Cruise Travel Insurance

Do I need specialist cruise travel insurance?

Although cruise travel insurance is not a legal requirement, it's important to note that many cruise operators and UK travel agents may insist that you have cruise travel insurance in place before you can board the ship. Securing suitable cruise insurance before you go is the best way to get your holiday off to a smooth start. 

Regardless of whether you're opting for a brief cruise around the UK, indulging in a Caribbean adventure or treating yourself to a luxurious worldwide cruise, it is likely, that your cruise holiday was not cheap. Meaning that for starters, you will require a policy that has higher cover for cancellation and curtailment (which means cutting your trip short), to make sure the cost of your holiday and any pre-paid excursions, can be recovered should you not be able to travel, or continue to travel. 

Additionally, having adequate emergency medical expenses cover is crucial to ensuring that you will not be burdened with expensive medical treatment costs, or footing the bill to be airlifted back to land for hospital treatment. When comparing cruise ship travel insurance quotes, it's essential to carefully assess the level of coverage provided, ensuring it is comprehensive enough to safeguard you in various scenarios and provide the protection you need.

You can find out more by reading our post on why you should consider cruise insurance for your next holiday.

How much does cruise insurance cost?

Like all travel insurance policies, the price of the policy will depend on several factors, that are unique to your own situation. For cruise travel insurance, insurance providers will usually consider the following:

1. Destination (where are you heading on your cruise)
2. Duration (how long will you be away)
3. Your age
4. Your pre-existing medical conditions

Once the providers on our panel have assessed this information, they will then provide you with a price. Make sure you take the time to compare not just the price, but the levels of cover as well. You may find that for a few pounds more, you could have a policy with higher cover limits and reduced excesses.

Is travel insurance more expensive for a cruise?

The short answer is yes – cruise travel insurance tends to be more expensive than standard travel insurance, as cruise travel insurance provides you with additional benefits that are not usually found in standard travel insurance (such as Cabin Confinement, Missed Port etc.) causing your premium to be naturally higher. If you think about it, cruise travel insurance will help cover the costs to be airlifted to land, should you need urgent care at hospital, which is very costly and would be covered by your insurance policy. 

How many days can cruise travel insurance cover me for?

For most single trip cruise insurance policies, you can typically find cover for up to 45 days, which is perfect for many cruises. However, if you are planning to head off on a longer cruise, some providers will allow cover for much longer periods. Whether you’re heading off on a quick tour around the Fjords in Norway, or setting sail around the world, you should be able to find the right cover you need on our comparison site. 

However, if you are planning to take multiple trips, over the course of a year, you might be able to save a few pounds by opting to an annual multi-trip policy. Annual multi-trip policies do have a maximum trip duration in place – which in most cases is usually 30 days per trip - make sure you check the maximum trip duration is enough to cover your holiday plans.