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Travel Insurance » Cruise Travel Insurance

What is Cruise Travel Insurance?

Cruise Insurance is a type of cover designed to protect you while on a cruise ship.

Specialist Cruise Travel Insurance includes cover for things you would only experience on a cruise. For example, for cabin confinement, cruise interruption, missed excursions or itinerary changes.

Going on a cruise is an exciting adventure full of unique experiences, breathtaking destinations, and unforgettable memories. However, it’s essential to have the right cover to ensure smooth sailing.

Cruise Travel Insurance is a specialised type of insurance designed specifically to cater to the risks and incidents commonly associated with cruise holidays, providing you with peace of mind and comprehensive cover for your trip. Our policies have no upper age limit so you can cruise no matter your age.

You can add cruise cover to our Gold Plus policies or take out Platinum Travel Insurance, which covers cruises as standard.

Why do you need specialist Travel Insurance for a cruise?

It’s important to add Cruise Cover to your trip for these distinct risks.

  • Cabin confinement
  • Unused excursions
  • Emergency treatment
  • Onboard illnesses
  • Missed port departure

Standard Travel Insurance, without the cruise upgrade will not provide any cover for cruises. You’ll also miss out on cover for itinerary changes, missed ports, unused excursions and other areas of cover you’ll need when going on a cruise. This also applies if you are taking a river cruise.

It is vital that you tell us of all the countries your ship will visit or stop at during your cruise, even if you don’t intend to disembark.

Some cruise lines may need passengers to have Travel Insurance before boarding the ship. You need to confirm the cover for the specific travel dates to prove you have insurance. You can do this by providing a printed or digital copy of your insurance policy documentation. Buying specialist Cruise Travel Insurance lets you avoid the risk of being denied boarding and offers you protection throughout your journey.

Types of Cruise Travel Insurance

AllClear offers multiple types of Cruise Travel Insurance, so you can choose one that’s right for your trip.

  • Single trip Cruise Travel Insurance: Suitable for travellers planning to take an individual trip on a cruise. It includes cover for emergency medical costs, loss or damage to personal items, and trip cancellations specifically for cruises.
  • Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance: This type of Cruise Cover protects all of your trips taken throughout the year, whether cruises or not This may be more cost-effective than purchasing single trip Travel Insurance for each holiday. Annual Multi-Trip policies can be a cost-effective option for frequent travellers, offering cover for an unlimited number of trips to your chosen region over 12 months.

Depending on your travel plans you can opt for either European Travel Insurance (you can include or exclude Spain, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Turkey, Cyprus and Malta) or Worldwide Travel Insurance (with the option to include or exclude the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean).

Typically, European Travel Insurance is less expensive than worldwide options. However, prices will still vary based on the specific destinations you plan to visit and your health conditions.

Lydia Crispin

Our experts say…

“If you’re planning to take a cruise, you may think that standard Travel Insurance will be enough. However, you won’t have protection for your trip without taking out cruise cover. As well as medical cover, Cruise Travel Insurance also includes extra protection for things like cabin confinement or missed excursions.”

Lydia Cripsin Travel Insurance expert

Cruise Insurance with pre-existing medical conditions

How do you cover your cruise?

To ensure your cruise is covered, choose our Gold Plus Travel Insurance policy and add Cruise Cover, or choose our Platinum Travel Insurance, which includes it as standard.
This will make sure you are covered for events such as cabin confinement, missed port departure, and unused pre-booked excursions.

Make sure you declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions, no matter how small.

Disclosing medical conditions

Disclosing medical conditions is essential to ensure proper protection for Cruise Travel Insurance. Transparency about your medical conditions ensures that you have the appropriate cover for your cruise and helps avoid any potential complications with your insurance claims. Failure to disclose pre-existing medical conditions or providing inaccurate information can render your policy null and void, potentially resulting in the denial or partial rejection of any claims you submit.

Travel with 5 Star Cruise Cover

What our Customers Say

Simple 3 step quote process

1. Call us or click a quote button on our site

Once you are ready to start the quote process, the first step is to provide your personal details and information about your holiday plans.

2. Complete our simple medical screening process

You then declare the medical conditions for you (and any other travellers) and answer the specifically designed medical questions.

