! I hope you get it sorted and congratulations on your pregnancy.

NFH

malkie76 wrote: »

That would be a waste of time. They aren't covered for pregnancy.

You've missed the point. If pregnancy is deemed a significant or unusual exclusion, then the insurer has to mention it in the "key facts" about the policy and not hide it in the small print. This is where the Financial Ombudsman can intervene.

malkie76

Which I'm positive it will be as its a reasonably common occurance.

miduck

malkie76 wrote: »

Which I'm positive it will be as its a reasonably common occurance.

You are correct malkie76, pregnancy is not an unusual exclusion, it is very rarely you will find a policy that covers pregnancy.

I note in the other thread the OP said they are pursuing a s. 75 claim - not a hope.

lgw29

i would check out the airlines policy for flying as most uk airlines say you can fly up to 32 weeks with a doctors letter saying everything is ok, also check out the cruise liners policy as i'm sure they say you can not sail up to 26 weeks ( might be a bit more ), there was a thread a few weeks ago about the same thing

clairey179

I found myself in a similar position. I had a 2 cruises booked for myself and my husband for 2012, one in the summer one in october. I discovered I was pregnant in May 2012, and subsequently cancelled both cruises (the october one I was beyond their cut off dates) and the summer one because I can't fly without very heavy duty tranquilisers that shouldn't be taken unless essential in pregnancy.
I got 3 x medical letters from my gp - all stated my gestation at the relevant time, that I didn't know I was pregnant when I booked the cruises, and that the medical advice was I didn't fly whilst pregnant.
I got a full refund from both royal carribean and celebrity, which was a relief as I'd paid them both in full! I've sailed with them before, and wrote a letter stating I was a loyal customer etc, (with loyalty membership numbers to back it up!).
Originally RCI said they needed to keep £75 per person as an admin fee, which I queried, and they refunded that aswell.
Try writing directly to the cruise line (I did it online), and get medical letters from the the GP.
I didn't have travel insurance (crazy, I know!), but wouldn't have necessarily expected them to cover my pregnancy.
PM me if you want details of the letters etc I sent.
HTH and you can get at least some of your cash back!