missed cruise due to flight cancellation

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What Happens If I Miss My Cruise Due to a Flight Cancellation?

Note: Cruzely.com nor the author are insurance professionals. Be sure to review any policy and ask your insurance company any questions you might have.

We are an affiliate of InsureMyTrip, linked below. We receive a small commission if you buy travel insurance through the links included in this article, at no cost to you.

While most people imagine a cruise starting when they first step onto the ship, the vacation actually begins with getting to the port.

For many people, that means heading to the closest airport to catch a flight somewhere with a cruise port like Los Angeles, Miami, or Orlando. Most times that goes off without a hitch. And while we always suggest flying in the night before just to give you time in case there is a delay, many people (us included!) fly in the morning of your cruise and still make the ship in plenty of time.

However, flight cancellations do happen, as we saw in late 2022 when Southwest Airlines — one of the most popular carriers in the country — canceled literally thousands of flights, leading to stranded passengers and ruined travel plans.

So what happens if you are flying in for a cruise, but your flight is canceled, meaning you aren’t able to get to the port on time and the ship leaves without you?

Don’t Make the Port? Cruise Fare Could Be Forfeited

Let’s say you are sitting in the airport the morning of your cruise about to board your flight to Miami, and the gate agent says the flight has now been canceled. As a result, you aren’t able to make it to the port before the ship departs.

First things first, if you won’t be able to make it to the cruise, you should let the cruise line — or your travel agent — know immediately. They can work through your options with you, and let you know specifically what will happen with the trip and the money you paid.

Unfortunately, you are likely to take a financial hit. Most cruise lines have cancellation penalties in place that gradually increase to 100% of the cruise fare paid. For instance, Royal Caribbean’s penalty becomes 100% of the cruise fare paid 30 days prior to sailing. Carnival’s turns to 100% 14 days before the cruise.

And even though you aren’t willingly canceling your trip, these penalties still apply.

The good news is that what you paid for the cruise isn’t all cruise fare and you’ll almost surely get some money refunded . Refunded amounts include things like port fees, taxes, and prepaid expenses like gratuities.

For example, we have an upcoming cruise that could be impacted by a flight cancellation. We called Carnival to discuss options if we aren’t able to make the cruise, and the agent explained that the full cruise fare would be forfeited if we didn’t make the ship. However, many other expenses paid would be refunded:

So on a cruise totaling about $1,500, we would still lose the $887 in cruise fare if we aren’t able to make it to the port on time, but the rest of the money would be returned.

I Have Travel Insurance. Doesn’t That Cover Me?

Many people buy travel insurance for exactly this sort of situation. And in many cases it can help. But travel insurance is very specific what it covers. In the case of the strange Southwest Airlines situation, it may not offer much help according to an agent we talked to.

We called InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance broker offering plans from a number of different travel companies. The agent we spoke with told us that as it specifically applies to the Southwest situation, a new policy bought today wouldn’t offer protection. That’s because travel insurance is for unforeseen incidents, not those presently happening.

Interestingly, she also mentioned that most policies wouldn’t likely cover missing your cruise due to the situation at Southwest, even if it was bought well in advance of the upheaval.

Looking at the fine print of several policies, they all set out specific circumstances when they will cover a financial loss during your travel. They can range everything from a death of a family member to being fired from a job. But there are also clearly defined situations for flights.

As an example, when it comes to a flight cancelation impacting your vacation, one plan lays out the following circumstances under “Covered Events”:

“Common Carrier delays and/or cancellations resulting from adverse weather, mechanical breakdown of the aircraft, ship, boat or motor coach that you were scheduled to travel on, or organized labor strikes that affect public transportation”

So if the weather causes a cancelation, you’re covered. If the plane breaks down, you are covered. However, in the specific case of Southwest Airlines, while a winter storm might have started the current issues, it then spread well beyond that. Many flights were canceled where there were no weather issues at all. Meanwhile, the canceled flights also weren’t due to mechanical issues or an organized labor strike.

The result? While travel insurance can help cover you with many flight cancellations leading to a lost cruise, in this case you might have a hard time being reimbursed.

“Cancel For Any Reason” Coverage Should Offer Protection… If Bought Early

If you want to make sure you have some sort of coverage for your cruise in case of any flight cancellation, there is a solution.

Travel insurance — and many of the plans sold by cruise lines when booking your trip — offers “cancel for any reason” coverage. As the name implies, if you have to miss your cruise — no matter the reason — then you have some protection offered.

For instance, Carnival offers “Carnival Vacation Protection” that offers the following:

“If you need to cancel for some of the most common reasons (severe weather, illness, etc.) you’ll get 100% of the cost of your trip back, in cash. If you need to cancel for any reason not listed in the plan — any reason at all — you’ll get 75% back in a Future Cruise Credit Certificate.”

Third-party travel insurance can offer similar “any reason” coverage. There are some things to know. First, this sort of insurance is typically more expensive than traditional coverage since it offers more protection. As well, it often needs to be purchased shortly after the booking date of your trip.

Even so, if you want the most “foolproof” way to make sure you are covered for your cruise — no matter the reason that your flight is delayed or canceled — then it’s your best option.

To explore travel insurance options, you can visit InsureMyTrip.com .

More in protecting your cruise investment:

Answered: How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?

