7 On Your Side Helps Family Get Vacation Refund After Tragic Death of Foster Son

Heartbreaking Loss of a Child

• 💔 An 11-year-old foster son, DJ Woods, who had fought a lifelong battle with a heart defect and received a transplant, tragically passed away in 2023.
• 😔 His foster parents, Chris and Jinta Jones, were devastated by the loss, especially as DJ died just two days before their long-planned vacation.
• 🌟 DJ is remembered as a loving and resilient child who taught his foster family the importance of celebrating life.

Struggle for a Refund

• ✈️ The family had paid over $2,000 for a Carnival cruise but had to cancel due to DJ's death and the need to plan his funeral.
• ⏳ Despite explaining the heartbreaking situation and providing DJ's obituary, they received no reimbursement for almost a year.
• 📧 The family felt a lack of compassion and empathy from the cruise company, receiving no response to their calls and emails.

7 On Your Side Intervention

• 📣 After 7 On Your Side's Nina Pineda took on the case, Carnival reviewed the situation and agreed to process a full refund.
• 🙏 The family expressed immense gratitude to 7 On Your Side for their help in resolving the issue.
• 💖 They plan to use the refunded money to take DJ's siblings on a vacation when the time is right, honoring his memory.

Understanding Cruise Cancellation Policies

• ⚠️ Cruise lines often have rigid schedules, and while refunds are typically issued if the cruise line cancels, personal cancellations due to illness or death can be complex.
• 📜 Generally, a death in the family or mandatory military employment can qualify for a refund, but documentation like a doctor's note or obituary is crucial.
• 🛡️ Purchasing travel insurance from a third-party company is recommended, especially if the cruise line (like Carnival in New York) doesn't offer it directly, to cover unexpected cancellations.
• 💰 "Cancel for any reason" insurance is pricier but can refund a portion (around 75%) of the cost, offering more back than no insurance at all.