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Oceania Cruises Travel Insurance - 2024 Review

Oceania cruises travel insurance review.

• Strong Insurance Partner
• Limited Cancellation Reasons
• Very Low Medical Coverage

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Destination-rich itineraries and some of the finest culinary experience at sea are the hallmark of Oceania Cruises. Oceania Cruises set sail across the entire globe, with cruises which last anywhere from 10 to 46 days, stopping at over 450 ports throughout Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, and more. For the more adventurous travelers, Oceania Cruises also offer their grand 180-day Around the World Voyages. With six luxurious ships which carry no more than 1,250 guests, and with a seventh ship set for delivery in 2025, Oceania Cruises are an excellent choice for seasoned cruise travelers and first time cruisers alike.

With high-class service, luxurious cabins and award winning food, one would hope and expect Oceania Cruises trip insurance would protect their passengers with the same level of care that they take with their food, service, and ship.

However, Cruise Insurance 101 has found that Oceania Cruises Travel Insurance coverage is lacking in many areas that we feel are crucial before embarking on a cruise vacation.

Overview of Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program

The Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program is underwritten by Nationwide, who we consider to be a strong insurance partner who underwrite many travel insurance policies across the industry.

Their Travel Protection Program offers many of the benefits and coverages normally expected to be found in a comprehensive travel insurance policy, and indeed contain many of the benefits found in the travel insurance policies offered at Cruise Insurance 101 . Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Medical Insurance, and Medical Evacuation are all included.

However, as is always the case, the devil is in the detail so we need to look at the limits for these common benefits.

If you are traveling outside of the United States, our team at Cruise Insurance 101 advises travelers to carry a minimum coverage of $100,000 in Medical Insurance and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation. We also strongly suggest our travelers secure a policy which contains a Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver if at all possible. Further, we advise that if traveling further afield to locations such as Asia or Africa or beyond, we recommend a minimum of $500,000 in Medical Evacuation cover.

In our opinion, the Oceania Travel Protection Program does not provide sufficient levels of coverage for international travel. We consider that the coverage level offered for Medical Insurance and Medical Evacuation are far too low for our comfort. Additionally, and an important piece of coverage for many senior travelers, the Oceania Travel Protection Program does not offer coverage for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions.

We’ll discuss these limits and coverages further later in our review.

Cost of Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program

Coverage levels aside, we also need to determine if the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program offers good value for money compared to other plans available in the wider travel insurance marketplace. To do this we need to hoist the main sail and set off on a Oceania cruise.

For our example, we chose a 10-day Oceania Cruise that begins in Rome, Italy and ends in Venice, Italy, with stops in Malta, Greece, Croatia, and Slovenia.

The cruise dates that we have chosen are 5/10/22 – 5/15/22, for two travelers. Our travelers are aged 55 and 60 and the cruise is priced at $3,749 per person, giving us a total cost of $7,498.

The Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program costs $374.90 per traveler, for a total of $749.80, bringing the combined total cost for our travelers of the cruise and Travel Protection Program to $8,247.80.

Travel Insurance Alternatives to Oceania Cruises

Based on our sample couple, ages 55 and 60, we created a comparison quote with the policies offered through Cruise Insurance 101 . The trip cost used for our comparison is the cruise cost for both travelers: $7,498.

The least expensive plan with adequate coverage on our quote from Cruise Insurance 101 is the Trawick First Class for $354.20.

For a Cancel For Any Reason policy, we selected the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%), because it is the least expensive travel insurance plan which includes a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) benefit.

Now, we’ll take a look at the benefits of each policy in a side-by-side comparison.

From our side by side comparison it is clear that the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program offers minimal coverage and low limits of benefits compared to other plans available. What is especially noticeable is the difference in coverage levels for Medical Insurance and Medical Evacuation.

It goes without saying that Travel Medical Insurance is only effective when it can actually mitigate a worst-case scenario that may occur. If a travel plan doesn't have your back if the worst happens, you may bare any costs not covered by your plan. For that reason we recommend travelers who are venturing abroad should carry at least $100,000 in Medical Insurance. Although that may seem high, it’s important to note that international private hospitals can charge between $3,000 to $4,000 per day.

We also recommend that travelers should hold at least $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage for international travel. Travelers who are venturing even further from the United States, perhaps to Asia, Africa, or even Australia, would need a minimum of $500,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. A medical air evacuation with doctors and nurses onboard can cost between $15,000 to $25,000 per flight hour, so it is extremely important to ensure you are properly protected for a worst-case scenario.

In addition to minimal coverage, the benefits offered through the Travel Protection Program are on a per trip basis, as opposed to per person benefits.

It is also very important to remember that the Oceania Travel Protection Program only covers the cost of the cruise fare, up to $50,000. This raises the question of how would a traveler protect other costs that they’ve paid out towards their trip? Put simply they would need to buy a standalone travel insurance plan to cover their airfares, transfers, excursions and car hire.

Not only do the Trawick First Class and Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) plans offer far more benefits with higher per traveler limits at a lower cost, but they also allow our travelers to protect all of their other pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs that they’ve paid towards their trip, not just the cruise fare.

Cost Comparison

If our travelers purchase the Trawick First Class standard cancellation plan for $354.20 instead of the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program, our two travelers would save $395.60, which is a significant savings over the Oceania plan. If our travelers wanted the added piece of mind that comes with a Cancel For Any Reason policy, they could select the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) plan for $602.14 and still save $147.66 over the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program.

Whilst the Oceania Travel Protection Program does offer some coverage, it’s in our opinion it is simply not enough coverage for the price.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss these coverages in more detail.

Trip Cancellation

Trip Cancellation coverage protects a traveler from losing their pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs if they need to cancel their vacation due to covered reasons that is listed in the policy document.

Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program has a short list of covered reasons:

• Your Sickness, Accidental Injury or death, that results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a Physician at the time of Loss preventing Your participation in the Trip. A Physician must advise to cancel the Trip on or before the Scheduled Departure Date.
• Sickness, Accidental Injury or death of a Family Member or Traveling Companion booked to travel with You, that results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a Physician preventing that person’s participation in the Trip.
• Sickness, Accidental Injury or death of a non-traveling Family Member.
• You or a Traveling Companion being hijacked, Quarantined, required to serve on a jury, subpoenaed, the victim of felonious assault within ten (10) days of departure;
• Having Your principal place of residence made Uninhabitable by fire, flood, volcano, earthquake, hurricane or other natural disaster;
• You or a Traveling Companion being directly involved in a traffic accident substantiated by a police report, while en route to departure

This is just too short of a list of reasons to cancel. Cruise Insurance 101 recommends that cruise insurance policies also include:

• Your or Your Traveling Companion’s primary place of residence or destination being rendered uninhabitable and remaining uninhabitable during Your Scheduled Trip by fire, flood, burglary, or other Natural Disaster.
• Unannounced Strike that causes complete cessation of services for at least 12 consecutive hours of the Common Carrier on which You are scheduled to travel;
• Inclement Weather that causes complete cessation of services for at least 12 consecutive hours of the Common Carrier on which You are scheduled to travel;
• You or Your Traveling Companion or Your Family Member is in the military and called to emergency duty for a national disaster other than war;
• A Terrorist Incident that occurs within 30 days of Your Scheduled Departure Date in a city listed on the itinerary of Your Trip;
• Revocation of Your or Your Traveling Companion’s previously granted military leave or reassignment. Official written revocation/re-assignment by a supervisor or commanding officer of the appropriate branch of service will be required;
• Your family or friends living abroad with whom You are planning to stay are unable to provide accommodations due to life threatening illness, life threatening injury or death of one of them;
• Felonious assault of You or Your Traveling Companion within 10 days of the Scheduled Departure Date;

Many reasons can pop up to cause a traveler to cancel a trip, and although trip insurance can’t cover all the reasons that may come up, it should at least cover those listed above.

Trip Cancellation For Any Reason

In our reviews of other cruise lines travel protection plans, we often find that many of them include coverage for Cancel For Any Reason .

This benefit allows a traveler to cancel their trip for any reason that is not otherwise listed in the policy and still receive a large portion of their pre-paid and non-refundable costs back. Many cruise insurance plans will reimburse up to 75% of the pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs in the form of cruise credits, not cash.

Whilst we are never in favor of a cruise credit as opposed to a cash refund, the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program does not include a Cancel For Any Reason benefit of any kind, not even a cruise credit benefit, so the traveler has only a very limited amount of reasons to cancel

Trip Interruption

The Trip Interruption benefit will reimburse you for the unused portion of your trip if you need to interrupt your trip and/or return home early for any of the covered cancellation reasons that are listed in the policy. Trip Interruption coverage can also help with the added expense of getting home before your scheduled return date.

The Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program states that up to 150% (with a maximum of $75k) of the trip cost listed in the policy, they will pay for:

• a) pre-paid unused, non-refundable land or sea expenses to the Travel Supplier;
• b) the airfare paid less the value of applied credit from an unused travel ticket, to return home, join or rejoin the original Land/Sea Arrangements limited to the cost of one-way economy airfare or similar quality as originally issued ticket by scheduled carrier, from the point of destination to the point of origin shown on the original travel tickets.
• The Company will pay for reasonable additional accommodation and transportation expenses incurred by You (up to $200 a day) if a Traveling Companion must remain Hospitalized or if You must extend the Trip with additional hotel nights due to a Physician certifying You cannot fly home due to an Accident or a Sickness but do not require Hospitalization. In no event shall the amount reimbursed exceed the amount You prepaid for the Trip.

Medical Insurance

The Medical Insurance cover will cover the costs associated with seeking medical treatment for an emergency illness or accidental injury that may occur whilst ony our trip. It is important to remember that most private health insurance plans, including Medicare, do not provide coverage outside of the United States , so Medical Insurance cover is critical for those are traveling internationally.

Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program only offers cover of $20,000 for Accident Medical Expense and Sickness Medical Expense. At Cruise Insurance 101 , we feel this coverage limit is far too low for adequate medical coverage when traveling overseas.

For international travel, Cruise Insurance 101 recommends a traveler should carry at least $100,000 in medical coverage. While this may seem like a lot, an unexpected traumatic injury or illness overseas can often result in significant medical expenses, as international private hospitals can charge up to $3,000-$4,000 per day. Carrying travel medical insurance of at least $100,000 will ensure our traveler is covered for those unforeseen expenses.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

The Medical Evacuation benefit provides cover for expenses incurred for emergency transportation to a facility that is able to treat your medical emergency, or transport you back home to the United States, if deemed necessary.

The Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program covers Emergency Medical Evacuation expenses up to $25,000 and covers the following:

• The Company will pay benefits for Covered Expenses incurred, up to the Maximum Benefit shown on the Confirmation of Coverage, if an Accidental Injury or Sickness commencing during the course of the Trip results in Your necessary Emergency Evacuation. An Emergency Evacuation must be ordered by a Physician who certifies that the severity of Your Accidental Injury or Sickness warrants Your Emergency Evacuation.
• Covered Expenses are reasonable and customary expenses for necessary Transportation, related medical services and medical supplies incurred in connection with Your Emergency Evacuation. All Transportation arrangements made for evacuating You must be by the most direct and economical route possible. Expenses for Transportation must be: (a) recommended by the attending Physician; (b) required by the standard regulations of the conveyance transporting You; and (c) authorized in advance by the Company or its authorized representative.

Cruise Insurance 101 recommends travelers who are traveling within 3 to 4 hours of the United States border to carry a minimum $250,000 of Medical Evacuation benefits.

Travelers who are venturing further from home need a minimum of $500,000 for Medical Evacuation coverage – the cost of a long-range private jet staffed with a medical evacuation team.

In our opinion, $25,000 is an extremely low limit to offer for Medical Evacuation cover. This is a critical coverage to have in place, and for that reason, in our opinion the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program is not suitable.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

According to the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program, a Pre-Existing Medical Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the sixty (60) day period immediately prior to the Effective Date for which You, a Traveling Companion, or a Family Member booked to travel with You: 1) exhibited symptoms that would have caused one to seek care or treatment; or 2) received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 3) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (3) of this definition does not apply to a condition that is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the sixty (60) day period before the Effective Date.

This pre-existing condition means that the Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program specifically excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions. This means that there will be no Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption or Medical Insurance coverage if a loss occurs that is caused by a pre-existing condition as defined in the policy.

All comprehensive trip insurance  plans exclude pre-existing medical conditions. However, most policies will offer a waiver of this exclusion and will cover pre-existing conditions if the insurance is purchased within a Time Senstive period . This is a defined period of time after the first payment or deposit is placed on the trip.

