Exciting News! “CruiseAssurance” Trip Protection!

You might have noticed several companies recently offering "job protection" offers on everything from new car purchases to vacations. Recently, Carnival and NCL announced offers of their own for people booking cruises. I've watched with interest these offers, particularly as you can imagine the offers from the cruise lines, but I wasn't too excited about them. In most cases, trip insurance from the cruise lines themselves don't offer enough coverage in my opinion, and these offers didn't go far enough.

So when my company, Cruises Inc., announced to us today that our Travel Guard TravelCompanion policies were being expanded to offer protection in the event of a job loss, I finally had something to get excited about. Especially since there's no increase in the premiums for this additional coverage!

I've been speaking with a lot of my clients recently about adding "cancel for any reason" protection to their Travel Guard policies on their bookings, partially to receive this coverage. But that's no longer necessary... at least not for that reason. (Cancel for any reason can still be beneficial if you're concerned about a pet, have children with uncertain schedules, job issues other than layoffs, etc.) This is a huge value, and exciting to be able to offer to my clients.

Here are the details from our press release:

CRUISES INC. UNVEILS GROUNDBREAKING NEW JOB LOSS INSURANCE, COVERING TRAVEL
ON EVERY CRUISE LINE

Nation’s Largest Cruise Retailer Now Offering “CruiseAssurance” Upgrade (At No Additional Charge) on Bookings March 1-May 2, Raising the Bar by Insuring All Cruise Travelers

Fort Lauderdale, FL – February 27, 2009 – Consumers might be concerned about losing their jobs, but they no longer need to worry about a pink slip ruining their vacation plans. Cruises Inc., the nation’s largest cruise retailer as part of World Travel Holdings, today unveiled the first-ever comprehensive job loss travel insurance policy covering travel on all cruise lines. The new
“CruiseAssurance” initiative is an exclusive benefit to consumers booking through one of more than 450 Cruises Inc. agents nationwide, even if they have to cancel their trip at the last minute because of an unexpected layoff.

The best part? Cruises Inc. is picking up the tab for “CruiseAssurance” for consumers purchasing their basic travel insurance. Combined with lower-than-ever prices, cruising is now the most affordable and worry-free vacation option.

“In today’s environment, it is crucial for businesses to step up to the plate showing we understand consumer challenges, and a handful of companies have recently done this with their
versions of job loss protection,” said Dwain Wall, General Manager of Cruises Inc. “Our ‘CruiseAssurance’ policy takes the concept of job loss insurance to a new level, easing the concerns of consumers at no charge and on any cruise line of their choice.”

Under the “CruiseAssurance” policy, travelers booking a cruise with Cruises Inc. can cancel their trip up to the day of departure, or even during the vacation. The only requirements are that
travelers purchase an entry-level travel insurance plan from their Cruises Inc. agent – administered by Travel Guard – and present their termination letter. One year of employment is required. “CruiseAssurance” applies to bookings made March 1 through May 2, 2009 and is offered in addition to an already comprehensive travel protection policy.

“We have our finger on the pulse of what is happening with consumers and travel, and we are
passionate about finding innovative ways to problem-solve, making cruise travel accessible and affordable for everyone,” said Wall.

So if you've been thinking about booking a cruise, but were waiting due to uncertain job situation, wait no longer! Contact me for more information or to book your cruise!