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All Your Questions About Cruise Travel Insurance, Answered

Rarely does real life make its way into our fantasies of a dream vacation : palm trees swaying in the breeze, expertly plated meals served at whim, toes pointed toward the horizon on a sun-soaked day at sea. That vision doesn't factor in missed flights, lost bags, or medical mishaps. But life has a way of getting in the way, even when you’re trying to get away from it all. Add in an unexpected curveball like the coronavirus pandemic (and the disease it causes: COVID-19)—which has effectively wiped out cruising, for the near future, at least—and things get even more complicated.

In most instances, you can buy peace of mind in the form of a well-tailored cruise travel insurance policy, which industry experts say is nearly always a smart bet. Not only does coverage insure your financial investment in the case of a hiccup, but it can also help with access to quality medical care on the road, as well as reimbursement for any unforeseen expenses that may pop up in the face of such scenarios. In this primer on travel insurance for cruises, we break down everything you need to know so you can pick up a policy with ease—and then get back to planning your eventual lounge on the lido deck.

What does cruise travel insurance cover?

“A cruise vacation has so many moving parts, including the sheer number of destinations you visit, flights, and hotels bookings. Things can go wrong after you’ve made that final deposit, and without travel insurance, you’d likely lose that payment,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of cruise review and community site Cruise Critic .

While specific policies vary in their coverage—you’ll need to review the fine print carefully before you buy—most offer recourse for commonly encountered issues like the need to cancel a trip (for approved reasons like your traveling companion falling ill, or the involuntary loss of your job) or trip delays and interruptions. “If you miss your initial embarkation of a cruise due to a flight delay or a weather event, such as a hurricane or winter storm , travel insurance could help cover the costs of you getting to the next port of call, so you can join your cruise,” says James Page, senior vice president and chief administrative officer of AIG Travel, whose subsidiaries sell policies designed to cover cruisers.

Other potential problems might include the airline losing your checked bags , getting pickpocketed in port, the cruise line canceling your sailing due to weather or mechanical issues—or, as we’ve seen of late, due to not being able to run itineraries in areas affected by the coronavirus. While the cruise line would almost certainly pay out a refund in cases of cancellation or major itinerary changes, other prepaid expenses not purchased through the line directly, such as flights or hotel nights, would be on your dime without a qualifying policy in place. “The biggest tip is to make yourself aware of exactly what your plan will cover prior to purchasing,” McDaniel says.

Weather is not covered unless it results in the cancellation of or significant interruption to the cruise. McDaniel says that you won’t get a refund if the scheduled ports visited on a cruise itinerary are changed due to bad weather. “Skipped ports would not be covered by travel insurance,” she says, in cases of inclement weather.

How is the coronavirus affecting travel insurance?

When it comes to coronavirus , it’s important to know that circumstances like epidemics and pandemics are not typically listed as covered events under most standard cancellation policies. Also worth noting: Preemptively canceling a trip out of fear for your health and safety is never part of a standard policy. Accordingly, while some insurers honored claims associated with the onset of the epidemic, almost none are paying out trip cancellation claims for travel or policies booked after late January (with specific cutoff dates ranging between January 21 and January 27, according to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth). This is owed to the rationale that once the outbreak became a known event, risk is assumed by the would-be travelers who book.

“However, there are now some providers who do not consider contracting the virus as foreseen, even during a global pandemic like the coronavirus outbreak,” says Kasara Barto, public relations manager for Squaremouth. “In this case, trip cancellation benefits can still apply if a traveler contracts the virus or is physically quarantined and unable to travel as planned."

Economic-woe scenarios, like having to cancel if you are laid off from your job, or if a travel supplier should declare bankruptcy, are typically covered under standard plans. Squaremouth notes, however, that coronavirus-prompted impacts like travel bans and border closures are not usually covered by standard policies, nor are cases of cruise lines canceling a scheduled sailing (in which case, the cruise companies themselves would be expected to pick up the tab for reimbursement, or to offer a voucher for future travel).

Because of these exclusions, industry experts advise that a “cancel for any reason” policy upgrade will offer some level of protection even if your reason for canceling is based on fear of travel alone. With this more expensive insurance, you must meet criteria like purchasing your policy within a set time frame (typically within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit) and you must also cancel your trip at least two days in advance of departure.

Keep in mind, too, that down the road, in the post-coronavirus world, industry insiders forecast that new virus-related policy inclusions will become part of standard policies. “Similar to how the September 11 attacks led to terrorism coverage to be offered standard on most travel insurance policies, we anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead the travel insurance industry to offer more policies that include coverage for pandemics, which may cover things like CDC alerts, travel advisories, and stay-at-home orders,” Barto says.

Insurance and medical incidents

Beyond trip cancellation, medical incidents while traveling present another major need for coverage, since it’s unlikely that your regular health insurance covers such expenses abroad. Most ships have onboard doctors, but visiting them isn’t cheap nor is emergency medical evacuation in the case of more serious illnesses or injuries. “Without [insurance], your out-of-pocket costs could be astronomical,” McDaniel says.

Page of AIG Travel agrees. “Even a short weekend cruise could turn costly if a traveler has an accident or becomes ill, and requires emergency medical treatment or a medical evacuation from sea,” he says, pointing out that travelers are more prone to injury since they often take risks on vacations—like jet-skiing or hiking on unfamiliar terrain —that they might not take back home. “It’s important to ensure the policy you purchase covers the things you may need, such as pre-existing medical conditions or adventure activities,” Page says.

Specific to the coronavirus, should you contract the virus while cruising, “medical coverage availability will vary per travel insurance provider,” Barto says, noting that a half-dozen insurers were offering such medical coverage as of press time. “While some providers are still providing medical benefits for newly purchased policies, others are only covering medical expenses related to the coronavirus to insureds who bought a policy prior to the outbreak.” Coverage in regards to scenarios like being denied boarding (for registering a fever at port or having recently traveled to a high-risk destination for COVID-19, for instance) or being placed in mandatory quarantines likewise can vary by insurer.

Orlando —based travel agent Kelley Lord is an avid cruiser, with nearly 40 cruises under her belt, and she has taken out a policy for every one of them. It’s proven to be a smart strategy: In 2017 alone, her family had to cancel three separate cruises at the last minute, due to medical issues. “We had a 17-night, port-intensive cruise and Europe trip planned for early June that included expensive flights, prepaid excursions, hotels, and the cruise fare,” she says of one incident. “My husband tore up both of his knees in late May playing kickball at the company picnic and had to have double knee surgery. There was no way we could make the trip.” Thankfully, in that and the other two instances that followed that year, “we filed with our travel insurance and were able to recoup most of the cost of the trip,” she says.

Where to buy cruise travel insurance

While cruise lines usually offer their own insurance policies, experts advise looking instead to an independent, third-party insurer. “Travel insurance policies from independent insurers tend to be more comprehensive than those you might purchase through a cruise line,” McDaniel says. “Cruise line insurance is usually secondary coverage, meaning you’ll first need to file through any private insurance policies [like homeowner’s or renter's] that you have before your travel insurance will kick in. This could mean needing to pay out-of-pocket to start.”

Adds Page: “The advantage of purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy through an insurance provider like Travel Guard is that the comprehensive plans may offer additional benefits, such as emergency medical evacuation, which may not be available under protection plans offered through cruise lines.”

In addition, cruise line insurance can be more limited than you might expect. “Travelers who purchase the cruise line’s policy can only insure expenses purchased directly through that cruise line," says Jenna Hummer, former director of public relations for Squaremouth. "Any outside airfare or expenses would be forfeited in the event of a cancellation.”

You can pick up a policy from your travel agent directly through a reputed individual insurance provider (like AIG Travel Guard or Allianz), or via an insurance comparison site that lets you compare plans from various insurers (like Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip).

How much does cruise travel insurance cost?

The cost of a standard policy is calculated as a percentage of your overall vacation expenses—generally anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost, according to data provided by Squaremouth. “The premium varies by policy and provider, depending on three primary factors: total trip cost, age of travelers, and length of travel,” Hummer says. “Older travelers taking long, expensive cruises will most likely be paying more for the same policy as a younger traveler taking a cheaper trip.”

According to Squaremouth, “cancel for any reason” benefits will typically increase a policy’s premium by roughly 40 percent over the cost of a standard policy, and will only cover a portion (up to 75 percent) of the total trip cost’s reimbursement.

When to buy cruise travel insurance

Experts say to buy your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your cruise —that will give you the biggest window of protection should anything arise before you set sail. Hummer says that coverage for preexisting medical conditions is sometimes available at no additional cost from independent insurers—but only if you purchase that policy within 14 to 30 days of your first trip payment.

Remember that you can’t purchase a policy after an event transpires that leads to a claim (say, after you get into an accident and break your leg), but you can purchase standard insurance plans as late as 24 hours in advance of your scheduled departure. As noted before, "cancel for any reason" policies typically must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit.

Though you may never use the insurance you purchase, should an issue pop up, the investment can prove to be of great benefit, both economically and psychologically. Lord says, from experience, “You never know when you will need it, but if you do, you will be so grateful that you have it.”

This story was last published in March 2020. It has been updated with new information.

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The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

While smooth sailing will always be the aim, cruising today is often about expecting the unexpected. You can prepare yourself by taking out an insurance policy that can compensate you when your vacation at sea does not go as planned.

Need to cancel your trip last minute due to an accident or illness? Did your bags get delayed or lost? Do you need to exit the sailing early to take care of an emergency back home? Was there a mechanical issue with the ship that required a change of itinerary, causing you to miss your flight home?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

All of these contingencies and more can be covered; it's just a matter of finding the best insurance policy for you. Here's how to evaluate which plan is the right choice for you, as well as five of the best cruise travel insurance plans available.

The best cruise travel insurance plan will always be a 3rd-party option

No plan will meet the needs of all cruise travelers, so there is little benefit to booking the one insurance option recommended by your cruise line during the booking process other than convenience.

You'll often find more affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and favorable terms utilizing third-party insurance companies. You'll have a wide choice of plans, so you can pick the one that works the best for your situation.

If you're wondering where the best place is to purchase third-party insurance, "No one comparison site is getting preferential deals," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "Insurance carriers' rates are the same anywhere." However, these insurance comparison sites can help you directly compare the pricing and coverage of multiple policies by a range of preferred providers.

Look for the following coverage options and compare coverage amounts to determine which third-party plan is the best cruise insurance option for your upcoming trip.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Trip cancellation

You'll want to be reimbursed if an unexpected event forces you to cancel your cruise. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, detailing which specific reasons for canceling your trip are covered and not covered.