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Consequences of missing a cruise due to flight cancellation: understanding travel insurance coverage.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Immediate notification to cruise line or travel agent is important when facing a flight cancellation to minimize penalties and potential loss of cruise fare.
• Travel insurance may not cover all situations, including ongoing incidents like the Southwest Airlines situation, so it is important to review policy specifics.
• Cancel for any reason coverage provides the most comprehensive protection, offering cash refunds or future cruise credits for various reasons.
• InsureMyTrip.com offers options for travel insurance with cancel for any reason coverage, providing peace of mind and ensuring coverage for flight delays or cancellations.

Immediate Notification to Cruise Line or Travel Agent

Increasing Cruise Fare Penalties as Sailing Date Approaches

Availability of refunds for certain expenses, example of cruise fare forfeiture, limitations of travel insurance for flight cancellations.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage as a Solution

Frequently asked questions, what are some common reasons for flight cancellations that are typically covered by travel insurance, how long after booking a trip can cancel for any reason coverage be purchased, are there any circumstances in which cancel for any reason coverage would not provide a cash refund, does cancel for any reason coverage also cover expenses such as port fees and taxes, are there any specific situations in which cancel for any reason coverage would not apply, even if the flight was cancelled.

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team.

From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

Cruise Industry Proposal: Safer Travel Amidst Coronavirus

Choosing the Perfect Month to Cruise: Pros and Cons of Sailing All Year

Meet Asra, a talented and adventurous writer who infuses her passion for exploration into every word she writes. Asra’s love for storytelling and her insatiable curiosity about the world make her an invaluable asset to the Voyager Info team. From a young age, Asra was drawn to the power of words and their ability to transport readers to far-off lands and magical realms. Her fascination with travel and cultures from around the globe fueled her desire to become a travel writer, and she set out on a journey to turn her dreams into reality.

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What Happens When Delayed Flights Cause You to Miss a Cruise Departure?

When it comes to cruising, the last thing you want to do is miss the boat. Delayed flights, accidents on the way to the airport and even personal emergencies can interrupt the first leg of your journey, causing a major headache -- and heartache. If you purchased travel insurance or flight-included cruise fare, you may be reimbursed for your stateroom and transportation costs. Alternatively, you can try to catch the cruise at the next port.

Insured, In Luck

With the unpredictability of both cruise and airline travel, more passengers are purchasing travel insurance or cruise line-specific travel coverage -- such as Royal Caribbean's "Cruise Care" -- to cover emergencies both on land and at sea. If your flight is delayed on the way to the cruise port and your travel insurance policy includes delayed flight or missed connection coverage, the insurer reimburses you for each night you miss on the cruise, as well as the added transportation costs to the next port, such as meals, accommodation and the replacement flight, itself. As always, restrictions apply, such as the reason for the airline delay; most insurers cover the common culprits, such as airline mechanical problems and airline personnel strikes, but weather-related delays may not be covered.

Cruise Fare Loophole

If you purchased your flight and cruise together, often called a "cruise fare," the cruise line often pays for the replacement flight to the next port -- as well as, in some circumstances, meals and accommodations -- if you miss your connection flight or your flight is delayed. Like travel insurers, cruise lines have specific policies regarding the reason for the delayed flight, and not all incidences are covered.

In the event that you miss your cruise departure as an uninsured, noncruise-fare traveler, you always have the option to fly to the next port and embark on the ship mid-trip. While the cruise line does not reimburse you for the flight and added travel costs, the price of the additional airline ticket may be worth it for longer cruises.

Tips and Considerations

Read the missed connection or delayed flight coverage section of your travel insurance policy closely; your reimbursement is limited to a per-person, per-day amount, and may not include certain costs such as flight-change fees. Most insurers only cover delayed flights if you have budgeted extra time in to compensate for travel delays.

If your travel plans are flexible, consider flying into your cruise disembarkation city a few days before your cruise departs.

If your budget is flexible but you have a limited amount of travel days, book only direct, nonstop flights to your cruise destination city. Flights without layovers are more expensive than multiple-stop flights, but you are less likely to get delayed and the decrease in travel stress may be worth it.

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A family of four missed a long-awaited Disney cruise after Air Canada cancelled their flight, joining hundreds of passengers with vacation plans foiled by summer travel chaos

• A couple and their two children missed a Disney cruise after Air Canada cancelled their flight. 
• Instead, they spent three days traveling and slept "on benches" in the airport overnight. 
• Their daughter tested positive for COVID in the emergency room a few days later, her father told Insider. 

A family of four missed a long-awaited Disney cruise after Air Canada delayed and cancelled their flights over Independence Day weekend - among hundreds who have seen vacation plans dashed by this summer's travel chaos.

"Our kids are devastated," their father, Nathan Morris, told Insider. "We had planned the trip many months ago and had talked about it almost every day since." 

The $5,500 week-long cruise to Alaska was meant to be a birthday gift for the family's six and ten-year-old children, who instead spent the holiday weekend in multiple airports. 

The family's first flight from Baltimore to Toronto took off two hours later than scheduled and sat on the tarmac for over one hour waiting for baggage personnel, Morris said. This caused them to miss their connecting flight to Vancouver, where the cruise was ported.  

Air Canada then rebooked the family's flights for early the next morning with an additional layover in Montreal, flight documents viewed by Insider show. 

"One person at customer service even stated that, had we been watching the news, we would have known this was going to happen," Morris said, adding that the airline did not offer hotel accommodations.

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The couple and their two young children had to sleep "on benches underneath escalators in the Toronto airport," he told Insider. 

Passengers were 'herded around like cattle ... without so much as an apology.' 

