It is all too easy to skip out on travel insurance thinking it will save you a couple of dollars. However the thing about insurance is, you don’t need it until you really need it. Disasters happen at the blink of an eye, so it is always best to be prepared.

At Imagine Going There Travel, we know that the investment you are making in a Viking Cruise matters. We suggest purchasing travel insurance to protect you and that investment.

Continue reading to surf through two travel insurance themed stories from Tails From Our Sails. Also, find out about travel insurance options and why we partnered with Blue Ribbon Bags.


Travel Insurance Disaster - Tails From Our Sails


Before becoming a Viking Cruise Travel Agent, Carol Shaddix, CEO and Founder of Imagine Going There Travel, and her husband, Doug, were a part of a real estate investment group and they attended a seminar at sea.

During the cruise, one member had an unexpected heart attack. He had to be air-lifted to a nearby and remote island.

This man was a seasoned cruiser, and he was well established financially. He had always purchased travel insurance, but he had never needed it. . . Until now.

Since the expense of the life-flight alone was over $50,000, everyone started making donations to help cover the expenses.

Thankfully, he made a full recovery, but recovering from that financial surprise took much longer! The sad thing is - that situation could have been totally avoided had he had travel insurance.

Of course, medical emergencies are the big reason why travel insurance is purchased, but there are other benefits as well, such as trip delay (perhaps from flights being canceled), trip interruption, security evacuation, and baggage delay or loss, too.


Travel Insurance Safety Net - Tails From Our Sails


Clients Joan and Kari were looking forward to their Viking Panama Canal & Central America Cruise. Their bags were packed and their Uber scheduled for 6 a.m. the following morning.

Prior to their departure time, Kari woke up with a dreadful case of the stomach bug. As 6 a.m. loomed closer, the couple decided they had to cancel their cruise.

Thankfully, Joan and Kari had purchased travel insurance! They were quickly reimbursed for 100% of their vacation investment, including the extra excursions they had already pre-paid for.

Kari was able to rest, not feeling guilty for missing their dream vacation they had saved so long for. A couple of months later Joan and Kari were headed to the Panama Canal to make memories that will last a lifetime.


What Travel Insurance Viking Recommends


Viking Cruises recommends a Travel Protection Plan through TripMate. This plan comes with a “Cancel For Any Reason Clause” that allows purchasers to bypass Viking’s cancellation penalties for any reason!

Like Joan and Kari, if you purchase additional, pre-paid for land or water arrangements, the Travel Protection Plan will reimburse you up to $187,500!

If you have a medical or non-medical emergency and must join the cruise late or leave the cruise early, the Travel Protection Plan will pay for alternative travel arrangements. Ensuring the most direct route possible.

Have lost or damaged luggage? The Travel Protection plan provides $1,000 for lost or delayed luggage. It also provides up to $3,000 for damaged personal items. This includes those fragile souvenirs!

Purchasing TripMate’s insurance plan within 14 days of your cruise deposit will extend the plan to cover pre-existing medical conditions.

For more information about using TripMate’s Travel Protection Plan, please contact Trip Mate at 1-866-303-1165 or Imagine Going There Travel at (770) 421-9627.


How to Purchase Viking’s Recommended Travel Insurance

As good as TripMate’s Travel Protection Plan is, it does differ by state and by length of trip. If you are not careful, you will end up spending hours surfing their website and calling 800- numbers.

At Imagine Going There Travel, we expedite this process by knowing the Travel Protection Plan inside and out! We are happy to send you current quotes based on your state, length of trip and existing medical conditions.

Plus, this conversation opens the door for Imagine Going There Travel to get you or your cruise mate special accommodations, if needed.

Call us today to purchase travel insurance for your next Viking Cruise - (770) 421-9627.


Why We Partnered With Blue Ribbon Bags


We partnered with Blue Ribbon Bags because we hate when luggage gets lost and those priceless yet fragile souvenirs get broken.

Blue Ribbon Bags is a tracking service that helps locate lost or mishandled luggage. They guarantee to reunite you with your luggage within four days, wherever you are in the world.

If they do not deliver on their promise, you receive a thousand dollars compensation per bag, up to two bags.

An important note about luggage - it does occasionally get lost or misplaced and sent to another country! That is why it is so important to pack essentials in a carry on. Specifically pack any medications you may need, but also bring an extra pair of clothes, shoes and toiletry items.


Conclusion

In conclusion, skipping out on travel insurance is not a safe bet while having travel insurance can help to protect you and your investment.

Viking Cruises recommends using a Travel Protection Plan through TripMate. This plan comes with a “Cancel For Any Reason” clause.

Imagine Going There Travel will help simplify and expedite the process of purchasing TripMate’s travel insurance. We have also partnered up with Blue Ribbon Bags to help locate and replace lost or damaged luggage.

For more information about booking a Viking Cruise, contact us today!


​If you have booked directly with Viking Cruises in the last 60 days, you qualify for an additional $200 Shipboard Credit! Call Carol at 770-557-5586 or email Carol@ImagineGoingThere.com for more information.