Trip interruption and travel delays

You'll also want to be covered if issues occur after travel begins. It's important to find "a plan that offers trip interruption if something does happen during your trip, along with a plan that offers emergency medical evacuation, coverage for travel delays and missed connection benefits," adds insurance expert Meghan Walch from InsureMyTrip .

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise

COVID-19 contingencies

Walch advises all travelers booking a cruise to consider a plan that includes cancellation coverage for COVID-19. Note that you'll need more than a home test to file a claim. According to Walch, "You'll need a doctor saying that you have been diagnosed with COVID and specify that you are unable to travel."

In addition, look for coverage if you get sick and need to isolate away from home. "Some plans offer additional trip delay coverage, put in place as a result of needing additional or higher limits for instances that might include if the policyholder gets quarantined in a location," Sandberg adds.

Cancel for any reason

A cancel-for-any-reason optional upgrade offers the most flexibility. You can get a refund of up to 75% if you cancel your voyage for reasons not usually covered by travel insurance. However, it adds about 40% to your premium and can only be purchased within a limited window of time after your cruise purchase.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Lost or delayed baggage

Baggage loss insurance covers your luggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. In the case that you make it on the cruise and your bags do not, the insurance agency can assist with locating and redirecting the bags to your next port, reimbursing you for items you may need to purchase to get you through your travels while you are without your belongings and covering your losses in the case that the bag is actually gone for good.

Note that certain high-cost items such as electronics, luxury watches and fine jewelry are not always covered by baggage loss insurance. Consider purchasing additional coverage for such items or — better yet — keep those items with you at all times.

Health coverage

Medical coverage is another consideration. "Most domestic health coverage [including Medicare] does not cover travel abroad, so it is important to look at a travel insurance policy that offers medical coverage during your trip, just in case anything happens," says Walch. "If you fall ill or are injured during the trip, it can be pretty expensive – even when going to the ship's onboard medical facility."

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Hurricane coverage

Extreme weather and hurricanes are typically not covered if the cruise commences as scheduled, though you might be eligible for trip interruption coverage if weather cancels the cruise or cuts the itinerary short. There are also insurance plans that offer trip reimbursement if a destination on your itinerary is under a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued hurricane alert or warning.

How much will cruise travel insurance cost?

Insurance pricing is dependent on the trip cost and the age of the insured travelers. Sandberg estimates that "travelers in their 30s or 40s can ballpark insurance coverage somewhere around 5% to 7% of the trip costs, with rates that can get lower depending on the extent of coverage."

Insurance is a tiered product that gets more expensive as you age. "As you get older, that range can expand to 10% of trip costs," notes Sandberg. "Adding bells and whistles, like 'cancel for any reason' [coverage], rates can rise to 11% to 12% of the cost of your trip."

Related: How cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Following extensive research scouring the fine print, we've selected five of the best cruise insurance plans that will appeal to a variety of seagoing travelers.

All five plans provide coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellation and interruption.

For the leisure cruiser: TravelSafe Classic Plan

TravelSafe's Classic Plan is the best value all-around for the average cruiser, with superior coverage limits at a fair rate.

This plan's coverage includes an impressive $1 million per person for medical evacuation and a high $2,500 coverage limit for bag loss. You have extra time – 21 days – from your initial deposit to add a cancel-for-any-reason upgrade to your plan. The accident and sickness medical coverage is primary, with coverage up to $100,000.

The policy's $750-maximum trip delay coverage begins after a six-hour delay and includes kennel fees for up to $100 per day, along with coverage for additional meal and accommodation expenses.

For the budget conscious: AXA's Silver Plan

AXA's Silver Plan is the company's entry-level offering, with more value added than most budget insurance options — most notably the company's concierge service. Coverage under this plan includes robust trip cancellation and interruption coverage, both at 100% of the costs, along with $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.

The plan also offers identity theft assistance in case your wallet or passport gets stolen while traveling, assisting with filing and obtaining police and credit reports, taking inventory of lost or stolen items, and even wiring emergency funds to you when you're really in a bind.

You won't have the option to purchase a cancel-for-any-reason add-on or opt in for a collision damage waiver on this lowest-tier plan.

For the luxury cruise traveler: John Hancock's Gold Plan

John Hancock's Gold Plan offers robust medical evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $1 million per person, ideal for those luxury cruises that rove to the farthest reaches of the globe. The plan has excellent baggage loss coverage at up to $2,500 per person, along with a low three-hour minimum travel delay ($1,000 per person, $200 daily limit) benefit.

Preexisting medical conditions are covered by this policy, though you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your trip deposit.

For increased medical coverage: Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan

Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan offers primary medical coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses up to $500,000, while many other plans only offer secondary coverage. The plan's medical evacuation coverage is high at $1 million, and preexisting conditions are covered with a few conditions that apply, namely that you purchase the policy within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The policy also offers detailed, robust COVID-19 coverage, including reimbursement for medical care if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Its coverage also includes meals, local transportation and lodging if you're delayed six or more consecutive hours due to quarantining with COVID-19.

Coverage options on the plan may vary slightly depending on which U.S. state you claim as your residence.

For the adventurous cruiser: World Nomads' Explorer Plan

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover more than 200 adventure activities on your travels, including scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping. The coverage for the long list of activities includes emergency medical expenses while outside the U.S., medical evacuation and repatriation, along with trip interruption.

World Nomads' Explorer Plan also offers $25,000 in coverage for nonmedical emergency evacuation for covered events, such as a natural disaster or political or security situations.

Travelers 70 and older are required to add a "Silver Nomads" policy, offered through TripAssure.

Bottom line

Cruising isn't always a blissful week spent relaxing on the pool deck or snorkeling among multicolored reefs. Mishaps occur, whether it's losing luggage, missing a flight or falling ill.

The best cruise insurance policies are the ones that won't let you sail without a safety net, charging a fraction of your trip expenses in exchange for the peace of mind that there's a plan in place should something go wrong. With a range of pricing and coverage options available, you can feel confident that you can find a policy to suit your travel needs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Best overall
• Best for affordability
• Best for seniors
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for exotic locations
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cruise Travel Insurance of September 2024: Top Coverage Tips for Cruises

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best cruise insurance plan that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Best Cruise Insurance Plans of 2024 Summary

• Best overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for affordability: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

Top Cruise Travel Insurance Company Comparison

While booking a cruise takes off much of the pressure when coming up with itineraries, your trip can still encounter several hitches, which is where cruise travel comes in. The best cruise travel insurance will have high coverage limits on emergency medical evacuations, as sea to land evacuations can be expensive. They'll offer coverage for baggage delay, trip interruption, and it might be a good idea to have some adventure sports coverage if you plan on participating in any outdoor activities like snorkeling or scuba diving. 

Here are our picks for the best cruise travel insurance companies in 2024.

Best Cruise Insurance Overall

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage. It also offers $250 for itinerary changes that caused you to miss pre-paid excursions, from $250 up to $1,000 depending on the plan.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review .

Best Cruise Insurance for Affordability

Axa assistance usa.

AXA offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review .

Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors

Seven corners travel insurance.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a pre-existing conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners travel insurance review . 

Best Cruise Insurance for Expensive Trips

Hth worldwide travel insurance.

HTH Worldwide is one of the cheapest travel insurance companies . It offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost, as long as you purchase within 21 days of your initial trip deposit.

Read our HTH Worldwide travel insurance review .

Best Cruise Insurance for Exotic Locations

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise. Additionally, World Nomads is one of the few travel insurance providers that sells policies to people who have already departed for their trip. However, you'll have to wait 72 hours before the policy kicks in.

Read our World Nomads travel nsurance review .

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical. The best travel insurance plans will provide flexibility to add coverage options to fit your travels needs.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts. Interruption coverage should also include coverage for missed stops on your cruise.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Travel medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances. 

When you purchase travel medical insurance, be sure to note whether your coverage is primary or secondary. Secondary insurance means you'll need to file a claim with your primary insurance provider before filing with your travel insurance provider. 

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses. You'll want high coverage limits for emergency evacuation, as sea-to-land evacuations can be costly. 

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience. It'll reimburse you for any money you spent replacing items while traveling. 

Adventure Sports Coverage

Cruises often offer activities that can be classified as adventure sports, such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Medical treatment for injuries sustained while participating in these activities isn't normally covered under normal travel medical coverage. You'll want to ensure that your policy explicitly includes these policies or offers an add-on for adventure sports coverage. 

Tips for Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs. 

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

It's always best to purchase cruise insurance soon after placing the initial deposit on your cruise. The sooner you buy your insurance, the quicker your trip is protected against a sudden cancellation. Additionally, most travel insurance plans have optional riders you can add to your policy as long as you purchase your policy within a certain window.

For example, cancel for any reason coverage often needs to be purchased within a purchasing window, which can last anywhere between a few days to three weeks from your initial trip deposit. You can also get coverage if you're traveling with pre-existing medical conditions under the same conditions by purchasing your policy early, depending on your provider. 

That said, most companies will let you buy travel insurance up until the day before your departure. There are some limited policies that you can purchase after you've left for your trip, such as Allianz OneTrip Emergency Medical  policy.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like VisitorsCoverage and InsureMyTrip are good places to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Cruise Insurance Plans

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot, SquareMouth , and InsureMyTrip to see what customers have to say, particularly about claims experience.

Policy Types

The most important part of any travel insurance company, we look at all the policies a company offers. While we looked at coverage limits, we also looked at options for multi-trip plans, travel medical insurance, and pre-existing condition coverage. We also considered policy flexibility and add ons that a company offers.

Average Premiums

We acquired quotes from various travel insurance companies using the same trip details. We compared these quotes side-by-side, taking into account the level of coverage each company offered for the price.

Claims Paid

We looked at how quickly a company processes and pays out on a claims. We also look at any favorable terms related to claims. For example, some companies will pay a claim with additional interest if they take longer than expected to pay out. 

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about Business Insider's travel insurance rating methodology .

Best Cruise Travel Insurance FAQs

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

You can buy your own cruise insurance that isn't offered directly through the cruise line operator. In fact, this could be a better option if you want coverage for your travel to the cruise's departure point, not just for the cruise itself.

Your options for travel insurance is severely limited after your trip starts, but you still have a few options. World Nomads offers policies to people who have already departed on their cruise. However, once you buy coverage, you'll have to wait 72 hours before it kicks in.

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Cruise insurance typically covers trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, emergency evacuations, and lost or damaged baggage, though coverage can vary based on the policy. You'll also find coverage for losses due to missed ports, such as prepaid excursions. 