The flight from Toronto to Montreal was delayed the next morning, according to Morris. Then, the connecting flight from Montreal to Vancouver was delayed three and a half hours due to "an unforeseen aircraft maintenance issue," documents show. By noon, the flight to Vancouver was cancelled entirely. 

The next available flight wouldn't leave until the next day, meaning the family would be unable to reach the port in Vancouver before the cruise departed. After two full days of traveling with kids, the couple decided to book the next flight home. 

Throughout the rebooking process, Morris said they were "herded around like cattle from one customer service desk to another without so much as an apology."

"To make matters worse, we got notification that we were exposed to someone with COVID on our return flight," he told Insider. "Our daughter, a couple of days later, tested positive for it after visiting the emergency room due to a high fever we weren't able to control and constant vomiting." 

Air Canada did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. A spokesperson for the airline said last week that the industry is "currently challenged due to issues with airports and third-party providers of such services as passenger screening, customs, and air navigation."

"We are working hard with these partners and governments to resolve these issues as they are affecting the performance of airlines," the spokesperson added. 

Morris submitted an online refund request for the $1,500 flight tickets and was able to receive a partial refund for the $5,500 Disney cruise, he said. The only response he's received from Air Canada was an automated message saying an agent may not be available for another 30 days, he added.  

The family also lost hundreds on airport parking, transportation, a kennel for their dog, and an unused hotel room. Morris and his wife had taken days off from work, leaving those vacation days wasted. 

"My wife and I are still in shock. Not only because we missed a much anticipated and expensive cruise and gift to our children (we don't have a lot of money — both working parents) but just how we were treated," he said in an email to Insider. 

Are you an airline or airport worker? Have a tip? Contact these reporters from a non-work email address at [email protected] and [email protected]

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Flight delayed or canceled? How to get ahead of the issue. | Cruising Altitude

• If you have a tight connection, let a flight attendant know.
• Research your alternatives before you get to the customer service counter.
• Know your rights.

It’s the realization no traveler wants to have: your flight is delayed, canceled or diverted, and as a result, you’ll miss your connection or otherwise not make it where you’re trying to go.

It’s a frustrating situation, but it doesn’t always have to be the end of the world – or even the end of your trip. Ultimately, airlines want to get you where you’re trying to get to, and sometimes, you can help smooth that process by doing your research and being prepared when you finally have your turn with customer service.

So the next time your travel plans go awry, here are the things to remember.

Tight connection? Let a flight attendant know

If your flight is delayed and you have a connection, you may still be able to continue without too much hassle. 

Nadia Henry, a travel adviser who goes by Sparkle professionally, told me flight attendants may be able to help make that connection a little easier for you.

“If the flight is not full, they can move their seat up if they’re nice,” she said. “They can make an announcement that there are people that are on a connecting flight, (so) please let these people off first.” 

A few weeks ago, I heard the cabin crew leader on my flight announce multiple times that there were many passengers on our plane with tight connections after a long delay before our departure. He requested that everyone allow those passengers off first and the message seems to have stuck. It was the first time I can remember in ages that people generally stayed in their seats when we arrived at the gate.

However, Sparkle said that flight attendants may not know your predicament if you don’t ask for help, so it’s important to be your own advocate if you encounter issues while traveling.

Research your alternatives

Being your own advocate isn’t limited to asking flight attendants for help. If you’re going to miss a connection or your flight has been canceled, you may need to have all or part of your trip rebooked.

In that case, it’s a good idea to approach customer service with your preferred flights if you’re not able to rebook them yourself. Many airlines now offer self-service rebooking tools on their apps and websites, but those don’t always present every option.

So, how can you do this research? Well, first, download the airline’s app on your phone before you travel. That will be the easiest way to get updates and make changes to your itinerary on the fly if something goes wrong. Take advantage of inflight Wi-Fi or service on the ground to get a jump on your fellow passengers when it comes to looking up your options and rebooking yourself. The sooner you can make those changes, the more options will be available.

“Doing your homework before you get to the counter is always good. You can be proactive to let the representative know, I already looked this up,” Sparkle said. Especially when agents are dealing with multiple delays and cancellations, knowing what flights you want when you get to the counter can help make their job easier because it means they don’t have to spend time searching for those alternatives for you.

Sparkle also said airlines can sometimes rebook you on other carriers, so it’s worth seeing what other airlines have available to get you where you need to go as well.

Keep in mind, there are no guarantees when things go wrong like this. Your preferred flights might not be available, or your airline might not have a partnership deal to get you on another carrier you’re requesting, but it never hurts to ask.

 Like most things in air travel, airlines usually accommodate elite frequent flyers and passengers in premium cabins first when things get disrupted. But if you don’t have status and you’re flying economy, you can still maximize your chances of getting your preferred alternate flights by using self-service rebooking tools as soon as possible. You can also reach out to airlines on multiple platforms, such as through their app and/or social media, while waiting to get customer service help at the airport. If you have lounge access, you may also be able to take advantage of shorter customer service lines there.

Zach Griff, a fellow aviation journalist at The Points Guy, recently posted a thread on social media about his best practices when he encounters flight issues, and researching alternative flights was his number one piece of advice.

Know your rights

Different airlines have different policies around rebooking, including hotel and meal vouchers, when your flight is delayed or canceled for reasons within their control.

The Department of Transportation has a dashboard that outlines each carrier’s rules, and a quick check before you get to the customer service counter or connect with a representative electronically or on the phone can help you understand what you can and can’t ask for in your situation.

