- Royal Caribbean’s plan can work well for simple, cruise-only trips, but travelers with pre-existing conditions, outside bookings, or higher medical needs may be better off with a separate travel insurance policy.
- Royal Caribbean’s medical coverage is up to $100,000 and evacuation up to $500,000, but many third-party cruise insurance plans offer even higher limits.
- The Cancel For Any Reason benefit pays out as a future cruise credit, not cash, up to 90% of your prepaid cruise cost.
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered under any circumstances under Royal Caribbean’s travel insurance.
- Coverage only applies to costs paid directly to Royal Caribbean. Flights, hotels, and excursions booked elsewhere are not covered.
Royal Caribbean, known for its collection of large, modern ships like Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, offers family-friendly entertainment and a mix of high-energy and relaxing activities. With Broadway-style shows, numerous pools, rock-climbing on board, and more, there is truly something for everyone.
But before you book your cruise, should you check the box for Royal Caribbean’s in-house travel protection at checkout, or are you better off securing a comprehensive, independent travel insurance policy? In this guide, we will break down exactly how Royal Caribbean’s coverage works, where it leaves major vulnerabilities, and how to choose the right protection for your upcoming voyage.
What Does Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Cover?
Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is a single add-on plan you can select at checkout. It bundles a cancellation waiver from Royal Caribbean with insurance benefits underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, administered by Aon Affinity Travel Practice. Benefits include:
- Cancellation Penalty Waiver: If you cancel for a specified reason, Royal Caribbean waives its own cancellation penalty and refunds you up to 100% of your unused prepaid cruise cost in cash. These reasons can include a sudden illness before your trip, involvement in a traffic accident, natural disasters, or being called for jury duty.
- Cancel For Any Reason: If you cancel for any other reason, you can receive up to 90% of your prepaid cruise cost as a future cruise credit.
- Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of your trip cost if you need to cut your cruise short for a covered reason. This can include a death in the family, sudden illness on the cruise ship, or being physically quarantined.
- Trip Delay: $2,000 ($250 per day) for a covered delay of 3 or more hours. Covered reasons include a flight delay, a traffic accident, lost or stolen travel documents, strikes, and weather conditions preventing you from getting to your destination.
- Missed Connection: Up to $300 if you miss your trip departure by 3 or more hours. Reasons for a missed connection include flight delays that cause you to miss your ship, severe weather conditions, or being quarantined.
- Medical Expenses: Up to $100,000 for accident or sickness during your cruise.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $500,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
- Baggage Protection: Up to $3,000 ($500 per item) if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged, plus $500 if bags are delayed more than 6 hours.
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Help with travel changes, lost luggage, emergency cash transfers, and medical, legal, and dental assistance while traveling, provided by CareFree Travel Assistance.
The Cancellation Penalty Waiver and Cancel For Any Reason benefits are provided directly by Royal Caribbean rather than through an insurance policy. New York residents aren’t eligible to add these at checkout and are instead directed to contact Aon Affinity separately after booking.
Which is Better: Royal Caribbean Travel Protection or Travel Insurance?
Royal Caribbean’s travel protection plan can provide solid travel insurance for your cruise ship, but a separate travel insurance plan can typically offer more comprehensive coverage with higher limits. Here is what each plan covers:
| Benefit | Royal Caribbean Travel Protection | Travel Insurance |
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of prepaid cruise costs only, or 90% cruise credits | Up to 100% of full trip costs |
| Trip Interruption | Up to 150% of cruise costs only | Up to 150% of full trip costs |
| Medical Coverage | Up to $100,000 | Up to $500,000 |
| Medical Evacuation | Up to $500,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Luggage Protection | Up to $3,000 ($500 per item) if stolen, lost, or damaged; $500 for bags delayed over 6 hours | Up to $2,500, $250 per item |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not covered | Covered if you qualify for waiver |
| Cancel For Any Reason | Reimbursement up to 90% in cruise credit only | Optional add-on benefit, can offer 50% to 75% reimbursement of your trip cost |
| What Does it Cover? | Only arrangements booked via Royal Caribbean | Your entire itinerary (flights, hotels, tours) |
The benefits above may differ depending on which cruise insurance plan you select. Be sure to review your plan benefits, coverage amounts, and details before purchasing.
Where Does Royal Caribbean Travel Insurance Fall Short?
While ticking the insurance box at checkout is highly convenient, relying solely on Royal Caribbean’s program leaves distinct gaps that can expose active families and international travelers to financial risk:
Reimbursed in Future Cruise Credit for Cancel For Any Reason
Royal Caribbean’s 90% Cancel For Any Reason protection sounds incredibly generous, but it is important to know that you do not get reimbursed in cash. If a sudden work conflict or general change of mind occurs, you receive a credit that must be used on a future Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Meanwhile, independent cruise insurance plans with a CFAR add-on pay out claims in actual cash.
No Protection for Pre-Existing Conditions
Royal Caribbean’s Travel Protection plan doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions. This means if you’ve received treatment for a condition in the 60 days before buying the plan, it won’t be covered. However, many third-party cruise insurance plans do cover these conditions if you buy them soon after booking your trip. For example, iTravelInsured Choice Cruise covers pre-existing conditions if purchased within 20 days of your first trip payment. If you have ongoing health conditions, it’s worth comparing plans that include a pre-existing condition waiver.
Lack of Coverage for Expenses Outside the Cruise Ship
Royal Caribbean’s protection only covers arrangements made directly through their system. If you utilize their Flights by Royal program, your flights can be covered if you need to cancel your trip. However, if you chose to book your own flights to save money, reserved a hotel room near the port for the night before you depart, or booked an on-shore excursion, Royal Caribbean’s insurance will not reimburse you for those losses.
Should I Get Royal Caribbean Travel Insurance or an Independent Travel Policy?
When looking at Royal Caribbean’s cruise line insurance and a separate travel insurance policy, there are a few considerations to keep in mind before selecting one:
Choose Royal Caribbean Travel Protection If:
- Nearly every single part of your trip (cruise fare, flights, and excursions) was purchased directly through Royal Caribbean
- You’re comfortable with the Cancel For Any Reason benefit paying out as a future cruise credit (up to 90%) rather than cash
- You don’t have a pre-existing medical condition that was diagnosed, treated, or changed within 60 days of buying the plan
- You want the plan and cancellation waiver bundled into one simple add-on at checkout, rather than shopping and comparing separate coverage options
Choose a Separate Travel Insurance Plan If:
- You have flights, hotels, or excursions booked outside of Royal Caribbean that you also want covered
- You want a pre-existing condition waiver, which Royal Caribbean’s plan does not offer
- You want your Cancel For Any Reason benefit paid out in cash rather than a future cruise credit
- You’re a New York resident, since Royal Caribbean’s Cancellation Penalty Waiver isn’t available there and cancellation coverage works differently
- You want to compare medical and evacuation coverage across multiple providers rather than securing Royal Caribbean’s bundled plan
How Can I Find the Right Travel Insurance for My Cruise?
While cruise line travel insurance may be just enough for your next Royal Caribbean adventure, some travelers may want a travel insurance plan with broader coverage. It is important to consider your personal needs, medical situation, and trip expenses prior to making a decision.
If you need help picking the right plan, do not hesitate to reach out to our Customer Service team, who is happy to assist.