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Table of Contents

Look to your credit cards, first

What to consider if you buy a separate cruise travel insurance policy, what cruise travel insurance doesn't cover, how to shop cruise travel insurance options, is cruise travel insurance necessary.

Travel insurance can save you when you’re in a pinch, and cruises are especially important to protect. Whether you experience a flight delay, your car breaks down or you get sick, having a backup plan that will cover the cost of your trip, or at least help you get there without extra expense, can be essential. It’s recommended to arrive one day before the departure of your cruise to allow for any delays because if you arrive late to the departure point, the ship may have already left.

If you find yourself stranded at the pier long after your cruise has left, or aren't able to get to the pier at all, cruise travel insurance can help. These are some of the best travel insurance options for cruises.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Many credit cards provide sufficient travel protection that can help you in the event of a delay or cancellation. It can even help if you arrive on time, but your bags do not. Other travel protections include helping if you need medical attention or evacuation during your trip, as well as insurance for a rental car if you decide to drive in one of the ports you visit.

Some of the popular credit card options that provide ample protections include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card . Terms apply.

United℠ Explorer Card .

You'll need to review the policy before the trip to decide if you need to purchase additional coverage.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

If you don't have a credit card with coverage or you want to add more protection, it is wise to buy insurance as soon as possible after booking the cruise. Some companies require that you buy cruise insurance within two weeks of making the initial deposit, particularly if you're hoping for pre-existing medical coverage.

The longer you wait to buy cruise insurance, the higher the price may become.

Also, your own health insurance may not cover cruise travel or medical attention onboard a ship. Often, some personal insurance plans do not protect passengers once they have sailed more than six hours from any U.S. port. This may come as a surprise for those who thought they were protected, which is why it can be wise to purchase additional coverage for a cruise.

Since medical treatment on a ship may be more expensive, and evacuation at sea may require a helicopter or small boat, having emergency coverage can be essential.

If you’re still deciding on additional protection, consider these factors:

Destination: Is it remote or far from an airport or medical facility? How difficult will it be for you to find medical care or leave the ship?

Length of stay: How long will you be traveling? If it's only a few days, the probability that you will need coverage is less than if the trip were longer or farther from home.

Credit card protections: Read the fine print of your credit card benefits. If you used that card to pay for your travel, you may already have protection in the event of trip delay or cancellation, missing or lost luggage, medical reasons or weather issues.

Personal liability: Will you be engaging in activities that may make you responsible for someone else’s injury? Will you be renting a car or participating in activities like boating, biking or motorized water sports? If you may be held liable for someone else’s injury, insurance can help protect you.

As important as knowing how you will be protected, it is also paramount to know what is not included.

For example, if any injury or health issue is alcohol-related, it may not be covered. You might also want to know if natural disasters like a hurricane, terrorist incidents or bankruptcy by the cruise line are also covered. Sometimes, there are specific carve-outs for such situations.

Another important factor to consider is COVID-19 protection , as not all insurance plans include it. You will want to consider what happens if you get sick before the sailing or onboard since you may have to find accommodation if you are not able to travel for a period of time.

Some cruise insurance policies will cover itinerary changes. This means if you have your heart set on visiting a particular place, but it gets cut from the itinerary (a common occurrence due to weather conditions), you would receive some form of compensation. Not all plans include this, and for certain trips with a popular port (like visiting Alexandria, Egypt, to drive to the Pyramids), it may be wise to check if you are covered.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

There are many providers of travel insurance, and often, cruise companies will recommend a partner when making a reservation. Those are often best since the cruise line has a history of working with that company and has considered the intricacies of the various ports its ships are visiting. Still, policies vary.

If you want to buy a policy beyond what is already offered by your credit card, start with an aggregator site like Insure My Trip that compares several policies based on the criteria you choose. How long will you be gone? Where are you going? Do you have any pre-existing conditions? All of these things can affect the price of a policy that you purchase.

There are other respected insurance options like Travel Guard , which has policies specifically geared toward cruise trips. SafeCruise from VisitorsCoverage is another plan that is designed for cruise travel, and it includes an upgrade for a partial Cancel For Any Reason reimbursement.

Deciding if you want to protect your trip probably depends on your budget. If you can afford a worst-case scenario without protection, then maybe you won’t need to purchase travel insurance for cruises.

But for most travelers, having a backup plan in case anything goes wrong makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

Evidence of Cruise Insurance

By Delbankin , August 20, 2022 in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

Recommended Posts

We are insured through bank insurance underwritten by one of the major insurance companies and despite phoning and being told cruises are covered, and being sent copies of policies and underwriters cover statement there is no mention of cruises being covered in their literature.

How closely do Tui scrutinise documents prior to boarding?.  We are reluctant to take out cruise specific insurance but will have to if this is insisted upon. We cruised recently with Azamara and they didn’t look at our insurance information.

Does anyone have experience of insurance being checked before boarding or anyone being refused boarding because their insurance didn’t specifically mention cruising?.

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Pre covid my wife used the standard Lloyds bank travel insurance for years, Since

covid Marella have inserted into their terms that you must have Comprehensive cruise cover with covid cover specifically included. For the last couple of cruises that we have done recently  I have bundled my wife’s travel insurance with mine which already included cruise cover, I don’t really know what comprehensive cover means. 🤷‍♂️   Just before we joined the ships at the port check in they did look at insurance docs along with vaccination proof etc.

Hope this helps.

Perhaps tell us which bank do you have the account with, then someone with a similar account may help.

There is a long thread on cruise insurance on the P&O board if you can find it, which covered lots of providers, but it was several months ago.

I seem to recall that policies underwritten by AXA and Allianz were the most comprehensive, but relatives who have Coop Bank cover told me that policies today are not as comprehensive as the ones they have, as they have had an account with Coop for several years

Ours is via M&S underwritten by Axa however I’m not sure what relevance P&O insurance posts would have to Tui because as I say Azamara didn’t even look at ours so companies probably have different approaches hence my query. I do appreciate people taking time to reply and hopefully others can give examples of their direct experience. We are reluctant to take out additional insurance however if it is essential to get on board with Tui then we will have to. Some might say it is something the cruise companies and insurers have come together on to make more money out of customers.

I bought a TUI single trip policy for my next cruise at a TUI travel agents which is actually an Axa insurance. I just checked the Axa policy wording and cruises are not mentioned. Panic? Maybe not, the insurance certificate printed by the TA mentions cruises in the section on Covid cover specifically what you are covered for if on a cruise.

I hope to have several cruises next year so will be looking for annual cover starting early January next year so it applies to my Explorer Xmas/New year cruise and the other 3 cruises for next year

Rebel Rouser

After being on 5 cruises over the last 12 months. They do indeed check the insurance docs with all the other documents that are needed on a cruise.

Lucky enough, My bank cover us for Insurance (Barclays) £12 PM for £144 PA, it's worth checking your bank to see if they can cover you? Also get Car breakdown cover within that as well.

markmichelle87

We have a Lloyds Bank Premiere account that covers us for cruises even though it does not specifically state this but have checked with Allianz the insurance provider.

You can add extra specific cruise cover for missed port and itinerary change an few other things for an additional charge too top up your existing cover.

We are going in February 2023 and will check nearer to the cruise for the cost.

Pensioncruiser

13 hours ago, Rebel Rouser said: Lucky enough, My bank cover us for Insurance (Barclays) £12 PM for £144 PA, it's worth checking your bank to see if they can cover you? Also get Car breakdown cover within that as well.

Can't fault the cover we had through our bank, Nationwide,  but it did become expensive when we reached the age limit as all the declared heath issues, understandably, attracted a large premium. Just make certain you declare all medical issues. 

15 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said: Can't fault the cover we had through our bank, Nationwide,  but it did become expensive when we reached the age limit as all the declared heath issues, understandably, attracted a large premium. Just make certain you declare all medical issues. 

Yes I always do declare Ailments etc..not that there is a lot at the moment..touch wood? main one was TKN 7 years back

I used my Lloyds bank (Allianz) cover last week, they spent a couple of seconds reading the certificate of insurance we'd printed out and found no problems with it.

15 minutes ago, Sicknote said: I used my Lloyds bank (Allianz) cover last week, they spent a couple of seconds reading the certificate of insurance we'd printed out and found no problems with it.

Sorry but I had to laugh. Re you and the Cruise insurance and you being Sicknote  😂

So you didn’t get the extra cover then ? Sicknote

8 minutes ago, markmichelle87 said: So you didn’t get the extra cover then ? Sicknote

Nope, just the standard one you get with a Lloyds platinum account. The Allianz website lists a few different upgrades that can be added but none relate to cruises.

The only time I think it would need upgrading for a cruise is if you're travelling for more than 31 days.

I also have travel insurance with my Lloyds bank account.   I rang Lloyds and they were happy to send me a letter confirming that cruise cover was included.  They also did the same for another family member who cruised earlier this year. 

Barclays wording

Jim The Scot

Similar to  chris although our worldwide travel insurance is with Nationwide through our flex plus account

Had a letter from Nationwide with policy number,name of insurance company and confirming cruise cover and nothing more.This was given a fleeting glimpse at the port

My take on Marella insisting on “comprehensive”cruise cover is an attempt to direct customers to take out the policy they promote on their website.Comprehensive is a play on words for me

We had what Nationwide call basic cruise cover which was more than enough.They do have an option to upgrade cruise cover at a cost of £40 which covers you for missed ports,confined to cabin etc,an option we have never taken up 

Regret it now as we would have been entitled to £600 from our cruise but no doubt there would have many hoops to jump through to get it.

Hindsight  is a wonderful thing

32 minutes ago, Rebel Rouser said: Barclays wording

what does “whilst onboard a uk cruise” mean.?

Thanks everyone for replies. I can see it has generated some other exchanges as well which is always good. We did contact Axa via M&S after I posted the message (but without much hope really) and they have very quickly provided a copy letter which is general in content but does have virtually the same wording as the Barclays policy (thanks Rebel Rouser) so I think we will take our chances that cruise cover is included. If all else fails, we can always take out a policy online when we are in the cruise terminal!.

1 hour ago, Brummijam said: Hi RR. what does “whilst onboard a uk cruise” mean.?

Probably UK cruise as in TUI Marella are UK based.

2 hours ago, Brummijam said: Hi RR. what does “whilst onboard a uk cruise” mean.?

I take this to mean the policy also covers you for a cruise from the UK that only visits UK ports or no ports at all like the one i did to the Scottish isles last summer. The insurance companies had to amend their policies. there was considerable discussion on the P&O forum. For example you might not visit a foreign port but you might be evacuated from the ship in  UK waters to a foreign country, for example France or Ireland. Originally the insurance companies did not want to provide cover as you were not going abroad and the NHS would provide cover.