For example, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue and United Airlines will rebook you on other airlines if your flight is significantly delayed for reasons they control. However, Allegiant, Frontier, Hawaiian, Southwest and Spirit Airlines won’t. 

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You may be entitled to a refund

If your flight is canceled for any reason and you choose not to travel on the alternatives your airline offers you, you’re eligible for a refund to your original form of payment – even if you bought a nonrefundable ticket.

The DOT recently announced changes to its mandatory refund policies that will go into effect this fall. These policies include automatic refunds if a service you pay for, like onboard Wi-Fi, doesn’t work on your flight. 

One more tip

Beyond advocating for yourself during a travel hiccup, Sparkle said there are things you can do to preempt some issues when you travel.

“Always keep any important medication in your carry-on bag. Also, always keep a small bag, whether a knapsack or small carry-on, with a change of clothes and all your toiletries,” she said.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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What should I do if my flight is delayed and what happens if I miss my outbound flight?

If your flight is delayed on your day of sailing, please follow these guidelines:

• Advise your airline as soon as possible that you are a cruise guest sailing that day. They will do all they can to book alternative flights
• Ask the airline to contact our emergency number 0208 834 9013 immediately and we will do our best to get you on board. If you miss your flight due to your own error, Norwegian Cruise Line will not cover any additional costs for rebooking
• Please note that if you miss your outbound flight the airline may consider this a 'no show' and may also cancel the return flight. In such cases, any additional expenses for rebooking return flights will not be covered by Norwegian Cruise Line
• If you have bought your own air tickets, independently of Norwegian Cruise Line, you will be responsible for any and all expenses incurred to join the ship

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Can I get flight delay compensation? These are the ways you qualify

Editor's Note

It's one of the most frustrating parts of travel. You book your flight, pack your bags and get ready for your trip. Then, right before you're set to fly, your flight is delayed — or worse, canceled.

You're stuck trying to salvage plans and figure out the best way to proceed, possibly missing airline connections, special plans, hotel reservations and more.

It feels like someone should pay you for all of this extra work and grief, right?

Ideally, the time-equals-money philosophy would be put into action in the case of delays. As with many things related to air travel rules, it's never quite as straightforward as we think it should be.

Here's what you need to know about qualifying for and receiving flight delay compensation.

What is flight delay compensation?

At its core, flight delay compensation repays you for lost time. Ideally, it holds airlines responsible for getting you to your destination within a set time frame. If they can't meet the minimum requirements for carriage, they would provide compensation, or financial repayment, for your time.

In Europe, one standard law provides for this type of financial restitution for delays and canceled flights, and it's very transparent and easy to understand. In the U.S., individual airlines set thresholds that are much less clear.

Related: Your flight is canceled or delayed – here's what you should do next

Flight delay compensation for international flights

Within the European Union, there are existing regulations that provide monetary relief to passengers for flights affected by delays and or cancellations, thanks to a 2005 regulation known as EU261.

If you are delayed three or more hours, you are entitled to compensation (see the chart below) unless the delay was caused by "extraordinary circumstances." These circumstances include weather, political strife, air traffic control decisions that are out of the airline's control and security risks.

Things like mechanical and technical problems are not extraordinary circumstances. However, airline strikes, for example, may be considered an extraordinary circumstance.

As a result, airlines have shelled out hundreds of millions of euros to passengers inconvenienced by delayed flights.

Since its inception, Europe has broadened this rule to apply to domestic connecting flights originating in the EU. This means flights within the EU, flights departing from the EU to the U.S. (and other countries) and even the connecting flights you book within the U.S. are eligible for compensation.

Depending on how long you're delayed, there are clear reimbursements you are entitled to receive:

Note that any compensation may be reduced by half if you accept a reroute from the airline to your final destination.

Related: TPG's guide to understanding EU261 flight compensation

Flight delay compensation for domestic flights

Unlike the European Union, the U.S. does not have one central tenet that directs how airlines should compensate passengers in the case of a delay.

"There are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with money or other compensation when their flights are delayed. Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers," is the official word from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

However, the DOT is making strides toward creating more transparency in the industry regarding this issue. As part of this, it's sought to hold airlines accountable for compensating passengers.

Travelers are already entitled to refunds for flights canceled by the airline and flights that are significantly delayed or changed after booking.

Until relatively recently, however, the DOT didn't define what constitutes a "significant" delay or change, leaving it to airlines to voluntarily self-regulate. In some cases, this resulted in airlines having extensive rolling delays of a flight rather than canceling it.

Now, the DOT has defined language and timing so that a "significant delay" would be defined as one that affects the departure or arrival time of a domestic flight by three hours or more (or by at least six hours for an international flight).

A "significant change" would include one that changes the departure or arrival airport or adds more connections to an itinerary than what was originally booked.

Interestingly, it would also include changes to the aircraft type "if it causes a significant downgrade in the air travel experience or amenities available onboard the flight."

Last year, the department unveiled its airline customer service dashboard — a tool that shows how the top 10 largest U.S. carriers will accommodate passengers in the event of a delay or cancellation that is within the airline's control.

For example, all 10 airlines will provide meal vouchers when a cancellation results in a wait of three hours or more for a new flight. All but Frontier Airlines will also provide complimentary hotel accommodations for passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. However, none of the 10, according to the DOT website, will provide cash compensation if a cancellation results in a passenger waiting for three hours or more from the scheduled departure time.

Note that the dashboard only provides information about amenities airlines provide when the delay is within their control. Many delays, however, are outside of the airline's control — for example, weather or air traffic control issues. Airlines generally provide little to nothing if a flight is delayed or canceled for those issues.

