COMING AND GOING
Sunken Suitcases

Sunday, April 15, 2007

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CRUISE NEWS
Sunken Suitcases

After the recent capsize of the Sea Diamond in the Greek islands, CoGo expected to get questions about cruise safety. But the only queries -- and most of the chatter on the independent Web site CruiseCritic.com -- were about what happens to people's stuff.

"Do I need travel insurance? Does the insurance cover your belongings if the ship sinks?" asks a Springfield reader who's setting off on her fifth cruise in July and had never before contemplated insurance.

Insurance certainly is a good idea, says Melissa Baldwin, senior editor at Cruise Critic. Policies vary, but you can buy coverage that will not only reimburse you for lost belongings and the ruined portion of your vacation but also help you replace your passport, find and pay for a place to stay and pay for transportation home.

Shouldn't the cruise line do that? In the case of the Sea Diamond, "officials are preoccupied with the two missing passengers and other critical, pressing issues," Baldwin says. She notes that one insurance company, AIG Travel Guard, is offering free assistance to all passengers.

What the cruise line eventually will do to compensate the more than 1,300 passengers rescued at sea, Baldwin says, "remains to be seen."

UPRIGHT AND LOCKED
No Passage to India

In November, two months after paying Cheapseats.com more than $6,000 for four tickets to Mumbai, Surabhi Dabir of Washington learned that British Midland International airline was ending all flights to Mumbai and couldn't find new seats for her. Okay, the winter holiday was ruined, but the family figured they could visit relatives this summer.

But nearly six months later, Dabir is still awaiting the refund she needs in order to buy new tickets.

Dabir and her family had been scheduled to fly United to London, then on to Mumbai on British Midland. When the airline called to inform her of the route cancellation, Dabir contacted Cheapseats, the online travel booking agency she'd used. She was promised a refund in four to six weeks. That didn't happen. Cheapseats then pledged a refund in early February. That didn't happen. Cheapseats then said United had the money; call United. United said no, call Cheapseats. Cheapseats said no, call United. Dabir said she repeatedly called United in February, then in March began sending e-mails. In early March, Dabir said, "United told me they would need to research it for three to four weeks and then decide whether to grant a refund."

United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski told CoGo its records show a refund request was made on March 19. The refund was processed March 27, she said, and will be reflected on Dabir's next credit card statement.

The quickest and easiest way to recover money for services or goods not delivered: Ask your credit card company to dispute the charges.

TRAVEL TICKER

You can once again take a "small quantity" of water or soda on board Carnival cruises. Last month the line banned all nonalcoholic beverages unless bought on board. Last week it reverted to its old policy. . . . Amtrak is adding food carts to more Acela trains. Details: http://www.amtrak.com/; click on News, then Releases.

CLARIFICATION

Last week's item about a Regent Seven Seas ship leaving port hours early should have noted that the incident occurred in November 2005. The advice -- tell your cruise line of your flight plans so it doesn't leave without you -- still holds.

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Dutch Treat

Icelandair has sale fares from BWI to 13 cities in Europe. For example, fly round trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, for $484 (including $86 taxes) or go round trip to Amsterdam for $577 (including $92 taxes). On other airlines, fare to Amsterdam starts at about $648. Cheapest fares are available for travel through June 6. Info: 800-223-5500, www.icelandair.com.

Reporting: Cindy Loose

Help feed CoGo. Send travel news, road reports and juicy tattles to:cogo@washpost.com. By fax: 202-912-3609. By mail: CoGo, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

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