Cruise diverted to help with a rescue mission. What now?

sparkiemalarkie

Hello my friends cruise ship was diverted to help with a rescue mission of a boat in distress. Sadly the ship was only able to pick up bodies.
This detour meant that one-third of their itinerary was missed
My friend is 'Too grateful to be alive' to make enquiries....

They feel that it was absolutely right to make the detour even though the outcome was desperately sad......

What usually happens in situations like this?

daveyjp

Two outcomes.

Cruise company generally offer some kind of compensation,  when a friend went on a 14 day cruise which ended up being the same 7 days twice due to bad weather they received on board compensation and a 50% refund.

If your friend has cruise travel insurance there may also be missed port payments, butbthis will need a letter of confirmation from the cruise company.  These are often available whilst on board as soon as ports are missed.

Mands

sparkiemalarkie said:

They feel that it was absolutely right to make the detour even though the outcome was desperately sad......

It wasn't that the captain was right to detour, he was legally obliged to under Maritime law. A ship can not just ignore a distress call.

In contractual terms your friend is almost certainly entitled to nothing. The cruise lines can, and will, alter itineraries. What is left is some sort of goodwill gesture: on board credit, a discount against future sailings or a refund of part of the price paid.

cymruchris

sparkiemalarkie said:

Hello my friends cruise ship was diverted to help with a rescue mission of a boat in distress. Sadly the ship was only able to pick up bodies.
This detour meant that one-third of their itinerary was missed
My friend is 'Too grateful to be alive' to make enquiries....

They feel that it was absolutely right to make the detour even though the outcome was desperately sad......

What usually happens in situations like this?

Yes - although a sad outcome, very much maritime law, and something beyond the captain's control. There may be a goodwill gesture offered upon enquiry, or if your friend has insurance cover they could take a look as to what the details are, and what's covered, but am not aware of any automatic entitlement as a result of the situation outlined.