Usually, this time sensitive benefit is available if the policy is purchased within 14-21 days (depending on the policy) of your initial payment or deposit. At Cruise Insurance 101 we recommend having this coverage, if possible, as it does not cost anything extra and it is included in the policy, as long as you purchase within the Time Sensitive Period.

Cruise Insurance 101 offers many plans that include this  Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver .

We consider it to be very unfortunate that the Oceania Cruise Travel Protection Program does not include a Pre-existing Condition Medical Waiver, because most comprehensive travel insurance policies will provide a Medical Waiver when a traveler buys their policy promptly and insure all their pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs.

Our Conclusion

The Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Plan is lacking in many areas. Whilst it does have a strong insurance partner, the high cost and low coverage limits are not suitable for most travelers needs.

We spend a lot of money on cruises, and we sometimes book and pay for them months, or even over a year in advance of the departure date. This investment needs to be properly protected.

Cruise Insurance 101 allows you to quickly get a quote based on your travel requirements, and shows a great set of products available from some of the top-rated travel insurance companies in the United States.

If I Go Directly to the Travel Insurance Company, Will I Get a Better Deal?

No, you will not get a better deal by going directly through the travel insurance company. Travel insurance is strictly regulated, and the policy rates are filed with each state. That means no one can sell a plan for more or less than the filed rates.

Cruise Insurance 101 guarantees you will not find a lower price anywhere on any of the plans found on our site.

Have questions? We would love to hear from you. Send us a chat, email , or call at +1(786) 751-2984 .

Safe Travels!

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

Recent AARDY Travel Insurance Customer Reviews

Amanda was extremely helpful

Amanda was extremely helpful, very courteous & professional and answered all my questions. I appreciated receiving the emails about the quote and purchase is such a quick and timely manner. Thanks

Miranda was on the spot!

Helpful and knowledgeable customer service

I was not able to narrow down the specifics of my travel insurance needs just utilizing the website; but with the help of a customer service agent I was very satisfied and completed my purchase for my trip.

Travel Insurance

An illness, an accident or an unexpected situation can arise before or during any type of vacation. Such an event might cause you to cut short your cruise or cause your trip to be canceled altogether. Unfortunately, most cruise lines impose penalties for canceling a cruise, up to and including loss of the entire cruise price.

Because a cruise is a significant investment, most cruise lines offer some form of insurance to protect their passengers from financial loss in the event of an emergency. Details and prices vary from cruise line to cruise line, as do coverage limits and exclusions.

If you decide to purchase insurance, you will have two options, to go with the cruise line's plan or to use our independent insurance provider, Generali Global Assistance. Use the summaries below to compare policies and prices.

Generali can provide insurance coverage to all customers, regardless of their country of citizenship, except residents of the province of Quebec, Canada.

For more information or a complete copy of a policy, ask your Vacations To Go cruise counselor.

Independent Insurance Coverage

Generali Global Assistance

Cruise Line Coverage

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Included amenities and exclusive offers.

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Take advantage of incredible savings of up to 40% plus simply MORE™.

simply MORE™ Included

With our newest offer, simply MORE, you’ll receive more value, greater choice and more convenience than ever before. simply MORE means enjoying more immersive adventures ashore with our FREE Shore Excursions, including more than 8,000 tours available worldwide, ranging from sommelier- and chef-led Food & Wine Trails Tours to highly customizable Executive Collection options. It means toasting to more of life’s special moments on board with our FREE House Select beverage package, which includes a wide selection of vintage Champagnes, wines and beers during lunch and dinner at our onboard restaurants. simply MORE means you have the luxury of relaxing the moment you leave home with FREE Roundtrip Airfare* and FREE Airport Transfers*. Combined with our renowned gourmet specialty dining that is always included as well as FREE Unlimited WiFi, virtually everything you’ve ever wanted is now included.

Oceania Cruises Value Comparison

Oceania cruises culinary comparison.

Oceania Club

As a valued member of our Oceania Club, you enjoy an array of exclusive Oceania Club benefits that we offer in sincere gratitude for your loyalty.

Don’t miss out on these limited-time cruise offers. Featuring a wide array of voyages, these exclusive offers are the best way to take advantage of bonus savings, extra amenities and lower cruise fares. Book early for the best availability and check back often for new deals, all-inclusive cruise vacation packages and more.

Value Without Compromise

Always included for every guest.

Onboard Packages

Designed to help you create your perfect cruise experience, our onboard packages elevate your journey and offer extraordinary value. Sip your favorite cocktail poolside, enjoy the perfect vintage with dinner every evening and stay connected with friends and family back home. With beverage and Internet packages that let you pick and choose, it’s easy to savor your world, your way.

Beverage Packages

The perfect libation for every occasion.

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Our beverage packages enhance your onboard experience while offering excellent value and the luxury of convenience. Receive a 20% discount on any of our exclusive La Reserve wine pairing dinners on board Marina , Riviera and Vista when you upgrade to our Prestige Select beverage package.

Prestige Select⁺

Upgrade from the House Select beverage package included with our simply MORE offer to enjoy unlimited premium spirits, Champagne, wine and beer wherever and whenever you wish for $30.00 per guest, per day.

House Select⁺

As part of our simply MORE offer, enjoy Champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner at our onboard restaurants. Featuring much more than just house pours, the selection includes dozens of premium label wines and Champagnes and beer selections from around the world.

+ All packages are non-refundable. House Select beverage package is included for guests 1 and 2 with the simply MORE offer. View complete simply MORE Terms & Conditions here .

Free Unlimited WiFi

FREE Unlimited WiFi is included in your cruise fare. Stay in touch with friends and family, share your adventures, and keep up to date on business and news.

FREE WIFI ACCESS

Enjoy WiFi access throughout the entirety of the ship, including in all suites, staterooms, public rooms and outdoor decks. One free login is provided per suite or stateroom, which can be used on one device at a time. As of October 1, 2023, two free logins will be provided per suite or stateroom, each of which can be used on one device at a time. Additional logins and upgrade packages are available for purchase on board. For your convenience, Internet-enabled computers are also available in the Oceania@Sea Internet Center aboard each of our ships.

Starlink’s high-speed WiFi is currently available Vista and Riviera, and will be available on every vessel by the end of 2024.

Streaming Upgrade In addition to receiving FREE Unlimited WiFi, you may also upgrade to Wavenet Prime and enjoy streaming. Get access to sites such as Netflix or Audible for $9.99 per day.

Wavenet Unlimited WiFi Purchase an additional login and enjoy general web browsing, post photos to social media and check your personal email for $24.99 per day.

Wavenet Prime Unlimited WiFi with Streaming Purchase an additional login and enjoy the same access as Unlimited WiFi, plus an upgrade to video and audio streaming for $34.98 per day.

Protect Your Travel Investment

We offer Travel Protection Plan coverage and worldwide emergency assistance services for Oceania Cruises' discerning guests, which can help you in the face of the unexpected. For example, if you have an accident overseas that Medicare and other private insurance policies may not cover, our program provides medical expense reimbursement for a covered sickness or accident. Additionally, reimbursement is provided for penalties that may be assessed due to cruise cancellations for covered reasons.

This program covers up to the total trip cost for non-refundable cancellation charges including airfare, cancellation charges, and unused prepaid expenses if you must cancel or interrupt your cruise due to one of the following covered reasons: injury, sickness or death of an insured traveling companion (traveling in the same suite or stateroom) or immediate family member. Unforeseeable circumstances such as jury duty, subpoena, having a home uninhabitable by natural disaster or involvement in a traffic accident on the way to the airport is also covered. Please view the Description of Coverage

How to Enroll in the Program Enrollment is simple and convenient. The plan is an optional addition to your cruise vacation and is available for purchase from the time you make your deposit up to the time you make final payment on your cruise vacation. The plan cost is in addition to any required cruise deposits. If you have already made your cruise deposit, please contact Oceania Cruises to add to your reservation. Payment for this program cannot be accepted after final trip payment or commencement of the penalty period.

To purchase the Oceania Cruises ®  Travel Protection Program, all you need to do is pay for the plan cost before making your final cruise payment. The Trip Cancellation provisions take effect upon receipt of payment. All other provisions take effect upon the departure date.

24-Hour Worldwide Assistance Services Wherever you may be in the world, this service provides emergency assistance for a variety of circumstances, including making cash transfers; medical consulting and monitoring; assistance with lost documents; and legal, dental, and medical referrals to physicians or hospitals, to name a few. 24/7 CareFree TM Travel Assistance, Medical assistance, Emergency Services.

Important: This is only a brief description of the plan. This program is only valid if the appropriate plan cost has been paid to Oceania Cruises®. For a summary of the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plan, please view the Description of Coverage or you may contact Aon Affinity, the Plan Administrator, at 1-800-457-7709. This insurance is provided in excess of all other valid and collectible insurance or indemnity, and shall apply only after such benefits have been paid. Please note: Oceania Cruises can arrange for your purchase of insurance but is not an insurer or broker, and makes such arrangements solely as a convenience to our guests. Guests should consult the terms and conditions of coverage established by the insurance provider, and Oceania Cruises assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the conditions, coverages, or exclusions of any such insurance. This program was designed and is administered by Aon Affinity. Aon Affinity is the brand name for the brokerage and program administration operations of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. (TX 13695); (AR 244489); in CA & MN, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (CA 0795465); in OK, AIS Affinity Insurance Services, Inc.; in CA, Aon Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. (CA 0G94493), Aon Direct Insurance Administrators and Berkely Insurance Agency and in NY, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency. Affinity Insurance Services is acting as a Managing General Agent as that term is defined in section 626.015(14) of the Florida Insurance Code. As an MGA we are acting on behalf of our carrier partner. The Travel Protection Plan is underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Columbus, Ohio; NAIC # 10952 (all states as otherwise noted) under Policy/Certificate Form series TA HC5000. In CA, HI, NE, NH, PA , TN and TX, Policy/Certificate Form series TA HC5100 and TA HC5200. In IL, IN, KS, LA, OH, OR, VT, WA and WY, Policy Form #’s TA HC5100IPS and TA HC5200IPS. Certain coverages are under series TA HC6000 and TA HC7000. Worldwide emergency assistance services are provided by Carefree Travel Assistance. This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

Luggage Valet Service

Ship luggage directly to your stateroom.

Oceania Cruises is proud to partner with Luggage Forward®, the specialty service offering you the option to have any additional baggage or equipment shipped from your doorstep directly to any Oceania Cruises voyage and then back again. Allow yourself to relax and avoid the inconvenience of carrying, checking and claiming luggage and even going through Customs.

Simply enjoy the journey ahead. Service is available to and from more than 150 ports of call. Follow your bags around the world. Please visit Oceania Cruises’ Luggage Valet service by Luggage Forward ® for specific pricing and service locations.

Arrange Luggage Shipping

Disclaimer: Clicking on the link above will take you to the Luggage Forward website. An independent company, Luggage Forward provides a luggage shipping service for the convenience of Oceania Cruises customers. All shipments are subject to Luggage Forward’s Terms of Service.

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Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

What does cruise travel insurance cover? And does it pay to buy cruise travel insurance?

The answer is not always clear-cut, as we'll discuss in this guide. But consider this: It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising. Even the best-laid plans for a cruise vacation can sometimes be thrown off course by an unexpected event.

You might need to cancel a cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness, such as COVID-19 or the flu. Or, maybe you fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure. Or your ship is late arriving in port at the end of a voyage, and you miss your flight home.

In all of these situations, you might benefit from having cruise travel insurance — keyword "might."

Cruise insurance policies vary widely, and not every policy covers every type of mishap. That's why it always pays to read the fine print in a travel insurance policy before you purchase it to know what you're getting in advance.

It's also why you should read this introduction to everything you need to know about cruise insurance. It has many details, but the next time something unexpected happens on your cruise vacation, you'll be glad to be educated and covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

What does travel insurance cover when you cruise?

The typical cruise insurance policy covers a wide range of circumstances that can go wrong in conjunction with a vacation at sea — both before and during the sailing.

For starters, policies often will reimburse you for the cost of canceling a cruise due to a last-minute crisis. They will also often cover costs related to an interruption of a cruise (maybe your ship breaks down, requiring you to fly home mid-voyage ). These two elements are known as trip-cancellation and trip-interruption insurance, and they are bundled into a typical travel insurance policy.