3. Get your quotes

You will then get your quotes and can either proceed to buy, or save your quote, at this stage.

What’s covered with Cruise Holiday Insurance? 

Cruise Cover offers you a broad range of protection to give you peace of mind on your cruise. Here’s a breakdown of what is included:

  • Medical and Repatriation Cover: Medical and repatriation cover is a vital component of Cruise Travel Insurance, covering you for medical expenses and the cost of returning to your home country in the event of a medical emergency while on a cruise.
  • Cruise Cancellation or Curtailment: Gives you cover if you have to cancel or shorten your cruise due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the death of a close relative or redundancy. You can recover prepaid costs, like the cruise fare, if cancellation occurs before the trip.
  • Missed Departure: If you can’t make your departure due to reasons outside your control, you can still be financially protected.
  • Cruise Interruption: If you fall ill and need medical treatment on land, you can claim for the travel expenses incurred to reach the next port and re-join the cruise. It also covers additional expenses if the trip is interrupted, such as the cost of returning home prematurely.
  • Cabin Confinement: In the event of illness, you may be told to stay in your cabin to prevent the spread of sickness onboard. This cover allows you to claim a payment if you’re confined to your cabin by the ship’s medical officer.
  • Unused Excursions: This provides compensation if you miss an excursion due to an accident, injury, or illness.
  • Missed Port Cover: This protects you if a planned destination visit is cancelled due to bad weather or other issues. If you miss out on a city or island you were looking forward to visiting, you’ll get some money back.
  • Personal Baggage: This offers cover if your baggage or its contents are lost or stolen. As cruises often require more luggage, including expensive evening wear, make sure the personal baggage limits are sufficient.
  • Cover for the Cost of a Friend or Relative: This covers the cost of a friend or relative staying with you while you’re being treated or flying out from home to support you if needed.

What’s not covered?

While Cruise Travel Insurance offers comprehensive cover for a wide range of incidents, there are some situations that are not covered. You are not covered for claims below the value of the excess of your policy, or trips which are outside your chosen region of cover.

Cover does not apply to any claim related to a known event or circumstances that you were aware of at the time you purchased this insurance and/or, prior to the booking of any individual trip.

Buying Cruise Travel Insurance

To make sure you have cover for your cruise holiday, it’s essential to buy Cruise Travel Insurance as soon as possible after booking your cruise. By buying insurance early, you can maximise your cover and protection, giving you peace of mind and the assurance that you’re prepared for any unexpected incidents that may arise during your cruise.

When should you buy Cruise Insurance?

Buying Cruise Travel Insurance immediately after booking your cruise offers several advantages, such as:

  • An extended cover window for trip cancellation benefits
  • Trip delay cover
  • Pre-existing condition cover
  • Peace of mind knowing that you’re protected from the moment you make your reservation

Buying your Cruise Cover as soon as possible means that you can focus on unwinding and enjoying your trip, knowing that you’re covered for the unexpected.

How much is Cruise Cover?

The cost of Cruise Travel Insurance depends on a number of factors such as destination, duration, and existing medical conditions.

For example, medical treatment costs in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, China, and Hong Kong generally tend to be higher than in other countries, which may impact the cost of Cruise Cover. The length of the cruise can also affect the insurance premium, with longer cruises typically resulting in higher premiums due to the increased risk of potential incidents or emergencies.

Can you add Cruise Travel Insurance to your existing policy after booking?

Yes, you can add Cruise Cover to your existing Gold Plus policy after booking your cruise, if you have an Annual Multi-Trip policy. If you wish to add Cruise Travel Insurance cover to a single trip policy you may need to cancel and reissue the policy.

It’s important to note that adding Cruise Cover to your policy after booking your cruise may result in additional costs.

Remember, it’s vital to ensure that your Travel Insurance policy covers all the specific risks associated with going on a cruise, such as cabin confinement, missed port departures, and itinerary changes. So, whether you’re upgrading an existing policy or purchasing a new one, always check the details to ensure you’re adequately covered for your cruise holiday.

