The new year brings new experiences. While we enter the new year, now is the best time to book a cruise for the spring and summer.
AAA projects that 21.7 million Americans will go on a cruise ship in 2026, marking a 4.5% increase compared to 2025. This is a record-breaking year for cruising, and many new cruises are being introduced this year, from even larger to luxurious cruise ships. Let’s look at the 2026 cruise trends and how you can prepare for your next cruise trip.
What are the 2026 Cruise Trends I Should Look Out For?
The cruise industry is ringing in the new year with new cruise ships that bring a bigger and even better experience for travelers. If you are looking for your next cruise, consider these for a memorable trip on the seas.
Hospitality Brands Entering the Luxury Cruise Industry
Looking for a luxurious cruise trip? Two companies that are well known for luxury travel, Four Seasons and Orient Express, are taking over the cruise industry with new yachts for travelers who are looking for an elevated experience while on a cruise ship.
The Four Seasons has introduced Four Seasons I, which will first set sail in March 2026. This yacht has 95 guest suites, promising spacious rooms, unique dining experiences, and even a 66-foot saltwater pool. For its first year, it will span across 30 different countries, with itineraries including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Bahamas, with the first voyage departing Málaga, Spain, to Valletta, Malta in March.
The Orient Express debuts in June 2026 as the world’s largest sailing ship. With the ship only having 54 suites, it will encompass the luxury of the historic Orient Express trains. The ship will even include a restaurant from a renowned chef with many Michelin stars, Yannick Alléno.
The Largest Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage is coming in March 2026, being the largest ship in Disney’s fleet. There are lots of firsts for this cruise line, making it a very special Disney cruise. It is the first ship to be based in Asia, with its homeport being in Singapore. The Disney Adventure is also the first Disney cruise to include a Marvel-themed rollercoaster on the upper deck.
Even More Iconic and Anticipated Cruises
The Legend of the Seas, the highly anticipated third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, is set to debut in July 2026. Perfect for a summer vacation at sea, the ship will feature a massive waterpark, an immersive dining experience, and the first-ever at-sea showing of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical. This ship has multiple itineraries for different times of the year, including the West Mediterranean, Transatlantic, and the Caribbean.
Is Travel Insurance Required For My Cruise Destination?
Whether or not your cruise destination requires travel insurance depends on where you are traveling. Here are the popular cruise destinations and their travel insurance requirements:
- The Bahamas: While travel insurance is not mandatory to visit the Bahamas, it is strongly recommended. Medical services, minor and major, can be expensive, specifically for non-residents without insurance coverage. It is important to keep in mind that your U.S. healthcare may not cover international medical expenses.
- Bermuda: A valid passport and the completed Bermuda Arrival Card, available online, are the only requirements for entry into Bermuda. Travel insurance is no longer mandatory.
- Cuba: Visitors must carry non-US medical insurance, which may be included with your cruise fare or is purchasable at the port.
- Fiji: As of 2023, travel medical insurance is not an entry requirement for travelers.
- Galapagos Islands: Travel medical insurance with medical evacuation coverage is required for the Galapagos Islands, but optional for the rest of Ecuador.
- Qatar: To enter Qatar, all international visitors must possess a recognized and approved medical insurance policy that remains effective throughout their stay.
- Saudi Arabia: A medical insurance fee is included in the eVisa cost for American visitors.
- Schengen Visa countries (26 in Europe): Travel insurance is required for stays beyond 90 days, covering emergency medical care, repatriation, and death-related expenses. These countries include Italy, Spain, Greece, and others.
Even if your cruise destination does not require travel insurance, your cruise provider may still require you to purchase an insurance plan. While cruise insurance is not mandatory for all cruise lines, many highly recommend it to their passengers.
Why Should I Consider Travel Insurance For Cruises?
While packing your bags for your cruise, consider adding travel insurance to your list of things to bring. What’s great about travel insurance for cruises is that it can cover you both on and off the cruise ship, which is often a feature lacking in many insurance plans offered by cruise lines. Since a cruise trip is often a significant investment, getting travel insurance is a small additional cost that protects your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.