Some policies will also cover out-of-pocket costs related to a flight delay or cancellation that results in you missing your cruise departure (for instance, the cost of catching up to the ship at its next port). Expenses related to baggage delays and loss are often covered as well.

But perhaps most importantly, many travel insurance policies will cover medical expenses you incur while on a cruise. Some will even cover the cost of evacuating from a foreign destination if you are in the midst of a medical crisis.

Travel insurance giant Allianz Global Assistance reports that 53% of all cruise-related "billing reasons" for claims are because of illness for the insured person, while 14% are for an injury. Another 8% are for the illness of a family member, 4% for the death of a family member and 4% for the illness of a traveling companion, among other reasons.

Those percentages include illness and accidents that happen to cruisers just before a trip, making travel impossible. But, in many cases, such claims result from illness and injuries that occur during voyages.

"People often take risks during vacation that they might not take back home, whether riding a jet ski, zipping around on a motorized scooter in a city they don't know well or hiking unfamiliar terrain," James Page, senior vice president and chief administration officer of AIG Travel, told TPG .

Some policies also cover the financial default of a travel provider. In such cases, if your cruise line goes out of business before you sail, you could get all — or at least some — of your money back.

Cruise travel insurance policies don't cover everything. For instance, standard travel insurers generally will not reimburse you for the cost of a cruise you cancel due to worries about an outbreak of an illness. That's true even if a U.S. government agency such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a recommendation that you don't cruise due to an illness outbreak, as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic .

If you want the ultimate flexibility to cancel for such a reason or any other, you'll want to look into a more expensive cancel for any reason travel insurance upgrade.

Related: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance policies

Where to find a cruise travel insurance policy

You can buy a travel insurance policy directly from your cruise line when booking your trip or through your travel agent (if you're using one, which often is a good idea when booking a cruise). You also can go directly to a third-party travel insurance provider or a travel-insurance aggregator site, such as InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance . Your credit card might even give you some travel protections.

Here's what you need to know about each type of cruise travel insurance.

Third-party insurance companies

Third-party insurance companies that specialize in writing travel insurance include AIG Travel, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance and American Express Travel Insurance.

One reason to use a travel agent or a travel aggregator: They can help you find a policy that offers added coverage specific to cruising.

Related: The Points Guy's guide to the best travel insurance companies

"Many plans now offer benefits that will specifically appeal to cruise travelers, such as missed connection, missed port-of-call and cruise disablement coverage," Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com, said.

Missed connection coverage reimburses cruisers for a set dollar amount if they need to rebook travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed port-of-call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call due to weather, a natural disaster or a mechanical breakdown.

Cruise disablement coverage pays a benefit if the traveler is confined on a ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restrooms.

As noted, policies vary widely. It's a good idea to compare plans and make sure the one you buy has the elements that are most important to you. One size doesn't fit all.

Credit cards with travel benefits

Some premium credit cards offer valuable travel protections comparable to what you might get from a standard travel insurance plan. For example, the travel insurance provided when you pay for travel with select cards can reimburse you for expenses if your baggage is damaged, you're stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation, or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, offers trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency medical coverage and even medical evacuation coverage , among other benefits. And yes, cruise lines are considered common carriers just like airlines.

If you're planning to rely on a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express * (among others) for travel insurance, just be sure to recheck your card's benefits and limits carefully against regular travel insurance. You must pay for at least part — and sometimes all — of the trip with that credit card to take advantage of its protections.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Find out if your credit card protection includes travel accident insurance or covers preexisting medical conditions, and figure out when it will pay you back. Other questions to ask: What are the coverage limits? Will you have to pay for a foreign hospital bill upfront and then seek reimbursement later?

Cruise lines

Cruise lines often ask consumers booking a cruise to buy the line's own protection at the time of purchase. If specifics about the coverage are lacking, always ask the line for details in advance, review coverage perks and limits; then, compare those to one or two independent travel insurance policies or your credit card's insurance benefits.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Cruise line travel insurance policies sometimes have quirks. Many cruise companies will only offer a travel voucher or credit for future use in the event of a covered cancellation, not an outright refund.

Also, financial default may not be a covered event in a cruise line-sold policy, but it's typically covered with plans from third-party travel insurance companies.

Cruise line policies also can be more restrictive.

"Cruise line insurance seems to have become better and has more widespread coverage than in the past, but it typically won't cover air or pre- and post-travel [arrangements] unless those elements are purchased through [the line]," said Debra Kerper, a Cruise Planners travel adviser from Carrollton, Texas, who books travel and sells private insurance. "This is when private insurance coverage becomes so very important."

How much does cruise insurance cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 8% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for a travel insurance policy. That's a wide range, we know, but it reflects the wide range of products out there.

You'll also find some basic plans that cost even less than 4% of your trip expenses, while some super-premium plans that cover just about any conceivable issue can cost as much as 12% of your trip expenses.

Related: What's included in your cruise fare?

All reputable insurance companies will offer a "free-look period" during which you can receive a 100% refund on your premium. This allows you to review the policy you've selected and return it for any reason within the period allotted — usually for a small administration fee of less than $10.

Under normal circumstances, you don't need to purchase a so-called "cancel for any reason" add-on to your cruise travel insurance policy unless you really need the flexibility. The upgrades are significantly more expensive.

You can receive a quote and purchase a policy online in minutes with any credit card. Although you may think travel insurance should code as "travel" when paid on a credit card and thus be eligible for bonus points on certain cards, that isn't always the case. Your points earnings will depend on the individual underwriter's merchant code. When in doubt, expect the purchase to fall under the insurance category for earnings.

Should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

Whether you buy travel insurance is a personal decision that will depend on many factors. Would you be willing to absorb the loss of canceling a cruise on short notice due to an illness or accident? Could you afford an evacuation flight from a far-off port if you suddenly became seriously ill? Only you can answer those sorts of questions.

Here are some things to consider as you make that decision.

You might not be covered by regular medical insurance while cruising

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling internationally (which will be the case for most cruises), you may find that most private medical insurance plans in the U.S. won't cover you.

Additionally, Original Medicare only covers people traveling outside U.S. borders in limited circumstances.

While certain Medicare Supplement Plans do have some foreign emergency medical benefits, not all do. Be sure to talk to your Medical Supplemental Plan provider to see if you're covered, what's covered, what the limits are and how the bill is paid.

Also note that, in some countries (particularly those in Central and South America), travelers may not be discharged from a hospital until their bill is paid in full.

Related: Trip wrecked: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

Plus, if you have a medical incident overseas, you could find yourself stuck in a shared hospital room without air conditioning or a private bathroom. The level of care may not be what you expect.

"For people traveling internationally, it's crucial to know beforehand where to go for any treatment … and how they're going to pay for that treatment," Page said.

Getting evacuated for a medical condition is expensive

Most airlines won't accept seriously ill passengers, those carrying bulky medical equipment or those requiring a full medical team.

Even a low-cost weekend getaway on a cruise to the Bahamas out of Miami can turn costly if you suffer a serious accident or illness requiring medical treatment or an emergency medical evacuation.

Related: Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, medical centers or hospitals?

Being flown back to the U.S. from a far-flung overseas location in a private, medically equipped aircraft, with a professional medical team on board, can run between $70,000 and $180,000, according to Mike Hallman, president and CEO of Medjet, a medical transport membership company.

"Domestic transports, which we cover as well, can cost upwards of $30,000," Hallman said.

Without proof of medical evacuation coverage, foreign providers will also want that money upfront. Hallman said that regular travel insurance will typically get you to an acceptable overseas hospital and even to a higher-level care facility if "medically necessary." Alternatively, medical evacuation coverage means you can fly home to your own hospital, doctors and family — without claim forms, cost caps on transports or surprise bills.

The tandem approach — buying both travel insurance and a separate medevac transport membership — is a good option, Hallman said.

"We always recommend travel insurance, as it covers trip interruption, which is important, as well as medical coverage for the hospital and treatment costs," he said. "We pick up where they leave off."

You can't predict the weather

Cruising is a great way to explore multiple destinations in one trip. But it's good to remember that unexpected delays, interruptions or cancellations due to weather can happen during cruises, particularly during hurricane seasons in places such as the Caribbean and Asia (where hurricanes are called typhoons).

During a typical hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), Allianz pays about 6,000 claims from customers whose travel plans in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. are affected by the storms, according to a spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance USA.

If you're hoping to insure against a storm-related disaster, it's good to buy travel insurance as early as possible. Once a storm or hurricane is named, it's too late to buy travel insurance to cover it.

Of course, cruise lines will move ships away from a weather threat. When the port lineup is adjusted or the cruise shortened, the company will offer the guest an onboard credit, onboard gift or future cruise credit rather than any refund. It depends on the circumstances of that specific voyage. You won't be able to make a claim on your cruise travel insurance policy just for a minor itinerary change .

Related: Everything you need to know about cruising during hurricane season

Costs can mount quickly when things go wrong

Even if the cruise line does provide a full or partial refund or cruise credit for an itinerary change or some other interruption, travelers could have to swallow the cost of other travel elements not purchased through the line. That could include nonrefundable flights , prepaid resort or hotel nights, nonrefundable tour fees and more.

Travel insurance can cover those, plus help with flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss or theft.

If a winter storm causes you to miss your flight to where the ship is boarding , "travel insurance could help you get to the next port to join the cruise, so you don't miss your entire trip," Page said.

In fact, 13% of "billing reasons" for claims to Allianz are for common carrier delays (such as a flight delay), while weather and natural disaster-related claims account for about 3%.

The government probably won't bail you out

While cruise ships have medical facilities, they're usually not equipped to treat serious illnesses. If you experience a serious medical problem on a vessel, you may have to get off the ship in a foreign port to seek treatment at a hospital. In such a case, if you don't have medical evacuation insurance, you may then find yourself stranded in that port awaiting a medical evacuation.

Don't expect Uncle Sam to step in and help foot the bill.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs clearly states the importance of buying travel insurance.

"The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. citizens overseas," the bureau says on the website. "We do not pay medical bills. You should purchase insurance before you travel."

You may need more assistance than you think

If you're injured or become severely ill during a cruise, especially in a foreign country, it may be difficult to access help without the assistance of trained professionals that comes with many insurance plans.

Many travel insurance companies provide around-the-clock assistance with locating overseas clinics and pharmacies, getting to a doctor or hospital, refilling lost or depleted prescriptions, assisting with up-front payments to hospitals, and arranging flight changes so you can get home.

Travel insurance companies also can arrange for an air ambulance, a nurse escort, oxygen and a lie-flat seat on a flight home if your medical condition warrants it.

You want to be careful if you have preexisting conditions

When you cruise, it's important to be fully covered, which means having comprehensive medical coverage that includes any preexisting conditions. Otherwise, if you head into a doctor's office overseas, have any tests completed, or visit an urgent care center or emergency room, you might not be covered.

Here, timing is extremely important. Cruisers seeking coverage of preexisting conditions, as well as cancel for any reason insurance, generally must book within seven to 21 days of the first payment they make for a trip. The timing varies by insurer.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance isn't for every traveler — or even for every sailing. It's not inexpensive. However, it can bring a lot of peace of mind if you're about to head out to sea. Do your homework, compare plans and always assess the risks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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Just got home from our Oceania cruise on the Nautica- Black Sea. The trip surpassed my expectations...Thank you again for your assistance. Your advice on everything, from air arrangements to shore excursions and even choice of cabins was spot on.

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Oceania Cruises Travel Protection Program vs other travel insurance plans.   Is their Protection Program Adequate?

A review of oceania's cruise insurance plan.

A quick review of Oceania's current travel protection program shows several areas of weakness that should be considered when reviewing their plan:

Medical Protection:  only $10,000 of protection.  Granted it's excess over any other insurance that might apply however, many medical plans in the USA either don't provide coverage outside the USA or they restrict coverage because it's out of network.  In addition if you're covered by Medicare you should also know that they don't cover you outside the USA.  $10,000 of coverage is very limited especially if your current coverage doesn't apply.

Emergency Evacuation:  only $25,000 of protection.  That level of coverage might be appropriate if you were traveling within the USA but given the destinations that Oceania offers it is going to be very short in the event of a worse case scenario where actual cost can easily exceed $100,000 for a private air ambulance evacuation.

Pre-existing conditions not covered:  there is no coverage if a pre-existing medical condition causes a medical expense loss or a trip cancellation or interruption claim.  While pre-existing medical condition exclusions are common place, many travel insurance plans offer a "waiver of pre-existing conditions" if you buy the insurance within 10 to 21 days following your first trip payment and you are physically fit to travel on the day you're buying the insurance, and you insure your trip to value.

