HOUSTON, Jan. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise ships are
expected to carry more than 22 million passengers worldwide in
2015,1 and based on historical trends, many of the
bookings will be made from January through March, which is known in
the industry as "cruise wave season" for the high volume of
reservations traditionally made during the cold winter months. With
people setting their sights on sailing away, AIG Travel
(www.aig.com/travel) shared tips today to help travelers "shore up"
protection against contingencies that can be stressful and costly
for cruisers.
"The recent high-profile Coast Guard medical evacuation of a
passenger from a cruise ship near New
Orleans is a reminder that unexpected events can happen
while on a cruise vacation," said Phil
Hsia, president, AIG Travel Americas. "Many people are
unaware that an emergency medical evacuation at sea can cost tens
of thousands of dollars, an expense that's typically not covered,
or not fully covered, by private health insurance plans."
While "do-it-yourself" cruise planning is on the rise, an
experienced cruise travel agent can help educate vacationers not
only about specific ships, itineraries, shore excursions, pre- and
post-cruise hotel options, related air travel logistics, etc., but
also on ways to help guard financially against the burdens of
unanticipated travel delays, lost luggage, and emergency medical
care while away from home.
AIG Travel points out that while the coverage provided by travel
insurance plans varies based on a number of factors, and not all
circumstances are covered, a cancelled or delayed flight that
causes a passenger to miss embarkation can present the challenge of
trying to catch up with the ship at the next port, and that
changing airline tickets at the last minute to do so can be
costly.
Also, an illness or injury that requires treatment at a hospital
in a foreign port may be ineligible for coverage by private health
insurance plans, or cause the patient to incur high copayments that
compound stress stemming from the medical condition and the
disrupted cruise vacation. Passengers can help prevent medical
issues by being up to date on routine vaccinations, as well as any
that may be recommended by their physician or the Centers for
Disease Control, as appropriate for their cruise destinations (see
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list), and packing
alcohol-based hand sanitizer, seasickness treatment (if medically
indicated), and copies of any current prescriptions.
AIG Travel's comprehensive Travel Guard insurance solutions can
cover many unforeseen situations that could result in cancellation,
interruption or delay of a cruise vacation, and many, additionally,
feature 24/7 emergency assistance services. The experts who staff
the service centers around the globe can assist with replacing lost
travel documents or personal identification, conveying messages,
finding an English-speaking doctor, and even coordinating alternate
arrangements for a return home, if the unexpected becomes a
reality.
Recently, in fact, AIG Travel arranged return travel to
New Zealand for two clients who
had been rescued and flown to Bali
after their cruise boat sank in Indonesia during a four-day voyage. The
clients were badly sunburned and suffered rashes, as minor leg and
eye injuries. AIG Travel provided claims support and medical
assistance to help with lost personal effects and luggage,
unexpected travel and accommodation expenses, and overseas medical
costs.
In 2014, for the seventh consecutive year, Travel Guard was
named Cruise Holidays International "Non-Cruise Supplier of the
Year," as voted by the members of North
America's oldest and largest cruise-specialty retail
franchise. Key considerations in the voting included overall
product and support quality as well as other benchmarks. Travel
Guard has also earned numerous other industry awards over the
years.
For more information about the Travel Guard portfolio of travel
insurance solutions and global assistance services, please visit
www.aig.com/travel or www.travelguard.com.
1"Cruise Market Watch Announces 2015 Cruise Trends
Forecast," Cruise Market Watch, Dec. 20,
2014,
http://www.cruisemarketwatch.com/articles/cruise-market-watch-announces-2015-cruise-trends-forecast
About AIG Travel and Travel Guard
AIG Travel, Inc., a
member of American International Group, Inc., is a worldwide leader
in travel insurance solutions and assistance. Travel
Guard® is the marketing name for its
portfolio of travel insurance solutions and travel-related
services, including assistance and security services, marketed to
both leisure and business travelers around the globe. Services are
provided through a network of wholly owned service centers located
in Asia, Europe and the Americas. For additional
information, please visit our websites at www.aig.com/travel and
www.travelguard.com.
About AIG
AIG is a leading international insurance
organization serving customers in more than 130 countries. AIG
companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers
through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty
networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading
providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG common stock is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Additional information about AIG can be found at www.aig.com |
YouTube: www.youtube.com/aig | Twitter: @AIGinsurance | LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/company/aig
AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty,
life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American
International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit
our website at www.aig.com. All products and services are written
or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International
Group, Inc. Products or services may not be available in all
countries, and coverage is subject to actual policy language.
Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent
third parties. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided
by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally
participate in state guaranty funds, and insureds are therefore not
protected by such funds.
Contact:
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Lauren
Sancton
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MMI Agency
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713-929-6947
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lauren.sancton@mmiagency.com
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SOURCE AIG