Going on a cruise for the first time may make you realize that there are many moving parts to it. From your flight to the cruise port to excursions off the ship, getting the coverage you need for a cruise can be crucial.
Travel insurance can provide coverage for various unforeseen issues during a trip, including urgent medical care, lost luggage, emergency medical evacuation, trip disruptions, missed ports, and other potential mishaps. Our licensed insurance specialists assessed the best travel insurance plans for a first-time cruise based on the overall trip coverage, cost, and certain benefits for a cruiser's needs.
Best Travel Insurance Plans for a First-Time Cruise
What Does Travel Insurance for Cruises Cover?
Travel insurance for a cruise should cover your overall health, especially if you are going to travel on international waters. Oftentimes, the medical staff is limited in resources, so if you get a serious injury or sickness that requires more care, travel insurance can help you in case you need to evacuate to the nearest hospital.
Travel insurance for a cruise can also protect your trip investment if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, or if you experience a trip delay. Also, travel insurance can protect your journey, whether you are on or off the cruise ship. For example, if you experience a significant flight delay causing you to miss your cruise port, travel insurance can help cover the cost to get you to the next cruise port and cover any prepaid, nonrefundable events you missed during your delay.
For your first cruise, find travel insurance coverage that has the following benefits:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: If you happen to get injured either on your cruise or at an excursion off the ship, especially in a remote location or somewhere with limited medical facilities, travel insurance can provide coverage for your medical evacuation and transport to the nearest suitable hospital.
- Emergency Medical Expenses: From a minor to major injury or sickness, travel insurance may provide coverage for the cost of your medical expenses during your cruise trip. Especially if you are cruising internationally, this can save you potentially thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
- Adventure Sports Coverage: If you are doing an off-shore excursion that is considered a high-risk activity, this is a great option to consider, so that way, you get coverage for medical expenses related to your activity. Most travel insurance plans don't normally cover activities with a higher risk, such as scuba diving and paragliding. However, some plans typically have adventure sports coverage as a separate, optional add-on, which could be a worthwhile investment.
- Trip Delay and Missed Connections: Trip delay coverage can provide reimbursement for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses you could not use if your trip is delayed by several hours for a covered reason. This kind of coverage may also pay for additional costs like meals, extra transportation, and lodging if an overnight stay is necessary and the airline does not provide vouchers for these expenses. If a delay causes you to miss your cruise, travel insurance may help cover your expenses to get you to the next cruise port. That way, you are back on track for your cruise.
- Trip Cancellation: If you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason under your insurance policy, travel insurance can cover your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, like your flights, excursions, cruise fare, and onboard services you paid for beforehand.
- Trip Interruption: If a covered, unforeseen event causes you to end your cruise trip early, travel insurance can offer coverage for your unused, prepaid expenses that you cannot get a refund for.
- Baggage Delay and Loss: Many travel insurance policies include coverage to replace essential items if your baggage is delayed or lost, whether it is by the cruise line or an airline. This benefit gives you the ability to purchase necessary clothing, medications, and personal items, usually up to a certain limit determined by your insurance policy.
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): If you are new to cruising, there may be plenty of "what if" scenarios that you might think about. No matter the reason, this coverage allows you to cancel your cruise trip, no questions asked, and still recoup about 50% to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses.
| Benefits | Trip Protection Choice | Pathway Premier | iTravelInsured Choice Cruise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% | Up to 100% | Up to 100% |
| Trip Interruption | Up to 150% | Up to 150% | Up to 150% |
| Trip Delay | Up to $2,000, $250 per day, after 6 hours | Up to $2,000, $300 per day, after 6 hours | Up to $150 per day, $1,000 maximum |
| Missed Connection | Up to $1,500 Tour or Cruise Connection | Up to $500 | Up to $500 |
| Baggage and Valuable Loss | Up to $2,500, $250 per item | Up to $1,000, $250 per item | Up to $1,000 |
| Baggage Delay | Up to $500 | Up to $500 | Up to $300 |
| Medical Emergency Coverage | Up to $500,000 | Up to $100,000 | Up to $100,000 |
| Medical Emergency Evacuation | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $500,000 |
| Adventure Sports Coverage | Not covered | Optional Add-on benefit | Not covered |
| Cancel For Any Reason | Optional Add-on benefit | Optional Add-on benefit | Not covered |
Can I Buy the Insurance Provided by the Cruise Line?
Typically, cruises are a little more complex to navigate if something unexpected does happen. You may notice that your cruise line might offer its own insurance, however, it can be lacklustre in its coverage. Most of the time, the insurance the cruise line offers is more in favor of the cruise line. For example, if you experience a flight delay causing you to miss your initial cruise port, the cruise line may not cover you to catch up with your travel plans. They also may not include adequate medical coverage or benefits related to an emergency medical evacuation, which is important for cruise protection.
What are the Common Scenarios First-Time Cruise Passengers May Face?
No matter how carefully you plan a trip, unforeseen events can still creep their way in, potentially causing a financial headache in your travel plans. Travel insurance for cruises can help mitigate those stressful scenarios. Even though they may not happen to you, it is important to be aware of the common scenarios that travel insurance could support.