Better coverage is available.  The earlier you shop for alternative coverage the better off you'll be because most travel insurance plans offer time-sensitive benefits that enhance coverage if purchased early.

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Case 1:   Mr and Mrs Traveler have to cancel their trip due to Mr's pre-existing medical condition.  Because the loss is caused by a pre-existing condition their claim is declined and they have lost the total amount that they paid for the cruise.

Case 2:  Mr and Mrs Traveler are involved in a serious accident during a shore excursion.  Mrs is seriously injured and must be medically evacuated to the nearest medically facility and once stabilized must be then evacuated  to another hospital 500 miles away by private air ambulance with a Doctor in attendance.  Total cost exceeds $25,000 and doesn't include the cost to be returned to the USA. 

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Table of Contents

What is cruise travel insurance?

What does cruise travel insurance cover typically, how much is travel insurance for a cruise, do i need it if i have other travel protections, is cruise travel insurance worth it.

Cruise travel insurance covers the cruise itself, not related travel.

It's usually purchased through the cruise operator, typically before booking.

Check to make sure your credit card doesn't offer similar insurance before buying cruise insurance.

Cruising is one of America's favorite travel experiences. According to a 2021 report from Cruise Lines International Association, an industry trade association, 82% of cruisers will cruise again. As well, 62% of non-cruisers are open to the idea.

And why not? Cruises often give travelers the chance to experience multiple destinations plus enjoy onboard entertainment, activities and dining for a set, all-inclusive price . Cruises simplify budgeting in a year when travel prices have been hard hit by inflation .

But what happens if something goes wrong with your ship, or you can’t make it onboard because of health concerns? Cruise travel insurance might be the answer. It protects your payment and covers you against illness or injury.

Before you pay for a cruise travel insurance policy, here's a look at what it is, how it works and if it's worth it.

Cruise travel insurance is add-on insurance coverage that — just like travel insurance — will reimburse you for delays, interruptions, medical situations or other problems during the cruise.

Depending on which cruise line you're traveling with, you might be able to buy a travel insurance policy when booking your trip (through the cruise line directly) or at a later date (either through the cruise line or separately from a third party).

Protecting travel costs can be a smart money move. A September 2022 survey of 737 past cruisers by InsureMyTrip found that the average trip cost for an insured cruise vacation so far this year is $6,367, an increase of nearly 15% from before the pandemic.

Can you buy travel insurance after booking a cruise? It depends. Some cruise lines require the purchase of a travel insurance policy before the final payment date when charges become nonrefundable. Others require the purchase of coverage a certain number of days before departure. Read the fine print to find out the deadline to purchase and the specifics of its coverage.

Circumstances covered by cruise travel insurance vary by policy and by issuer. Many cruise lines partner with an insurance company to underwrite its policy benefits.

Some common benefits available as part of travel insurance from a cruise line include:

Trip cancellation and interruption . If you cancel your trip or unexpectedly cut it short for an eligible reason, such as severe weather or illness, you'll get back some or all of the upfront costs, depending on the policy.

Cancel For Any Reason . This coverage tends to be more flexible, forgiving and expensive at time of purchase. Policyholders can cancel for any reason not listed in the policy and still receive a portion of their trip cost back, either as cash or as a future cruise credit (assuming they meet other eligibility requirements).

Trip delay . Cruise delay insurance protection protects expenses if your trip is delayed beyond a set number of hours.

Baggage protection . This insures your luggage if it is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed, and gives money to buy necessary items until bags are recovered.

Medical coverage . If you get sick or injured during the trip, the policy covers treatment and related expenses up to a limit.

Emergency evacuation . When emergency evacuation is necessary, the policy covers the transport cost up to a limit.

COVID coverage . If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to COVID, the policy covers the unused prepaid expenses, medical treatment and emergency evacuation, up to policy limits.

When comparing policies, choose a policy that includes all of the benefits, protections and coverage limits that are important to you. While you may be tempted to choose the lowest-priced option, that policy may not have the coverage you need.

We examined cruise insurance prices for a seven-day trip in February 2023 from the U.S. to Mexico. The example traveler was 35 years old, from Georgia, and planned to spend $2,500 on the trip, including airfare.

The average price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $124. These policies didn't include optional add-ons, such as Cancel for Any Reason coverage or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions .

Separately, we looked at five different cruise insurance add-ons for a similar trip. With this option, the average cost of basic coverage was cheaper than a standalone policy at $111.20. Keep in mind that cruise insurance policies offered by cruise lines typically cover the cruise portion of the trip only, but do include some Cancel For Any Reason coverage.

If you already have a standalone travel insurance policy or a credit card with travel protections, you may wonder if you need to purchase a cruise travel insurance policy.

Credit card travel insurance

Many travel credit cards include travel protections such as trip cancellation, interruption, delayed or lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency evacuation benefits. Before buying a cruise travel policy, compare the coverage benefits and limits to determine if you already have coverage with a credit card.

One benefit that cruise travel insurance policies offer that credit cards don't is the ability to cancel for any reason. Although you may not get back 100% of the cruise price, these policies allow you to cancel for any reason and get a portion of the price back as a credit toward a future trip. If the policy is priced low enough, it may be worth buying the insurance offered through your cruise line for that benefit alone.

Travel insurance policy

Standalone travel insurance policies can be purchased to cover one person or a family for a specific trip or multiple trips within a period of time. These policies are available at a variety of price points to meet a traveler's budget. When comparing policy options, you can balance price versus coverage options.

If you're traveling multiple times within a short period of time, it may be more economical to buy a more comprehensive travel insurance policy instead of separate policies for each trip.

Cruise travel insurance can be worth it to address your concerns about traveling and protect your investments. These policies offer numerous protections that will cover your expenses in case your trip is canceled, interrupted or delayed, or if you get sick during the trip.

Before buying this coverage, compare your options against your credit card benefits. You might also shop for general travel insurance policies to see if you can get a better deal than what’s offered through your cruise line.

If you’re not covered by your credit card, cruise travel insurance can be worth the added cost. It will give you peace of mind before setting sail, when signing up for that adventurous land excursion and when clicking "Book" for an expensive vacation in the COVID travel landscape.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Nationwide Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• World Nomads Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance Tips

• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cruise Insurance Companies of April 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best travel insurance coverage that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Best Cruise Insurance Companies

• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
• AXA Assistance USA : Best for Affordability
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Best for Seniors
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance : Best for Expensive Trips
• World Nomads Travel Insurance : Best for Exotic Locations

Compare the Top Cruise Insurance Offers

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Cruise Insurance Reviews

Best cruise insurance overall: nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Affordability: AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA  offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here. 

Best Cruise Insurance for Expensive Trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance  offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Exotic Locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance  has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses.

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience.

Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs.

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

Timing is everything. Purchasing your insurance soon after booking your cruise can often provide additional benefits and ensure you're covered for any early surprises. As you get closer to your trip your coverage options may get more expensive, and certain providers may not be able to offer you coverage.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth is a good place to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

How to Pick The Best Cruise Insurance for You

When buying travel insurance for a cruise, consider the additional risks that are specific to cruising. These include hurricanes and other weather-related concerns, strict cancellation terms, high pre-paid costs of a cruise, and the distance to emergency medical assistance.

To find the policy that's right for you, it's best to compare several different cruise insurance policies based on the pricing and coverage they provide. Remember too that all reputable insurance providers will offer a "free-look period." This allows you to return the policy you've purchased for any reason, within a specific time period, for a full refund.

The most important coverages to look for in cruise insurance are:

• Medical coverage — This coverage will pay for medical bills outside the US. But because treatment can be more expensive while onboard, make sure your policy offers sufficient coverage ($100,000+).
• Medical evacuation coverage — This coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if you become sick or injured during your journey. But an evacuation from sea will be more expensive than one from land. So you'll want to make sure your coverage has sufficiently high limits ($250,000+).
• Missed connection (missed port of call) coverage — This type of coverage will help you catch up to your itinerary if you miss your port of call for a covered reason, like a delayed flight on the way to the airport.
• Coverage for hurricane warnings — With this type of coverage, you don't actually need to be affected by the hurricane. You can cancel and be reimbursed for your trip if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning. If you're cruising anywhere during (or on the tail ends) of hurricane season, this can come in handy. Just note: You can't buy travel insurance to cover a weather event once a storm or hurricane has been named.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) — This is the most comprehensive coverage you can get, as it allows cancellations and reimbursement for pre-paid expenses for any reason. This can be a wise add-on for cruise coverage given the often higher prepaid expenses associated with cruising. See our guide to the best CFAR travel insurance options to learn more.
• Preexisting conditions — This coverage ensures that no known health conditions are excluded from coverage. Obtaining a preexisting condition waiver usually requires purchasing your travel insurance soon after booking your trip.
• Personal possessions insurance — Because of the events and fancy dinners cruise ships hold, you might take more valuable clothing or jewelry with you on a cruise. This type of coverage will insure your belongings against loss or theft while cruising.
• Baggage loss and delay — This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount for essentials if your bags are delayed or if your bags get lost en route.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for cruise insurance coverage. The price will vary depending on factors like your age, your travel destination, and whether you require additional coverage.

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

You can buy your own cruise insurance that isn't offered directly through the cruise line operator. In fact, this could be a better option if you want coverage for your travel to the cruise's departure point, not just for the cruise itself.

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Most cruise insurance includes coverage for missing a departure port, so you should be able to claim for a missed port. Just make sure you check the details of your policy before you file a claim, and before you travel so you know what compensation you're entitled to.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cruise Travel Insurance

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot and SquareMouth.

Policy Types

We look at policy types and offerings, from standard travel protections to adventure sports coverage. We look at the amount of insurance offered

Average Premiums

We compare average premiums per trip. Some companies also offer annual plans, and we compare policies accordingly.

Claims Paid

How frequently do companies pay claims easily and quickly? We check customer reviews and other resources to see which companies honor policies most effectively.

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Travel Insurance Coverage

By powlan , December 31, 2021 in Oceania Cruises

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In light of Covid we just cancelled our March 18 TA Mia/Lis cruise. After cancelling all the air, hotels, house sitters and the cruise itself I called the agency that issued our travel insurance policy They told me that we could extend the policy to cover another trip up until 12/2023. I asked about a refund of the premium. They said that it would have to be for a medical reason and a doctor would have to sign the document. Since "fear" of Covid is not considered a medical reason If we wanted the premium refunded we would have to show that we had tested positive and were under quarantine and as a result couldn't take the cruise.  This last option they were a bit muddy on but since neither myself nor my wife, have or ever had Covid, are triple vaxxed, and have never been tested positive we think that we'll probably go for an extension rather than try for the refund. We don't have CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance. 

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Powlan—You are in the serious penalty phase for this cruise and since  you have no CFAR, its a lot of lost money. I think 75%, about to have gone up to 100% in another week or so. I guess you decided the risk of COVID or just a lousy cruise was just too great and you are just walking away.  Refund of premiums or its transferred use the cheap part. Nice to know they will transfer the premium for two years out.

3 hours ago, powlan said: In light of Covid we just cancelled our March 18 TA Mia/Lis cruise. After cancelling all the air, hotels, house sitters and the cruise itself I called the agency that issued our travel insurance policy They told me that we could extend the policy to cover another trip up until 12/2023. I asked about a refund of the premium. They said that it would have to be for a medical reason and a doctor would have to sign the document. Since "fear" of Covid is not considered a medical reason If we wanted the premium refunded we would have to show that we had tested positive and were under quarantine and as a result couldn't take the cruise.  This last option they were a bit muddy on but since neither myself nor my wife, have or ever had Covid, are triple vaxxed, and have never been tested positive we think that we'll probably go for an extension rather than try for the refund. We don't have CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance.   

My wife and I are triple vaxx, and we live in almost isolation. Our cruise is Tuesday. Within the last 24 hours our bodies indicate we have Omicrom. Unfortunately, perhaps the likelihood of this smaller problem for you is about to go away.   

