Do You Need Cruise Travel Insurance?

Are you planning a cruise holiday and wondering if you need travel insurance? Whether it’s your first time cruising or the latest in a long line of seafaring holidays, travel insurance is an important part of any trip.

From reimbursing medical costs to protecting against cancelled flights or lost baggage, cover for cruise passengers can make all the difference during those trips on the open seas. But what should you look out for when choosing cruise holiday insurance?

In this post we’ll explore cruise travel insurance, giving you the information you need to understand the importance of cruise travel insurance, ready for your next big break at sea.

What is Cruise Travel Insurance and Why is it so Important?

If you've ever planned a cruise, chances are you were presented with an option to take out travel insurance. But what exactly is travel insurance, and is it really necessary? Simply put, travel insurance is a type of insurance that provides cover for unexpected events that may occur before or during your trip, such as trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical expenses.

Cruise cover is an optional extension of cover that is added to a travel insurance policy. This extension provides you with additional benefits and cover that have been designed specifically for cruise holidays.  In most cases, cruise ships may not even let you board without suitable travel insurance in place, due to the unique circumstances that come with being on a ship at sea.

For instance, if a medical emergency occurred whilst at sea, whereby you needed to be airlifted from the ship to the nearest hospital, you could end up with an incredibly costly bill for this service. Or, if there was extreme weather whilst at sea, which has caused a delay to your cruise itinerary, this could result in potential cancellation or delays, causing you to be out of pocket for any pre-booked excursions, or even, your flight home.

That’s where cruise cover comes in. Ultimately, buying travel insurance for your cruise can help provide peace of mind and protect you, and your trip.

4) Cruise Interruption

If you find yourself needing medical care on land during your cruise journey, cruise interruption cover can step in to assist with the organisation and expenses of getting you back on board. This cover is designed to manage unforeseen circumstances, offering peace of mind when unexpected health issues arise.

It ensures that unexpected medical issues don't completely derail your travel plans, allowing you to focus on recovery without the additional stress of organising return travel. With this protection, you can continue enjoying your cruise with minimal disruption, knowing that support is available to get you back to your cruise itinerary smoothly and efficiently.

5) Airlift and Repatriation

If you have a serious medical condition, or the cruise ship is unable to provide the medical care you need, you will need to be airlifted to the mainland to receive the treatment you need. The costs associated with this service are expensed back to you and can add up to tens of thousands of pounds.

Alternatively, if you are too unwell to travel home, your medical provider might decide that you need to be repatriated back to the UK. Again, this can be extremely expensive, especially going from somewhere like the USA.

Cruise travel insurance can help pick up these costs, removing a worry from your mind, and allowing you to focus on getting better.

6) Covering Trip Cancellations and Curtailment

Life is unpredictable and sometimes plans change. Cruise travel insurance offers robust protection for trip cancellations and curtailment (cutting your trip short), ensuring that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen events prevent you from embarking on or continuing your voyage.

Due to unforeseen situations, like personal illness or family emergencies, having cruise travel insurance means you can recover your prepaid expenses. With travel insurance, you have a financial cushion that can soften the blow of unexpected changes, allowing you to confidently plan your next cruise.

READ MORE: Guide to Cancellation Cover

7) Cabin Confinement

Illnesses can spread quickly in the close-knit environment of a cruise ship, making cabin confinement a necessary precaution in certain situations. 

Cruise travel insurance can compensate you for the days spent in isolation due to medical confinement at the request of the onboard Medical Officer, a scenario common when outbreaks occur, you are too poorly or suffer an injury.

This protection can help offset the financial impact of missing out on onboard experiences and pre-booked excursions on land. Passengers can be assured that unexpected illness won't ruin their cruise entirely, providing some financial relief during an already stressful situation.

8) Reimbursement for Missed Ports and Shore Excursions

Cruise itineraries are carefully curated and missing a port or scheduled shore excursion can be a disappointing experience. Cruise travel insurance often provides reimbursement for these missed opportunities, allowing you to recapture lost value.

Whether due to adverse weather conditions or operational changes, missing a port can disrupt your carefully planned adventures. With insurance, you can claim back the cost of these excursions, offering some compensation for the experiences you couldn’t enjoy.

9) Missed Excursions

When unforeseen circumstances lead to missed shore excursions, it can be frustrating, particularly if you’ve planned and prepaid for unique experiences. Cruise travel insurance can offer reimbursement for missed excursions due to weather conditions, schedule changes, or personal emergencies.

This protection ensures that you are not financially penalised for events beyond your control. It allows for peace of mind, knowing you can recoup some of your investments, thereby preserving the opportunity to embark on similar adventures in future voyages without additional financial concerns.

10) Evening Wear and Personal Belongings

While cruising, passengers may bring valuable evening wear and personal items. Cruise travel insurance often covers loss, theft, or damage to your possessions during your journey. This ensures that if your formal attire or other items are compromised, you have a method of getting them fixed, replaced, or even covering the expenses of hiring an alternative.

From misplaced luggage to incidents on shore, the right policy safeguards your belongings. This protection helps alleviate the stress associated with replacing essential items, ensuring your holiday continues smoothly without additional financial strain.

READ MORE: Cruising in Style

Find out more about the benefits of Cruise Travel Insurance.

What Level of Cover Do You Need?

Travel insurance policies come in different shapes and sizes; no two policies are truly the same. Broadly speaking, cover levels depend on your requirements and the cost of your cruise. When comparing policies, you need to take care to check the limit of cancellation cover. Cruises are not cheap and the last thing you want to do is to underinsure your holiday. 

Remember, the limit shown is usually the amount per insured traveller. 
For instance, if you and your travelling companion are insured on the same policy, and the cost of your cruise is £4,000 for both of you – you need to ensure that the cancellation limit is at least £2,000 per person.

Make sure you take into consideration what you plan to pack, and how much you think it would cost to replace your belongings, should they be lost or stolen. If you are taking physical cash with you – does this travel insurance policy provide enough cover?  Planning a lot of off-ship excursions? Check that the limit of this cover is enough for your most expensive, booked excursion.

Remember to take stock of where you are heading on your cruise. Regions like North and South America are infamously known for their high medical expenses; do you feel that this policy has enough protection in place to absorb potential air ambulance and hospital costs?

Are you planning to pack a lot of expensive gadgets with you? Have you considered including Gadget Cover in your policy?