- Cruise line protection packages only cover your cruise fare, not your flights, hotel, or on-shore excursions, so a delay or cancellation can still leave you paying out of pocket for the rest of your trip
- Coverage limits are much lower with cruise line add-ons. Medical evacuation often caps around $50,000, compared to up to $1,000,000 with a standalone travel insurance plan
- Cancel For Any Reason through a cruise line only pays out in future cruise credit, while travel insurance CFAR can return up to 75% of your nonrefundable costs in cash
- iTravelInsured Choice Cruise, iTravelInsured Travel SE, and iTravelInsured Travel LX are our top travel insurance picks, each suited to a different type of traveler, from budget-conscious families to travelers wanting the highest medical limits
- Cruise travel insurance claims are simpler with one provider. You file directly with your travel insurance company rather than going through the cruise line’s policy and their insurance provider
Is Cruise Insurance Worth It?
In an ideal scenario, the best cruise insurance for you is one that you never have to use on your trip. However, the frequency of recent outbreaks, stormy seas leading to the re-routing of cruise ships, and the following examples underscore the importance of cruise insurance:
- Onboard illnesses and contagious outbreaks (like norovirus)
- Weather-related delays or cancellations (especially during hurricane season)
- Missed port departures due to flight delays
- High costs of emergency medical evacuations from sea
- Lost luggage or theft during excursions
Without insurance, these incidents can result in thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Cruise lines may offer credits or partial reimbursements, but rarely full compensation.
With a separate insurance plan for your cruise, such unexpected situations or emergencies can be covered with higher limits and stronger flexibility.
Why Should You Avoid Cruise Line Travel Protection Add-ons?
There are several reasons to consider purchasing your cruise travel insurance through an online provider rather than opting for the add-on travel protection packages that cruise lines offer at checkout. These reasons include:
1. It Doesn’t Protect Your Entire Trip
While similar to a travel insurance policy, cruise line insurance doesn’t cover the entire cost of your trip, only the cost of your cruise.
When purchasing travel insurance, you will insure your total nonrefundable and prepaid expenses, which can include your flight, hotel, tours, and transportation, protecting all aspects of your trip. Meanwhile, with a cruise line insurance add-on, you are only insuring the cost of your cruise, so if an unexpected event were to happen, you could lose out on other nonrefundable expenses related to your other bookings.
2. Very Low Coverage Amounts
Cruise line travel protection offers very limited coverage, much lower than a standard trip insurance plan. For example, benefits such as emergency medical evacuation are typically only around $50,000 with cruise line insurance, which likely wouldn’t cover the total cost of an evacuation.
Travel insurance policies, however, typically cover up to $1 million for emergency medical evacuation. Emergency medical coverage in cruise line travel protection plans is also very limited compared to standard travel insurance plans, where you can get coverage for up to $500,000 instead.
3. They Aren’t Cost-Effective
Cruise line travel protection package prices may vary depending on the cost of your cruise. However, comparing prices, they typically run slightly more expensive than a travel insurance plan purchased separately.
Even if the cost of the cruise line travel protection plan is similar to a travel insurance plan purchased separately, the coverage you get with a cruise line travel protection plan is significantly lower, making them much less cost-effective.
4. Credit Only Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage
Cancel For Any Reason coverage typically allows you to cancel your travel plans for any reason at all and still receive a portion of your paid funds back. However, with the cruise line travel protection packages, Cancel For Any Reason only gives you future cruise credit, not cash back.
In standard travel insurance plans with Cancel For Any Reason coverage, you can receive a percentage (typically around 75%) of your total prepaid trip costs back rather than just a credit.
5. Potentially Confusing Claims Process
When purchasing a travel protection package through a cruise line, there can be confusion when it comes to the actual claims process.
The cruise line may have a different cancellation policy that is not associated with the cancellation coverage offered through their insurance partner through the travel protection plan. So, for example, if you have to cancel your trip, there can be some uncertainties about who to call and how to file for reimbursement.
With your travel insurance plan, you can enjoy a smooth claims process as you only have to work with one insurance provider and understand one policy’s fine print. Plus, if you have any concerns regarding your claims, our licensed insurance experts can help support.
6. No Options to Compare
With cruise line travel protection packages, you don’t have the opportunity to shop around and find a cruise insurance plan; you can only select the premade package available during the cruise’s checkout process.
Purchasing your cruise insurance plan allows you to compare prices, benefits, coverage amounts, and more to find a plan that fits your budget and your needs.
Cruise Line vs. Cruise Travel Insurance: What’s the Difference?
