I remember a wonderful cruise around the Caribbean, my first time visiting this lively, sun-soaked part of the world. We met all kinds of people on board and made friends from all over the globe. Unfortunately, a fellow traveler came down with a fairly serious stomach flu and had to be treated on board. Once he was up and about again, and mostly back to normal, he was surprised to be handed a bill for his treatment. He’d assumed his travel insurance would cover the costs, but they refused point blank. For one reason: his insurance policy wouldn’t cover the cost of treatment because he hadn’t added cruise cover.
Many travelers overlook this before they set sail. Specialized cruise cover exists for various reasons, and it’s easy to miss while you’re researching trip insurance. But it’s vital for seafaring folk, and I’m glad I read the fine print before taking out insurance for my cruise and subsequent voyages.
In this article, we’ll look at how to make sure you’re fully prepared for your next cruise.
Does Travel Insurance Cover Cruises?
Many insurance companies don’t automatically cover cruise holidays, and cruise insurance is often an add-on people miss. Onboard problems you may face include medical bills, emergency evacuations, shore excursions, or simply canceling an expensive pre-booked fare. When purchasing, check whether your policy includes cruises, or you need to select them as an add-on.
Why Cruise Cover Is Usually an Add-On
Cruises aren’t especially risky, but medical care at sea is costly, and an evacuation can run to six figures. When buying travel insurance, you’ll usually have add-ons to choose from, depending on the activities you may be undertaking. I’ve been on many adventurous holidays, including white water rafting, dune buggy racing, and extreme sports, and all of these have required extra coverage. It makes sense: the more chance of a costly claim, the more an insurance company charges. Cruise travel insurance should be prominently displayed on the company’s website. Coverage varies depending on the type of cruise and the location you’ll be on the water; for example, river cruises may differ from sea cruises, and locations will also affect the cruise policy.
Medical care at sea is costly, and an evacuation can run to six figures.
Medical Bills at Sea Can Be Expensive
If you’re unlucky enough to be befallen by an illness or injury on board, be aware you may need to pay your medical bills on the spot (so budget for this before you cruise). More serious cases may require evacuation from the ship entirely, which may also involve expenses you have to settle on the spot. If you hail from a country with a universal healthcare model, be aware that even on a cruise in domestic waters, you may not be covered. For example, if you are cruising around Australia, Medicare or private health insurance may not apply on board. Read the fine print on whichever policy you’re considering and consider different qu