2 hours ago, brittany12 said: You are in the serious penalty phase for this cruise and since  you have no CFAR, its a lot of lost money. I think 75%, about to have gone up to 100% in another week or so

That's incorrect. The OP is on a 10 day cruise that departs in 78 days...in fact when the OP cancelled it was at least 79 days prior to embarkation. The cancellation penalty, while not insubstantial, was 25% of the fare, not the 75% you stated:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/legal/terms-conditions/

DAYS PRIOR TO CRUISE SAIL DATE - CANCELLATION AMOUNT

• 91-120 Days Prior - $250 per person administrative fee++
• 76-90 Days Prior - 25% of Fare
• 61-75 Days Prior - 50% of Fare
• 31-60 Days Prior - 75% of Fare
• 0-30 Days Prior - 100% of Fare

Flatbush Flyer

7 hours ago, powlan said: In light of Covid we just cancelled our March 18 TA Mia/Lis cruise. After cancelling all the air, hotels, house sitters and the cruise itself I called the agency that issued our travel insurance policy They told me that we could extend the policy to cover another trip up until 12/2023. I asked about a refund of the premium. They said that it would have to be for a medical reason and a doctor would have to sign the document. Since "fear" of Covid is not considered a medical reason If we wanted the premium refunded we would have to show that we had tested positive and were under quarantine and as a result couldn't take the cruise.  This last option they were a bit muddy on but since neither myself nor my wife, have or ever had Covid, are triple vaxxed, and have never been tested positive we think that we'll probably go for an extension rather than try for the refund. We don't have CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance.   

Not sure what is your point.

In any case, CFAR applies to the trip cost not the insurance itself. If you read your policy docs, it most likely doesn’t offer refunds if you cancel the cruise.  However, many insurers will allow you to transfer a policy to a future cruise if you have not begun the currently insured trip nor made any pre-trip claims (like coverage of cruise/airline/etc penalty fees for your decision to cancel. So, in most cases, that’s your best outcome.

7 hours ago, powlan said: I asked about a refund of the premium. They said that it would have to be for a medical reason and a doctor would have to sign the document.

I think you misunderstood what you were told. If there were a medical reason substantiated by a physician for cancelling the cruise you would file a claim with the insurer for reimbursement of any cancellation penalty imposed  by the cruise line, not for a refund of your premium.

Under normal circumstances premiums are non refundable after the "free look" period, which typically extends for 10 to 15 days after you purchase the policy. Past that free look the common practice is for the insurer to give you credit toward the purchase of a future policy, which is exactly what occurred in your case.

7 hours ago, powlan said:  we think that we'll probably go for an extension rather than try for the refund. We don't have CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance.   

better than losing you money 😉

2 hours ago, njhorseman said: That's incorrect. The OP is on a 10 day cruise that departs in 78 days...in fact when the OP cancelled it was at least 79 days prior to embarkation. The cancellation penalty, while not insubstantial, was 25% of the fare, not the 75% you stated: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/legal/terms-conditions/   DAYS PRIOR TO CRUISE SAIL DATE - CANCELLATION AMOUNT 91-120 Days Prior - $250 per person administrative fee++ 76-90 Days Prior - 25% of Fare 61-75 Days Prior - 50% of Fare 31-60 Days Prior - 75% of Fare 0-30 Days Prior - 100% of Fare

I'm on the same MIA-LIS, March 18th cruise (with no plans to cancel.) Final payment date was extended to 60 days prior, January 17th. Cancellation penalties waived until then.

16 minutes ago, jazznruby said: I'm on the same MIA-LIS, March 18th cruise (with no plans to cancel.) Final payment date was extended to 60 days prior, January 17th. Cancellation penalties waived until then.

Just occurred to me though...if OP already paid in full prior to extension, is there a cancellation penalty??

We have until January 17 which is 60 days prior to what would have been our departure on March 17 which allows us to cancel without penalty. We have that communication, in writing from Oceania and several people on this board. Actually, it's not on this board but rather on the Oceania Roll Call board.

25 minutes ago, jazznruby said: Just occurred to me though...if OP already paid in full prior to extension, is there a cancellation penalty??

Only paid $750/pp which they or may not keep as an administrative fee. Probably not. As JAZZNRBUBY mentioned, Oceania changed their cancellation policy to from 90 days out to 60 days out. They don't even have our credit card.

Just spoke with Oceania (2x). It was 90 days to cancel without penalty but on December 6 they changed their policy to 60 days. They also emailed this to the travel agents.(which is how we found out at first) They also stated that they would refund the full amount of the $750/pp deposit. Regarding getting an insurance premium refund, it is correct that we would have to have a doctor sign off for medical reasons. We had to do it once before for an illness and there was lots and lots of paperwork but our premiums were refunded. I guess the two major points I was trying to make were that Oceania changed their full cancellation without penalty  from 90 days to 60 days and you can switch insurance dates on a trip prior to departure date until 12/2023.

1 hour ago, jazznruby said: I'm on the same MIA-LIS, March 18th cruise (with no plans to cancel.) Final payment date was extended to 60 days prior, January 17th. Cancellation penalties waived until then.

OK...that puts things in a different light. But it still doesn't change the fact that insurance premiums  are  generally non refundable once the free look period has expired. Death or illness of the insured may be an exception to that rule but otherwise after the free look all you can expect to get is a credit towards a future insurance policy purchase.

2 minutes ago, njhorseman said: OK...that puts things in a different light. But it still doesn't change the fact that insurance premiums  are  generally non refundable once the free look period has expired. After that time you get a credit towards a future insurance policy purchase.

Flatbush Flyer - Right you are on both counts. Assuming I'm healthy, the insurance companies generally will not refund their premiums. However, when I called them (insurance company) two different people at two different times stated that if I wrote them an email stating that I wanted an "exemption", because of Covid it's possible they would grant me one and refund the premiums. I figured nothing ventured nothing gained. If they say no then I'll go with the credit towards a future insurance policy purchase. I apologize to all if I've been too confusing but I think my fingers were typing faster than my brain. Oh well, don't hate me.

14 minutes ago, njhorseman said: OK...that puts things in a different light. But it still doesn't change the fact that insurance premiums  are  generally non refundable once the free look period has expired. Death or illness of the insured may be an exception to that rule but otherwise after the free look all you can expect to get is a credit towards a future insurance policy purchase.

Actually, when I asked my insurance broker which happens to be the same that powlan uses, this  question couple of weeks ago, his response is below. I was really wanting to know if same criteria applies if O cancels, since we have no intention of canceling. Awaiting his reply.

2 minutes ago, jazznruby said: Actually, when I asked my insurance broker which happens to be the same that powlan uses, this  question couple of weeks ago, his response is below. I was really wanting to know if same criteria applies if O cancels, since we have no intention of canceling. Awaiting his reply.   If you cancel your trip, and can send us documentation that all trip costs and deposits were refunded to your credit card in full, and you have absolutely no cancelation penalties, and you have not taken a credit for a future trip, we can generally get the insurance company to cancel and refund the policy.  If you have any cancellation penalties for cancelling cruise, tour, airfare, or hotels, or are given a credit for a future trip they will not cancel the plan and refund the premium because of the implications of state insurance laws.      If you received travel credits for a future trip, we can modify travel dates in your insurance to transfer it to a future trip.  Your new trip must start within 2 years from the day you purchased your travel insurance plan.  If you need some time to book, we can leave the policy open and make those changes for you later.     So, powlan, you should try for the refund, or at least get it further clarified by the broker.  

And btw, it was signed by 'President and Founder'.

4 minutes ago, jazznruby said: Actually, when I asked my insurance broker which happens to be the same that powlan uses, this  question couple of weeks ago, his response is below. I was really wanting to know if same criteria applies if O cancels, since we have no intention of canceling. Awaiting his reply.   If you cancel your trip, and can send us documentation that all trip costs and deposits were refunded to your credit card in full, and you have absolutely no cancelation penalties, and you have not taken a credit for a future trip, we can generally get the insurance company to cancel and refund the policy.  If you have any cancellation penalties for cancelling cruise, tour, airfare, or hotels, or are given a credit for a future trip they will not cancel the plan and refund the premium because of the implications of state insurance laws.      If you received travel credits for a future trip, we can modify travel dates in your insurance to transfer it to a future trip.  Your new trip must start within 2 years from the day you purchased your travel insurance plan.  If you need some time to book, we can leave the policy open and make those changes for you later.     So, powlan, you should try for the refund, or at least get it further clarified by the broker.  

OK...my decades of experience in both the insurance and travel industries plus my personal experience as a cruiser who had to cancel a policy say otherwise... but I certainly haven't examined the policies of every insurance company.

No harm in trying .

travelbug2225

@powlan Our cruise is on March 28 after your cruise but my travel agent never said anything about the final payment has been changed to 60 days before the cruise.     We already paid in full. Will we be able to get a full refund if we cancel if the final payment date is change?  If your cruise final payment date is on Jan 17 our should be on January 27. 

She said we book under the promotion that we can cancel up to 48 hours and get 100% future cruise credit but we have to cruise in 2022.  Our friends try to cancel but she not even mention about new final payment date. Or we are out of luck because we paid in full?

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Cruise the world for six months on Oceania's newest ship for around $70K

Oceania Cruises’ newest ship is heading on a world tour.

The upscale cruise line’s 2026 Around the World voyage will take place on its Oceania Vista ship, which launched last year. The 180-day journey will take guests to 101 ports in 43 countries, and the ship will have all the trappings of a state-of-the-art vessel − a novel combination for the line.

“We always as operators considered the world cruise itinerary best used for older tonnage,” Frank A. Del Rio, the line’s president, told USA TODAY. “There was always this mindset that your newest and best ship had to go towards the … best-yielding itineraries, perhaps in the old days.”

World cruises often take place on older ships .

But in talking with guests, he heard previous Oceania world cruisers express excitement about Vista’s updated technology, open spaces and expanded onboard programming (particularly handy on the many sea days of a longer voyage).

What is a world cruise? It's not a 'shoot-from-the-hip decision'

When the cruise opened for bookings earlier this month, Del Rio said, the line saw record bookings. “We've never taken that many inquiries for a world cruise ever,” he said.

The response also speaks to “where our base guest is at in terms of further exploration.”  

But it’s not too late to book. Here’s what travelers can expect from the cruise.

When is Oceania’s 2026 Around the World voyage?

The 1,200-passenger Vista will sail round trip from Miami on Jan. 6, 2026. The line also is offering a slightly longer 197-day version beginning Dec. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles or a shorter 120-day voyage starting in San Diego on March 7.

Story continues below.

Where will the cruise sail?

Guests will spend six weeks cruising around South America, followed by visits to Mexico and California. The sailing will continue with stops at South Pacific islands, including Moorea and Bora Bora, before heading to Australia.

There, guests will visit marquee ports such as Sydney and lesser-visited destinations like the Whitsunday Islands. Del Rio said that while Vista is bigger than Oceania’s typical world cruise vessel, “she’s still of a good size where we can still get into a lot of the smaller ports and definitely offer a better array of ports” than larger ships.

Southeast Asia, India, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and the Nordic region will follow before the trip winds down along the U.S. East Coast, with final visits in New York and Charleston, South Carolina.

The itinerary features 11 overnight stops , including in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Papeete on Tahiti and Phuket in Thailand, giving guests extra time to explore.

How much does the cruise cost?

Available staterooms start at $68,099, according to Oceania’s website . The fare includes meals on board, Wi-Fi, an $8,800 shore excursion credit per stateroom and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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This Luxury Cruise Line Is Putting Its Best Ship on a 180-day World Cruise — and It Visits 43 Countries and 81 World Heritage Sites

Oceania Cruises is pulling out all the stops for its newest trip around the world.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

The company recently announced its 2026 world cruise, which is scheduled to visit an astonishing 101 ports in 43 countries, over 180 days.

What’s more, Oceania will offer this epic trip aboard its newest ship, Vista , a 1,200-passenger vessel that launched in 2023. That’s a major change for the industry, which typically operates super-long world cruises using older ships.

“It’s a very unconventional idea,” said Oceania president Frank A. Del Rio, in an interview with Travel + Leisure . “We never thought of putting Vista towards a world cruise.”

Del Rio said his perspective changed after talking to guests aboard Vista last year. The ship, which was the line’s first new vessel in more than a decade, is also one of the largest in the Oceania fleet — which in turn means it has more space, more amenities, and even bells and whistles like a pickleball court .

“All of our guests really like this ship,” Del Rio explained. “They said, ‘If you put Vista on a world cruise, maybe we can talk.’”

The result of that informal survey is the 2026 trip, a six-month odyssey that will start in Miami, circumnavigate South America, cross the Pacific Ocean, and spend extended time in Australia and Southeast Asia. The voyage then continues to India and the Middle East — current plans call for visits to Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — before transiting the Suez Canal. The final few months of the grand voyage take in the Mediterranean Sea and the British Isles, before an Atlantic Ocean crossing brings Vista back to Miami.

