Travel insurance for a cruise holiday helps keep you covered on your dream trip. Enjoy ultimate peace of mind as you sail the seven seas.
Cruise insurance helps protect against travel risks unique to going on a cruise, such as missed port departures, on board emergencies and itinerary changes. These scenarios are not usually covered in standard travel insurance policies and cruise providers normally make cruise cover a requirement for your trip. Your cruise trip insurance also covers you if you become unwell at sea or if your luggage is lost or stolen.
A variety of unforeseen events can leave you needing some assistance while out at sea. You want to be sure you can access emergency treatment, on board or in harbour, without the fear of coming home to a high bill. You also want to be able to rejoin the ship if a temporary illness keeps you briefly ashore. Cruise insurance covers you in these situations, so you won’t be left high and dry.
If you already have travel insurance, cruise trip insurance can often be included as an add-on. If you're a customer with Post Office Travel Insurance, you can pay a small premium on top of your basic insurance for all this added reassurance.
Missed departure
If your car breaks down, your train gets cancelled or you lose your passport (outside of the UK) and can’t make your departure, we can help. Our cruise insurance extends the missed departure and connection outside the UK cover to include each port on the cruise itinerary up to the policy limits
Cruise interruption
Need hospital treatment on dry land? We'll pay travel and accommodation expenses you incur to reach your next port and re-join your cruise. Check your policy for the limits
Missed port
You chose the destinations you want to visit on your cruise with care. If the itinerary has to change and you miss a port, cruise insurance provides compensation up to the policy limits
Cabin confinement
Being taken ill on board is never nice. For your wellbeing and to prevent others from getting sick, the captain may confine you to your cabin. If so, and you miss parts of your planned trip as a result, we can help compensate you for each 24-hour period
Unused pre-booked excursion cover
If an injury or illness confines you to your cabin, you might miss trips you’ve booked. If that happens, cruise travel protection helps you recoup the costs
Increased personal baggage limits
On a cruise, you may be away for a while and need more in your luggage. We’ve increased the amount we’ll cover for cruises, so go ahead and pack that extra pair of shoes
You can add cruise travel insurance for an additional premium. The table shows the maximum cover limits available for each of our cover levels
|
Economy £125 excess Missed departure and missed connection Up to £1,000 Missed port (per port/max)3 Up to £50/£150 Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 Up to £250/£750 Cruise interruption Up to £1,000 Evening dress hire Up to £75 Cabin confinement (per day/max) Up to £50/£500 Unused excursions Up to £500 Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 Up to £1,500 |
Standard £99 excess Missed departure and missed connection Up to £1,000 Missed port (per port/max)3 Up to £75/£225 Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 Up to £300/£900 Cruise interruption Up to £1,000 Evening dress hire Up to £75 Cabin confinement (per day/max) Up to £50/£500 Unused excursions Up to £500 Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 Up to £2,000 |
Premier £50 excess 
Missed departure and missed connection Up to £1,000 Missed port (per port/max)3 Up to £100/£300 Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 Up to £350/£1,050 Cruise interruption Up to £1,000 Evening dress hire Up to £75 Cabin confinement (per day/max) Up to £50/£500 Unused excursions Up to £500 Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 Up to £2,500 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Missed departure and missed connection |
Missed departure and missed connection Up to £1,000 |
Missed departure and missed connection Up to £1,000 |
Missed departure and missed connection Up to £1,000 |
|
Missed port (per port/max)3 |
Missed port (per port/max)3 Up to £50/£150 |
Missed port (per port/max)3 Up to £75/£225 |
Missed port (per port/max)3 Up to £100/£300 |
|
Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 |
Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 Up to £250/£750 |
Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 Up to £300/£900 |
Missed port with excursions (per port/max)4 Up to £350/£1,050 |
|
Cruise interruption |
Cruise interruption Up to £1,000 |
Cruise interruption Up to £1,000 |
Cruise interruption Up to £1,000 |
|
Evening dress hire |
Evening dress hire Up to £75 |
Evening dress hire Up to £75 |
Evening dress hire Up to £75 |
|
Cabin confinement (per day/max) |
Cabin confinement (per day/max) Up to £50/£500 |
Cabin confinement (per day/max) Up to £50/£500 |
Cabin confinement (per day/max) Up to £50/£500 |
|
Unused excursions |
Unused excursions Up to £500 |
Unused excursions Up to £500 |
Unused excursions Up to £500 |
|
Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 |
Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 Up to £1,500 |
Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 Up to £2,000 |
Increased baggage (personal belongings)1 Up to £2,500 |
If you have a health condition it shouldn't stop you seeing the world. And, with the right cover, you can travel with peace of mind.
Post Office covers most pre-existing medical conditions. So contact us for a quote, tell us about all your conditions and any prescribed medications you take and we’ll help if we can.
If we can’t help and yours is a serious pre-existing medical condition, check the Money and Pensions Scheme (MaPS) directory. It lists companies that may be able to help you. Or call 0800 138 7777.
Let’s find the protection that’s right for your travels. Get a quote for Post Office Travel Insurance
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Post Office won a 'Best Travel Insurance Provider' award at the Your Money Awards in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025
Best Travel Insurance Provider
Post Office won a ‘Best Travel Insurance Provider’ award at the MoneyFacts Awards in 2024 and 2025
Defaqto 5-star rated cover
Our travel insurance policies with premier level cover are Defaqto 5-star rated
While having special travel insurance for cruise ships is not a legal requirement, it’s usually a mandatory requirement as specified by cruise companies, as regular insurance won’t cover cruise-related risks.
You may be asked to show a copy of your insurance policy when you board the ship, so it’s best to check with your cruise provider if they have any special requirements before you travel.
Most cruise companies require their guests to have travel insurance with cruise travel protection.
Having cruise insurance can help protect you against unexpected situations. Cruises typically cost more than most holidays, and the duration can be much longer too. Plus, cruises carry their own unique risks. Should you fall ill and need medical care or emergency evacuation, cruise trip insurance will have you covered.
Cruise travel insurance helps protect you against risks specifically associated with sea travel. When you add cruise travel protection to your Post Office Travel Insurance policy, you'll have added protection up to the policy limits, against:
We're an award-winning travel insurance provider. Our cruise trip add-on will cover you for everything from missed departures and missed ports to cruise interruption and cabin confinement. We even cover you for evening dress hire, so if your formal attire is lost, stolen or delayed, you’ll be able to recover the costs (up to the limits outlined in your policy).
If you need to contact us about your cruise travel insurance, our call centres are right here in the UK.
You might not need cruise trip insurance for river cruises if your standard insurance policy already covers it, or you’re cruising in your own country. It’s always best to check with your cruise company just in case extra coverage is required.
With Post Office, any cruise which is three days or longer, including River Cruises, you will need to add extra protection with cruise cover for your trip.
Buy holiday insurance with cruise travel protection as early as possible. This will ensure you're protected against unexpected events or issues that might delay the trip or cause it to be cancelled altogether. Be sure to check your policy for the limits and details for this cover.
Read our when to buy travel insurance guide to find out more.
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Post Office® Travel Insurance is arranged by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited.
Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited are registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered Office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.
The above details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the Financial Conduct Authority website and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).
(2) For economy, standard and premier policies, the single-trip policy will cover you for one trip up to:
365 days for persons aged up to and including age 70
90 days for persons aged between 71 and 75
31 days for persons aged between 76 and above