SCENIC is claiming a world first, with the launch last month of a new “River Cruise Guarantee”. Negotiated in conjunction with Ace Insurance, the river cruising travel insurance arrangements are included at no extra cost on every Scenic river cruise. Once passengers commence their voyage they are covered for any delays or cancellations that occur due to weather, natural disasters, mechanical breakdowns or strikes.
“Our river cruising guarantee is designed to give you comfort and assurance for certain events which prevent you from cruising and are not considered typical or usual to river cruising,” the company said – and in the event that a claim is required clients will be refunded in cash, rather than in the “industry standard” of future cruise credits. The policy wording says clients will be paid up to $1,000 for each full 24 hour period from the start of the delay or cancellation, up to a maximum of $7,000 (or seven consecutive 24 hour periods) or the originally scheduled end date of the Scenic cruise, whichever is the lesser.
Unforeseen events covered by the policy include a complete halt to an itinerary where the ship is unable to sail and passengers are unable to do on-shore excursions except by way of coach transfers of greater than three hours each way; mechanical breakdowns which result in the cruise being suspended and no alternative ships available; industrial action which would mean a ship cannot pass through a lock and the cruise cannot continue; and where Scenic is able to accommodate passengers on an alternative Space-Ship due to high or low water but the itinerary is delayed by over 24 hours.
Normal disruptions are not included – such as ship swaps which take less than six hours, or if alternate arrangements of similar quality are made for any itinerary activities. The company said the addition of the river cruise guarantee is an example of “staying true to our commitment of being all-inclusive”.