10 hours ago, Rebel Rouser said: Probably UK cruise as in TUI Marella are UK based.

Think that would bother me.  Does this mean that a cruise on RCI or P+O would not be covered?

13 hours ago, Rebel Rouser said: Barclays wording

Also read include anywhere in the world, including cruises outside the UK up to £10,000,00 per insure person.

Some people read into it too much and worry themselves.

In general I am a pretty laid back person but because it’s me with the potentially serious ailments I have to double check belt and braces that everything is in place and correct should anything happen when we are away. My OH would crumble in a crisis guaranteed.

The way I see it is it’s easier to sort it and check it’s all in order at my lesuire rather to leave it to a panicking spouse if something went wrong over there. Once it’s done ….Relax. 😉 😂 Keep well.

23 hours ago, Sicknote said:   Nope, just the standard one you get with a Lloyds platinum account. The Allianz website lists a few different upgrades that can be added but none relate to cruises.   The only time I think it would need upgrading for a cruise is if you're travelling for more than 31 days.

I did find on the Allianz site a page that said you can add cruise cover that was a top up on the normal insurance.

• Missed port departure : If you miss the ship beacuse of public transport delays or your vehicle breaking down on your way to the port, we’ll pay for transport costs so you can catch it at the next port.
• Cruise interruption : If you fall ill and need to be hospitalised ashore, we’ll pay for the travel expenses so you can re-join the cruise when you’re feeling better.
• Cabin confinement : We’ll pay up to your claim limit if you’re ill and the doctor confines you to your cabin. This also applies if there’s a medical situation on board that means you have to stay in your cabin.
• Cruise itinerary changes : If there’s bad weather or a reason why your ship can’t make a scheduled stop, we’ll pay up to the limit shown on your policy.
• Unused excursions cover : If you can’t make a trip or excursion due to injury, illness or the ship not being able to stop as scheduled, we’ll cover you for the unused cost.

That upgrade option doesn't appear with one of the Lloyds account coverages, assume it's for a standard Allianz one?

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Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Best cruise insurance plans of september 2024.

Updated: Sep 2, 2024, 2:41am

WorldTrips, Nationwide and PrimeCover are the best cruise insurance companies in our analysis.

If you need cruise insurance, you’ll want to look at policies that provide generous coverage for medical expenses, trip interruption and trip cancellation at a good price. We rated 40 travel insurance policies on those factors to help you find the best options.

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Summary: Best Cruise Insurance Ratings

What is cruise insurance and how does it work, what does cruise insurance cover, how much does cruise insurance cost, where and when to buy cruise insurance, what are the travel insurance requirements of different cruise lines, is cruise insurance worth it, case study: cruise insurance saves the day, again, methodology, best cruise insurance frequently asked questions (faqs), how we chose the best cruise insurance.

We evaluated policies on cost and coverage for missed connections, trip interruption, trip cancellation, medical expenses and evacuation, and more. Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

• 40 travel insurance plans evaluated
• 1,560 coverage details analyzed
• 280 rates scored
• 102 years insurance experience on the editorial team

GREAT FOR ADD-ON COVERAGE

Top-scoring plan

Atlas Journey Elevate

Average cost

Medical & evacuation limits per person

$250,000/$1 million

The Atlas Journey Elevate policy stands out for its excellent medical evacuation benefits. We also like its wide range of add-on benefits. These include “cancel for any reason,” “interruption for any reason” and extra coverage for pets traveling with you, adventure sports, medical expenses and more.

More:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review

• One of the lowest average costs among top-rated policies evaluated.
• Very good travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person after only 5 hours.
• Very good missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person after 3 hours.
• Medical coverage level is low compared to some competitors evaluated.
• Baggage delay benefits have a 12-hour waiting period.

Here’s a look at top coverage types that are included in the WorldTrips Atlas Elevate policy.

Also included:

• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 for specified problems. These include if your arrival home is delayed due to a transportation delay and you can’t work for at least two days, your flight lands at a different airport than scheduled, your passport is stolen and can’t be reissued, and more.

Optional add-ons offered:

• Adventure sports add-on to extend coverage to safaris, bungee jumping and more.
• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” coverage.
• Rental car theft and damage coverage of $50,000.
• School activities coverage if trip has to be canceled due a test, sporting event, etc.

BEST FOR POLICY PERKS

Cruise Luxury

$150,000/$1 million

We recommend Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury plan because it provides an array of extensive benefits such as “interruption for any reason” and “cancel for work reasons.” Some competitors don’t offer any of those perks. We also like that it includes benefits for delays in your ship’s arrival to the next port of call, superior missed connection coverage and evacuation benefits—all at a decent price.

More:   Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

• Includes $25,000 in non-medical evacuation benefits.
• Pretty good baggage delay benefits of $1,000 per person.
• Good travel delay benefits of $1,000 per person covered after only a 6-hour delay.
• Medical coverage is lower than some other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.
• 24-hour delay required for hurricane and weather coverage, compared to some competitor policies with only a 6- or 12-hour delay requirement.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in Nationwide’s Cruise Luxury policy.

• Coverage if the CDC issues a health warning at your destination.
• Coverage for extension of the school year, terrorism in an itinerary city, work-related emergency issues.
• “Interruption for any reason” up to $1,000.
• Inconvenience benefit of $250 per person if your cruise ship’s arrival at the next port of call is delayed for two or more hours due to mechanical breakdown or fire.

Optional add-on offered:

• If you cancel two or more days prior to your departure for a reason not listed in the base policy, CFAR provides 75% compensation of your insured trip cost.

Best for Evacuation

The Luxe policy stood out in our analysis because it has superior benefit limits across the board. We also liked its generous evacuation coverage, short waiting periods for delays and wide range of optional benefits.

• You can buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, compared to 15 days for many other top-rated companies.
• Non-medical evacuation benefits of $100,000.
• Provides “hospital of choice” in its medical evacuation coverage, meaning you choose the medical facility rather than being transported to the nearest adequate treatment center.
• Top-notch trip interruption reimbursement of 200%, which is twice as much as many competitors.

More:   PrimeCover Travel Insurance Review

• Medical expense limits of $250,000 per person is great but some competitors provide twice as much travel medical insurance.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the PrimeCover Luxe policy.

• Benefits of $300 for changing original travel arrangements, such as transferring airlines.
• Benefits of $500 for itinerary change.
• Benefits of $500 for lost golf fees and $150 lost ski/snowboard.
• Benefits of $1,500 for rental property damage liability.
• Benefits of $5,000 for search and rescue.
• Coverage of $1,000 for sports equipment rental.
• Travel inconvenience coverage of $100 each for closed attractions and flight diversions.

Optional add-on coverage includes:

• Choices of $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000 for AD&D flight-only coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• Increased coverage choices of $4,000 or $7,000 for trip delay.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade.
• Rental car damage coverage of $50,000.

BEST FOR MISSED CONNECTIONS

Travelsafe insurance.

Classic Plus Plan

$100,000/$1 million

We like TravelSafe’s Classic because it provides superior missed connection and evacuation benefits. It also has very good trip interruption and hurricane and weather coverage at a competitive price.

More:   TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review

• Provides coverage for non-medical evacuation at $25,000 per person.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade available.
• Excellent baggage loss coverage limits of $2,500 per person.
• $100,000 in medical benefits is on the low side compared to top competitors but might be sufficient for your needs.
• Baggage delay coverage is a little skimpy at $250 per person after a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Classic Plus policy.

• Compensates $300 for fees if you have to redeposit frequent traveler awards for reasons covered by your trip cancellation insurance.
• If your return home is delayed by 24 hours or more due to a reason covered in your policy, the policy includes $100 of pet kennel coverage.
• If your travel supplier makes a change that forces you to lose non-refundable costs for missed activities, you’re eligible for $250 per person for itinerary changes.
• Accidental death and dismemberment for flights, up to $500,000 per person.
• Business equipment and sports equipment coverage of $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage of 75% of lost trip costs.
• Up to $35,000 in rental car damage and theft.

BEST FOR BAGGAGE

Axa assistance usa.

AXA’s Platinum plan stood out in our analysis because it hits all the high points for coverage that you’ll want if you’re looking for top-notch protection, including non-medical evacuation coverage and baggage insurance.

More:   AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Review

• Generous medical and evacuation limits.
• Baggage loss coverage of $3,000 per person is among the highest of plans we reviewed.
• Provides excellent non-medical evacuation coverage of $100,000 per person.
• Travel delay and baggage coverage kicks in only after a 12-hour delay.
• “Interruption for any reason” upgrade not available.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in AXA’s Platinum policy.

• “Cancel for any reason” coverage.
• Lost golf rounds.
• Lost ski days.

GREAT FOR MEDICAL EXPENSE AND MEDICAL EVACUATION

Seven corners.

Trip Protection Choice

$500,000/$1 million

We like Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice plan because of its great upgrade options and excellent benefits. These include unrivaled medical coverage limits, non-medical evacuation and very good missed connection benefits.

More:   Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review

• Highest medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits among top-rated plans.
• “Cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades available.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Includes $20,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• Hurricane and weather coverage has a 48-hour delay, compared to some competitors’ plans that require only 6-, 12- or 24-hour delays.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice policy.

• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $40,000 per person for qualifying common carrier events.
• Change fee compensation of $300 per person if you have to change your flight or original travel arrangements due to qualifying events.
• Coverage of $500 for pet kennel benefits if your return home is delayed by six hours or more due to qualifying missed connection, interruption or delay problems.
• Frequent traveler coverage of $500 to pay for the cost to redeposit awards due to a trip cancellation caused by a reason listed in your policy.
• Event ticket fee registration coverage of $15,000 if you can’t attend an event due to unforeseen reasons listed in trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
• Coverage of $35,000 for rental car damage.
• Golf and sports equipment rental coverage up to $5,000.
• “Interruption for any reason” coverage.

GREAT FOR PRICE

Trawick international.

Safe Travels First Class

We picked Trawick’s Safe Travels First Class policy because it provides solid benefits at a great average cost—it’s the fourth cheapest among the 12 top-rated plans we evaluated. We also like that it includes high medical evacuation limits and good missed connection coverage.

More:  Trawick Travel Insurance Review

• Offers “cancel for any reason” upgrade.
• Top-level medical evacuation coverage of $1 million.
• Excellent baggage loss coverage of $2,000 per person.
• Medical coverage is lower than most other top-rated plans but might be sufficient for your needs.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in Trawick’s Safe Travels First Class policy.

