Items You Need for Your Cruise Travel Emergency Safety Kit

When you think about cruise travel, what comes to mind? Chances are things like soaking up the sun on the deck, drinking fancy cocktails out of a pineapple on the beach, touring tropical islands and remote lands.

But while you’re packing swimsuits and sunglasses and everything you need for all those expected delights, consider doing what you can to prepare for the unexpected. Although, it’s not something you want to think about, spending some time to pack and prepare can protect you and your loved ones if your cruise trip hits a snag.

What This Guide Will Cover:

• Essential emergency items to pack for your cruise
• How travel insurance can help on your next cruise
• Where cruise line insurance falls short
• Top cruise insurance plans

What Should I Keep In My Cruise Emergency Safety Kit?

Before embarking on your next cruise, here are some items you should consider packing so you can be best prepared for emergencies or last minute situations:

1. Food and Water

In one of the worst-cast scenarios, a cruise-goer might have to abandon ship for a lifeboat. So it’s important to pack protein-rich portable food items like trail mix, granola bars and bottled water. It’s certainly unlikely that you’ll actually have to resort to rationing, but it’s better to have the extra sustenance and not need it than to need it and not have it.

2. Backup Power

While it’s highly unlikely that a cruise ship will lose power, it doesn’t take much to be prepared for it. Bring extra batteries, and solar-powered chargers so that you’re ready.  Larger batteries may not be allowed on your cruise, so be sure to check your cruise line’s policies prior to your trip. 

3. Hand Sanitizer, Face Masks and Disinfectant Wipes

Cruises can be a breeding ground for germs and viruses. Having extra hand sanitizer and wipes on hand will help ensure that your dream cruise isn’t interrupted by a preventable illness. 

4. Emergency Whistles

A cruise ship emergency is unlikely. However, if an emergency does occur aboard a ship it will often involve loss of power. Amid the darkness it can be hard to tell where your loved ones are. Packing a emergency whistles will help make it easier for everyone to stay together and stay safe. 

5. Flashlights

In all likelihood, you’ll only use your flashlight for reading after the rest of your cabinmates have gone to bed. But if the ship does lose power, you’ll be glad you have a few on hand to help navigate through the darkness. 

6. Over-the-Counter Medication & First Aid

While the medical facilities on board your ship will more than likely have aspirin, cold and flu medication, dramamine for seasickness, bandages or thermometers on hand, you can save time and money by packing these on your own. Be sure to keep medications in their original packaging, and check travel regulations in your destination countries.

7. Sanitary Waste Bags

While it’s unpleasant to think about, if a cruise ship loses power it could lead to toilet and sewage issues. Packing some waste bags can make the resulting situation a little easier. 

8. Your Up-to-Date Passport & Travel Docs

Make sure your passport and all necessary travel documents, from vaccination cards to visas, are up-to-date. Note that some countries require the passport to be effective up to six months AFTER you’re scheduled to return home. Some countries will have different entry requirements. Your cruise line can help you ensure that you have everything necessary to enjoy all the ports of call on your itinerary. 

How Can Travel Insurance Help For a Cruise Emergency?

Cruise Lines may offer basic insurance, but it is generally not as comprehensive as cruise trip insurance. Here are some benefits of cruise insurance that can be crucial, especially when it comes to emergencies on a cruise:

• Cancel For Any Reason Coverage. Most cruise line insurance offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage if they’re related to a covered reason like inclement weather. However, Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance gives you even more flexibility, allowing you to cancel your cruise trip for any reason and still recoup certain prepaid expenses like unused excursion tickets. 
• Emergency Medical Evacuation. If you suffer a significant injury or illness while at sea, you’ll need to be taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment. If you’re not at a port or are in a remote area, you might require emergency medical evacuation, which involves being airlifted by plane or helicopter to the nearest medical facility. Cruise Line-offered insurance won’t cover this procedure. Without cruise trip insurance it could cost you thousands of dollars just to get to a hospital.   
• Emergency Medical Care: While all cruises will have medical staff and resources on board, most ships are not equipped to handle moderate or severe medical issues. If you need to visit the ship’s medical center or a local clinic during a port stop, medical coverage can reimburse you for treatments, X-rays, and prescription medications. Domestic health insurance will also likely not cover you in international waters or foreign ports, making travel insurance essential for medical situations.
• Accident & Sickness Coverage. Trip insurance actually offers coverage for urgently needed medical care. This is important because cruise ships may not have the capacity or the resources to handle many emergency medical events.
• Missed Connections. If you miss your port, cruise coverage can provide financial assistance for costs associated with reconnecting you with your ship at the next port on the itinerary. 
• Trip Interruption: If you do become ill or injured and must be evacuated home, this can mean missing a portion of your cruise. In this case, travel insurance offers a trip interruption benefit that can offer reimbursement for the days you missed.
• 24/7 Assistance: Travel insurance policies come with a 24-hour assistance benefit who can help you if you become sick or injured during your cruise. The global assistance  teams can speak to the ship’s doctors, locate the best local hospitals on land, handle translation services, and coordinate evacuation if necessary.

Where Does Cruiseline Insurance Fall Short?

While adding a cruise line’s travel insurance during checkout may be convenient, it can leave gaps in coverage, especially when it comes to emergencies on a cruise. 

Cruiseline insurance (the protection plans offered directly by companies like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian at checkout) can offer a baseline of coverage for your trip. Cruiseline insurance may cover things like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage issues, or medical situations. However, limits are typically quite low under these plans, and their coverage is designed specifically for the cruise only.

Here are some places where cruise line insurance can fall short:

Lower Medical Coverage: Cruise line policies typically offer lower limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuations (ex: emergency medical coverage at $10,000 to $25,000 and evacuation coverage at $25,000 to $50,000). On the other hand, travel insurance can offer up to $500,000 for medical coverage, and up to $1,000,000 for medical evacuation. 

Cruise-Only Coverage: Cruise line protection plans will usually only cover the aspects of the trip you purchased directly through them. If you booked your own flights, a pre-cruise accommodation, or a separate shore excursion, a medical emergency that shortens your trip will leave these expenses unprotected. Travel insurance can cover your entire itinerary, regardless of where you booked each part. 

Cruiseline insurance will also typically not offer coverage if you injure yourself while at a cruise port. In this type of emergency, travel insurance can offer assistance and cover required expenses, like transportation.

Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions: Most cruise line insurance plans will exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, and will not offer a waiver even if you are eligible. Many travel insurance plans offer a pre-existing condition waiver if you purchase the policy within a short window (usually 14 to 21 days) of your initial trip deposit, ensuring your chronic or recent health issues are fully covered. 

How Can I Find the Right Insurance For My Cruise?

Chances are, your cruise trip will be an amazing experience you’ll remember all your life. But it’s always best to be prepared for the possibility that things might not go quite as you planned. Adding these items to your cruise emergency kit can give you peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying your trip. 

If you’re looking into cruise trip insurance and you need assistance, our Customer Success Team of licensed insurance experts is happy to help.                             

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Travel Emergencies