The guarantee is backed by Chubb Insurance and automatically covers every guest on the commencement of their cruise for any delays or cancellations due to weather, natural disasters, mechanical breakdowns or labour strikes.
Coverage will include high/low water issues that plague the industry every year, and approved claimants will receive direct monetary refunds, up to US$475 per day with a maximum of seven days or US $3,325 per guest, instead of the industry standard of future cruise credits.
‘The River Cruise Guarantee is a natural extension of our Emerald Value brand promise,’ said Lisa Norton vp of brand management for Emerald Waterways, North America.
In the event an Emerald Waterways cruise is delayed or cancelled once it has commenced and before disembarkation, guests will be reimbursed for some or all of their cruise fare (up to the aforementioned cap) under the following circumstances: a complete halt to the itinerary where the ship is unable to sail and where Emerald Waterways cannot deliver the scheduled shore excursions except by way of coach rides of greater than three hours each way and where Emerald Waterways has the ability to accommodate guests on another Emerald ship due to high/low water but the itinerary is delayed for more than 24 hours.
If there is a mechanical breakdown on the ship that results in it not being able to continue the cruise and there are no alternative ships available or there is industrial action or Emerald is unable to pass through a lock stopping the cruise from continuing, passengers will also be reimbursed.
The insurance is designed to insure for unforeseen events rather than minor delays or deviations and the operator recommends guests to also purchase personal travel insurance, as the River Cruise Travel Guarantee does not cover travelers for the cost of trips should they be unable to commence or finish a trip due to their own personal or medical issues.
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