• Common carrier accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $25,000.
• Coverage for sports fees.
• Coverage of $50,000 for rental car damage.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that allows you to recoup 75% of insured trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to departure.

BEST FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION COVERAGE

Generali global assistance.

Premium plan

Medical and evacuation limits per person

Generali’s Premium policy got our attention because of its very good benefits at a decent average price. We like the Premium policy’s generous time frame for getting coverage for pre-existing conditions, excellent trip interruption insurance and medical coverage. It also includes and includes generous benefits for rental car damage and accidental death.

More:   Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review

• You can qualify for coverage of pre-existing medical conditions if you buy the policy prior to or within 24 hours of making your final trip payment, as opposed to a deadline of 10 to 20 days after making your first trip deposit, which is typical from top competitors.
• Excellent hurricane and weather coverage with no waiting period.
• Top-notch emergency evacuation coverage of $1 million per person.
• If you want “cancel for any reason” coverage you must buy it within 24 hours of making your initial trip deposit, compared to 10 to 20 days from top competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the Generali Premium policy.

• Coverage of $52,000 for rental car theft and damage.
• Coverage of $2,000 for sporting equipment.
• Coverage of $500 for sporting equipment delay.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that compensates you 60% of your insured trip cost if you cancel at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure.

BEST FOR AD&D

John hancock insurance agency.

Average Cost

We recommend John Hancock’s Gold policy if you want a short travel delay waiting period and high medical and evacuation limits. The Gold plan also has the highest limits ($100,000) for accidental death and dismemberment of the plans we reviewed. It also stands out because it  includes very good trip interruption, baggage and missed connection coverage.

More:   John Hancock Travel Insurance Review

• Good missed connection coverage of $1,000 per person after 3-hour delay.
• Travel delay benefits kick in after only a 3-hour delay.
• Pricey among the plans we analyzed but you buy top-tier benefits.
• Baggage delay benefits require a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the John Hancock Gold policy.

• Coverage for sports fees and equipment loss.
• Coverage of $200 for ticket change fees if delayed by one hour or more.

Optional add-ons:

• Coverage of $300,000 or $500,000 for flight-only accidental death and dismemberment.
• Rental car collision coverage of $50,000.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade providing 75% of insured trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before your departure.

GREAT FOR TRAVEL DELAY WAITING PERIOD

Usi affinity travel insurance services.

While pricing is higher than most other top plans, we chose USI’s Diamond plan for its solid range of top-level benefits, including first-rate medical and evacuation benefits and very good missed connection coverage. It also has a short waiting period for travel delays—six hours compared to 12 hours for some top-rated competitors.

More:   USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review

• Superior coverage levels for medical expenses and evacuation.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $1,500 per person.
• High baggage loss coverage of $2,500 per person.
• Baggage delay coverage is good at $500 per person but requires a 12-hour delay for benefits to start.
• Has the second-highest average cost among top-scoring plans.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the USI Affinity Diamond policy.

• Rental car damage benefits of $1,000.
• Flight-only accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $10,000.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade providing reimbursement of 75% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure.

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Travel Guard Preferred

$50,000/$500,000

AIG’s Travel Guard Preferred plan is one of our favorites because it provides solid benefits at a very low average price. Optional pet, wedding, security, baggage, medical, adventures sports and travel inconvenience upgrades allow you to customize a policy to fit your needs.

Additionally, the Travel Guard Preferred plan includes benefits if (under certain conditions) you must start your trip earlier than planned—a feature not found in all policies.

More:   AIG Travel Insurance Review

• Provides up to $750 for “travel inconveniences,” such as flight delay to your return destination, runway delays and cruise diversions.
• Reimburses up to $2,500 for meals, accommodations and transportation if you must begin your trip earlier than scheduled due to inclement weather or common carrier changes.
• Very low travel medical insurance limits compared to other policies we evaluated, but you can increase coverage with an upgrade.
• Missed connection benefits of $1,000 are low compared to some competitors.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in AIG’s Travel Guard Preferred policy.

• Ancillary evacuation benefits up to $5,000 for expenses related to return of children, bedside visits, baggage return and more.
• Flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $100,000 per person.
• Travel inconvenience benefits of $750 total ($250 per problem) if you encounter issues such as closed attractions, cruise diversion, hotel infestation, hotel construction and more.
• Trip exchange benefits of 50% of your trip cost that pay the difference in price between your original reservation and the new one.
• Adventure Sports Bundle for adventure and extreme activities.
• Boarding and medical expenses for illness or injury of dog or cat while traveling is covered with the Pet Bundle. Includes trip cancellation or trip interruption if your pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before your departure.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that reimburses 50% of insured trip costs.
• Rental vehicle damage coverage of $50,000.
• Wedding Bundle to cover trip cancellation due to wedding cancellation. Note that brides and grooms are excluded from this benefit.
• You’re allowed to add a person to your policy who will qualify for family member-related unforeseen events that can apply to claims for trip cancellation and interruption with the “Name Your Family” upgrade.

BEST FOR HURRICANE AND WEATHER

Hth worldwide.

TripProtector Preferred Plan

We were impressed byHTH’s TripProtector Preferred policy which is packed with luxury-level benefits and has a short waiting period for hurricane and weather. It also stands out for its superior medical and evacuation benefits and trip interruption coverage, but it also comes with a high average price.

More:   HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance Review

• Waiting period of only six hours for hurricane and weather, compared to most competitors that have 12 or 48.
• Excellent trip interruption coverage of 200% of the trip cost.
• Very good travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person after a 6-hour delay.
• Highest average cost among top-rated companies, but you’re getting robust benefits.
• Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour delay.

Here’s a look at whether top coverage types are included in the HTH Worldwide TripProtector Preferred policy.

• Coverage of $35,000 for rental car damage and theft.
• Coverage of $250 for pet medical expenses if your dog or cat traveling with you gets injured or sick during your trip.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade that compensates you 75% reimbursement of trip costs if you cancel at least two days prior to your scheduled departure.

Cruise insurance can be any travel insurance policy that has the coverage features you want. It does not have to be a travel insurance policy with “cruise” in the policy name.

Travel insurance for cruises works the same as standard travel insurance. You pay for a policy that compensates you for problems that can disrupt your cruise. It’s helpful to have missed connection coverage included in a cruise insurance policy, as the cost of catching up to a cruise can be significant.

Cruise insurance generally covers the following—up to your policy limits— if the expense is caused by a reason listed in your policy or not excluded from coverage:

Travel Medical Insurance

This pays for medical expenses associated with injuries and illness you get while on the trip. The top travel insurance plans have $500,000 in travel medical insurance , but you might find $150,000 to be sufficient for a cruise. If you’re a senior, good travel medical coverage is crucial.

U.S. health plans may have very limited or no coverage when you’re outside the U.S. And Medicare doesn’t cover medical care outside the U.S., with only very narrow exceptions .

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage

Medical evacuation travel insurance covers the costs to get you to the nearest adequate medical facility or even back home if it’s medically required. Your travel insurer’s emergency assistance team can also help arrange for the medevac.

Coverage for Pre-existing Medical Conditions

You can also get a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if you buy coverage within a certain period, usually within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit. This means medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions that arise during your trip will be covered.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you 100% for the pre-paid and non-refundable deposits you lose if you have to cancel for a reason covered by the policy .

Trip Interruption Coverage

This will reimburse you for unused trip costs if your trip is cut short because of illness, injury, death, a family emergency back home or other reasons. Trip interruption insurance can also pay for the extra expenses of a trip interruption, such as a one-way plane ticket home on short notice. The reason for the interruption has to be listed in the policy.

“Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) Travel Insurance

Canceling for reasons that aren’t listed in the policy isn’t covered, unless you have already purchased a CFAR upgrade. This typically reimburses you 75% of trip costs, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your departure. Adding it increases a policy cost by an average of 50%.

For example, you could make a “cancel for any reason” claim if you’re worried about being seasick—a reason not covered by standard trip cancellation insurance. Buy this coverage shortly after you make your first trip deposit or the purchase window for it will close.

“Interruption for Any Reason” Travel Insurance

Cutting a trip short for reasons that aren’t listed in the policy aren’t covered, unless you have already purchased “interruption for any reason” travel insurance . This coverage typically reimburses you 75% of trip costs. It usually adds 3% to 10% to your travel insurance cost. You generally must buy it within 15 to 20 days of making your first trip deposit. Benefits don’t kick in until you are a specified amount of time into your trip, for example 48 or 72 hours.

Travel insurance companies currently offering “interruption for any reason” coverage include PrimeCover, Nationwide, Seven Corners, Travel Insured International and WorldTrips.

Additional Types of Travel Insurance for Cruises

A comprehensive travel insurance plan will package additional benefits such as travel delay insurance , baggage insurance and missed connection insurance .

The best travel insurance plans offer high levels of reimbursement and short waiting periods for benefits to go into effect when things go wrong. A travel insurance agent can help you match your concerns to the right travel insurance package.

A cruise travel insurance policy may also compensate you if your cruise ship is disabled and you’re stuck on board without power, food or water for a specified amount of time listed in your policy. For example, the WaveCare plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection provides a flat $500 reimbursement for cruise disablement if you’re stuck on the ship for five hours or more without one of these: power, food, water or a restroom.

Typically, cruise insurance also provides a 24/7 hotline for travel emergencies.

The average cost of cruise insurance is $453 per trip, based on our analysis of rates for 40 cruise travel insurance plans.

Cruise insurance costs will generally depend on your age and the cost and length of your trip. Below are examples of cruise insurance costs for the top-rated companies in our analysis.

You can buy cruise insurance from your cruise line, through a travel agent or from a travel insurance agent or company.

Although you can purchase a policy right up to your departure, there are advantages to buying travel insurance right after booking your trip . One is that you can maximize the length of your trip cancellation coverage. For example, if you buy a travel insurance policy three months before your departure and get seriously injured a week before you leave, you can file a trip cancellation claim.

Buying cruise insurance within the first two weeks or so of making your first trip deposit also qualifies you for additional coverage. This can include a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver or a “cancel for any reason” travel insurance (CFAR) upgrade, depending on the policy.

CFAR allows you to recoup 50% or 75% of your forfeited, non-refundable trip costs, depending on your policy. You must cancel at least 48 hours prior to your departure. CFAR increases your travel insurance cost by about 50%.

If the dates of your trip change, your travel insurance company should allow you to change the dates of your policy to match the new travel dates. You can also add items to your itinerary later—such as shore excursions—and then add them to your travel insurance coverage.

Cruise lines departing from the U.S. generally do not require travel insurance. But it’s a good idea to buy a policy that includes travel medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance. That’s because U.S. health insurance is unlikely to cover you if you travel outside of the United States.