Tips when choosing Travel Insurance for a cruise holiday

When choosing Travel Insurance for a cruise, consider the following factors:

  • Destination cover: Make sure the policy covers all the destinations you will be visiting during your cruise. Some policies may exclude certain countries or regions, so it’s important to check this before you purchase the policy.
  • Cabin confinement compensation: If you become ill and are confined to your cabin, some policies offer compensation. This can be a useful feature to have, especially considering the fact that illnesses can spread quickly on cruise ships.
  • Medical and baggage limits: Check the limits for medical cover and baggage loss or damage. Make sure these limits are adequate for your needs. If you’re travelling with expensive items, you might want to consider adding optional gadget cover.

Cruise Travel Insurance is vital for a worry-free and enjoyable cruise holiday. Without if you won’t be covered at any point during a cruise, even for events which are not cruise specific.

As you embark on your cruise adventure, remember to purchase Cruise Travel Insurance as soon as you book your trip, tell us about any pre-existing medical conditions, and review your policy documents carefully.

Set sail with confidence, knowing that you’re protected and prepared for unexpected incidents during your cruise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need special Travel Insurance for a cruise?

Yes. Some cruise operators require you to have a comprehensive Travel Insurance policy in place before you set sail. Even if yours does not, you still need specialist cover when taking a cruise.

Do you need Cruise Travel Insurance for a domestic cruise?

Yes, even though you’re not leaving the country, it’s still recommended to get Travel Insurance for a domestic cruise. While you might not need the international medical cover, other aspects of the policy, like cover for trip interruptions, cancellations, or lost luggage, are also vital.

Does your Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance cover you on a cruise?

Standard Travel Insurance does not cover cruises; however, you can add Cruise Cover and get extra protection from cabin confinement, missed port departures and itinerary changes if you have a Gold Plus policy. This is included as standard on our Platinum levels of cover.

You are not covered while on a cruise without the Cruise Cover add-on, so make sure it is in place before you depart.

Can I add insurance after booking a cruise?

Yes. As long as you have not yet left for your cruise you can buy Cruise Insurance after booking your holiday.

Will you be covered if you have a medical emergency on my cruise?

As long as you have told us about your pre-existing medical conditions, we’ll consider claims for related medical emergency costs.

What if your port visit gets cancelled due to bad weather?

AllClear Cruise Travel Insurance offers compensation if scheduled port visits are cancelled due to adverse weather or timetable restrictions. Please refer to your specific policy wording for details.

If you have a GHIC, do you still need specialist Cruise Travel Insurance?

Yes, you will still need Cruise Travel Insurance.

The GHIC will ensure you are entitled to the same level of treatment as a citizen of that country. However, it does not cover cancellation or curtailment and may not cover all your medical costs. It also does not cover medical evacuation costs or provide repatriation cover if you need to be returned to the UK. Medical Travel Insurance ensures you have cover when you need it most.

Do Cruise Travel Insurance policies cover land holidays?

Yes, holiday insurance for cruises covers both land and cruising holidays. If you’re not going on a cruise but are looking for increased cancellation cover, you could choose AllClear Gold Plus or AllClear Platinum, where you can increase cancellation cover up to £25K per person.

Does Cruise Insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, Cruise Insurance can cover pre-existing medical conditions, but you need to make sure to disclose them when purchasing the policy to ensure proper cover.

Is it possible to secure Cruise Travel Insurance for the rest of my group?

If you’re planning to enjoy a cruise with your loved ones, you can protect everyone under one policy with either a Family Cruise Cover, or a Group Travel Insurance.

Do you need to tell us all of the places you’ll visit on a cruise?

Yes. Due to different costs for medical treatment across the world, we need to know about all the destinations of your cruise holiday.

Why is Cruise Insurance more expensive?

Medical treatment on a cruise is very expensive compared to most land based trips. As the cost of potential claims is so high, Cruise Cover can be more expensive than Standard Travel Insurance.

Useful cruise content

Be sure to read our FREE cruise guides, which cover a wide range of topics for both first timers, and veteran cruisers.

What should a first-time cruiser know? 

7 tips to help you book the perfect cruise 

How far in advance should I book a cruise for the best price?

When to take your passport on a cruise

Written by: Lydia Crispin | Travel Insurance Expert
Last Updated: 7 December 2023


^£4.02 per month for a 50 year old with no medical choosing an AllClear Gold annual multi-trip policy to Europe, including cruise cover. Price is correct as of 01/12/23.

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