Scenario #1: Bad Weather Changes Your Itinerary
During your 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, the captain of the ship announces that the weather at the next destination is not safe right now and that they will have to skip and reroute. You already planned an excursion for that destination, and it is not refundable. Travel insurance may cover you if your trip plans change, making you miss your port. It can help reimburse the cost of your unused, prepaid excursion, allowing you to travel with minimal stress about your financial investment.
Scenario #2: Sickness Before Your Cruise
A few days before your cruise, you come down with a severe case of bronchitis. You visit urgent care, and the doctor advises you not to travel and gives you a doctor's note. With the doctor's note, travel insurance can help you recoup the cost of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, as well as provide coverage if your cruise line requires you to pay a cancellation fee.
Scenario #3: Medical Emergency Off the Ship
While participating in an onshore excursion abroad, you slip on uneven pavement and fracture your ankle. The ship's medical team can only provide basic treatment, but recommends you get X-rays done and a second look at a nearby hospital. Since your domestic health care doesn't provide coverage internationally, travel insurance can step in and potentially cover the cost of your medical bills, and can reimburse your unused, prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, since you may have to cut your trip short.
Tips for Finding the Right Plan for a First-time Cruise
- Consider strong medical coverage: Even if you consider yourself healthy, accidents could happen. It is worth considering extra medical coverage since your health insurance may not cover you on international waters. Additionally, if you need to be medically evacuated off the ship, that could cost a significant amount of money without appropriate insurance coverage.
- View plans with optional adventure sports coverage: Especially if you are doing an onshore excursion that may have a higher risk, it is recommended to think about a plan with optional adventure sports coverage, unless the plan you are considering already protects you from high-risk activities. Oftentimes, some plans exclude activities with a higher risk, since the risk of an injury is much higher.
- Check if your plan covers valuables and electronics: If you are a traveler who likes to bring cameras and valuables, you may want to consider strong coverage for your luggage and valuables. Many travel insurance policies have an overall benefit maximum and per-item limits, so it is important to compare plans that efficiently support your high-value items to your needs.
- Consider adding Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): Life can be unpredictable. Especially if you are a younger traveler with obligations that could change, the flexibility to cancel for quite literally any reason may make you feel more at ease knowing you can recoup most of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.
Have Travel Insurance Play a Role in Your First Cruise Ship
While you plan for your first cruise, think about adding travel insurance to your list of things to bring. Travel insurance provides a safety net in case your trip goes south, whether you have to cancel your trip or need medical treatment abroad. If you need help with comparing the best travel insurance plans for cruises, our Customer Success Team can help find the best plan based on your cruise experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to buy insurance right after booking, or can I wait?
It is recommended to buy insurance as soon as you make your initial trip deposit, especially if you are thinking about time-sensitive benefits to add onto your travel insurance, like qualifying for the pre-existing medical conditions waiver, or if you want to add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage. Getting a travel insurance plan early in advance also strengthens the trip cancellation benefit, which typically starts the day after you get your insurance plan.
Is there a difference between cruise insurance and trip insurance?
Not quite. What is often called "cruise insurance" is essentially standard travel insurance. There are no separate policies made specifically for cruises. Instead, the same travel insurance plans cover various forms of travel, whether you are cruising, flying internationally, or traveling within your own country.
How much is Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage if I want to add it to my insurance policy?
Cancel For Any Reason insurance is typically about 40% to 50% of the base premium. For example, if your trip insurance plan is $100, the CFAR add-on can be about $40 to $50 extra. However, it may be worth it for travelers who want the flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason, and still recuperate a majority of the costs that they would have otherwise lost.
Are pre-existing conditions covered if I need treatment during the cruise?
Yes, most travel insurance plans provide a pre-existing medical conditions waiver as long as your insurance was purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit. You also have to make sure that you insure the full cost of the trip, including your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, and you have to be medically stable at the time of your purchase. The waiver provided by your policy may cover your trip cancellations, interruptions, or delays related to your pre-existing condition, which would otherwise be excluded.
If my luggage is lost or delayed, will insurance cover essentials like clothes and toiletries?
Yes, your travel insurance plan may reimburse you for the cost of essentials like clothes and toiletries if your baggage is lost or delayed either by an airline or your cruise provider up to a certain amount of time.
Does insurance cover stolen items while I am off the ship?
If your valuables or items are stolen from you while you are off the ship, travel insurance can provide coverage by reimbursement up to the limit that is stated in your policy document. You will typically need to file a police report, as well as potentially take photos of your belongings before your trip to validate your claim.
Is there 24/7 assistance available if I need help while cruising abroad?
Yes, many travel insurance policies have available 24/7 assistance services while you are on your cruise. This assistance can help you with translation services abroad, recover important documents like passports, and guide you through the necessary steps to filing a claim. You can typically locate the 24/7 assistance services number on your physical or digital policy ID card.
How do I file a cruise travel insurance claim?
To file a claim, you'll typically need to:
- Contact your travel insurance provider as soon as possible.
- Gather documentation, such as receipts, medical records, or proof of cancellation.
- Submit a completed claims form with supporting documents online or by mail.
Each provider may have slightly different steps, so check your policy or reach out to the insurer's customer service team for guidance. Keeping copies of everything and acting quickly can help the process go smoothly.
For any questions along the way, our Claims Assist Specialists are also available to help you navigate throughout the process.
