Buying travel insurance for your cruise can be a smart decision for several reasons. Although not required, it provides financial protection and peace of mind during your cruise.
People living in countries with national health services, such as Canada, Sweden, Brazil, and Norway, may have a different mindset. Medical costs may not be at the forefront of your mind like people in countries like the United States where you have to pay for your own medical bills and health insurance.
And it's not just peace of mind that travel insurance can provide – it can mean the difference between being covered for unexpected expenses or potentially having to pay thousands of dollars.
unexpected expectations. And get insurance to cover it
You may encounter some problems before boarding your cruise. Missing a flight or having a flight canceled is always a possibility.
You shouldn't give up on a cruise just because something unexpected may happen. Of the 31.5 million passengers cruising in 2023, the vast majority will have smooth sailing.
Nonetheless, it is wise to prepare for all contingencies to avoid experiencing something like the example below.
Examples of the pain that comes from not having insurance or not having the right insurance
A Florida couple felt they did the right thing by purchasing standard travel protection from their cruise line.
Unfortunately, just a few weeks before our 10-day Caribbean cruise, my husband was advised to begin treatment for his relapsed cancer. The couple canceled their trip and applied for a refund under their travel protection insurance.
Unfortunately, their claim was denied due to the fine print of the standard travel protection clause. The couple was denied a refund due to pre-existing conditions and was listed as excluded from the cruise line's standard travel protections.
A $58,000 Mistake
The Thompson family from North Carolina decided to take the cruise of a lifetime. As their five children grew up, they wanted to take them on a memorable trip before they were all grown up and gone.
They booked an Alaska cruise that they thought would be a great trip, but it ended up not creating the memories they had hoped for.
The Thompson family did not have travel insurance, a mistake on the part of both the cruise line and the Thompson family. These mistakes cost us more than some people make in a year.
Watch this 12-minute video from La Lido Loca. This cruise mistake cost us thousands of dollars. He does a great job of pointing out exactly where the mistakes occurred and how to avoid them.
List of reasons why you should buy travel insurance
Here are some reasons why it's a good idea to get travel insurance for your cruise:
Trip cancellation coverage
Life is unpredictable, and circumstances may require you to cancel your cruise plans. Travel insurance typically covers non-refundable travel expenses, such as cruise fares, in case you have to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen event, such as illness, injury, or family emergency.
Travel interruption coverage
If your cruise is interrupted due to an unforeseen event (such as a family emergency or medical issue), travel insurance can reimburse you for any unused portion of your trip, including lodging and prepaid travel.
Missed Connection Coverage
If your flight or transportation is delayed or canceled, you may miss your cruise departure. Travel insurance can provide coverage for additional costs incurred while catching up on your cruise at the next port.
medical coverage
Medical costs on board a ship are high, and if you have to go on land, costs add significantly.
If the ship needs to be diverted to land or a helicopter needs to be used to transport passengers (no!), there may be five zeros after the price tag. All of these costs are astronomical, so insurance to cover them is essential.
Emergency evacuation and repatriation
In extreme cases, an emergency may require evacuation from a cruise ship or remote location. Travel insurance may cover costs associated with such an evacuation.
Lost, stolen or damaged belongings
Cruise vacations often involve carrying valuable items such as electronics, jewelry, and clothing. Travel insurance provides compensation for loss or theft of belongings during travel.
Travel Delay Coverage
If significant delays occur due to weather, strikes or other unforeseen events, travel insurance can cover the additional costs of meals, lodging and transportation.
Weather-related cancellations
If your cruise is canceled or significantly altered due to bad weather (such as a hurricane), travel insurance may reimburse you for non-refundable costs.
Cruise line financial default
In rare cases, a cruise line may go out of business or declare bankruptcy. Travel insurance can provide coverage in such situations, ensuring you don't lose your upfront costs.
emergency assistance
Travel insurance often includes 24/7 emergency assistance, which can help you navigate unfamiliar medical systems, language barriers, or other issues while traveling.
peace of mind
Perhaps one of the most important benefits of travel insurance is the peace of mind it provides. You can relax and fully enjoy your cruise vacation knowing that you have financial protection if an unexpected event occurs.
How much does travel insurance cost?
Travel insurance costs about 7% to 10% of the cruise cost.
Anyone who has traveled extensively will tell you that if you can't afford travel insurance, you should rethink the cruise itself. If you can't afford the cruise and insurance, don't go.
Be sure to read the fine print
Before purchasing cruise travel insurance, it is important to carefully review the policy terms, coverage limits and exclusions to ensure they meet your specific needs and preferences.
Travel insurance varies widely in price and inclusions. It's important to do some research to get a policy that fits your needs and budget.
Where to Find Travel Insurance
Check out InsureMyTrip. This is not a service recommendation by Cruise Port Advisor and is merely one of the options available.
Insure My Trip is a travel insurance broker, so we are not your standard insurance provider. We do not offer insurance products or accept claims, but simply allow you to compare policies from the best travel insurance companies in the industry.
Other Options for Travel Insurance
You can purchase travel insurance from a variety of sources depending on your preferences and needs. Some common options for purchasing travel insurance include:
travel insurance company
Many companies specialize in providing travel insurance. You can visit their website to compare different insurance products and purchase insurance directly. Examples of well-known travel insurance companies include Allianz Travel, Travel Guard, and World Nomads.
insurance broker or agent
You can speak to an insurance broker or agent who can help you find the right travel insurance based on your specific requirements. They can provide guidance and help you explore the options available to you.
online comparison website
Several online comparison websites allow you to compare travel insurance policies from multiple providers in one place. These platforms can help you find coverage that fits your needs and budget. Examples include Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip.
credit card provider
Some credit card companies offer free travel insurance as a benefit for using your card to pay for travel. Check with your credit card issuer to determine if this offer is available and meets your coverage requirements.
Travel agency
When you book a cruise or other travel product through a travel agent, they may offer travel insurance as part of the package. You may choose to purchase insurance through this, but it is recommended that you compare their offers with other options to ensure you are getting the best coverage and price.
Airlines and Cruise Lines
Airlines and cruise lines often offer travel insurance options during the booking process. It is important to review your cover and compare it to standalone travel insurance to ensure it meets your needs.
And remember the couple who found out too late that the cruise line's standard insurance did not cover pre-existing conditions.
Employer or member group
Some employers and member organizations offer group travel insurance plans to their employees or members. Check with your employer or organization to see if this benefit is available to you.
government health insurance
If you have government-sponsored health insurance (such as Medicare in the United States), it is important to understand the limits of your coverage when traveling abroad. In many cases, you may need additional travel insurance to cover medical expenses.
Read the fine print and re-read the fine print
When signing up for travel insurance, please check the following:
– Carefully read and understand the insurance terms and conditions and coverage limits.
– Assess your specific needs based on your travel plans, destination, and existing health conditions.
– Compare quotes from multiple providers to find the coverage that best fits your budget.
– Consider factors such as trip cancellation, travel interruption, medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and baggage protection.
– Make sure the activities or excursions you plan to engage in during your trip are covered by your insurance.
final thoughts
News articles and YouTube videos abound about cases where unexpected difficulties turned fun cruises into horror stories due to lack of travel insurance.
It is best to consider travel insurance as part of the cost of your cruise. If you can't afford insurance, you should reconsider taking a cruise. One accident can cause financial ruin and it's not worth the risk.
Ultimately, the best place to purchase travel insurance depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. It's important to research and choose an insurance policy that provides the right level of coverage and peace of mind for your specific trip.
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About Jonathan Haizek
Jonathon is a technical representative at CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys traveling and cruising. (Even after boarding the burning cruise ship, more on that later!)