When deciding between cruise line insurance and travel insurance, it is important to understand the benefits and coverage details before your cruise. Here is a rundown of the coverage from top cruise lines compared to a separate travel insurance plan:
Cruise Line Insurance Coverage vs. Travel Insurance
| Benefit | Carnival | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian (NorwegianCare) | Princess | Travel Insurance |
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of cruise cost back in cash for covered reasons, or 75% back in future cruise credit | Up to 100% of prepaid cruise costs in cash for covered reasons, or 90% in future cruise credit | Up to 100% of prepaid, non-refundable cruise costs in cash for covered reasons | Up to 100% of cancellation fees back in cash for covered reasons (Platinum Protection) | Up to 100% of full trip costs |
| Trip Interruption | Up to total trip cost reimbursement | Up to 150% of cruise costs only | Up to 150% of unused cruise costs plus some travel costs | Reimbursement of prepaid cruise/land arrangements booked through Princess | Up to 150% of full trip costs |
| Medical Evacuation | Up to $50,000, shared between evacuation and repatriation | Up to $500,000 | Up to $250,000 | Up to $100,000 (Platinum Protection) | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Medical Coverage | Up to $20,000 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $50,000 | Up to $20,000 (Platinum Protection) | Up to $500,000 |
| Baggage / Personal Effects | Up to $1,500 (up to $500 for delays over 24 hours) | Up to $3,000 if stolen, lost, or damaged, $500 for bags delayed over 6 hours | Up to $1,500 (with up to $500 for baggage delay) | Up to $3,000 (Platinum Protection) | Up to $2,500, $250 per item |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Covered if you qualify for waiver |
| Cancel for Any Reason | Future cruise credit only, up to 75% (no cash option) | Future cruise credit only, up to 90% (no cash option) | Future cruise credit only, up to 90% (no cash option) | Future cruise credit only, up to 100% (no cash option) | Optional add-on benefit, can offer 50% to 75% reimbursement of trip costs |
Travel insurance can provide significantly stronger protection than cruise line insurance by covering your entire itinerary’s costs, and offering higher limits for medical situations. Travel insurance plans also offer flexibility through pre-existing condition waivers and reimbursements, while cruise lines typically restrict payouts to cruise credits and will not cover pre-existing conditions. For those seeking insurance that covers a full trip over just cruise focused situations, travel insurance is recommended.
What Are the Benefits of Purchasing Travel Insurance for Cruise Ships?
Purchasing your cruise travel insurance rather than opting for cruise line protection packages, can be extremely beneficial for several reasons.
These benefits include:
- Expanded Trip Protection: Get comprehensive coverage beyond the cruise fare, including airfare, hotels, and excursions.
- Robust Medical & Evacuation Coverage: Access higher medical and evacuation limits, crucial for emergencies at sea.
- Cash Refund CFAR Options: Choose Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) options that refund in cash, not just credits.
- Flexible Plan Selection: Enjoy flexibility in choosing your provider and plan type.
- Convenient Claims Filing Assistance: File claims directly with a U.S.-based insurer, often with faster resolutions.
Which Are the Best Cruise Travel Insurance Plans?
When choosing a plan for your cruise, it helps to compare a few strong options side by side. Here are the top cruise travel insurance plans that are well-suited for cruise travelers:
iTravelInsured Choice Cruise is built specifically with cruisers in mind. It covers cruise line cancellations, mechanical issues with the ship, onboard illness outbreaks, port closures, and excessive water levels that force a change to your itinerary. It also offers telehealth services, so you can consult a doctor while on board or at a port for non-urgent medical emergencies. This plan is a good fit for travelers who want coverage tailored to a cruise ship, from families to first-time cruise goers.
iTravelInsured Travel LX stands out for its premium medical protection. It offers up to $1,000,000 in emergency medical evacuation and up to $500,000 in accident and sickness medical coverage, among the highest limits available in a travel insurance plan. It also includes an optional Cancel for Any Reason benefit that can reimburse up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs, as long as it’s added within 20 days of your initial trip payment. This plan suits travelers on longer or more expensive cruises, or anyone who wants extra peace of mind about medical emergencies at sea.
iTravelInsured Travel SE offers solid, well-rounded coverage at a more accessible price point. It includes up to $500,000 in medical evacuation and up to $250,000 in accident and sickness coverage, plus the same optional Cancel for Any Reason benefit found on iTravelInsured Travel LX. It’s a smart choice for travelers who want dependable protection without paying for the highest coverage limits.
All three plans are available to U.S. residents and offer a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver if purchased within 20-21 days of your initial trip deposit, giving you flexibility, no matter which one best fits your trip.
Protect Your Voyage with Cruise Travel Insurance
We understand that it is tempting to add a cruise line protection package to your already booked cruise trip, simply for the convenience of the task, especially if you believe that a cruise protection package will safeguard your investments in the hour of need. But it’s important to understand the details of these protection plans and assess them based on your unique case before making the final purchase decision.
At VisitorsCoverage, we offer an easy-to-compare tool to compare and contrast the best plans for cruise travel insurance. Our team of licensed agents will also assist you with the claim-filing process should you need any assistance.
