Everyone loves planning for a cruise trip at least once in their lives, be it after retirement or after a demanding quarter at work. Cruise planning is often done in groups of friends or with families, so it requires a significant amount of project management of its own. However, in light of recent outbreaks on cruises, it is becoming increasingly crucial to safeguard all the hard work of the cruise trip planning with the right cruise insurance plan.
What This Guide Will Cover:
- Why cruise insurance is worth it for your trip
- Why you should avoid cruise line travel protection add-ons
- Difference in coverage between cruise lines and travel insurance
- Benefits of purchasing travel insurance for a cruise
- Best cruise insurance plans for seniors
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:
- It Doesn’t Protect Your Entire Trip
- While similar to a trip insurance policy, cruise line insurance doesn’t cover the entire cost of your trip, only the cost of your cruise.
- When purchasing a trip insurance policy, you will insure your total nonrefundable and prepaid expenses, which can include your flight, hotel, tours, and transportation, protecting all aspects of your trip.
- 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.
- 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, which likely wouldn’t cover the total cost of an evacuation.
- Trip 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 trip insurance plans.
- 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 trip insurance plan purchased separately.
- Even if the cost of the cruise line travel protection plan is similar to a trip insurance plan purchased separately, the coverage you get with a cruise line travel protection plan is significantly lower, making them much less cost-effective.
- Credit Only Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage
- While cruise travel protection plans purchased at checkout may say that they offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, this benefit differs from what you might see from a trip insurance policy.
- 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 trip 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.
- 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 trip 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.
- 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 prior to 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 the cost of your cruise back in cash, or 75% back in a cruise credit | Up to 100% of prepaid cruise costs only, or 90% cruise credits | Up to 100% of prepaid, non-refundable cruise costs only | Offers Cancellation Protection, applies to cancellation fees | 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 | Up to 150% for prepaid cruise or land arrangements booked through Princess | Up to 150% of full trip costs |
| Medical Evacuation | Up to $50,000 | Up to $50,000 | Up to $250,000 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $1,0000,000 |
| Medical Coverage | Up to $20,000 | Up to $25,000 | Up to $50,000 | Up to $20,000 | Up to $500,000 |
| Baggage / Personal Effects | Up to $1,500, (up to $500 for delays 24 hrs+) | Up to $1,500 if stolen, lost, or damaged, $500 for bags delayed 6 hours+ | Up to $1,500 (with up to $500 for baggage delay) | Up to $3,000 | Up to $2,500, $250 per item |
| Pre-Existing Conditions | Limited | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered | Covered if you qualify for waiver |
| Cancel for Any Reason | Partial reimbursement under waiver | Reimbursement up to 90% in cruise credit only | Up to 100% in cash or cruise credit | 100% of your cruise fees in cash, or 100% reimbursement in cruise credit | 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.
Benefits of Purchasing Your Cruise Travel Insurance
Purchasing your cruise travel insurance, also referred to as trip insurance, rather than opting for cruise line protection packages, can be extremely beneficial for a number of 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 Is The Best Cruise Travel Insurance Plan For Seniors?
For senior travelers, the Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan is a strong option. It offers high medical evacuation coverage (up to $1,000,000) and includes a missed cruise connection benefit of up to $250 per day, maximum $1,500 a day: a valuable feature if a delay causes you to miss your cruise departure.
Unlike some plans, it has fewer state restrictions (it is unavailable only to residents of New York and Washington), and it also offers a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver, provided you purchase the plan within 20 days of your initial trip deposit.
It’s well-suited for U.S. residents traveling either domestically or internationally, making it one of the best cruise insurance options for seniors seeking robust coverage and flexibility.
Best Travel Insurance Plans For Cruises:
Best Cruise Insurance with High Medical Coverage: Trip Protection Choice
Best Affordable Cruise Insurance: FlexiPax
Best Overall Cruise Insurance: Atlas Journey Premier
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 empathize with your dilemmas and 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.
- Unexpected events like medical emergencies, stormy weather, or missed departures can cost thousands of dollars out-of-pocket if you travel uninsured.
- Cruise line protection packages generally have low medical coverage limits, only cover the cruise portion of your trip, and refund cancellations with cruise credit.
- For seniors, travel insurance with high medical evacuation, like Trip Protection Choice, is recommended for a cruise.
- Purchasing third-party trip insurance protects your entire itinerary (including flights and hotels), and provides higher limits for medical situations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Insurance
What type of insurance do I need for a cruise ship?
While cruise lines do offer their own protection packages, travel insurance can offer stronger protection. Travel insurance is best suited for cruise ship goers from the U.S. who are looking to protect their trip expenses and have emergency medical coverage with high limits during their travels.
Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?
Yes, you can purchase your own cruise insurance after you book your cruise through VisitorsCoverage. However, it is recommended to purchase cruise insurance as soon as possible, as benefits like Cancel For Any Reason and pre-existing condition exclusion waivers are time dependent.
How much does travel insurance cost on a cruise?
The cost of your travel insurance plan will depend on the total cost of your trip’s nonrefundable and prepaid expenses, along with the length of your cruise and your destinations. Typically, cruise insurance will cost around 4-10% of your total trip cost.
What is the best cruise insurance for seniors?
The Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice plan is ideal for seniors and U.S. residents traveling domestically or internationally, offering robust benefits including up to $1,000,000 in medical evacuation coverage. It also includes a pre-existing condition waiver if purchased within 20 days of the initial trip deposit, making it a smart choice for travelers with medical histories.
Does my credit card cover cruise cancellations or medical emergencies?
Credit cards may offer limited trip cancellation or delay coverage, but usually don’t cover medical emergencies or evacuations from a cruise ship. Coverage from the credit card is typically a secondary benefit that will only apply if you pay for the trip with the card itself. Be sure to read your card benefits carefully.
Will my regular health insurance cover me on a cruise?
Most U.S. health plans (including Medicare) don’t provide coverage in foreign territory or international waters. It is strongly advised to get additional cruise travel insurance before setting sail.
What if I get sick before the cruise?
If you must cancel your cruise due to illness, travel insurance may provide reimbursement through its trip cancellation benefit for non-refundable costs (ex: flights, cruise fare, accommodations).
Does travel insurance cover canceling a cruise?
Yes, travel insurance can cover certain cancellations when it comes to a cruise. The cancellation must be due to a covered reason as listed in your policy’s description of coverage. However, you can also opt for Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage when purchasing your plan, which allows you to cancel your cruise for any reason and still receive back a portion of your trip expenses.
Do Carnival Cruises require travel insurance?
While Carnival Cruise does not mandate travel insurance, it is strongly recommended for your next trip. Travel insurance can cover unforeseen emergencies, illnesses, medical situations, and more, making it essential. Some destination countries may also require proof of travel insurance, so be sure to check prior to your cruise.
Should I get travel insurance for a Norwegian cruise?
Norwegian cruise line insurance may offer coverage for situations like trip cancellation, interruptions, baggage, and medical emergencies. However, limits are typically quite low compared to a separate travel insurance policy (ex: medical evacuation for Norwegian will cover up to $250,000, while travel insurance can cover up to $1,000,000). Consider purchasing a third-party travel insurance for more comprehensive coverage on your next cruise.
