Thanks to both of you for the kind responses and suggestions. Just so you know I'm not in Vancouver yet and therefore no need to take any other cruise under the circumstaces (thanks YVR CR for the suggestion).

I'm more focused at this point in ensuring minimal loss or stress associated with lack of update/status and last minute changes as were experienced by the last 2 cruise passengers (LA-VAN coastal repositioning and VAN R/T Alaska). My cruise starts Friday 3 May and so far there has been no information provided as to the status of that cruise (go figure).

Now for the extra fun part and education for those who think travel insurance is the answer...

...only concern for loss of $ is the Marriott hotel booking using a Chase Bonvoy card for the night before the cruise; standard repositioning protocol. These Vancouver hotels have a 3 day cancelation cutoff after which you get the charge. So, I looked up the benefits associated with the Chase Marriott/Bonvoy card and it seemed to exclude this situation; only supports weather, illness or financial problems with cruise line. So, today I spend 45 minutes of phone hell with three different Chase/Marriott desks confirming that fact; they don't make it easy you know.

With zero information regarding the current status of the Cruise ship Radiance of the Seas and that 3 May cruise coming in hot, I decided to look for a more generous cancelation rate and found one at a different hotel chain; Radisson at the YVR airport. So, I will likely cancel the Marriott booking at the Westin Bayshore (giving them a couple of hours in hope of some kind of update) and plan on using the Radisson at YVR for a lower rate and the ability to cancel the day before I fly; better option under the circumstances.

To sum it up: Don't count on travel insurance with complex bookings and multiple servicer providers/carriers. Dump loyalty booking and go with the best available, lowest cost, flexible provider you can find. As for Air travel; what me worry? DL and AS both have cancel to flight credit/wallet options, so no need to insure ;-)

Cheers,

-Cyborg

Update: Tapped out of the Westin with the 3 day cancel requirement at T-11 hours. Next decision point is 1 May at Noon for the Radisson based on their policy. Have not thrown in the towel for the cruise on 3 May; for that call I have until 11am MDT on 2 May for the TWF-YVR flights (I'm only 15 minutes from Joslin Field).