I’m a travel advisor, which means telling people the things they should do before a trip. Things like reading the cancellation policy, being careful with non-refundable bookings, and protecting your investment with trip insurance.
And yet on my recent Mediterranean trip, I made the exact mistake I warn other travelers about. Because even travel professionals are still travelers. And sometimes vacations throw surprises at you that no one could predict.
A Bucket List Day at the Vatican
Before our Mediterranean cruise departed, we spent a day in Rome. As a former art history student, visiting the Vatican had been on my bucket list for decades. Standing beneath Michelangelo’s incredible Sistine Chapel was something I had dreamed about since childhood.
One of my travel companions had an equally meaningful reason for wanting to visit. As a devout Catholic, experiencing the Vatican was a truly special part of her trip.
Needless to say, we were excited. We did our research and booked tickets that included skip-the-line access to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. And yes… skip-the-line access is absolutely worth it. The Vatican is one of the most visited places in the world, and without advance access, you can easily spend hours waiting just to get inside. To add to it, we were visiting during a Jubilee year, which means bigger crowds than usual. And when you only have limited time in a city like Rome, standing in a three-hour line is not how you want to spend your day.
The tour was non-refundable, which was common for many Vatican tours. But we weren’t worried. Our trip was booked. We were only a few weeks away. Of course we were going.
Right?
And Then the Pope Died
And then something happened that nobody could have planned for. Pope Francis died. Yes, he was 88 and nobody (not even the Pope) lives forever. But we didn’t expect it to happen just days before our trip!
Suddenly, the Vatican was preparing for an extraordinary moment in history, including the upcoming conclave, which is of course held inside the Sistine Chapel. The tour company contacted us and told us they were canceling our tour.
Now, I completely understand that the Vatican was in the midst of an unusual situation. History was happening, and access restrictions were changing. But here was the frustrating part: They weren’t simply canceling the portion that was unavailable. They canceled the entire tour. Even parts that were still accessible.
And because the booking was non-refundable, we were out the money. There wasn’t much we could do.
I’m not going to turn this into a rant about one company because the bigger lesson is the one I should have remembered myself: Non-refundable bookings are a risk, even when everything feels certain.
The Travel Advisor Who Forgot Her Own Advice
The irony was not lost on me. I tell travelers all the time to protect their trips, and yet, I hadn’t purchased travel insurance yet. My plan was to wait until closer to departure and purchase an annual policy since I had several trips coming up. Unfortunately, my smart thinking turned out to be a dumb mistake. The timing didn’t work in my favor.
So instead of visiting the Sistine Chapel as planned, we purchased new tickets to access St. Peter’s Basilica.
And honestly?
The Vatican was still breathtaking. Standing inside St. Peter’s Basilica was an unforgettable experience. It was every bit as awe-inspiring as I hoped it would be.
But I couldn’t help thinking I should have known better.
The Lesson: Travel Insurance Is About More Than Emergencies
When many people think about travel insurance, they think about medical emergencies. And yes, obviously that’s an important reason to have it.
But travel insurance can also help protect against the unexpected:
- Trip cancellations
- Travel delays
- Lost luggage
- Certain missed experiences
- Unexpected interruptions
- And the death of a Pope.
A vacation is a significant investment. Sometimes the thing that goes wrong isn’t something dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply a circumstance outside your control that changes your plans.
Other Options When a Non-Refundable Booking Goes Wrong
If you find yourself in a situation like this, there may still be options:
Check your credit card benefits.
Some credit cards offer travel protections when you use that card to purchase your trip. Depending on the card, coverage may include certain cancellations, interruptions, or travel issues.
Review the tour company’s policies carefully.
Even if a booking says “non-refundable,” there may be exceptions depending on why the cancellation occurred.
Ask politely.
Sometimes companies may offer a credit, reschedule option, or partial accommodation, even when they are not required to.
Would I Still Visit the Vatican?
Absolutely. And I plan on it. I will see the Sistine Chapel one of these days.
The Vatican remains one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited, and I’m grateful we were still able to experience it, even if it didn’t include my bucket-list destination.
But this experience changed how I approach travel, even as a travel advisor. The perfect trip doesn’t mean nothing unexpected happens. It means you’ve prepared as much as possible so the unexpected doesn’t completely derail the experience.
So yes, I’ll continue telling my clients to buy the insurance and protect the trip you worked hard to plan.
Because sometimes the person who needs that reminder most… is the travel advisor herself. Oops.
Don’t make my mistake! Protect your investment with travel insurance. and if you need a quote (even for a trip you booked somewhere else) let me know! Fill out our contact form and let’s talk.