The DOT hopes the dashboard will become a resource for consumers to consider when they choose an airline.

Related: All the airlines' flight delay and compensation policies from DOT's customer service dashboard

What happens when I miss a connecting flight due to a delay?

Unfortunately, in the U.S., there is no overall policy governing delays. If you miss your connecting flight, contact your airline immediately either in person at the help desk, on the phone (usually a quicker option) or through the app. Or, if you have lounge access, head there first to talk to an agent, usually without a line.

The airline should work with you to place you on the next available flight. This may include putting you on another carrier. If you need to stay overnight, ask the airline for hotel and food vouchers.

After you return home, contact the airline about delay compensation.

Many travel credit cards include trip delay, interruption and cancellation benefits that protect you when flights go wrong. When you know that your flight will be affected, contact the issuer of the card that you purchased the ticket with to determine your options (see below).

Related: Missed your flight? Here's what to do

What credit cards offer flight delay compensation?

Trip delay reimbursement is a benefit that will compensate you for expenses that aren't reimbursed by your transportation carrier. Cards reference "common carriers" for this coverage, which typically means forms of public transportation with published schedules on which you bought tickets — think air trips, not road trips, for this category.

While airlines may provide hotel rooms and food vouchers for overnight delays that are under their control, such as maintenance issues, they typically won't provide support for things like weather delays. Moreover, what an airline provides may not cover all of your expenses. This is where trip delay reimbursement can help you.

Here are some cards that are among the best for trip delay reimbursement. It's important to note that the specific terms can vary from card to card (or issuer to issuer).

Also worth noting is that depending on the card, you must have a delay of six or 12 hours to qualify, which we note: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (six hours); Chase Sapphire Reserve (six hours) and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (12 hours or overnight); The Platinum Card® from American Express * (six hours); Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card * (six hours); Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card® * (six hours); Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card (12 hours or overnight); World of Hyatt Credit Card (12 hours or overnight); United Club Infinite Card and United Explorer Card (12 hours or overnight).

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company .

Related: Flight delayed? Remember these 4 things if you want trip delay reimbursement from your credit card

How to apply for flight delay compensation

Don't delay in requesting your compensation. In the EU, individual countries set deadlines, and they can vary wildly. The deadline to file a claim is not based on your citizenship, where you live or your destination but instead the location of the headquarters of the airline you flew.

You can generally find instructions on how to submit a claim on a carrier's website. However, if you have trouble finding that information, you can also print and complete the Air Passenger Rights EU Complaint form and submit it to the airline directly.

In the U.S., it's also best to ask for compensation soon after your disrupted flight. Domestic carriers are not obligated by law to offer financial compensation for delays. However, many do have policies — which you can find on the DOT dashboard — that provide some financial restitution for long delays.

Be sure to keep a copy of your flight information, including your ticket number, for the compensation request.

Bottom line

Although there is no consistent policy across the board for delay compensation, there are a number of ways you may be able to get financial compensation if your flight is significantly delayed.

In Europe, for delays of more than three hours, you may be eligible for compensation under EU261. In the U.S., check the DOT's dashboard to see if your carrier will compensate you for your delay.

If you can't get financial compensation that way, check with your credit card issuer to see if it provides trip delay reimbursement.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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What to Do If You Miss Your Connecting Flight — Including How to Get Compensated

Even the most well-planned travel days can be disrupted by a delay or cancellation. Here's what to do.

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You’ve purchased a plane ticket, packed your bags, and are ready to start your vacation. But then, you miss your connecting flight. Now what?

Even with the best planning, missed connections and flight delays may happen — just over 22 percent of all flights have been delayed this year by at least 15 minutes, according to the Department of Transportation . Missed connections and delays can be stressful, but if you’re prepared, you’ll be able to handle them like a pro. 

Here’s what you need to know if you miss your connecting flight due to a delay, including whether or not you’re entitled to compensation and how to get that money.

d3sign/Getty Images

What to Do If You Miss a Connecting Flight Due to a Delay

Missing a connecting flight due to a delay can be stressful for even the most seasoned travelers. Knowing what to do ahead of time can ease some tension and help you act quickly to get rebooked on another flight as soon as possible.

Most travelers head to the airline’s customer service desk once they miss a connection. If there are widespread problems and lots of passengers have been delayed, these lines can be substantial. 

While you’re waiting, be proactive and check your airline’s app to see if you can rebook yourself. You may also want to get on the phone with your airline’s customer service team, as they may be able to assist you sooner than the airport agents. Lastly, it can’t hurt to reach out to your airline via social media. 

You’ll have a better chance of resolving any issues quickly by reaching out to the airline through multiple channels rather than solely relying on the airport customer service desk.

When talking to the airline representatives to get rebooked on a new flight, it’s important to stay calm and polite. Jordan Rush, travel advisor, owner of Explorateur Travel, and a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors, has a simple but important piece of advice. “A great attitude will work wonders,” she says. “Travel hiccups are out of everyone’s control. Working through it with positivity will still allow you to enjoy the journey, even though it may be a bit overwhelming.”

Hinterhaus Productions/Getty Images

Find Out If You're Entitled to Compensation for a Missed Connecting Flight

Whether or not you’re entitled to compensation for a missed connection depends on who is at fault.

If you're the one responsible, you won't be be entitled to compensation. The airline may choose to accommodate you by booking you on another flight, but that’s their discretion, and you may be on the hook for change fees or even fare differences.