EXPERT TIPS

How to Get Travel Insurance for a Cruise

Penny Gusner

Insurance Senior Writer

Insurance Lead Editor

Michelle Megna

Ashlee Valentine

Insurance Editor

Les Masterson

Understand What Cruise Insurance Covers

I suggest you read sample policies online while you’re shopping around. You can learn the finer details and become familiar with how much you’ll be compensated for if you file a travel insurance claim. That way you won’t get any unpleasant surprises about what’s covered and what isn’t.

Assess Your Needs

I think it’s smart to think about your personal circumstances before you start shopping. For example, If you’re worried about a problem at home potentially escalating before or after your departure, you should look for policies that offer “cancel for any reason” and “interruption for any reason” upgrades.

Buy Travel Medical Insurance

I don’t think many people realize that cruise companies generally don’t accept your health insurance coverage if you get sick or injured while on your trip. Medicare Parts A and B may provide coverage in limited cases—for example, if you’re in a U.S. port or no more than six hours away from one. That’s why it’s important to buy travel medical insurance with ample benefits when you purchase a policy for a cruise.

Get An Annual Plan for Frequent Travelers

My advice for those planning on taking multiple trips is to consider an annual travel insurance plan . It’s more affordable than buying multiple policies during one year and all your trips will be covered.

Compare Cruise Insurance Policies

I recommend shopping around and comparing policies from multiple travel insurance companies. The price can vary from one company to another for similar benefits.

Cruise insurance is worth it if you don’t want to risk losing the non-refundable money you invested in your trip if the unexpected happens. For example, let’s say you missed the boat. Cruise insurance can pay for you to rejoin the cruise if you can’t board on time because of an issue covered by the policy, such as severe weather.

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your trip cost, according to our analysis of travel insurance rates. That means cruise insurance might be worth it if:

• Your non-refundable trip costs are much more than you can afford to lose.
• You are traveling internationally and your U.S. health plan has limited coverage abroad.
• You are traveling to a remote area with limited health care facilities and want insurance that will pay for medical transportation to an adequate medical facility.
• You are traveling to a hurricane-prone area where your trip could be scuttled due to weather.
• Your trip involves connecting flights or multiple destinations, which increase the chances of travel delays and lost baggage.
• You want to be partially reimbursed if you decide to cancel your trip or return home early for any reason.

I’ve unfortunately filed several cruise insurance claims in recent years, but I’m so grateful I had coverage. When my father passed away on the day we were set to depart, insurance reimbursed us over $3,000 for the trip cancellation. Later, my wife and I tested positive for Covid-19 in Paris right before our river cruise. We had to cancel and pay for a week’s stay in a pricey hotel, but insurance covered the entire $12,000 claim. Most recently, I was diagnosed with cancer before a cruise and had to cancel for surgery. The documentation was complex, but our policy paid the remaining $2,000 to $3,000 after refunds without hesitation. Travel insurance gave us peace of mind through it all.

– David R., Texas

To find the best cruise insurance, Forbes Advisor analyzed travel insurance data to score travel insurance policies based on the following factors. We include only travel insurance policies that include missed connection coverage.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Travel Insurance Companies

Editor’s note: While our parent company has an interest in PrimeCover, this review was subjected to our team’s standard rigorous editorial process, which remains independent of any influence from insurance companies, business relationships, affiliates or any other external parties.

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

If I cancel my cruise without insurance can I get a refund?

You may qualify for a refund if you cancel a cruise without travel insurance, but the specifics depend on the refund rules outlined by the cruise company. Typically, the closer to the departure date, the less likely it is you’ll get a refund. For example,  if you cancel your cruise 90 days or more before departure, you may get a refund, minus the non-refundable deposit. But if you cancel 30 days or less, you may not get any of your money back.

Even if you have travel insurance, you wouldn’t be eligible to file a cancellation claim if your cruise company provides refunds. Travel insurance only compensates you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

How do I buy cruise insurance for a long-duration cruise?

The coverage in many travel insurance policies will max out at 90 days, so you’ll need to look for a travel insurance policy that can provide coverage for a long trip length.

For example, Allianz Global Assistance ’s OneTrip Premier Plan can cover a trip up to 366 days and includes $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage and $1 million in emergency medical evacuation benefits. It also provides trip cancellation coverage in the event that there is an NOAA hurricane warning at your destination.

How do I buy insurance for cruise shore excursions?

If your shore excursions are pricey, insure the non-refundable deposits for the excursions and the cruise. If your excursions are included in the cruise cost, you would simply insure the cruise trip cost.

Travel medical insurance can cover medical expenses you incur while on and off the ship. But if your excursions involve adventure activities or extreme sports, be aware that many travel policies exclude these from coverage. Still, there are adventure travel policies and optional upgrades that will cover injuries due to activities such as mountain climbing, parasailing, skydiving and hot air ballooning.

Review your policy to be sure the plan you’re buying will cover your adventurous fun. If it doesn’t, ask about an adventure sports add-on, or consider a company such as World Nomads that caters to the adventurous traveler.

Do I need a special cruise insurance plan?

You don’t need a travel insurance plan that’s specifically for cruises. Any good travel insurance policy with generous medical coverage and the other benefits you want can be the best cruise insurance for you.

Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?

You can buy cruise insurance after booking your trip, right up until just before departure. The downside to waiting is that you likely won’t be able to cover pre-existing medical conditions, and you’ll lose the option to add “cancel for any reason” coverage .

Buying right after you book also lets you lock in trip cancellation coverage right away.

Can I cancel a cruise without insurance?

You can cancel a cruise, but you may have to pay a cancellation penalty. You could also lose the cost of pre-paid shore excursions. If you don’t have travel insurance for these losses, check the credit card you used for booking. Some credit cards include trip cancellation coverage .

Next Up In Travel Insurance

• Best Annual Travel Insurance
• Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance
• Best Cheap Travel Insurance
• Average Cost of Travel Insurance
• Travel Medical Insurance For Visitors

Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.

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Smooth Sailing Ahead: Your Guide to Cruise Travel Insurance [2024]

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

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Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

The 5 best cruise travel insurance policies, what is cruise insurance, is cruise insurance worth it, cruise insurance costs, what cruise insurance covers, how to get cruise insurance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Taking a cruise is one of the easiest ways to travel, but cruising isn’t immune to unexpected hiccups. Sudden illness, travel delays, or other unforeseen events could cancel or interrupt your cruising plans — you might even need medical coverage. 

With cruise insurance, you’re covered for unexpected issues that can interfere with your travel plans . Read on to learn what cruise insurance is, how to get it, and how to find the best cruise insurance policies, whether you’re buying directly from the cruise line or a third-party insurance company.

The right cruise insurance policy offers the coverage you need at a good price, but policies aren’t one-size-fits-all. We’ve run quotes for various coverage scenarios — from seniors to adventure tours — to find the best cruise insurance policies . 

Consider these travel insurance policies for your next cruise:

Best Cruise Travel Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners

Seniors cruising the world can get comprehensive coverage from Seven Corners Travel Insurance . We were quoted $89 for a 70-year-old cruising Mexico . The Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic policy offers trip cancellation and interruption, medical coverage, and medical evacuation, along with COVID-19 cancellation and medical coverage.

Comprehensive travel insurance, regardless of your age, is widely available and relatively affordable. Check out our complete guide to travel insurance for seniors .

Best Cruise Travel Insurance With COVID-19 Coverage: battleface

If you’re concerned about COVID-19 derailing your cruise travel plans, getting cruise travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is essential. The battleface Discovery Plan covers COVID-19 cancellation and medical expenses, along with regular trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and medical emergency coverage. We were quoted $36.54 for a 35-year-old cruising Italy on this plan.

Best Cruise Travel Insurance for Young Travelers: Aegis

Young travelers often have the lowest-priced travel insurance policies. We got a quote for just $30.27 from Aegis for a 22-year-old cruising the Bahamas . The Aegis Go Ready Choice policy covers COVID-19 medical and cancellation, trip cancellation and interruption, medical evacuation, and medical expenses.

Best Cruise Travel Insurance for Adventure Tours: IMG

Are you planning adventurous excursions on your cruise? IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite , with options for winter, adventure, and extreme sports, can give you the coverage you need. We were quoted $58.87 for a 40-year-old traveler cruising to Costa Rica with plans to zipline . It covers trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, medical evacuation, and adventure sports with some exclusions, such as diving and adventure races.

Your travel insurance might not cover everything you want to do — particularly if you plan on adventure activities. Here’s our complete guide to adventure and extreme sports travel insurance .

Best Cruise Travel Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Coverage: John Hancock Insurance Agency

If you’re especially concerned you may need to cancel your cruise, Cancel for Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel your trip and receive partial reimbursement for nonrefundable trip expenses, even if you cancel for reasons not normally covered by trip cancellation coverage. We were quoted $100.50 for a 55-year-old cruising Alaska for John Hancock Insurance Agency’s Silver plan , which reimburses up to 75% of your trip cost under Cancel for Any Reason coverage. It also offers coverage for COVID-19 medical and cancellation, trip cancellation and interruption, and medical expenses and evacuation with primary coverage.

Cruise insurance is travel insurance that covers cruises . It can help you manage all the what-ifs on your cruise. What if you need to cancel your booking? What if your flight is late? What if you get sick or hurt? Travel insurance for cruises can cover you for all of these things. 

Many travel insurance policies cover cruises, but cruise insurance may be tailored to the risks of cruises, covering transportation, accommodations, and activities. Getting travel insurance for cruises can offer peace of mind if you’re concerned about losing nonrefundable trip payments, travel delays, or covering emergency medical care.

Cruise bookings can be unforgiving, and cruise insurance can help you minimize your risk of losing the money you’ve paid for your trip. Travel insurance coverage is often a good idea if you’re concerned about losing nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses or covering emergency medical expenses . 

Because cruises are often less flexible than other types of travel, it’s generally a good idea to get cruise travel insurance. For example, you might be able to rebook a flight or hotel room, but if you cancel your cruise, you could lose your deposit or more. Often, cruise lines won’t offer any refunds if you cancel within a certain period before your cruise, such as 14 or 30 days .

Additionally, you shouldn’t expect your U.S.-based health insurance plan to cover you on your cruise, especially if you’re on an international cruise. And it’s exceptionally expensive if you need to be evacuated for a medical condition.

While everyone hopes for smooth sailing, the reality is a lot of unexpected issues could pop up on your cruise. Your flight to the cruise port could be delayed, you might get sick or injured on your cruise, or you might have to cancel the whole thing if illness or obligations prevent you from going on your cruise. A hurricane could interfere with cruising in storm hotspots such as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. 

