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Written byMiranda Marquit
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Co-hosts the Money Talks News podcast
MBA from Utah State University
Miranda is a financial writer and avid podcaster with nearly two decades of experience contributing to major outlets, including Forbes, The Hill, and NPR.
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Edited bySara Getman
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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Table of contents
Cruise insurance is a type of travel insurance aimed at cruise travel. In some cases, you can purchase it from the cruise line. You can also buy coverage from a travel insurance company.
Depending on the company, a regular travel protection policy might also include cruises.
Double-check any coverage you have to see if it’s missing anything you need for your trip. If you don’t have cruise insurance, consider getting a policy for peace of mind and to ensure that you’re covered in the event of an emergency.
Here’s what you need to know about cruise insurance.
Quick Facts
Cruise insurance includes trip cancellation and missed connections if you can’t make your departure time for a covered reason.
A cruise insurance policy can include emergency evacuation costs.
Some travel insurance policies and companies include cruise coverage.
What can cruise insurance cover?
Coverage varies by company, but cruise insurance often includes reimbursement for nonrefundable expenses if the cruise line doesn’t issue a refund. Additionally, cruise insurance can include coverage before your cruise, such as for flights and hotel stays the night before.
Here are some things that cruise insurance commonly covers:[1]
Emergency medical expenses
Illness, injury, and medical evacuation can be costly when you’re on a cruise. Check your policy to make sure it covers medical expenses and transportation to the closest available jurisdiction or the U.S.
Lost or delayed luggage
If your luggage is lost or delayed en route, or the cruise line loses the bags, you can receive compensation for lost items. You can also get coverage for replacement items to use during your cruise.
Inclement weather
If a cruise line has to cancel due to unexpected poor weather or a shore excursion is canceled due to bad weather, the cruise might not refund you. But the right cruise insurance policy provides reimbursement when the weather throws things off track.
Missed connections
Missed connections coverage in a cruise insurance policy can help transport you to the next port of call and continue the trip. You might also be covered for an itinerary change and any related expenses that arise.
Assistance service
If you need assistance navigating your coverage or making alternate travel arrangements, your cruise policy might cover it. Some policies also include concierge services that help you find activities and make reservations.
Add-ons
Some cruise insurance coverage includes add-ons, such as not restricting your cancellation reason or an adventure-sports bundle for excursions that might include activities considered hazardous.
What it doesn’t cover
When reviewing a policy’s terms and fine print, make sure you understand what cruise insurance doesn’t cover. Each policy varies, and the insurance coverage that a cruise line offers might cover less than a more extensive travel insurance policy.
Cruise travel insurance might not include issues caused when you’re under the influence of controlled substances, if you’re engaging in illegal activities, or by pregnancy-related medical issues. Cancellation coverage might not apply if you become afraid of going on the cruise or for other uncovered reasons.[2]
If you want specific health coverage, you might need to speak with your health insurer to see if you can get a travel protection rider. Your homeowners insurance might also cover theft, even if you’re traveling on a cruise.
Travel insurance vs. stand-alone cruise insurance
Some travel insurance policies include all types of trips, including cruises. Stand-alone cruise insurance is designed specifically to cover a cruise.
Review the products and coverages a travel insurance company offers to verify that cruise coverage is included. If it isn’t, review the cruise line’s policy.
Depending on your situation — such as if you travel multiple times per year — it might make more sense to get a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers you for multiple trips outside the U.S.
On the other hand, if you just plan to go on a single cruise during the year for your major travel, getting a stand-alone cruise policy that only covers one trip might make more sense.
Where to buy cruise insurance
Your credit card issuer might include cruise insurance coverage in its benefits, or you can purchase it from the cruise line or an insurance company.
Cruise line: Each cruise line offers its version of travel protection. If you book directly with the cruise line, you can usually purchase this coverage when you make your reservation.
Credit card issuer: Depending on your credit card, you might have access to travel protection, including trip cancellation, lost baggage, and delays. Check the terms, conditions, and requirements to determine whether items related to cruise travel are included. Normally, this coverage is automatically enacted when you purchase the travel with your credit card.
Insurance companies: Several insurance companies specialize in travel insurance. These products, services, and policies can be part of a larger policy that covers all travel, or it can be specific to cruises.
How much does cruise insurance cost?
Cruise insurance costs vary by insurer, but you’ll generally pay between 4% and 10% of a trip’s cost for coverage, whether it’s a regular travel insurance policy or a cruise insurance policy.[3]
Some of the factors that influence the cost of cruise insurance include:
Number of travelers
Destination
Cost of the trip
Add-on coverages
Age
Cruise insurance FAQs
As you research cruise insurance, the following information can help you make a more informed decision.
What insurance do you need for a cruise?
What insurance you get depends on how likely you think you’ll need coverage for potential issues like itinerary changes, bad weather, missed connections, lost luggage, or a medical emergency. A basic cruise insurance policy covers most situations, but double-check the exclusions and limitations.
How much should travel insurance for a cruise cost?
A good rule of thumb is to plan to pay between 4% and 10% of the cost of your trip.
Does your insurance cover you on a cruise?
Some of your existing coverage might cover you while on a cruise. For example, your home insurance may cover any theft, and your health insurance could cover U.S.-based emergencies. But many policies won’t cover you during travel, especially outside the U.S.
Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?
In some cases, yes, you can buy cruise insurance up to 24 hours before departure.
Sources
- Travel Guard. "Cruise Travel Insurance."
- Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. "What does cruise travel insurance cover?."
- DISB. "Taking a Trip? Information About Travel Insurance You Should Know Before You Hit the Road."
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Miranda Marquit Insurance Writer
Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a freelance financial writer covering various markets and topics since 2006. She has contributed to numerous media outlets, including Forbes, TIME, The Hill, NPR, HuffPost, Yahoo! Money, and more. Her work has been syndicated by MSN Money, Marketwatch, Credit.com, and other publications. She has written about insurance topics for Clearsurance, HealthCare.com, and various other websites. She is also an avid podcaster and co-hosts the Money Talks News podcast. Miranda has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Miranda has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.