“It’s just an awesome itinerary,” Del Rio said, pointing out that the trip takes in an eye-popping 81 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. “We try to mix it up as much as possible.”

While many world cruisers are retirees who have the time — and budget — to make the trip, Del Rio said Oceania has had some early interest from younger guests.

“People are seeing that this is the most effective way to see the world,” explained Del Rio. “You're starting to hear people in their fifties and sixties say, ‘I'm selling everything and I'm going to spend the rest of my life on a cruise.’”

Or, at the very least, 180 days.

Rates for Oceania’s 2026 world cruise start at $58,000 per person.

Oceania Cruises offers free pre-cruise hotel stay on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has announced that it will offer guests a free pre-cruise hotel stay on a range of sailings throughout late 2024 and 2025. The offer means that curious travellers will have the convenience of arriving a day before their cruise embarkation as well as the opportunity to delve even further into the departure port on their itinerary before relaxing in the comfort of Oceania Cruises’ small, luxurious ships.

This valuable offer is available on 33 destination-immersive sailings exploring far-flung locations such as Brazil, the Canary Islands, Japan, Singapore, Bali, and New Zealand on incredible, destination-rich itineraries ranging from 11-day explorations to an expansive voyage of 35 days. The offer is available for reservations made between April 1, 2024, and May 31, 2024, giving guests ample time to choose their next bucket-list cruise.

With this generous offer, travellers can start their cruise vacation with an extra measure of comfort and ease. During the free pre-cruise hotel stay, they might choose to spend more time meandering through the Ginza District of Tokyo, admiring the breathtaking views of Table Mountain in Cape Town, or immersing themselves in the colourful, sun-soaked culture in Rio de Janeiro before venturing to their next destination.

“This exclusive free pre-cruise hotel stay gives our guests the opportunity to start their journey even more relaxed and experience some of the world’s great cities in a deeper and more authentic way,” commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “We know that our guests revel in immersing themselves in the local lifestyle, and our destination-focused approach makes spending more time in enriching cultures, experiencing mouth watering cuisines, and embracing iconic cities even easier for our valued guests.”

Available on more than 30 voyages, the offer extends across itineraries exploring Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, South America and beyond.

A sampling of featured voyages with free pre-cruise hotel include:

November 14, 2024 – Astounding Australasia, Singapore to Auckland: Spend more time meandering through the Gardens by the Bay and savour a Singapore Sling before setting sail for Jakarta aboard Regatta, and then exploring Bali, Papua New Guinea, and Australia before disembarking in Auckland.

January 27, 2025 – Exotic Atlantic Shores, Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town: Soak up the sun and the culture in Brazil’s most vibrant city before departing aboard Insignia to explore this exotic continent, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and landing in Namibia before disembarking in Cape Town.

February 14, 2025 – Tropics of the Far East, Tokyo to Singapore: Spend an evening marvelling in the bright lights of the Ginza District, watching Tokyo’s bustling scene come alive, before embarking on Riviera to venture south exploring Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, ending in Singapore.

May 22, 2025 – Africa Navigator, Cape Town to Barcelona: Pass the time in Cape Town on Boulders Beach with its resident penguins or between the colourful buildings of the Bo Kaap District before starting Nautica’s African exploration, calling at Namibia, Angola, São Tomé and Principe, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and a selection of ports in Spain before disembarking in Barcelona.

June 23, 2025 – Outback & Island Pearls, Bali to Papeete: Experience the lush countryside of Bali or settle in with a sundowner on the beach before stepping aboard Regatta and venturing to Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa before ending the cruise in Tahiti.

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WHAT’S COVERED, COSTS, AND TIPS ON FINDING THE BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR YOUR NEEDS

March 28, 2024 | 3 min read.

Travel insurance can be an overwhelming expense to consider atop an already costly vacation. Admittedly, even as a seasoned travel industry professional with three decades of globe-trotting under my belt, I have a moment of pause each time I’m confronted with this. Ultimately, I almost always purchase some travel insurance coverage, especially when it’s a complex international trip. It’s primarily motivated by my aging parents—heaven forbid anything should happen to them—and wanting a safety net to return home at a moment’s notice without incurring massive out-of-pocket costs. This parental paranoia is just a small piece of the greater solace that travel insurance can provide, says AAA Tour Product Manager Randy Osborne. “Everyone can benefit from travel insurance,” he says. “The unexpected happens. It can provide peace of mind and reduce stress during a traumatic situation, as well as a contact to call when traveling abroad.” Osborne has seen it all. He works directly with AAA Travel Advisors and AAA’s preferred travel insurance provider, Allianz . It’s a vantage point that continually provides him with real-life cautionary travel tales. “I’ve never heard of anyone who needed and used travel insurance regretting having purchased it,” Osborne says. He says the biggest mistake people make is this: “Not getting it at all.” Here are some key things to keep in mind when navigating travel insurance   

IT’S A FINANCIAL SAFETY NET FOR YOUR VACATION INVESTMENT There is no “one-size-fits-all” travel insurance plan, says Osborne, since available plans will be based on the trip cost, vacation destination(s) and age of the traveler(s). Most comprehensive travel insurance plans, however, will include varying degrees of coverage for the following:

• Trip Cancellation: This is a predeparture benefit that provides the ability to recoup travel costs if you cannot travel. It’s typically limited to specific reasons covered in the plan. Osborne advises understanding what these covered reasons are upfront when reviewing plan options.
• Trip Interruption: This helps if you need to cut your trip short. Covered reasons typically include an illness or injury during the trip, or a family emergency at home—which, as mentioned earlier, has always been this author’s primary motivator to purchase travel insurance.
• Travel Delays: This helps to cover expenses if your travel is delayed due to a covered reason. Osborne advises understanding what constitutes a “travel delay” within the travel insurance plans you are considering.
• Medical Expenses: This helps to cover unforeseen medical expenses while traveling to destinations where your U.S.-based health insurance may not work. “Frequently, the biggest covered amounts are for medical,” Osborne says.
• Emergency Evacuation Coverage: This typically helps to cover the cost of transportation (plus related medical services and supplies) to a medical facility if you’re seriously injured or ill. The best plans will provide up to $1 million per person for medical evacuation. This can seem high, but evacuation costs can exceed tens of thousands of dollars, especially if you’re traveling to a remote destination.
• Baggage Loss or Delays: This helps to recoup costs for lost luggage, as well as damaged or stolen baggage while you are on your trip.

COMPARE PLANS

In some cases, such as when booking a cruise or a guided group tour vacation, the travel provider may require you to purchase a certain level of travel insurance before you can join the excursion. In these situations, representatives often have options that allow you to bundle travel insurance into the cost of the vacation at the time of booking. Even if this is the case, however, Osborne says it pays to shop around and compare travel insurance plans to see if there is a policy that better suits your needs.   

Most travel insurance companies, including Allianz Insurance, have easy-to-use websites that highlight several levels of travel insurance for your trip. These quotes can be used as baselines for building upon or removing elements. Gather a few online quotes, then speak over the phone with a representative to customize.    

SEEK PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

Allow a AAA Travel Advisor to guide you through the process and identify a travel insurance policy that works for your needs, risk tolerance, and budget. The best part: This service is free.

PURCHASE EARLY FOR THE MOST BENEFITS

You’ll get the best and most comprehensive coverage if you purchase travel insurance within the first 14 days of making a trip deposit. (That clock starts ticking once you put a down payment on any part of the vacation.) The biggest benefits include:  

• Trip Cancellation: The earlier you buy travel insurance, the sooner you are protected—even before you step on that plane, train, or cruise ship. “Often I get calls from travelers who didn’t expect to need insurance and then have a [medical] diagnosis before travel that prevents them from going,” Osborne says.
• Better Trip Cancellation Coverage Options: Many travel insurance companies offer more covered reasons for trip cancellation if you purchase it within 14 days of making an initial trip deposit.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: If you have a pre-existing medical condition, most travel insurance will not cover medical situations due to this condition that arise during your travels— that is, unless you purchase comprehensive travel insurance coverage within the first 14 days of making a trip deposit.

ASSESS MEDICAL COVERAGE CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION

Most U.S.-based health insurance plans won’t offer medical coverage on non-U.S. soil. Even if you have outstanding health insurance, it may not be very helpful during an international vacation where unexpected medical and health issues arise. This is certainly the case if you’re traveling to more remote areas with limited medical facilities or your vacation includes high-risk excursions and activities. Osborne says it’s important to understand whether travel insurance you’re considering offer primary or secondary medical coverage, and to assess which is best for you.   

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or chronic health problems, medical coverage is an especially critical piece of the policy to scrutinize, Osborne says. He recommends consulting a travel insurance specialist so that you are covered accordingly.

UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NOT COVERED IN THE POLICY It’s easy to focus on what’s included when comparing trip insurance plans. Osborne recommends paying close attention to what is excluded from coverage, too.

Case and point: I recently read about a couple who booked a return flight home after their original flight had been cancelled. When the couple filed a claim with their insurance provider to recoup this cost of this new flight, they learned that this specific scenario was not covered under the policy. (The flight was cancelled due to crew not arriving on time, and the airline was able to rebook the couple on a less-desirable flight home, which the couple declined.)

Clearly understanding the exclusions—and this could be achieved with a simple phone call to the insurance provider’s customer service—could have prevented this financial oops. BE

Find An Agent

AAA Travel Advisors can provide vacation planning guidance to make your next trip unforgettable. Find a Travel Advisor       

CAREFUL RELYING ON CREDIT CARD TRAVEL INSURANCE Just as you should not rely on your U.S.-based health insurance to cover you while traveling internationally, it’s wise to not make assumptions about a credit card that offers travel insurance as one of its perks. Osborne advises reviewing the credit card’s travel insurance coverage amount; the medical coverage policy; whether all trip purchases need to be made with that credit card; and if approved claims results in a cash refund or a travel credit.  

   EPIDEMIC AND PANDEMIC COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE The events of 2020 turned travel on its head, and also impacted the travel insurance industry. As a result, travel insurance companies evolved and most now offer epidemic and pandemic coverage options. “Having coverage for quarantine is at the forefront of people’s minds now,” says Osborne, pointing to the out-of-pocket costs that came with many travelers having to quarantine in a vacation destination when Covid-19 was at a peak.    BUDGET FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE The average cost of travel insurance is 5% – 6% of your trip costs, according to Forbes Advisors’ analysis of travel insurance rates. If you’re planning an international, bucket-list vacation—and want to protect your investment in the unfortunate event that things go sideways—it’s wise to keep this cost in mind when creating your trip budget. “As much as we don’t want to think about the unexpected, things happen and having the coverage you need when you need it can be a huge benefit,” says Osborne. “If you need it, you will never regret having it.

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The 8 best alaska cruises for families.

Plan your next family vacation to explore the boundless beauty of the 49th state.

The Best Alaska Cruises for Families

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

A cruise to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime family or multigenerational vacation. With unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventures that you won't find anywhere else in the world – not to mention scenic cruising days on the ship to spend time together – this special experience will stay with you forever.

For an extended vacation in the 49th state, consider booking a cruisetour. This combined cruise and pre- or post-cruise land tour option is offered by many of the larger cruise lines. The tours visit some of the top attractions in the state , such as Denali National Park and Preserve, and often include picturesque rides into Alaska's remote wilderness aboard the Alaska Railroad. Some tours also head north to Fairbanks and visit Kenai Fjords National Park or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (or both, in some cases). You can choose between fully escorted adventures or laid-back options to explore on your own, depending on what works best for your family.

Ready to book your Alaska adventure? These eight cruise lines offer excellent family-friendly excursions ashore , plus plenty of onboard activities to keep both kids and parents entertained during days at sea.

Find your perfect cruise

Princess Cruises: 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay

Departure city: Vancouver, British Columbia

The 2024 cruise season brings Princess' 55th-anniversary sailing to The Great Land, and the line is offering more than 150 Alaska voyages between April and September. The popular Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay itinerary northbound from Vancouver to Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska , is available on dozens of dates this season on Grand Princess , Royal Princess or Sapphire Princess . The sailing includes stops in the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as scenic cruising in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and College Fjord in Alaska. If you prefer a smaller ship, choose Grand Princess or Sapphire Princess, which hold 2,610 and 2,680 passengers (double occupancy), respectively. Meanwhile, Royal Princess accommodates 3,560 guests at double occupancy.

