Norwegian Cruise Line latest travel firm to offer 'job loss insurance'

— -- Norwegian Cruise Line, worried that passengers won't climb aboard because their jobs could be in jeopardy, now includes job loss protection as part of its existing insurance policy.

NCL's new BookSafe Travel Protection plan, announced today, will give a cash refund of cancellation fees if passengers who've been employed at the same company for at least a year need to cancel a cruise because they've been laid off. Prices start at $29, depending on the cruise fare paid, for any NCL cruise departing on or after May 1.

NCL is the latest example of travel marketers tackling escalating job fears head-on. Last week, JetBlue launched a promotion that offers full refunds to travelers who booked flights between Feb. 1 and June 1 and lose their jobs on or after Feb. 17.

Part-timers under age 18 aren't eligible, travel must originate in the USA, and passengers must notarize an eligibility letter and request a refund (via both fax and certified mail) at least two weeks before the first day of travel.

The travel blog Jaunted.com has launched a "Laid Off Travel" series, pitching suggestions on "where to go when you don't have somewhere to go from 9 to 5." One item was about British low-cost carrier FlyBe, which touts free "redundancy cover" insurance for travelers who lose jobs through February.

Australia-based Intrepid Travel's "Laid Off Take Off" program offers a 15% discount on tours to customers who have been put out of work since Sept. 1. Bookings must be made through June for departures through December.

And SkyRoll.com is selling its carry-on luggage for half-price to travelers who document that they have been laid off.

Those out of a job aren't necessarily staying put.

In a "remedy for recession" post on the new blog Travelanthropist.com, managing editor Linda Chew polled about a dozen volunteer organizations and tour operators.

The consensus: "They're seeing people who are laid off or taking time from the job market looking to do something meaningful.

"Soul-searching laid-off bankers are willing to spend some of their severance money to get adventure and charitable experience," Chew writes. "Also, these trips give perspective. It's hard to complain about tanking finances when they've just seen abject poverty."