If you miss a connection because your first flight was delayed , you’re entitled to compensation depending on what caused the delay.

If the airline is at fault for the delay (due to circumstances like maintenance, crew problems, refueling, cabin cleaning, and baggage holdups), you’ll be rebooked on another flight on the same airline at no additional cost. Some airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United) will also rebook you on a different airline if needed.

If the delay is significant, passengers are entitled to a ticket refund if they choose not to accept the rebooking options. Unfortunately, there’s no standard amount of time that constitutes a “significant” delay, according to the Department of Transportation , so claims are handled on a case-by-case basis.

If a flight is delayed for three hours or more, passengers are entitled to a meal or meal voucher. If there’s an overnight delay, most major U.S. airlines (with the exception of Frontier) will provide a hotel stay and transportation to and from the property. 

If the missed connection was caused by a delay outside of the airline’s control, including things like weather and air traffic control issues, passengers are, unfortunately, not entitled to any compensation. 

How to Claim Compensation for a Missed Connection

If you’re entitled to a meal, hotel, or transportation voucher due to a delayed or canceled flight, you’ll need to request it at the airline’s customer service desk, as these are usually not handed out automatically. 

If the airline runs out of vouchers (as can happen during widespread delays), passengers should submit receipts to claim reimbursement for reasonable hotel, meal, and transportation charges.

These can be submitted, along with requests for a refund if you choose not to accept the rebooking options, to the airline’s customer service email address. If an email address isn’t available, try the airline’s live chat or feedback form, or call the customer service number to inquire about reimbursement.

photobyphotoboy/Getty Images

Flight Insurance for a Missed Connection

Having the right flight insurance can help cover expenses in the event of a missed connection or delayed flight, and you may already have a policy without realizing it. 

Many of the most popular travel rewards credit cards include trip delay coverage as a benefit. These policies cover expenses resulting from a delay or cancellation, like hotel accommodations, food, and essential toiletries.

Even better, credit card coverage protects passengers from delays caused by a wide variety of events that aren’t taken care of by the airline, including severe weather. Here are some great options with coverage of up to $500 per trip that kicks in after a six-hour delay:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
• Platinum Card From American Express

If you want to use the trip delay protection from any of these cards, all or part of your flight must be purchased with the card.

Alternatively, some passengers prefer purchasing a separate flight insurance policy to protect themselves against flight delays, missed connections, and flight cancellations.

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What kind of refund am I entitled to if I cancel my cruise booking?

Select fare programs require the payment at the time of booking of a nonrefundable deposit. That deposit amount shall not be refunded at any time after it has been paid. Change fees will apply to bookings for which the deposit is nonrefundable.

Cancellation of Cruise or CruiseTour

Cruises that are cancelled prior to the sail date, and CruiseTours that are cancelled prior to the first day of the CruiseTour, may be subject to a cancellation charge. The amount of the cancellation charge shall be determined as shown in the table below and shall vary depending on how far in advance of the sail date (or first day of the CruiseTour) the Operator receives notice of cancellation.

In the event of a cancellation of a Cruise or CruiseTour, any applicable Taxes/Fees or Fuel Supplement charges shall be refunded.  For bookings made outside of the United States and Canada, a different cancellation policy may apply. Contact your local office or travel advisor for details.

Cancellation notices are effective when received by the Operator.

For Passengers who have booked a CruiseTour and desire to cancel their tour portion while retaining the Cruise, refunds of the CruiseTour Fare (including any applicable supplement charges) shall be made in accordance with the following cancellation policy. Guests who convert their CruiseTours to a cruise only booking within forty-two (42) days of the start date of the tour segment of the CruiseTour will be subject to a cancellation charge. The amount of that charge varies depending on the location of the CruiseTour and/or its length. The cancellation charge policies set forth above vary for single occupancy or for the third, fourth or higher occupants in a stateroom or for groups. Consult your travel advisor or call Royal Caribbean for further details.

Cancellation by the Passenger after the Cruise or CruiseTour has begun, early disembarkation of the Passenger for any reason, including pursuant to any provision of this Ticket Contract, or “no-shows” shall be without refund, compensation, or liability on the part of the Carrier whatsoever.

If Carrier received payment via credit card, the refund will be made to that credit card. If Carrier received payment from your travel advisor, the refund will be provided back to that travel advisor.

Carrier reserves the right to offer promotional cruise fares or other offers that may modify the cancellation policies set forth above.

For cancellations of air flights, hotel stays, transfer services, shore excursions, pre-purchased amenities, Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program SM , pre-booked services (such as spa, photography or wedding services) and pre-booked arrangements such as specialty dining, see the applicable terms and conditions for any applicable cancellation charges.

Non-Refundable Deposit Fares

Outside of final payment, when a non-refundable deposit cancellation occurs, the full deposit amount will be held in penalty. Any additional payments made will be refunded.

Should you choose to change your original ship and/or sail date, if you booked directly with us, please contact our Consumer Outreach team where a representative will assist in making the desired changes, while also applying the qualifying change fee(s) and collecting payment, if not already done so.  If you booked via a travel advisor, please contact them for any booking changes.

Refunds for Delayed Sailings or Sailings Cancelled by Royal Caribbean

If we cancel a voyage, or delay embarkation by three (3) days or more and you elect not to sail on the delayed voyage or a substitute voyage we offer, you can obtain a refund or a future cruise credit (FCC).  Although our practice is to issue a future cruise credit automatically, you may instead  contact us to request a refund. Refund requests must be made within six (6) months of the date the cruise was cancelled or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier.