Cruise insurance can offer financial support for many unexpected problems you might experience with a cruise. And with a 24-hour travel assistance hotline , you can get knowledgeable help whether you need to find a local pharmacy or coordinate the replacement of lost travel documents such as your passport.

That said, you might have travel insurance coverage available with a credit card . Some credit cards offer travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical treatment and evacuation, and travel delay coverage. Still, you should check the details of your credit card’s coverage to ensure it’s enough for your needs. 

Looking for a credit card with travel protections? Read our guide to the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage and protection.

Generally, expect cruise insurance to cost between 5% to 10% of the total cost of your cruise . For a $3,000 cruise, you’ll typically pay between $150 to $300 for comprehensive travel insurance coverage. But keep in mind several factors influence the cost of cruise insurance, including:

• Add-ons, such as CFAR 
• Coverage options 
• Cruise cost 
• Deductibles and limits 
• Destination 
• Group policies 
• Traveler age 
• Trip duration

Learn more about travel insurance costs in our guide to the average cost of travel insurance .

Each travel insurance policy is unique, but travel insurance for cruise coverage typically includes:

• 24/7 Assistance: You can get 24/7 support for itinerary changes, rebooking, medical emergencies, and more.
• Baggage Protection: Your luggage is covered for loss, theft, or damage on your flight or during your cruise.
• Cabin Confinement: You may get reimbursement if you have to stay in your cabin during your cruise, such as a required quarantine due to COVID-19.
• Cancel for Any Reason: Usually available as an add-on, CFAR travel insurance allows you to cancel your cruise for any reason and receive a partial reimbursement of your nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Itinerary Changes: You can get covered for changes in your cruise’s itinerary, missed port calls, or extended delays beyond your control.
• Missed Connections: If you miss your cruise departure due to a flight delay or other covered reason, you can get reimbursed for your nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical Emergencies: Cruise insurance can cover medical treatment on the cruise and may offer coverage for medical evacuation.
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption: You can get reimbursed for your nonrefundable travel expenses if you cancel your cruise or end your trip early due to covered reasons such as illness or injury. You’re typically covered if the cruise line cancels due to mechanical issues, weather, or other unforeseen events.

Cruise-specific travel insurance may also offer reimbursement if your cruise ship is disabled. And if you want to cover shore excursions, be sure to include the cost of excursions in your total travel cost when you get quotes for cruise insurance.

While these coverage types are common among cruise insurance policies, checking the terms and conditions to confirm all coverage areas is a good idea.

Types of Cruise Insurance

There are many options for travel insurance, and you can generally choose as little or as much coverage as you’d like. You can opt for a comprehensive travel insurance policy, which may offer Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, or you might prefer to limit your costs and choose just the coverage you need. For example, you might choose standalone trip cancellation insurance or a travel medical insurance policy but decide you don’t need coverage for missed connections or baggage.

What To Look for in a Cruise Travel Insurance Policy

Consider these factors as you compare the best cruise travel insurance policies:

• Cancellation Window: Understand how many days before your cruise departure you must cancel to qualify for reimbursement.
• Coverage Availability: Travel insurance policies typically offer cruise coverage, but it’s best to confirm that a policy specifically covers cruises before you purchase it. Also, consider availability for coverages that may be important to you, such as CFAR or adventure sports. 
• Customer Reviews and Reputation: You can get insight into the insurance provider and how claims and customer service work by reading customer reviews and ratings.
• Eligibility Criteria: Cruise insurance policies may have eligibility criteria such as limits on age or trip duration and preexisting conditions. For example, some travel insurance policies max out at 90 days.
• Exclusions and Limitations: Read the policy to understand what’s excluded or limited specifically to cruise-related coverage, such as reimbursements for port closures, itinerary changes, or medical incidents on the cruise.
• Policy Cost: Get multiple quotes and compare each cost and coverage value to ensure you get a good value for your cruise insurance policy.
• Purchase Timeline: You’ll usually need to purchase your cruise insurance within a certain period of booking your trip, so be sure you’re buying your policy within that timeframe.
• Reimbursement Structure: Review the cruise insurance policy to confirm how much you can be reimbursed for under qualifying circumstances, such as if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip.

You can buy cruise insurance from the cruise line when you book, or a travel agent may offer cruise insurance plans. You also have the option to purchase cruise trip insurance independently. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes to compare your costs and coverage and get the best deal on cruise insurance.

You should buy cruise insurance when you make your first deposit so you’re immediately covered for trip cancellation. Here are some of the options and coverages if you purchase cruise insurance directly from the cruise line:

Before you purchase cruise insurance from a cruise line, compare your third-party options. You can get quotes from multiple travel insurance companies at once using a travel insurance aggregator such as Squaremouth .

Even a meticulously planned cruise can run into unforeseen disruptions — and cruise insurance can come in handy for the unexpected.

Cruise insurance covers you for sudden illnesses, travel delays, and more, offering financial protection so you’re safeguarded against uncertainties. Whether you get cruise insurance from the cruise line or third–party insurance providers, understand your coverage and how it protects your investment in cruise travel.

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What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

Cruise insurance covers many issues that may arise during your cruise, including medical expenses, travel delays, severe weather, and more..

6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances

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In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.

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4+ years in content creation and marketing

As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.

Updated October 18, 2023

Reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

• Cruise insurance
• What’s covered
• Is it worth it?
• Find the best coverage

All travelers should understand that many cruise lines don’t offer refunds for cancellations, even for a legitimate reason, like a family emergency or a travel disruption during hurricane season. That’s why it’s a good idea to purchase cruise insurance.

Cruise insurance offers varying options designed to cover reasons why you might miss your cruise. You can purchase cruise travel insurance so you can recoup some or all of your trip costs if something goes wrong. The cost of cruise insurance typically ranges between 5% and 10% of your total out-of-pocket expenses. [1]

What is cruise insurance?

Cruise insurance is a type of trip insurance coverage tailored to your travel needs. Cruise travel insurance plans can include coverage for issues during your cruise, such as medical insurance, and before and after your cruise, such as a travel delay cancellation due to severe weather or hotel cancellation expenses.

Some coverages to consider include cruise insurance policies for total trip cost reimbursement, insurance coverage for medical services in a foreign country, and medical evacuation coverage back to the United States.

What cruise insurance covers

Like other forms of insurance, cruise trip insurance is available in a variety of coverage options for different prices. Your next trip, whether it’s international or domestic, may have coverage for things such as:

Medical and dental expenses

Trip cancellation

Trip interruption

Bag loss, damage, or delay

Emergency evacuation

COVID-19/epidemic

Trip change

You should also consider “cancel for any reason,” or CFAR, insurance. CFAR insurance can reimburse you between 50% and 100% of your trip cost for things like prepaid, unused, or non-refundable expenses that aren’t listed as covered losses in your trip cancellation insurance. This policy offers extra flexibility and covers more unexpected disruptions to your trip. [2]

What cruise insurance doesn’t cover

Each policy is different, but unless it’s specified in the information provided with your travel insurance policy, cruise insurance may not cover:

Pre-existing medical conditions

Known events, such as named storms, epidemics, and acts of war

Family emergencies

Unlawful or dangerous activities

Problems created while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Mental illness

Non-monetary costs

Is cruise insurance worth it?

Only you can decide whether the cost is worth not having to worry about unexpected travel emergencies.

You may consider cruise insurance worth it if:

You or a family member has a medical condition that can result in a medical emergency.

You’re sailing during a season or in a region where inclement weather could interrupt the trip.

You have valuable personal items in your luggage and would benefit from baggage loss coverage.

You feel more comfortable knowing that you don’t have to worry about losing your trip expenses if a covered loss occurs throughout your trip, not just during the cruise.

However, cruise insurance may not be worth it if:

You already have a type of coverage available through your normal insurer or credit card company.

You’re taking a short trip, such as from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, and aren’t worried about disruptions.

You’re worried about a non-covered loss occurring, such as a death in the family.

How to find the best cruise insurance

You have multiple options for finding the best cruise travel insurance available. Some policies, like those through Generali Global Assistance, are available through your travel agent. Other cruise vacation insurance plans, like the WaveCare plan through Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, can be purchased directly through the insurer itself.

Here are a few tips for shopping around to find the right policy for your specific needs:

Get a travel insurance quote from multiple types of insurers. You can get quotes from a travel insurance company, like World Nomads, and a more traditional insurance company, such as Nationwide, to see which ones best meet your travel needs.

You may already be eligible for certain travel protections by using a credit card with benefits automatically included. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card offers perks like trip interruption coverage, emergency evacuation and transportation, and travel accident insurance if you purchase your cruise with your credit card.

Always look beyond the cruise insurance cost for whatever coverages you believe are essential. A low price doesn’t always equate to the best travel insurance policy. Consider paying extra for higher benefit limits if you need coverage for specific medical issues, such as dental coverage, or additional transportation costs if you have a travel companion with a disability.

Cruise insurance FAQs

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cruise insurance.

Do you need a cruise travel insurance plan?

Unless your cruise company or tour company requires it, no, you don’t need a cruise travel insurance plan to go on an international cruise. However, you may want to purchase cruise coverage in case you need to go to a medical facility in a foreign country or if you were to miss getting back onto the boat in a port city.

How do you get cruise insurance for a long-duration cruise?

Cruise insurance policy limits vary by insurer. One way to get cruise insurance for a long-duration cruise is to look into the insurance policies provided by the cruise companies themselves. You can also ask your homeowners or car insurance company if it offers long-duration cruise insurance or request a quote from different insurers that offer travel insurance plans.

Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?

Yes, you can purchase cruise insurance after you book the cruise. Most travel insurance companies suggest purchasing the policy as soon as you book your cruise and flights so you don’t forget. In most cases, you can purchase cruise insurance from the minute you book it up until 24 hours before the cruise ship departs.

What happens if you cancel a cruise without insurance?

Depending on the cruise line and when you cancel in relation to the departure date, you might be charged a cancellation fee and lose some or all of your deposit. Some cruise lines may refund you certain prepaid expenses, such as shore excursions, while others may refund only taxes, fuel supplement charges, or other applicable fees. [3]

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• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection . " How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost? ."
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Nick Dauk is a freelance writer specializing in business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. His work has been featured in Fox Business, BBC, The Edge, Business Insider, and Bisnow. Nick is a first-generation college graduate, having majored in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Central Florida. His eclectic coursework, combined with previous managerial roles in the retail and broadcast television industries, have helped him develop an interdisciplinary approach to writing.

