Understanding cruise travel insurance

Why cruise travel insurance matters

Cruise holidays are relaxing and exciting. You get to see different places, enjoy entertainment and travel in comfort. But they come with some extra risks too.

That’s because a cruise isn’t just a holiday. It’s your transport, hotel and activities all in one. And standard travel insurance might not cover everything that could go wrong.

That’s where cruise travel insurance can help. It gives you extra protection just for cruise holidays, including at the ports you visit along the way.

It can help if you get sick and need treatment on or off the ship. Or if you’re confined to your cabin and miss a stop or trip. It can also cover you if your cruise is cancelled or delayed for certain reasons.

This guide explains what cruise cover includes, how it’s different from normal travel insurance, and why it’s worth having. Whether you’re cruising around the UK or going abroad, the right insurance can protect your plans and your money.

Do you need special travel insurance for a cruise?

Yes. Cruises involve risks that standard travel insurance might not cover. These include needing to stay in your cabin if you get ill or even having to leave the ship in an emergency, which can be costly.

You might also miss a port or trip because of bad weather or changes to the ship’s route. These things may only be covered by comprehensive cruise insurance.

Some cruise lines want proof of cruise insurance before they’ll let you board. So it’s important to get the right cover and check what’s included. Adding cruise cover to a regular policy or choosing a special plan for cruises is often the best way to stay protected.

What’s the difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

Travel insurance helps protect you on most holidays. It can help if you get sick or hurt in another country, if your bags are lost, stolen or damaged, or if you have to cancel your trip or go home early because something unexpected happens.

Cruise insurance builds on that base protection to also cover things that can happen only on a cruise. We’ll look closer at them in the next section.

Depending on the insurer, cruise cover might be its own plan or an option you can add to regular travel insurance to give you extra protection.

What does cruise travel insurance cover?

Cruise travel insurance for a cruise holiday protects you before your trip, on the ship and during any stops. Here are the main things it usually covers.

Medical and emergency cover

Standard travel insurance often includes emergency medical care. But on a cruise, you may need more.

Cruise vacation insurance usually covers medical care on the ship or at a port, including being evacuated from the ship and taken to a hospital. On-board treatment is private and can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds. If you get sick, cruise cover helps with those costs.

Protection for your plans and belongings

Lots of things can go wrong before or during your cruise, besides getting ill or injured. The right insurance can help you get your money back for things like:

• Missing your ship because your flight or train is delayed
• Missing a port or excursion due to illness, weather or itinerary changes
• Lost or stolen bags (cruise cover often includes higher limits)
• Cabin confinement, if you’re ill and have to stay in your room
• Leaving the cruise early because of an emergency

All of this helps make sure you don’t lose out financially if your plans are disrupted.

Remember, not all policies are the same. Always read the details carefully to make sure you’re protected for the right things and to the extent you need.

What does cruise travel insurance for seniors cover?

Cruises are a popular way for older holidaymakers to travel in comfort. And cruise travel insurance for seniors includes everything we’ve talked about, but with a few extra points to check:

• Be upfront about your health: It’s important to tell your insurer if you have pre-existing health conditions and about any medications you take for them. This is so they can check if they’ll still give you cover. You might need to complete a medical screening and pay more for cover, but it means you’re properly protected
• Check for any age or trip duration limits: As you get older, you might not be covered for as long on any one trip. So check the wording of any policies you’re considering to check what age they’ll cover you up to, and how long for
• Be clear about cover levels: Look for policies with higher medical limits in case you need serious care. At Post Office, our standard policies come with a choice of economy, standard or premier level cover for emergency medical cover of 5, 10 or 15 million pounds

Many insurers will still cover you if you declare conditions like diabetes or heart problems. If they can’t help, the MaPS directory (from the Money and Pensions Service) shows other companies that might.