Travel insurance provides many benefits to protect your trip. Here are just a few to highlight:
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Accident and Sickness
- Medical Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Lost, Delayed, and Damaged Baggage/Valuables
- Missed Connections
- Adventure Sports Coverage
- Optional Cancel For Any Reason Insurance
With all the travel and medical-related benefits that travel insurance includes, it allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the 2026 cruise that you have been looking forward to.
Get Travel Insurance Coverage For Your 2026 Cruise
Traveling on a cruise can make your 2026 one to remember. Ensure that your cruise is well-protected from any kind of scenario with a comprehensive travel insurance plan to offer peace of mind.
If you need help comparing plans, no problem! With our comparison tool, you can make a better decision by looking at plans side-by-side. The first thing you need to do is put in your trip details, such as your destination, travel dates, how many travelers and their ages, and your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost. With this information, you will be presented with multiple travel insurance plans, which you can view more clearly by simply pressing the “Compare” box.
Finding the best travel insurance for a cruise can be quick and easy. Need further assistance? Our Customer Success Team can help you choose the right travel insurance for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is cruise insurance?
The cost of cruise insurance varies by different factors, such as age, trip length and cost, and the type of coverage you decide to choose. Generally, cruise travel insurance can cost about 4-10% of your total trip cost. Even higher-tier plans with stronger coverage usually don’t add much to the overall cost and can be well worth it for the protection they provide. It is overall best practice to compare plans and understand travel insurance quotes that best fit your needs and budget.
What is not covered by travel insurance?
Travel insurance coverage can vary by plan, so it’s important to read your policy details carefully to understand
exactly what is and isn’t included. That said, most trip insurance plans do not cover:
- Routine medical checkups
- Pre-existing conditions (unless covered under a waiver)
- Injuries from high-risk activities not listed in the policy
- Traveling against medical advice
- Losses due to intoxication or drug use
- Canceling your trip for a reason not listed as a covered event
When it comes to fear of flying or a change of mind, they are also not covered. However, that is where CFAR coverage can help you out. Keep in mind that CFAR needs to be purchased at a specific time, typically 14-21 days after the initial trip deposit date.
Can I buy cruise insurance after booking my trip?
Yes, purchasing your policy right after booking your trip is highly recommended. Many useful benefits, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions or the option to add Cancel
For Any Reason, are available, but typically require that you buy your travel insurance within 14-21 days of making your initial trip deposit.
When will my travel insurance benefits start?
The Trip Cancellation benefit will begin the following day after the policy is purchased. Once you or the policyholder has departed on their trip, the remaining benefits such as Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Missed Connection, Accident and Sickness, and more hidden benefits of travel insurance will take effect from the beginning to the end of the policy.
Will trip insurance cover missed cruise departures if my flight to the cruise port was significantly delayed?
If your flight was significantly delayed by the airline causing you to miss your cruise, trip insurance may cover your transportation or flight to make sure you get to the next cruise port.
On your trip insurance plan, it is important to put the correct start and end date. The start date should be the moment you leave your home, so if you have a flight before your cruise trip, you would include that.
Does cruise insurance cover adventure activities like snorkeling or zip-lining?
Yes, however, you should make sure that your trip insurance offers the optional adventure sports add-on to cover your financial investment and potential risks if you plan on doing a high-risk activity like scuba diving or ziplining.
What’s the difference between a cruise line’s insurance and a third-party insurance plan?
Independent cruise travel insurance typically offers higher coverage limits for medical emergencies and evacuations, provides cash refunds instead of future cruise credits, and covers your entire trip, including flights and hotels. Cruise line plans often have more limited coverage and less flexibility. Cruise line insurance covers you only while you’re aboard the cruise ship, not the parts that lead to it or the parts after it, such as flights or hotel accommodations before boarding a ship.