The Princess Cruises North to Alaska program features immersive, family-friendly opportunities to learn about the history and traditions of the 49th state. Guests can sample fresh local seafood and meet famous Alaskans such as Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile Iditarod dog race. In Skagway, families can meet some of the newest sled dogs and their handlers during Puppies in the Piazza on the ship. Younger cruisers and teens can participate in the Alaska Explorers Youth Program in partnership with Glacier Bay National Park and the Discovery Channel, which includes activities like the "Deadliest Catch" Crab Sort Challenge.

The North to Alaska program also partners with Discovery and Animal Planet to feature onboard exhibits about Alaska, as well as curated excursions like the White Pass Rail Bennett Lake & Yukon Adventure in Skagway, which was created by a train historian. Back on the ship, kids and teens can hang out with other young cruisers their age at Camp Discovery's Treehouse (ages 3 to 7), Lodge (8 to 12) or Beach House (13 to 17). In addition, be sure to keep an eye out for Princess Cruises' Alaska mascot: Stanley the Bear. You might even find him during story time at the kids clubs wearing a captain's uniform or destination-themed costumes, such as lumberjack gear in Ketchikan.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Alaska – Dawes Glacier, Juneau & Ketchikan

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Departure city: Seattle, Washington

This seven-day round-trip voyage from Seattle is available on Norwegian Bliss from April to September during the line's 2024 Alaska season. The sailing includes the ports of Sitka, Juneau , Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan (Ward Cove), plus scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier in Alaska. There's also an evening stop in Victoria, British Columbia , before disembarking in Seattle. Norwegian Bliss can carry 4,004 passengers at double occupancy and 4,266 passengers at maximum capacity.

The entire family will enjoy excursions like the Whale Watching & Bear Search tour in Icy Strait Point, while thrill-seekers of all ages will want to book an adrenaline-pumping ride down the mountain on the massive ZipRider zip line. In Ketchikan, take a hike through Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the U.S., where you might catch glimpses of wildlife like black bears or bald eagles. You can also head offshore from Ketchikan aboard the Aleutian Ballad, the famed ship from Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch," to pick up the day's bounty of king crab and search for marine wildlife along Alaska's Inside Passage.

Plenty of family activities and entertainment options are offered on this Norwegian Cruise Line ship, including the Bliss Speedway, a two-level racetrack at sea; laser tag; mini-golf; an interactive aqua park with waterslides that zip above the side of the ship; a video arcade; and live entertainment. You'll also find kids clubs designed for younger children and teens , as well as adults-only escapes like Vibe Beach Club and Spice H2O. When it comes to dining, there's no shortage of casual fare for hungry kids at venues like the Garden Café buffet, American Diner and The Local Bar & Grill.

Disney Cruise Line: 7-Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

Matt Stroshane | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

This seven-night itinerary aboard Disney Wonder departs round-trip from Vancouver on several voyages throughout the 2024 Alaska season, which runs from May to September. The weeklong Disney Cruise Line sailing includes glacier viewing along the Stikine Icecap and stops in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. Plus, you'll enjoy plenty of Disney fun on board, with character meet-and-greets, Broadway-quality shows, and entertaining activities and venues for kids and adults alike.

Many of the ship's nautical-themed staterooms are designed with families in mind and feature a "split bath" concept and extra under-bed storage for suitcases. Disney Wonder can hold 1,750 passengers at double occupancy and 2,700 passengers at maximum capacity. The ship's unique rotational dining venues include an "under the sea" adventure at Triton's, a dinner show with Disney characters at Animator's Palate and Southern specialties with jazz music at Tiana's Place. For a night out sans kids, adults can savor a quiet evening with northern Italian cuisine at Palo or nosh on casual pub fare at Crown & Fin Pub. Younger sailors will find age-appropriate spaces at Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab, tween venue Edge, and teen club Vibe.

Disney's excursions also offer family fun ashore – especially in Skagway. Try panning for gold with Disney characters like Donald Duck, then feast on baked Alaska salmon at Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp. You can also take an extended six-hour tour by boat into Alaska's deepest fjord, Lynn Canal, then hike through the rainforest to reach your canoe for a wilderness safari at Glacier Point. For a bucket list splurge, reserve a spot on the helicopter flightseeing tour that includes dog mushing on the Denver Glacier with a team of Alaska sled dogs.

Holland America Line: 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Holland America's Koningsdam will sail the line's seven-day Inside Passage itinerary more than 20 times between April and September in 2024. This round-trip voyage embarks in Vancouver and includes multiple days of scenic cruising. You'll sail through the Inside Passage for two days; through Tracy Arm Inlet, where you can disembark for a shore excursion; and through Glacier Bay, where the Junior Ranger Program is a highlight for kids. The ports of call on this itinerary are Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska.

Koningsdam features dedicated family staterooms with beds for up to five guests, two bathrooms and extra closet space. The ship carries 2,650 guests at double occupancy and 3,194 passengers at maximum capacity. A wildlife expert on the ship helps guests spot Alaska's incredible marine and land animals through announcements and during daily programs. Keep an eye out for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, moose, brown bears and other wildlife. While in the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, you'll want to take the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer excursion to explore glacier-covered mountains, jagged cliffs and the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S. surrounding the fjord. On a high-speed catamaran, you'll get up-close views of the Sawyer Glaciers and have potential sightings of harbor seals, bears, mountain goats and more.

Back on board, Holland America Line 's kids club offers supervised, age-appropriate activities for young cruisers ages 3 to 17 – including children who may need certain accommodations. You'll also find plenty of family-friendly options for dining on Koningsdam, including Lido Market, New York Pizza and the poolside Dive In grill. During the cruise, look for themed evenings in the Lido Market like salmon bakes or seafood boil pop-up dinners, which are in line with Holland America's commitment to serving certified sustainable and traceable Alaska seafood. An Alaska brunch is also offered once during the voyage in the main dining room; you'll enjoy dishes highlighting ingredients from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Royal Caribbean International: 7 Night Alaska Adventure Cruise

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Hop aboard Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas for the seven-night Alaska Adventure Cruise, sailing round-trip from Seattle . This itinerary is available on several dates between May and August 2024 and features stops in the towns of Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau, plus scenic cruising in Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier in Alaska. There's also an afternoon call in the Canadian city of Victoria. While there, book an off-roading excursion through the coastal rainforest that includes a zip line adventure. Or, take a self-guided tour through Victoria's famed Butchart Gardens and the tropical Butterfly Gardens filled with wildlife.

Quantum of the Seas – which holds 4,180 passengers at double occupancy and 4,905 passengers at maximum capacity – is one of the two larger Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska in 2024 (Ovation of the Seas is the other). As such, it offers abundant activities and entertainment for families at sea. On board, guests can experience Ripcord by iFly (the only skydiving simulator at sea) and take in snow-capped mountain views from the FlowRider surf simulator or atop the ship's rock climbing wall. Other onboard activities include bumper cars, an escape room, an arcade, pickleball and The Silent Party (a dance party where everyone wears headphones).

At mealtime, kids will have plenty of choices for casual and quick bites, from carefully crafted hot dogs at the Dog House and specialty pies at Sorrento's Pizza to around-the-clock snacks at Café Promenade and grab-and-go fare at The Café@Two70. When the little ones want to play or chill out with kids their age, Adventure Ocean offers activities for children 3 to 12 years old. Meanwhile, teens can meet other 13- to 17-year-olds at the Hideout Hangout.

Carnival Cruise Line: 7-Day Alaska from Seattle, WA

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Departure city: Juneau, Alaska

Carnival's 2024 Alaska season runs from May to September, with the 7-Day Alaska from Seattle itinerary available every month during that time. The round-trip sailing aboard Carnival Luminosa stops in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. You'll enjoy scenic cruising in Victoria and through Tracy Arm Fjord. You'll also have one "fun day at sea" to check out the activities and entertainment on the ship, which offers a double occupancy capacity of 2,260 passengers and a maximum capacity of 2,826 passengers.

Younger sailors ages 2 to 11 can join in on ocean-themed games, songs and programming at Camp Ocean, while tweens and teens (ages 12 to 17) can participate in destination-focused activities at See the World. Club 02 is a designated space for guests ages 15 to 17 to watch movies, play sports and video games, and more. Families can enjoy Dive-In Movies together at Carnival Seaside Theater and watch live musical productions at Playlist Productions. When it comes to dining on Carnival , families will have a choice of several casual restaurants to satisfy finicky eaters, including Pizzeria del Capitano, The Carnival Deli, Lido Marketplace and Swirls for soft serve ice cream. For a special night out, make reservations at the Steakhouse, which costs extra but offers reduced prices for children 11 and younger.

When going ashore, Juneau offers many family-friendly excursions – some of which you may not have the chance to experience anywhere else in the world. The Taku Lodge Feast & 5-Glacier Seaplane Discovery takes guests airborne by bush plane over the five glaciers in the Juneau Icefield. After the ride, you'll land in the Taku River at the historic Taku Lodge, which sits across from Juneau's largest glacier, the Taku Glacier. At the lodge, you'll feast on a bountiful meal featuring homemade side dishes and one of the best-known local seafood specialties, Alaska king salmon.

Celebrity Cruises: 7 Nights Alaska Hubbard Glacier

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's seven-night Alaska Hubbard Glacier itinerary is available on nine voyages between May and September 2024. The Celebrity Solstice (which holds 2,852 guests at double occupancy) sails round-trip from Vancouver and stops in the ports of Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska. You'll have two days of scenic cruising in the Inside Passage and around Hubbard Glacier. While in Icy Strait Point, book a guided nature walk excursion along the "Trail of the Bears" in the bush country of the Spasski River Valley. During your search for Alaska's coastal brown bears, you'll also learn about the Tlingit culture and community in Hoonah, and perhaps even see Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles.

Back on the ship, Celebrity's Camp at Sea program entertains children, tweens and teens ages 3 to 17 with four different age-appropriate programs: Shipmates (ages 3 to 5), Cadets (ages 6 to 9), Captains (ages 10 to 12) and Teens (ages 13 to 17). The customizable activities change every cruise and are based on the interests of the participants. Celebrity also offers autism-friendly activities and services for families on board.

When it comes to dining options on the ship, families will find kid-friendly selections on the in-room dining menu and at the main restaurant. For quick casual fare, head to the buffet-style Oceanview Café or to the Mast Grill for burgers and other grab-and-go bites. If you want healthier dishes, the Spa Café offers homemade energy bars, acai bowls, turkey wraps and other light choices.

UnCruise Adventures: Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise

Courtesy of UnCruise Adventures

If you prefer a small-ship cruise experience without the bells and whistles of some larger vessels, UnCruise offers adventure-style cruises to Alaska on its fleet of safari- and expedition-style ships. With these intimate cruises, you and the kids (ages 8 and older) can get up close to glaciers, wildlife and Alaska's vast wilderness directly from the ship via Zodiacs and kayaks. You may even see wildlife from a short distance away along the shoreline, as UnCruise vessels are able to sail into smaller waterways that are inaccessible to larger ships.

The line's Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise features two full days in pristine Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve aboard the Wilderness Discoverer, which holds a maximum of 76 passengers. Here, guests can hike along remote coastlines amid old-growth forests, view sea life up close and go birding at South Marble Island. You'll also have the opportunity to see several tidewater glaciers, go kayaking in the Keku Islands and explore Neka Bay on Chichagof Island. Another highlight is a visit to Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove, the only hotel accommodations in the 3.3 million-acre national park. The seven-night itinerary departs round-trip from Juneau and is offered between April and September 2024.

The full itinerary includes stops in Icy Strait and Neka Bay; Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve; Chichagof Island (which boasts the world's largest population of brown bears per square mile); Frederick Sound; and Tracy Arm and the Sawyer Glaciers. During the weeklong cruise, you'll have narration by expert onboard guides and embark on some of the most memorable adventures your kids will ever have in Alaska's remote wilderness.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship, including the newest megaships, traditional masted sailing ships, river ships in Europe and a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica. She has cruised to Alaska and visited The Great Land in the summer, fall and winter, and journeyed to remote areas by bush plane above the Arctic Circle. She used her knowledge of Alaska cruises and extensive research to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• Alaska Cruise Packing List: Must-Have Items
• The Best Time to Cruise to Alaska
• The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises
• The Best Alaska Cruise Lines
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Top All-Inclusive Family Resorts

Tags: Travel , Cruises

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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More From Forbes

How to save money on travel insurance if you’re over 60.

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Getting travel insurance when you're over 60 can be hard. Here's how to make it easier.

Dave Dzurick likes to play it safe when he travels, so he shops around for travel insurance. But lately, he's noticed that the policies have gotten more expensive.

