ZIKA CANCELLATION POLICIES Working on solutions

Posted on 01/29/2016

The Public Health Agency of Canada warns that pregnant women and women considering becoming pregnant should discuss travel plans with their doctors to assess their risk and "consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is circulating in the Americas.” Travel agents share this information with clients, but what happens when pregnant clients have already booked and paid for their upcoming travel?

Cruises Most cruise lines will help clients with a solution but few have stated policies on their websites. All Carnival brands will allow pregnant passengers and their travelling companions to cancel in exchange for a future cruise credit at a later date. Norwegian Cruise line is working with pregnant women who are past the point of cancelling their cruise without penalty to come up with a new solution. Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd is going case-by case, but may offer a different itinerary or credit for a future cruise. Disney Cruise Line is asking pregnant women who want to change their reservation to call their contact centre for assistance. Insurance At the time of this writing the Public Health Agency of Canada considered the Zika virus infection in the Americas a Travel Alert Level 2: Practise enhanced precautions. Typically travel insurances will cover for trip cancellation and interruption for a Travel Alert of 3 or higher. Travel insurance companies offer “CFAR: Cancel for any reason” coverage, but the trip must be cancelled within a certain window of time. Manulife Financial has sent a communication to their travel partners with regard to the Zika travel alert stating that they will consider any claims submitted by any insured pregnant clients and their travel companion(s) in light of any special or unique circumstances. RBC is said to be covering cancellations. The Globe and Mail reports that TD Insurance will not cover cancellation unless the federal government warns pregnant women to “avoid all travel” to a given destination. The wording by the Public Health Agency of Canada suggests women "consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is circulating in the Americas.” Airlines On Thursday, following similar announcements by United and American Airlines, WestJet and Air Canada said they will allow travellers to change bookings or get a refund if they want to cancel their flights because of concerns over the Zika virus outbreak. There are some conditions so check their policies as posted in full on their websites: Air Canada WestJet