The Best Travel Insurance for Cruises: How to Keep Your Vacation Safe and Secure

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

If you’re planning a cruise, one of the most important things to do is ensure that you have the best travel insurance. This will help protect you in case of any unexpected accidents or problems. In this guide, we’ll discuss some key features you should look for when choosing travel insurance for cruises and how to get the best rates. So read on to learn more!

The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises: How To Keep Your Vacation Safe And Secure (2023)
The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises: How To Keep Your Vacation Safe And Secure (2023)
The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises: How To Keep Your Vacation Safe And Secure (2023)

Do you need travel insurance for a cruise?

Many people choose to purchase travel insurance when they go on vacation, but whether or not you need it depends on several factors. For example, if you’re planning a cruise, you may wonder if travel insurance is worth the investment. However, there are a few things to consider before making a decision.

First, most cruise lines offer some protection against cancellation or delays.

Second, your regular health insurance may not cover you while on the ship so that that travel insurance can fill that gap.

Finally, depending on where your cruise is going and what activities you’ll be doing, you may want to purchase additional coverage for medical evacuation or lost luggage.

Ultimately, whether or not to buy travel insurance is a personal decision. But if you’re wondering if it’s worth it for a cruise, these are a few things to keep in mind.

Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?

Many people don’t realize that they can purchase cruise insurance after they’ve already booked their trip. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception, as people assume that insurance must be purchased simultaneously with the cruise itself.

However, you can still buy cruise insurance if you have not departed on your trip. This can be an excellent option for people who want the peace of mind of knowing they’re insured but didn’t think to purchase insurance at the time of booking.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you consider buying cruise insurance after booking.

First, make sure that you’re aware of the coverage offered by your chosen policy. For example, some policies only cover certain events, so you’ll want to ensure that your policy will provide the coverage you need.

Second, remember that most policies have a waiting period of 10-14 days, so if you purchase insurance close to your departure date, it likely won’t take effect until after you’ve already left on your trip.

Finally, check with your cruise line to see if they offer travel insurance for their passengers. Some cruise lines include basic coverage in the cost of your ticket, so it’s always worth checking to see if you’re

Will travel insurance cover a Cancelled cruise?

Travel insurance policies vary, so it’s essential to check the fine print of your policy before you buy it. That being said, most travel insurance will cover a canceled cruise.

The most common reason a cruise is canceled is terrible weather, and most policies will cover delays or cancellations due to inclement weather.

Other common reasons for canceled cruises include mechanical issues with the ship, civil unrest at the port of departure, and even terrorist activity.

While you may be unable to recoup the cost of your cruise itself, travel insurance can help reimburse you for non-refundable expenses, such as airfare or hotels. If your cruise is canceled, contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible to begin the claims process.

How much is trip insurance for a cruise?

Trip insurance is essential for any vacation but vital for cruises. That’s because a cruise entails a significant investment of time and money, and there is always the possibility that something could go wrong. For example, you could get sick before the cruise, or the ship could suffer mechanical problems that delay the start of the voyage.

Trip insurance can refund your airfare and other non-refundable expenses in such cases. It can also provide coverage for medical emergencies that occur during the cruise. Given all this, it’s not surprising that cruise trip insurance can be expensive.

The exact cost will depend on the length of the cruise, the destination, and your age. However, purchasing at least some basic coverage is generally advisable to protect yourself from financial losses if something goes wrong.

Next Steps

As you can see, there are a few key things to consider when choosing travel insurance for cruises. By following our tips, you should be able to find the best policy for your needs and get great rates. If you’re ready to take the plunge and book your cruise, don’t forget to request a quote from us first. We’ll ensure you have the coverage you need to relax and enjoy your trip worry-free!

The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises
The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises: How To Keep Your Vacation Safe And Secure (2023)
The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises: How To Keep Your Vacation Safe And Secure (2023)
The Best Travel Insurance For Cruises: How To Keep Your Vacation Safe And Secure (2023)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost for insurance on a cruise?

