European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 20, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Smooth sailing piloting through a multitude of cruise insurance by the Washington Post cruise insurance can raise the Price of a cruise by As much As 5 to 10 percent. Do you need it and if so what kind the answer depends on your individual  Are Many different policies on the Market supplier policies Are offered by the cruise lines themselves retail policies Are sold by Independent insurance companies and a handful of cruise companies still sell a cancellation fee waiver which offers limited Protection of passengers deposits if they must cancel. Along with Cost the policies differ in the types of benefits covered the maximum amount of reimbursement and restrictions or exclusions imposed. The two primary reasons for buying cruise insurance Are to cover the costs of an Accident or sudden illness occurring during a cruise and to get reimbursed for your Deposit if you Are forced to cancel. Cruises typically Cost from hundreds to Many thousands of dollars and most lines impose hefty penalties up to 100 percent of the cruise Cost for cancellations within 60 Days of the sailing Date. Potential problems that could mar a cruise and for which there is cruise insurance available include trip cancellation coverage provides Deposit reimbursement generally up to the moment the ship sails if you must cancel for personal illness or Accident or illness Accident or death affecting a travel companion or member of your family As defined by each policy. Younger travellers with healthy parents and no medical problems and passengers booking less expensive cruises May decide they Don t need such insurance. But travel agents recommend that others buy an insurance policy that covers them until the cruise is Over with enough coverage to provide reimbursement for the full Cost of the trip. Trip interruption coverage provides funds for a flight Home from the nearest port in Case of a family emergency and a refund of the unused portion of your cruise unto the amount for which you Are insured. Emergency medical and dental assistance provides limited coverage for medical treatment on a cruise. Insurance executives argue that temporary medical Protection is the most important reason for buying travel or cruise insurance saying Many health plans do not cover medical treatment abroad. For those who do have such coverage travel insurance generally will pick up costs their insurance does t cover. Pre existing medical problems Are excluded in Many policies but a pre existing condition such As chronic diabetes May be covered if the problem has been stable for a specified time usually 60 to 90 Days before the insurance is purchased. Emergency evacuation provides transportation to the nearest appropriate. Medical facility with provisions for getting accompanying dependents Home or for someone of your Choice to remain with you. Default. It s rare for a cruise line to go bust but it has happened. Retail policies can protect your Deposit but this coverage generally is not a part of the supplier policies sold by cruise lines. If you Don t buy default protections you Are most in jeopardy on cruises departing from ports outside the United states. Cruise lines departing from . Ports including puerto Rico Are required to Post a Bond administered by the Federal maritime commission the Bond should coverall passenger payments if a cruise line suddenly shuts Down. Missed connections coverage provides funds up to a specified amount to Fly you to your ship s next port if you missed the sailing because your regularly scheduled flight was cancelled or delayed unless the delay was due to an air plane mechanical problem. Travel assistance services. Some policies provide 24-hour hot line assistance to travellers needing help in making emergency medical or trave arrangements. Travel delay coverage pays expenses up to a specified amount if you Are delayed in route to your plane by a traffic Accident one in which you Are not involved r or because of other delaying occurrences including a natural disaster civil disorder or loss of passport. Baggage coverage provides reimbursement up to a specified amount for lost damaged or stolen Luggage. The airlines provide coverage while they Are carrying your suitcase but not after it leaves their hands. Your household insurance May also cover the loss. Baggage delay. Some policies provide a Token payment $50 to $100, for toiletries and other items needed if your bag is delayed in route. Since almost All cruises must be purchased through travel agents passengers can turn to them for insurance advice. First pick your cruise. If the cruise line offers insurance or a cancellation fee waiver determine if either meets your needs. Ask for copies of policies offered by Independent cruise insurance retailers and compare. Coverage and prices. Many cruise lines automatically Bill you for their insurance but you Are not required to take it. Independent retailers that offer cruise insurance include Access America 6600 w. Broad St., Richmond a. 23230,1-800-284-8300. Travel guard International 1145 Clark St., Stevens Point wis. 54481-2980, 1-800 826-1300. The travellers insurance 1 Tower Square Hartford Conn. 06183,1-800-243-3174, 1994 ski adventures still available with the Heidelberg International ski club following trips still open St. Moritz a Ourach 21.23 an 330 do Engelberg cd 28-30 Jan 250 do Laute Brunen cd 4-4 feb i is do Flims lax cd 44 fcb 31$ do Villars cd Miff to 270dm Verbie Rii cd 18-21 fcb 3isdm Mario Eva i 18-21 feb 515 do a stand Chat exch 25-27 feb 305 do for More information on membership and trip availability Call Dennis Blaken 06621-578 858 or Lisa Huffen 06221-578 261 cruise the especially for . Service members and their families in Europe la Palm a special Spring sailings from Malta and Greece March 19-26, 1994 8 Days from to Venice Genoa Italy Capri Italy Tunis Tunisia $849 Black sea easter cruise March 26 april 5, 1994 v. 11 Days from to Venice from $980 Channel of Korinth transit Piraeus Greece Cana kale Turkey Istanbul Turkey Yalta Gus Varna Bulgaria Pythion Greece transfers available by air train Black sea cruise aprils 16, 1994 12 Days from $980 from to Venice Channel of Korinth transit Piraeus Greece Cana kale Turkey Istanbul Turkey Yalta Gus Varna Bulgaria Piraeus Greece Pythion Greece for reservations and information Contact your local sat travel office tour brought to you through sat travel in cooperation with inter cruise. Services vary by office location according to government regulation. Full travel services available at army installations in Germany and at air Force offices in Ramstein Pitburg. Span Dahlem and Serr Bacn. 76 stripes Magazine january 20, 1994 50 percent discount for children 18 and under Malta surakus Sicilia Corfe Greece take this and to your local sat travel office and get an Early booking discount of $50 for adults and $25 for kids up to 18 years of age. Valid till fcb. 15, 1994 1561 Star