Please note this policy does not apply to guests booked on chartered sailings.  If you were booked on a chartered sailing that was canceled or embarkation was delayed by three (3) or more days, and you wish to inquire about refunds or future credits, you must contact the third party reseller that sold you the cruise.

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Family Watches Cruise Sail Off Without Them After Social Media Post Costs Them $15k Vacation

A Kentucky woman declared that she would never sail with Carnival Cruise again after her family’s vacation was unexpectedly canceled just two days before the holiday.

Tiffany Banks shared the saga on social media and revealed how her cruise holiday with her husband and children turned upside down.

The family was meant to travel aboard the Carnival Celebration ship and had paid in full for their trip. After a year’s worth of planning, about $15,000 exited their pockets for the off-ship excursions and their stay in the ship’s largest room—the Excel Presidential Suite.

Tiffany Banks stirred up a storm on TikTok as she revealed how her family’s cruise vacation was mysteriously turned upside down

Image credits: Pixabay

Image credits: Ryan Wallace

The plan was to catch a flight to Florida and set sail from Miami. However, it was only the day before their flight when the nurse practitioner discovered that their cruise trip had been mysteriously canceled.

In a series of TikTok videos, the scorned customer revealed that she received an email about their off-ship excursion and their stay at the Excel Presidential Suite being canceled.

The mother-of-four found out just about 48 hours before the trip that somebody somewhere somehow had their ship booking canceled

Image credits: thathippiedoc

“I have to laugh, or I’m just going to sit down and cry and just absolutely lose my mind,” she said in a TikTok video posted on May 12.

“We have nearly $15,000 tied up in for this vacation including excursions. The room itself was I think $12,000 or $13,000, and then we’ve got a few grand tied up in excursions, and actually with almost $2,000 for flights,” she noted.

Following the fiasco, the cruise company made a disappointing offer to provide two of the cheapest rooms available on the ship

Tiffany thought it might be a system glitch and tried telling the cruise line that she never canceled the trip. But she received an unhelpful response from Carnival about the Excel Presidential Suite already being booked by another customer.

Further disappointment came when the cruise company offered the family two interior rooms, which were the cheapest ones available on the ship.

“It’s not fair,” the frustrated customer said at the port as she laid eyes on the ship they were meant to sail in

The company also refused to offer their money back, stating their policy said no refunds could be made within 15 days of the ship setting sail.

“Eff you carnival — Go to hell!!!” the mom wrote on TikTok.

She said she went into “a full-blown panic” after finding out her reservation was canceled. Her kids were also in tears as they had been looking forward to the trip for about a year.

The Kentucky woman was outraged that the cruise company refused to give them their money back because of their strict refund policies

Tiffany decided to fly with her family to Miami anyway and attempt to salvage their holiday. But the disappointed customer had to helplessly watch the ship she was meant to travel on leave without them.

After checking into an Airbnb, the family tried to enjoy their time in the Sunshine State. The mother continued sharing updates during her stay about her conversations with a Carnival representative.

The family was forced to stay in an Airbnb and tried to make the most of their time in the Sunshine State

In one of the videos she posted, the frustrated woman shared a message with her haters, who were pointing fingers at her and claiming she was making things up or not sharing the full story.

“I’m an open book. I talk too much. I give out too much information — that’s just me naturally,” she said.

Eventually, when the cruise line got to the bottom of how their trip was canceled without their knowledge, a representative allegedly told Tiffany that she was the “victim of a form of identity theft .”

When Carnival Cruise finally found out what happened to Tiffany’s booking, they informed the mother that scammers used the booking information to cancel her trip using the information she shared online herself

Prior to the holiday fiasco, the mother and her husband had posted an update about their upcoming cruise vacation on Facebook and unassumingly shared their booking reference number, which should not have been disclosed.

On the same day they posted their Facebook update, someone created a fake online Carnival account with the booking number linked to their profile. Then, about 48 hours before the ship was meant to leave the port, the alleged impersonator canceled the entire cabin booking that Tiffany had made for herself and her family.

The cruise company said they would provide future cruise credit amounting to $10,404 if she was willing to state on social media that the company had positively resolved their issue

Details about the person behind the alleged identity theft remain unclear. But the luxury cruise brand said the IP address linked with the cancellation originated from British Columbia.

Although this proved that the TikToker was telling the truth all along about never having canceled the trip, she still did not get a satisfactory response from Carnival. The company promised to provide future cruise credit amounting to $10,404 if she was willing to state on social media that the company had positively resolved their issue.

“They apologized and then spit in my face with another bogus offer…” the mother said about the luxury cruise brand’s offer

“Well they still aren’t willing to make this right .. they apologized and then spit in my face with another bogus offer…” she wrote in the caption of one of her videos. “I want an apology from them trying to make it look like i was lying or hiding something or even worse – that there were security issues…”

“@carnival you owe me a public apology, and my money!” she added.

The mother felt let down and believed the high sea hospitality expert should change their policy. She also could not believe how easy it was for someone to carry out the fraudulent action and take over her booking.

Tiffany vowed to never travel with Carnival again after the disheartening experience

“We’re not sailing with Carnival ever again,” she stated.

Carnival Cruise Line acknowledged the incident in a statement to LADbible and said customers should not be posting personal information about their travel plans online.

“While we are not going to comment on any specific guest complaint or incident, it is never a good idea to post personal information about your travel plans, including a confirmation number for a booking, which could allow a bad actor or identify thief to use that information in inappropriate or even illegal ways,” they told the outlet.

