Why travel insurance is so important for cruise vacations

Travel insurance is often seen as an additional holiday expense, but it is also an essential safeguard that can protect you from significant stress and financial loss. That is why, in many cases, cruise lines insist on travel insurance as a condition of travel.

The unique nature of cruising, with its tight schedules, multiple ports of call, remote location options and limited onboard medical facilities, means that even small problems can become major headaches.

It is not always necessary to show proof of coverage embarkation daybut it’s a good idea to have both a digital copy and a paper copy of travel insurance policies (including emergency contact numbers) on hand, just in case.

By having the right coverage and documentation in place, you can navigate the complexities of cruise travel with confidence, knowing you’re prepared for the unexpected.

Importance of cruise-specific coverage

To protect you from financial loss, cruise travel agency Vacations To Go highly recommends purchasing travel insurance on every cruise.

Executive chairman Alan Fox says it’s not just about the risk of an emergency occurring during travel: “Cruise lines impose penalties for canceling or changing a reservation, up to and including the loss of the full cruise price. Cruise lines are very strict in their cancellation policies and do not make exceptions, even under extreme circumstances.”

Cruise specific cover usually includes cancellation insurance, but as with all insurance policies it is important to read the fine print to understand any excluded circumstances.

Getting sick is never pleasant at the best of times, but on a cruise it can be a particular challenge. Cruise ships have limited medical facilities, and even basic consultations can lead to surprisingly high medical bills.

Although some major cruise lines hire medical staff directly, many lines, especially smaller ones, typically outsource the medical center to a specialized provider.

In the event of serious illness or injury, evacuation to the nearest hospital may be necessary, which may be a considerable distance from the ship’s current location. If an emergency requires a change in ship route or evacuation by helicopter, costs can quickly escalate far beyond initial expectations.

If you have existing annual travel insurance, perhaps as an extra from your bank or credit card company, check whether cruise travel is covered. Such ‘free’ insurance policies often exclude cruise trips due to the risk of high costs associated with medical treatments.

Of course, if you do rely on such a policy, make sure that the majority of charges are paid by the credit card in question. Otherwise you are probably not insured.

Purchasing cruise-specific travel insurance (or a cruise add-on to an existing policy) ensures you’re covered for the unique risks of cruise travel, giving you financial protection and peace of mind during your trip.

Benefits of cruise insurance

Cruise-specific travel insurance policies are designed to address the unique aspects of cruise travel, and this often comes with some unexpected benefits.

Such policies often include coverage for missed connections, itinerary changes, and shore excursion cancellations, which are not typically covered by standard travel insurance.

Some policies pay a fixed amount as compensation for a missed port call, or offer this feature as an optional add-on. Such a payout – usually between $100 and $250 – would help cover everything independent excursion packages guests have made, or are just a nice bonus.

Should your itinerary change, make sure you get written confirmation from your cruise line so you can make a claim. In many cases this is automatically delivered to all guests in their cabins.

Such benefits are especially useful when sailing out of season, when poorer weather increases the chance of missed ports.

Don’t buy insurance from the cruise line

While it may seem convenient to purchase travel insurance directly from the cruise line, it is generally advisable to purchase a separate policy from an independent provider.

Independent policies are often more customizable and can provide more value, giving travelers the protection they need for their specific circumstances.

Frequent travelers should consider an annual policy that includes cruise coverage. Just make sure you check if there is a limit on the number of days you can travel before committing to the policy. If so, there are a growing number of policies available that are suitable for long-term travelers or digital nomads.

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