The price of cruise insurance typically varies between 5 to 10 percent of the overall cost of your voyage and is often determined by three key factors: Your age, the total amount you’re spending on your trip, and the length of your cruise.

What is covered in cruise insurance?

Most insurance plans cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, interruptions, evacuations, and lost or damaged luggage when you’re on a cruise. Cruise insurance can cover pre-existing conditions and ship disablement depending on when you buy it.

Why do you need cruise insurance?

If you’re looking for good cruise insurance, make sure it covers trip cancellations, delays, and interruptions from start to finish. For example, an ideal policy would refund your non-refundable airline fare if you miss your cruise’s departure due to a flight delay.

Why is cruise travel insurance so expensive?

Normally, cruises are more expensive to insure because if you get sick onboard, there are additional fees to cover. For example, transferring someone off the ship during a medical emergency would be costly for the insurer–something that wouldn’t happen if you were on vacation in a location on land.

Is cruise insurance different from travel insurance?

Travel insurance is great for covering the basics like lost luggage, but if you’re taking a cruise, it’s worth getting cruise travel insurance. That way, you’ll also be covered in case you miss your port of departure, have to stay confined to your cabin, don’t end up using an excursion you paid for, or changes are made to the itinerary.

Is it too late to buy cruise insurance?

Although you can buy trip insurance at any time, it is always best to do so as soon as possible after booking your travel.

What is not covered on a cruise?

Before you set sail on your dream cruise, be aware that taxes, gratuities, and other extras are not included in your base fare. Most cruise lines now encourage cruisers to pre-book specialty restaurants, beverage packages, photo packages, and more. If you’re a first-time cruiser, this may leave you wondering.

Will my health insurance cover me on a cruise?

Without appropriate health insurance, you may have to bear the entire brunt of medical expenses if you get sick or injured on your cruise. Most regular health care plans and even Medicare will not cover any services received when the ship is more than six hours away from a U.S. port. In serious cases, evacuations via airlift back to shore and hospitalization may be necessary, which can become expensive very quickly.

Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?

The best time to buy cruise insurance is when you first book your trip and deposit. If you wait too long, you might not qualify for certain coverages.

How long do you have to purchase cruise insurance?

Some companies mandate that you buy cruise insurance no more than two weeks after making the initial deposit, especially if you want your pre-existing medical coverage to be included. The later you wait to purchase cruise insurance, generally, the pricier it becomes.

How do I add insurance to my cruise?

You have the option to buy travel insurance through your cruise line, travel agent, or a specific insurance provider.

Is cruise insurance the same as travel insurance?

Standard travel insurance covers the essentials like lost and stolen belongings, but cruise travelers should also get specific coverage for things that might go wrong on a cruise, such as leaving port early, being confined to your cabin, missing an excursion you paid for, or having your itinerary change.

Does my health insurance cover me on a cruise?

Without the right type of health insurance, you might have to pay for medical expenses out of your own pocket. This is because regular health insurance, Medicare included, generally does not cover any healthcare services received when a person is more than six hours away from a U.S. port by ship. If there is a serious medical emergency onboard a cruise ship, the standard practice is to evacuate the sick or injured person via airplane to the nearest hospital that can provide treatment.

Can I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

There are insurance plans geared towards cruises, which can protect you in various ways. Some coverage may include emergency medical expenses, trip interruption, and even help with travel or health emergencies.

Is it really worth getting travel insurance?

Travel insurance may cost 5 to 10 percent of your trip, but it could reimburse you for hundreds of thousands of dollars if something goes wrong while you’re on vacation. For example, covered expenses may include emergency evacuation and medical bills.

Shawn Plummer

CEO, The Annuity Expert

I’m a licensed financial professional focusing on annuities and insurance for more than a decade. My former role was training financial advisors, including for a Fortune Global 500 insurance company. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine, Yahoo! Finance, MSN, SmartAsset, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, The Simple Dollar, U.S. News and World Report, and Women’s Health Magazine.

The Annuity Expert is an online insurance agency servicing consumers across the United States. My goal is to help you take the guesswork out of retirement planning or find the best insurance coverage at the cheapest rates for you. 

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