Several people pinned the holiday drama on the woman for posting the information she should not have shared in the first place

J Hus pulls out of Parklife festival for 'unforseen reasons' as other headliners cancel

J Hus was due to headline Parklife's The Valley stage on the Sunday, but will no longer be performing at the festival in Manchester's Heaton Park this weekend (June 8-9)

• 01:43, 5 Jun 2024
• Updated 01:45, 5 Jun 2024

In a last-minute shake-up, rapper J Hus has unexpectedly dropped out of the Parklife festival due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. The Mercury Prize-nominated artist was set to light up Heaton Park this weekend but will now be absent from the lineup.

Parklife, the UK's biggest city festival that often features big names as well as up and coming artists, is scheduled for June 8-9 and promises a stellar array of acts including American sensation Doja Cat and the electronic powerhouse duo, Disclosure.

The festival organisers broke the news on Tuesday (June 4), announcing that J Hus would not take the stage at The Valley as planned on Sunday, reports the Manchester Evening News .

READ MORE: ITV Love Island star kicked out of villa 24 hours after show starts

A statement released on X confirmed: "Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, J Hus will no longer be performing at this year's festival."

Despite the setback, the festival is gearing up to host over 100 acts at Heaton Park. "With over 100 acts gracing Heaton Park this weekend, we look forward to welcoming everyone to Parklife 2024 on Saturday. Please check the Parklife App to stay up to date with any updates from this weekend's programme. PL team x."

This announcement follows closely on the heels of cancellations by other major artists. Drill sensation Digga D was removed from Saturday's main Parklife Stage lineup just days ago.

Adding to the list of last-minute changes, Fisher, another headline act, withdrew from the festival citing 'personal reasons'. The Australian house and techno producer, currently based in Los Angeles, mentioned that he and his wife Chloe are navigating 'times of uncertainty' with their child expected later in June.

MORE ON Parklife festival Apps Disclosure Festivals

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Miss Cruise due to flight Delays ... Covered by Cruise Insurance???

By nycruise , October 19, 2009 in Ask a Cruise Question

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If you miss your cruise due to flight delays or cancellations caused by Winter weather, do most cruise insurance policies cover your loss? Are you required to make an attempt to get to the first port on the itienerary if you can't get to the departure port?

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I think this would vary wildly from policy to policy. You would need to read your specific policy to see what is covered.

For instance: I could purchase policy A for $49. Doesn't cover much but covers my needs.

Or I could purchase policy B for $149 and covers everything to include a hangnail.

This would be another reason I would fly in the day before....No stressin' over flight delays or cancellations.

I think this would vary wildly from policy to policy. You would need to read your specific policy to see what is covered.   For instance: I could purchase policy A for $49. Doesn't cover much but covers my needs. Or I could purchase policy B for $149 and covers everything to include a hangnail.

I agree. And if I were flying from NY or New England during the winter I would plan to arrive at the port city at least two days early.

How annoying I posted a long reply and it seems to have been lost, this site keeps having problems for me today.

Anyway, You need to READ each policy completely which you can do on insuremytrip.com and making the correct selections and highlighting things.

I have been reading them all over the past week.

EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT and they may or may not actually cover you in that instance, they all have varying time differences that you must be delayed by etc.

ONLY by reading each one will you know if it will do what you want.

For those plans that do cover this there's one thing they have in common -- yes, in almost all situations you will be expected to catch up with the ship. They're not going to let you cancel a seven night cruise because you missed one day.

But some plans wil have something like this (from a Travelex plan):

"A cancellation of Your Covered Trip if Your arrival on the Covered Trip is delayed and causes You to lose 50% or more of the scheduled Covered Trip duration due to a defi ned Hazard (Trip Cancellation Only)"

So with this plan if you're on a three-night cruise and a covered delay causes you to mniss two nights you can treat it as a cancellation. But the same delay on a seven night cruise would require that you catch up with the ship.

If I was taking a west-to-east trans-atlantic cruise where the first opportunity to catch up may be the sixth or seventh day of the cruise I'd be sure I had a plan with the 50% provision clearly spelled out. And I'd still get to the embarkation port at least a day ahead of time.

MICHLEV1974

hello,   I agree. And if I were flying from NY or New England during the winter I would plan to arrive at the port city at least two days early.

I agree Fredr. We are from RI. We had folks fly on the day of sailing, on a connecting flight and the connecting flight was cancelled due to major snow storm. They missed the ship for day one of the cruise, but on day 2 they flew to Bahamas @ $700/ticket to meet the ship. She paid out of pocket for the flights and submitted for reimbursement and got her $$ back for the flights. They got their luggage on the last day of the cruise.

It made me read my policy much more carefully to see if I had this too. Also, reminded me the importance of packing more than needed clothing and undies in my carryon..hahahahha

Great post! Thanks for the tips.

As others said, read the policy line by line very very carefully. Insurance is about you buying for something that won't happen and the provider recieving money hoping he never has to pay up. Thinks like travel delays are common with arilines not even considering weather. I suspect any comprehensive insurance that covers travel delays likely cost more. Figure the cost and only you can decide. Seems to make more sense to fly in a fully day early, the price of airfare, food and peace of mind sounds like a better deail then paying insurance and getting money but missing a good vacation. I agree if one need insurance for other things like illness maybe makes sense , for travel seems the smart thing is to travel a day early is being penny wise and pound wise :D

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