My friend booked a cruise for the both of us. He has since died. Will the cruise line let me go without him?

Question

The cruise line has all my info (name, address, birthday). So, I guess I could just go myself. But if I want to take someone, do you think they would let me transfer it out of his name? (he prepaid for the trip). Maybe I'll need a death certificate, but I can't get one because I am not a family member. I don't even know his family. Anyone who might know these answers, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you bought the insurance thru the cruise line or another travel insurance company, you could get all the money back  by providing the cruise line on insurance co. with a copy of the death certificate.  If you want to take someone else, you just pay $35 to a 100 (depending on which cruise line you're booked on) and do a name change.  It can be done up to 3 days prior to the departure date....all cruise lines vary, but call them and ask.  

If you go by yourself, you will have to pay the base rate of the cruise plus 1 port tax & fees.  (Its like booking a hotel...you go by yourself, you almost pay full price; whereas, if you go with a friend, you split the cost.).  Example, if you each paid $1000 for the cruise, $200 of it is port taxes & fees.  If you go by yourself, you would have to pay $1800...that is minus his $200 port taxes.

You should have booked this thru a travel agent.  They would have advised you on what to do and how to do it....and they would have taken care of everything for you.    By going directly thru the cruise line or the internet, prices are the same.

You don't save anything and you have to do all the work.  Use a good experienced travel agent next time.

Answer 2

Don't tell them he's dead.  Just tell them he's drunk.  If he doesn't look healthy enough to travel, keep him in your luggage, and only give them one short peek at him.  Tell them that's what he always looks like when he's drunk.  If he smells, tell them that's what he always smells like when he's drunk.  You might also want to spray some bug spray on him, to keep maggots off.

Answer 3

im sorry about your friend...

Answer 4

First off, i'm very sorry to hear about your friend's passing.

Cruise lines aren't monsters. They tend to be resistant if the passenger is healthy and well but you want to change it to someone else. However, I think in your case they'd be willing to listen and if not transfer it to someone else, they should at least refund the money to his family. Tell the cruise line to contact his credit card company, which should have now on record that he is deceased. Or, if you paid for it yourself, explain the situation to them. Any rational human being will understand.

Answer 5

A name change is deemed a cancellation and you will not be able to have the name changed.  DId your friend have cancellation insurance?  If so, you might be able to get it cancelled (due to death) but w/o it, you are stuck.  You could confirm this through the travel agent you purchased the tickets with.  If you did it online, there is still cust service through that route.

Answer 6

Go by yourself if you want, but since he paid for it, geez, wouldn't it be kind of ungrateful to bring someone in his place? Crass even?

Answer 7

Wow. . .sounds like you care more about the cruise than your friend