Rats! I had to cancel my trip to St. Croix because I got sick (just like everyone else around here).  Luckily it’s nothing serious so everything should be back to normal soon.  I am a bit sad about it not getting to visit a new island just yet, but I have hopes that I’ll get my chance to try again very soon.

I suppose that, if anything, this is a great opportunity to see how well Travelocity’s Travel Protection Plan works.   When I booked my vacation package at Travelocity.com, I purchased the optional Travel protection plan for $44.95.   According to the terms of the plan, cancellation of a trip due to illness should be covered up to the full amount paid for the trip, which in my case is around $800.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is true since losing that money would be a little painful.

Update 11/21/2009: I got all of my money back!  See details in this post: Travelocity’s Travel Protection Plan (BerkelyCare) Trip Cancellation: It works!

I contacted Travelocity to officially cancel my trip as soon as I knew that I wouldn’t be able to travel, which was less than 24 hours before my scheduled departure.  After cancellation fees were assessed, I was credited a measly $40 back to my credit card account.   I also called the separate customer service number for the Travel Protection plan Company, BerkelyCare, before I was scheduled to leave to initiate a claim.  The BerkleyCare representative was very kind, helpful and efficient.  He took down my information, the reason I was initiating a claim, and said that he would send the claim forms to me within the next few days.   He did mention that if I was cancelling due to illness, that I would need to submit a doctor’s note to verify that the illness does, in fact, exist and prevents me from travelling.

So, that’s where things stand at the moment.  I’ll let you know how this all turns out and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can get my money back so I can use it towards my next trip! (Yes, while I’m home sick, I’m using my “free time” to check rates for future island visits!)  :)