For nearly a decade, Nick has created content for mom-and-pop businesses and global corporations. As a travel writer, his global adventures have also been featured on Inside Hook, Houston Chronicle, Culture Trip, and Matador. When he's not traveling, Nick can be found in Orlando spending time with his wife and toddler.

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Cruise Insurance: Why You Need It + 4 Best Options for 2024

Seven Corners »

Travelex Insurance Services »

AXA Assistance USA »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Cruise Insurance Plans.

Table of Contents

• Seven Corners
• Travelex Insurance Services

Cruise vacations come with the same considerations as any other trip, including the potential for trip cancellations, trip interruptions, unforeseen medical expenses and even a need for emergency medical evacuation. Add in the potential for unruly weather during hurricane season , and it's easy to see why cruise insurance plans are so popular and recommended.

Read on to find out which cruise travel insurance plans U.S. News recommends and how they can protect the investment you made in a cruise when something goes wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions:

All cruise insurance plans are unique, and some have different coverages than others. However, most travel insurance plans for cruises cover the following:

• Trip delays, interruptions and cancellations: This kind of coverage is essential any time of the year, but especially during hurricane season when storms can impact your travel plans. 
• Protection for medical emergencies: This type of coverage can help pay for unexpected medical bills if you're injured on board the ship or hurt during a shore excursion. You can also choose a cruise insurance plan that covers emergency medical evacuation from the ship or to the nearest hospital.
• Coverage for lost or delayed baggage: Coverage for baggage is important for cruises just like any other trip. This type of insurance can pay for essential items you need to buy if your bags are lost or stolen and don't make it on the ship. 

With each of these protections, a coverage limit is listed with your plan. This means you may get reimbursed for your losses or prepaid travel expenses up to this limit, but only when a covered reason applies to your claim.

One of the main reasons to buy cruise insurance is for medical emergencies. Note that, once you're on a cruise ship or visiting a destination outside the United States, your own U.S. health insurance plan will not apply. The same truth applies if you have government health coverage like Medicare.

You can purchase cruise insurance through your cruise line, but these plans are often very basic with low limits for medical expenses and other coverages. For example, cruise line travel insurance policies often come with just $25,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses and up to $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation, which may not be enough.

Fortunately, you can buy cruise insurance from any travel insurance provider when planning this type of trip. By buying coverage from an independent travel insurance provider instead of your cruise line, you get to select the exact coverages and limits you need for the best protection possible.

• Seven Corners: Best Overall
• Travelex Insurance Services: Best for Families
• AXA Assistance USA: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best Cost

Plan is cruise-specific

Get coverage for missed cruise connections and tours

Medical expense coverage is secondary if you opt for lower-tier Basic plan

• Up to 150% in reimbursement for trip interruption
• Up to $250 per person, per day in trip delay coverage ($2,000 maximum)
• Up to $250 per day in missed tour or cruise connection coverage ($1,500 maximum)
• Primary emergency medical expense coverage worth up to $500,000
• Medical evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage worth up to $1 million
• Political and security evacuation coverage worth up to $20,000
• Up to $2,500 in protection for baggage and personal effects (limit per item of $250)
• Up to $100 per day ($500 maximum) in coverage for baggage delays of six hours or more

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Travel Select plan offers coverage with pricing for kids included

Customize your plan with additional medical coverage, adventure sports coverage and more

Only $1,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects

$200 maximum coverage for baggage delays

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of total trip cost (maximum $50,000)
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to 150% of trip cost (maximum $75,000)
• $2,000 in trip delay coverage for a delay of at least five hours ($250 per day)
• $750 in coverage for missed connections (delay of at least three hours required)
• Emergency medical expense coverage worth up to $50,000 (dental emergency sublimit of $500 included)
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage worth up to $500,000
• $1,000 in protection for baggage and personal effects
• Up to $200 in coverage for baggage delays (at least 12-hour delay required)
• Travel assistance services

Provides comprehensive coverage for all aspects of cruising

High policy limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation

Does not offer cruise-specific travel insurance

• Trip cancellation coverage up to 100%
• Trip interruption protection up to 150%
• $1,250 in travel delay coverage ($300 per day)
• $1,500 in protection for missed connections
• Emergency accident and sickness coverage up to $250,000
• Emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $1 million
• Nonmedical emergency evacuation coverage up to $100,000
• $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment coverage
• Baggage and personal item coverage up to $3,000
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $600

Comes with enhanced medical and luggage benefits, protections for cruise ship disablement, and more

Cruise delay coverage kicks in after five hours

Baggage delay coverage is only for $200 and doesn't kick in for 24 hours

No option to purchase CFAR coverage

• Up to $75,000 in protection for emergency medical care
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains coverage worth up to $750,000
• Cruise cancellation coverage for 100% of trip cost up to $25,000 per person
• Cruise interruption coverage for 150% of trip cost up to $37,500 per person
• Cruise delay coverage worth up to $1,000 ($200 per day for delays of five hours or more)
• Missed connection coverage worth up to $500 (for delay of three hours or more)
• Cruise ship disablement coverage worth up to $500
• Up to $1,500 in coverage for baggage and personal effects

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered international travel, travel insurance and cruises for more than a decade. Johnson has researched and compared all the top travel insurance options for her own family for trips to more than 50 countries, some of which have included cruises all over the world. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg – a travel agent who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states.

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Should You Buy Cruise Insurance for Your Next Trip? What to Consider

Here’s what you need to know about cruise insurance before you take your next vacation.

Pros and Cons of Cruise Insurance

Types of cruise insurance.

• How to Choose the Best Policy
• How to Use Cruise Insurance

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Cruises, like any other type of vacation, are a worthwhile investment — and many folks purchase cruise insurance as an extra form of protection in case things go wrong. This specific type of insurance helps mitigate the costs of covered expenses — keyword: covered! — which often include cancellations, delays, and even medical emergencies. 

Fortunately, when it comes to cruise insurance, options abound to suit each traveler’s specific needs. Below, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about cruise insurance — including pros and cons, the different types of insurance options, tips on choosing the best policy, and how to use the insurance if necessary — with expert insight. 

Purchasing cruise insurance means you’ll have financial protection in the event of an emergency, mishap, or unexpected incident, injury, or illness. For example, explains Jen Travis , a travel advisor specializing in cruises at Marvelous Mouse Travels , “Most of my cruisers are not aware that once they leave the U.S., their medical insurance typically does not provide coverage should they become sick or injured while traveling outside the U.S.” So, she says, “If you were to break an ankle and need surgery, that is potentially thousands of dollars out of your own pocket.” Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA , shares similar sentiments, telling Travel + Leisure , “Whatever can happen at home can happen at sea, so if you become ill or injured while cruising, you may face a large bill from the infirmary or have to be moved to a hospital where you may be asked to pay in advance of treatment.” Ultimately, though, “ Travel insurance can help pay for the cost of these scenarios, up to the limit of your policy,” Durazo says. 

Cruise insurance is an added cost, which is important for budget-conscious travelers to keep in mind. But beyond that, ironically, the biggest “con” of purchasing cruise insurance happens when your sailing runs smoothly, and there’s no need to use it. Even still, Travis still suggests it to her customers, saying, “Vacations are truly an investment, so why wouldn’t you protect it?”

Both Travis and Durazo tell T+L that there are several types of cruise insurance policies to choose from. Below, we’re breaking down some of the most common types, as well as the differences in coverage offered. 

Cruise Line-issued Policies

Many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America Line, offer passengers the opportunity to book insurance directly with them. However, it’s a good idea to do some digging — and perhaps even contact the line directly — to gain a better understanding of the policy, which may have some limitations and stipulations. While this varies depending on the cruise line, it’s worth noting that some only offer partial refunds or limits on trip delays. Several cruise lines also offer different tiers of coverage that include extras like emergency evacuations — either up to a certain amount or full coverage — and/or additional medical expenses. 

Third-party Policies

Third-party policies are available through carriers like Allianz , Travel Insured , and AIG Travel , to name a few. These companies often offer more robust policies and extensive coverage options than cruise lines. That said, it’s worth noting that policies and coverage can vary depending on the company, so it’s a good idea to do some research to compare the benefits and costs. 

Pro tip: Cruisers looking for the most flexibility should look for a policy that offers Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, which — you guessed it — allows you to cancel your trip for any reason. Keep in mind that CFAR insurance is often offered as an optional add-on, which means it will most likely cost you extra. 

Credit Card Insurance

Several types of credit cards, especially premium ones, offer varying levels of travel insurance, which means you may not even need to go out and purchase a separate policy — as long as you use said credit card to pay for your cruise. (We recommend contacting your credit card company directly to get the full breakdown of coverage options and limitations.) For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card provides a slew of benefits and protections, including but not limited to trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel emergency assistance services.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance can be purchased separately as a stand-alone policy or as part of a more comprehensive insurance plan, including some of the ones listed above. As you can guess by its name, this specific type of insurance provides protection against emergency medical expenses, including illnesses and injuries. As such, these can include things like X-rays, drugs, dental care, and ambulance services, among others. 

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How to Choose the Best Policy 

When it comes to choosing the best cruise insurance policy, you’ll need to consider what’s most important to you. Below, Durazo breaks down a few factors to keep in mind when selecting a policy: 

Emergency Medical Transportation Benefits

According to Durazo, “The cost of a medical evacuation by air ambulance can exceed $100,000 in some parts of the world.” With that in mind, he recommends looking “for a policy with sufficient emergency medical transportation benefits for your specific trip and destination.” 

Covered Reasons for Trip Cancellation or Interruption 

Durazo encourages travelers to thoroughly read through the policy to understand the coverage terms. For example, “Some cruise lines may offer you a credit for your canceled trip while a travel insurance policy can reimburse you in cash for a covered cancellation.” 

Trip Delay Coverage 

“ If your flight is delayed and you miss your cruise ship's sailing, it may cost you quite a lot to catch up with the ship at its next port of call,” says Durazo. Fortunately, “Trip delay benefits can reimburse you for those covered unexpected costs, up to the limit of your policy.”

How to Use Cruise Insurance 

According to Travis, “Once you purchase the policy, it kicks in the date you leave your house/start date of the vacation.” That said, “More than likely, you will have to pay out of pocket for the doctor's visit, flight change fees, etc.” However, you can then file a claim and provide all the necessary documentation to start the reimbursement process. Once your claim is approved, Travis says it can take anywhere from three to six weeks. Some carriers, such as Allianz, offer 24/7 customer assistance, who, per Durazo, can “walk you through your plan’s benefits and medical costs, coordinate your care with doctors treating you on the cruise or at your port of call, or ensure you’re at an appropriate medical facility.”

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