help with travel changes due to illness

[diverrick]

My wife and I recently booked our next trip down to Roatan, for two weeks. We are booked and paid for with Continental for the flight, and has reserved a place for one week at reef house resort, and one at Cocoview. Problem is that my wifes Doctor just called last week and told us they think she has ovarian cancer! We are to meet with some of the surgeons in the next week or so, and then it appears there will be a surgery to determine the extent of the cancer. It now looks like we will be unable to make the original dates we had planned for, due to this issue coming up. I have heard that you might be able to rescheduale your flight if you have a Doctors note to provide the airline. I also have DAN insurance, but they did not respond to my quirey about what was covered, so we are in limbo here.. Has anybody gone through something similar before, and have some advice for us? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[jakubson]

My wife and I recently booked our next trip down to Roatan, for two weeks. We are booked and paid for with Continental for the flight, and has reserved a place for one week at reef house resort, and one at Cocoview. Problem is that my wifes Doctor just called last week and told us they think she has ovarian cancer! We are to meet with some of the surgeons in the next week or so, and then it appears there will be a surgery to determine the extent of the cancer. It now looks like we will be unable to make the original dates we had planned for, due to this issue coming up. I have heard that you might be able to rescheduale your flight if you have a Doctors note to provide the airline. I also have DAN insurance, but they did not respond to my quirey about what was covered, so we are in limbo here.. Has anybody gone through something similar before, and have some advice for us? Thanks in advance for any help.

Do you have DAN travel insurance, or just DAN diver's insurance. If the latter, it will not be of any help. That's why I always buy travel insurance when I pay in advance for a trip.

Having said that, you don't want to read a lot of "woulda, coulda, shoulda." Most resorts do not want an unhappy diver saying bad things about them. Talk to them directly if possible (Not through the booking agent) and explain the circumstances. I have had more than one "non-refundable, non-cancellable" trips rescheduled or even refunded when I have done this.

Best wishes for your wife.

 

[DandyDon]

I have DAN Divers Insurance, and it does include some additional coverage while on trips, but not much.

Additionally, I always buy Trip Insurance for any destination outside of the US for several reasons. This sort of thing is one of them. Based on what you have posted, you did not - and are not covered.

I believe that Continental will allow you to use the money paid for the tickets on a future trip, less $100 penalty per ticket. Be sure to call, cancel as early as possible, and have the reasons noted on the ticket record. Saved hard copies of the ticket info.

Then, when you do use the residual funds on a new ticket, they just might waive the penalty. I saw them do this last week for a lady who canceled a ticket because her daughter had a car wreck. Pretty good company, but they don't want to leave the door open to abuse of their policies, so it's their call.

jakubson gave you good advice on the resorts, except I'll add this: Ask for the General Manager and wait until you get to him/her before you explain. Just advise it is an emergency, and you need to speak with the GM.

Very best wishes to you and your wive on the medical challenges. Even if it is, they are doing wonderful things with cancer treatment. Let us know, will ya'?

 

[tx.lakerats]

call all the places that you intended to go and explain the situation the the MGRS. of the locations... they maybe able to help...

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Hey Rick

Best wishes to Catherine. I hope you get your trip refunded but mostly I hope she gets well soon. I have only met het a few times but found her to be a wonderful person to be around.

I am serious when I say to let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Keep me posted please.

 

[baltimoron]

I don't know anything about your predicament, but I just REALLY REALLY hope your wife is OK. Best wishes for her and for yourself, and I'll hope for a speedy recovery.

~ Zack

 

[kent_1848]

Rick-
I'll keep your wife in my prayers. As far as your other situation, I have no advice, but I wish you luck.
Kent

 

[diverrick]

I guess this is good news. We met with the oncologist, and he wanted to wait for a few weeks a do another ultrasound. If it's grown then we operate, if it has nor grown then we watch it closely. That means we can continue our vacation plans as planned and she doesn't have to go under the knife like we presumed at first. We will know when we return if she'll need surgery. My wife is ecstatic about that, as she was really not looking forward to missing her vacation, and having surgery. Now she has a chance to do the vacation and a possibility that she will not need surgery in the near future.

 

[DandyDon]

I guess this is good news. We met with the oncologist, and he wanted to wait for a few weeks a do another ultrasound. If it's grown then we operate, if it has nor grown then we watch it closely. That means we can continue our vacation plans as planned and she doesn't have to go under the knife like we presumed at first. We will know when we return if she'll need surgery. My wife is ecstatic about that, as she was really not looking forward to missing her vacation, and having surgery. Now she has a chance to do the vacation and a possibility that she will not need surgery in the near future.

That's super news Rick!!! :jump013:

Hope she doesn't ever need the surgery, but at least let her have her dive trip first. Super Duper!! :dazzler1:

For future trips, consider buying the trip insurance right after booking so pre-existing conditions will be covered.