CruiseOne is removing job insecurity from the cruise booking equation by offering the "first ever comprehensive" job loss travel insurance policy. CruiseAssurance offers consumers the security of knowing that they can cancel their cruise, on any cruise line, up to the last minute, and beyond, because of an unexpected layoff.

"The hurdle our agents are experiencing is that consumers are waiting," Steven M. Hattem, vice president, marketing for CruiseOne, told Travel Trade. "They are waiting because they're not sure if they're going to have a job and be able to afford a vacation."

CruiseAssurance, Hattem added, takes that thought process out of the equation. "There's no need to wait anymore. You can plan a cruise, pay your money and you're protected if for any reason you lose your job."

Making the policy even more enticing for clients is that the job loss insurance comes at no extra cost to clients purchasing CruiseOne's basic travel insurance.

Dwain Wall, general manager of CruiseOne, added, "In today's environment, it is crucial for businesses to step up to the plate showing we understand consumer challenges... Our 'CruiseAssurance' policy takes the concept of job loss insurance to a new level, easing the concerns of consumers at no charge and on any cruise line of their choice."

Under the CruiseAssurance policy, travelers booking a cruise can cancel their trip up to the day of departure, or even while on their cruise. The only requirements are that travelers purchase an entry-level travel insurance plan (administered by Travel Guard) from their CruiseOne agent and present their termination letter. One year of employment is required. CruiseAssurance applies to bookings made March 1 through May 2, for cruises departing any time.

The CruiseAssurance initiative is an exclusive benefit to consumers booking through one of more than 500 CruiseOne agents nationwide.

"We felt very strongly that this was necessary and will be a real added benefit to our agents in being able to get more consumers to make the actual buying decision because they have one less thing to be concerned about."
"Our agents now feel like they're being armed with something really new, unique and really exclusive. Nobody else has this," Hattem added.