"Each year past 60 seems to increase travel insurance rates," says Dzurick, a retired broadcast engineer from Tucson, Ariz.

It's not just his imagination.

"Age is the crucial underwriting factor in determining trip cancellation and medical assistance risk for the insurance provider," explains John Rose, the chief risk and security officer of ALTOUR .

Age is more important than ever in travel insurance

You would expect something like age-based pricing to be a constant in the travel insurance industry, but not necessarily. Some group travel insurance policies don't consider age. But a shift is underway.

Last year, when Travelex Insurance Services launched its new line of travel protection plans , it called out one enhancement: competitive age-band pricing, which bases its rates on each traveler’s risk level.

"We’re responding to the coverage and benefits our partners and travelers want," notes Brooke Kirby, Travelex vice president of marketing.

In other words, the rate you pay for travel insurance will be more closely aligned with your age than ever. That's good news if you're young. But if you're over 60, it can present a challenge.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid travel insurance plans, what is age-band pricing in travel insurance.

Rhonda Abedsalam, vice president of Travel Insurance at AXA Partners US , says age-band pricing is a mechanism designed to align prices with the real risks associated with each age group.

"It provides a fair and balanced approach to travel insurance," she says.

Specifically, this method offers younger travelers access to more affordable options, preventing them from bearing the brunt of a one-size-fits-all pricing strategy. She says older travelers who are looking for lower rates can choose plans offering minimal coverage for a cost-effective solution.

"We always advocate for choosing a plan that balances affordability with comprehensive coverage," she says.

That's a position the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) agrees with. When I asked about age-band pricing, a representative advised me that it’s important to understand the plan you are purchasing — what is and isn’t covered — and the level of medical expense and medical evacuation limits offered.

"Never purchase based on price alone," says Robert Gallagher, USTIA's president.

Your travel insurance rates may vary

Pricing travel insurance based on age makes sense, say experts.

"There's a higher risk for claims, primarily due to health concerns," explains PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care .

How much more expensive? Consider medical insurance. A 65-year-old U.S. citizen, for example, might pay $9 a day for international travel insurance with a $1 million coverage limit. On the other hand, an 85-year-old American might pay $31 a day for that same insurance policy, according to Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

"Fortunately, there are more affordable options for seniors who are more budget-conscious," he says.

How to lower your travel insurance rates if you're over 60

"The easiest way to lower your costs would be to Benjamin Button it and get younger," jokes Michal Wieczorek, global client relations and intelligence specialist at Insured Nomads .

Seriously, though, he says choosing higher deductibles and lower medical maximums can cut your insurance costs. He says some insurers specialize in benefits for older travelers but cautions buyers to be careful.

"Read the fine print, because certain benefits may decrease or be eliminated above certain ages, especially things like accidental death and dismemberment and evacuation benefits," he adds.

There's a difference between retail travel insurance and group insurance, adds Dan Skilken, president of Tripinsurance.com.

"Retail travel insurance policies are price-sensitive based on age, trip cost, and the length of the trip," he says. "Commercial policies sold through cruise or major tour companies are generally not priced based on age."

In other words, sometimes older travelers can get a better price going through the cruise line or tour operator for travel insurance. But here again, buyers need to be careful, he adds, since some of those policies may lack essential coverage.

How one customer saved money on travel insurance after age 60

Dzurick says he's not deterred by the higher rates because he knows the value of travel insurance.

"For me, one way to save on travel insurance is to get a separate medical rider covering only the basics," he says.

A bare-bones policy would cover only essential items like medical care when you're abroad and emergency evacuation, but would omit some of the other features of travel insurance like coverage of lost luggage or trip interruption.

There's another method Dzurick likes. He checks with his employer-provided insurance to see if it will offer coverage.

"My former employer recently changed insurance plans for retirees, and it turns out the new policy provides coverage worldwide," he says. "So there's no need for any additional coverage."

Some travel insurance companies offer reduced coverage for older travelers. For example, INF has policy maximums up to $250,000 for policyholders who are older than 70 to ease the concerns of travelers.

"You can also take a fixed benefit option which offers lower payments, but still has evacuation benefits," notes Rao.

Cronin says there are budget-friendly options for U.S. seniors traveling outside the U.S. He likes Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Insurance and Atlas Travel Medical, both of which offer affordable options for seniors traveling to the U.S.

Another travel insurance hack: the two-policy option

Another way to get affordable coverage with a decently high policy maximum if you’ve aged out of the coverage you prefer is to purchase two travel medical insurance plans, according to James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy .

"Each plan is considered secondary to the other, and they can share the load for claims involving large medical expenses," he explains.

For instance, a plan offering $250,000 worth of coverage may not be in the budget for your age group. But two plans offering $100,000 worth of coverage each might be.

"Just keep in mind that each plan must be from a different insurance company," he adds. "You can’t just purchase two of the same plans."

Pro tip: If you decide to go down this road, work with an experienced travel advisor who knows how two insurance policies would work together.

Other ways to save money on travel insurance if you're over 60

There are other ways to save money, according to Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA .

Consider an annual travel insurance policy

Purchasing an annual travel insurance policy can be a smart choice for those who have more than three trips planned in a year, says Durazo. Unlike a one-trip plan, an annual plan protects all of your trips in a 365-day period, which can save you money, rather than insuring each trip separately. Annual policies are sometimes offered at a flat rate, meaning your cost may not increase with age and trip cost.

Buy a plan that includes more

For example, some travel insurance policies include children at no additional charge. That includes Allianz’s OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier, both of which cover children aged 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Focus on trip cancellation benefits for U.S. trips

Durazo says trip cancellation benefits may cover the cost of canceling your trip if you encounter a situation covered by your policy. These benefits can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute for a covered reason. They're among the most frequently used benefits for U.S. trips (often, medical expenses are covered by your health insurance plan).

Get a plan with post-departure benefits if you're going abroad

Post-departure benefits can kick in as soon as you begin your trip. They can include coverage for travel delays, baggage loss or damage and baggage delay, according to Durazo. It can also include emergency medical and emergency transportation benefits, which are highly recommended for overseas travel.

Age-band pricing is more pervasive than ever in travel insurance. If you're headed somewhere this summer, make sure you know all of your options before you buy a policy.

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Alaska is home to more than 30,000 grizzlies, but the state’s cruise industry is experiencing anything but a bear market as momentum of last year’s record-breaking season is expected to continue in 2024.

Looking at the most-visited Alaskan port as a proxy for the ship-shape southeastern side of the state, Juneau set a new mark a year ago with 1.65 million passengers descending on the capital city during cruise season, which generally runs from early April to late October. That figure from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce is a Danali-sized jump of 30% compared to the previous mark set in pre-pandemic 2019.

Coinciding with Alaska’s 65th anniversary of statehood, the upcoming cruise season appears to be just as robust with 19 cruise lines sending 43 ships to the Last Frontier. Kicking things off for the second straight year is the 4,008-passenger Norwegian Bliss, which is scheduled to dock in rustic Skagway on April 8. With four mainstream-category ships homeported in either Seattle or Vancouver, Norwegian Cruise Line ( ncl.com ) has nearly 100 more after that. Impressive, but two competing companies have staked out larger claims in this modern-day, maritime Alaskan gold rush; Holland America Line ( hollandamerica.com ) is sending seven premium-class ships for 141 total cruises, and at the top of the totem pole is Princess Cruises ( princess.com ), which is celebrating its 55th year in these waters with seven premium ships sharing 158 departures.

Not counting grand voyages with itineraries so rich that they make a visit to Alaska seem more like a pitstop, this cruise season will see more than 800 trips of mostly seven to 10 days starting or ending on this side of the Pacific. Where they’re all going is a destination rich in unparallel wilderness, wildlife and native culture. In other words, bucket list stuff.

“Alaska is one of those places that draws you in and sets the hook right away,” said Kristi Switzer, destination marketing manager for Travel Juneau ( traveljuneau.com ). “Visitors come for the otherworldly experience of being in the presence of glaciers and fjords, seeing whales and bears, and finding the balance of Alaska Native cultural heritage with the rustic sophistication found in the capital city and other places within this magnificent state.”

Although Switzer recommends visits lasting several days instead of several hours, the city’s destination evangelist hopes that a partial day in Juneau and each major Alaskan cruise port has over 1.5 million passengers wanting more.

“This magical corner of the world has so much to offer beyond being a checkmark on people’s bucket lists,” she said. “Make time to enjoy the fascinating culture, spectacular outdoor recreation, unique shopping, amazing restaurants and artist galleries that Juneau and all of Southeast Alaska have to offer.”

Alaska is a checkmark for about three-quarters of all passengers headed there, according to the Alaska Tourism Industry Association, and the same can be said for two ships this season.

Starting with a six-day sail out of Vancouver on May 11, the namesake of Celebrity Cruises’ ( celebritycruises.com ) popular Edge class will make her Alaskan debut with weeklong roundtrips from Seattle through Sept. 13. The 2,918-passenger vessel features a unique “outside-in” architecture that provides more floor-to-ceiling glass on the exterior and expanded outdoor spaces to soak up the Alaskan coastlines.

Edge will be joined by a pair of fleet mates for the season, albeit Summit’s seven-day roundtrips are turnarounds out of Anchorage or Vancouver and Solstice’s weeklong jaunts are solely based in the British Columbian seaport. Celebrity, a premier-category cruise line, meaning it’s between the economical mainstream class and pricy luxury level, has 57 departures to Alaska scheduled this year.

The other new recruit is Silver Nova, the youngest Silversea Cruises ( silversea.com ) ship in the luxury fleet to ever service Alaska. Capped at 728 guests, Silver Nova was launched last year and has the goods to do justice to a dreamlike place that captures the imagination of wilderness lovers and history buffs.

“Silver Nova is the ideal ship for Alaska cruising,” said company spokesman Brad Ball. “Her innovative design, which prizes openness over symmetry and incorporates an unprecedented use of approximately 4,000 square meters of glass, immerses guests into the incredible scenery of Alaska from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn.”

The ship’s reimagined pool deck, which overlooks the water on her starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues — the Dusk Bar and the Marquee — allows unique openness to view spectacular Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Those who want to experience an older and smaller Evolution-class Silversea vessel can book the Silver Muse, which also will sail mostly seven- to 14-day trips between Anchorage and Vancouver.

Because nearly every Alaskan cruise includes the staples — Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, and Denali with a land add-on — some cruise lines like to shake things up with unique itineraries.

Holland America has a roundtrip that makes it easy to visit the 49th and 50th states without a long flight. A new “Glaciers & Volcanos: Alaska to Hawaii” cruise, part of the premium line’s Legendary Voyages collection of journeys from 25 to 59 days, departs on Aug. 31 from Seattle or Sept. 1 from Vancouver aboard the 1,916-passenger Westerdam. The near-four-week-long itinerary includes seldomly visited Kodiak and Dutch Harbor before heading down to the tropics to make four calls to three Hawaiian islands.

Seabourn ( seabourn.com ) strives to offer a more tasteful Alaskan cruise and not only because it’s an ultra-luxury cruise line. “Caviar on the Ice” is a savory and swanky soiree on every Alaskan voyage, and when the 450-passenger Odyssey is in Sitka, a town originally built by Russian traders in the early 1800s, Seabourn guests can enjoy a culinary adventure that includes a scenic drive to a taproom for a sampling of local brews and a few eateries to try Siberian-rooted pelmeni dumplings and a hot dog made with caribou that the locals call “reindeer dawgs.” Sorry, vegetarians and friends of Santa, but Blitzen on a bun is da bomb.

Carnival Cruise Line ( carnival.com ) is staying with a three-ship deployment in Alaska this season. Sharing the workload of 55 roundtrips generally lasting seven to 11 days are Carnival Spirit (2,610 passengers) and Carnival Luminosa (2,260) out of Seattle, and Carnival Miracle (2,667) from San Francisco. Another mainstream cruise line, Royal Caribbean ( royalcaribbean.com ), has four ships making 85 runs to Alaska from Seattle, Vancouver and Anchorage: Ovation of the Seas, (4,905) and older sister Quantum of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas (2,543) and Radiance of the Seas (2,466).

Disney Cruise Line ( disneycruise.com ) is sending its 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder out of Vancouver for 15 week-long roundtrips, one five-day spin leaving on July 24 and an extended nine-day voyage on July 15.

Other cruise lines showing passengers a whale of a time in Alaska include Crystal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Lindblad/National Geographic, Oceania, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas and Viking.

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