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Best Cruise Travel Insurance of April 2024

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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 cruise insurance plan that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Our top picks for the best cruise insurance

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for affordability: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

How we rate cruise insurance companies »

Best overall: Nationwide

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 for affordability: AXA

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 for seniors: Seven Corners

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 for expensive trips: HTH Worldwide

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 for exotic locations: World Nomads

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. The best travel insurance plans will provide flexibility to add coverage options to fit your travels needs.

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 we reviewed cruise insurance plans

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.

How much does insurance cost for a cruise?

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.

When is the best time to buy cruise insurance?

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.

Can I buy my own cruise insurance?

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.

What is the difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

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. 

Can I claim for missed ports on a cruise?

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.

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Best Cruise Travel Insurance Plans of February 2024

(Updated Feb 2024) Here are the best plans to cover your cruise, plus everything else you need to know about cruise travel insurance

Looking for the best cruise travel insurance for your upcoming trip?

Your search ends here. Our complete guide features the best cruise travel insurance plans. But we’re not just going to give you a travel insurance for cruise recommendation. We’re going to walk you through everything else you need to know about insuring your cruise. You’ll learn about the various types of coverage – including trip interruption coverage, medical emergency coverage, and much, much more.

Cruises are one of the most insured types of trips because this style of travel comes with unique risks. In fact, over 75% of cruisers buy travel insurance for their trip, versus about 40% of travelers in general.

What are these cruise-specific risks? You might have connecting flights to catch the departing ship. Your cruise could be during hurricane season. When you’re on the cruise you will be far from hospitals. Cruise companies also have strict cancellation rules. These policies put your trip expenses at risk if you need to cancel. This is the beauty of purchasing cruise travel insurance – you gain peace of mind knowing that in a worst case scenario, you aren’t out the thousands of dollars you spent on the adventure.

Before we unveil the best cruise insurance companies and plans of the year, we want to talk about the type of coverage we recommend you get.

Criteria for cruise travel insurance coverage

I recommend the following standards for choosing a plan, and will expand on each at the end of the guide. These criteria are mandatory for my picks:

• Trip cancellation includes Covid coverage
• Emergency medical includes Covid coverage
• Emergency medical coverage is $100,000 min.
• Medical evacuation coverage is $250,000 min.
• ‘Cancel for any reason’ available

I recommend the above criteria, and my picks meet these standards. The following criteria are good to have if possible. I factor these into my choices:

• Hurricane & weather cancellation coverage includes NOAA hurricane warnings
• Hurricane & weather coverage triggers at 12 hours or less
• Itinerary Change coverage included
• Missed Connection coverage included

Now, we’ll talk you through the importance of various types of travel insurance coverage for cruises later on. Right now, we’re excited to unveil the best cruise insurance plans of the year for travelers just like you. We’ll start off with a recommendation for most travelers:

Best cruise travel insurance for most travelers

This is my top cruise plan based on the criteria above, individual plan features, and cost. Below I have also selected a best plan for families and seniors. All recommended plans are from A.M.Best Rated reputable companies that specialize in travel insurance.

What makes this the best overall plan? This plan covers hurricane warnings, while many plans don’t. It has missed connection coverage to help you “catch up” to your ship. It has itinerary change coverage if unexpected changes happen. It has the option for Cancel For Any Reason coverage, which has become very popular since Covid. Finally, it is fairly priced so you get good value for the money.

• Covid covered for sickness cancellation and emergency medical
• $100,000 Emergency Medical (Primary)
• $1,000,000 Medical Evacuation
• Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available if purchased within 21 days of first trip payment
• Weather coverage includes NOAA hurricane warnings
• Travel Delay after 12 hour common carrier delay
• Includes itinerary change coverage
• Very good Missed Connection coverage $2,500/person after 3 hour delay
• Great for: Best overall plan. This plan has cruise-specific coverage like Missed Connection, Itinerary Change, and hurricane warning coverage that makes it stand out.

Example quote $232 (includes all travelers): For the above plan, the example trip includes 2 travelers (45, 45) on a 7-day cruise with airfare, with a total trip cost of $3,500).

Best cruise insurance for families

This is the best cruise insurance for parents traveling with children. Families will have extra concerns to consider, and this plan covers families better at a good price. Again, all recommendations are from reputable companies that specialize in travel insurance.

What makes this the best plan for families? This plan covers hurricane warnings, while many plans don’t. It covers school year extension for cancellations, for something like extra school to make up for snow days. It has missed connection coverage to help you “catch up” to your ship. It has the option for Cancel For Any Reason coverage, which has become very popular since Covid. Finally, the pricing is very good when traveling with children under 18.

Worldwide Trip Protector

• Travel Delay after 6 hour common carrier delay
• Missed Connection coverage $500/person after 3 hour delay
• Unique family-friendly coverage for cancellation if your school year is extended unexpectedly.
• Very good value, the sample quote below is under 4% of the trip cost– well below average
• Great for: Families concerned about delays, Travel Insured has a generous delay trigger and high coverage.

Example quote $224 (includes all travelers): For the above plan, the example trip includes 4 travelers (45, 45, 12, 10) on a 7-day cruise with airfare, with a total trip cost of $6,500).

Best cruise plan for seniors

• Pre-existing conditions covered
• Great for: The best overall pick is also great for senior travelers. The pricing is competitive in this higher premium bracket, plus it covers pre-existing conditions

Example quote $938 (includes all travelers): For the above plan, the example trip includes 2 travelers (70, 70) on a 14-day cruise with airfare, with a total trip cost of $9,000).

How much does cruise travel insurance cost?

In general, travel insurance costs between 4-10% of your insured trip cost. I chose the policies above because they met the criteria listed. The plans also had unique individual coverages and were well priced.

Here is a summary of the cost of travel insurance from the examples above:

• Best Overall Plan – TravelSafe Classic 6.6% of the trip cost
• Best Family Plan – Travel Insured WTP 3.4% of the trip cost
• Best Senior Plan – TravelSafe Classic 10.4% of the trip cost

Why is the “family” plan such a low percentage of the trip cost? Because there are more travelers the cost of the trip is spread between all travelers, and therefore the risk per traveler is reduced. This reduces the insurance company’s risk exposure.

How much travel insurance do I need for a cruise?

As we covered at the top of the page, I recommend minimum levels of emergency medical and evacuation coverage. Due to the nature of cruise trips, these higher levels provide adequate protection:

• Emergency medical coverage $100,000 min.
• Medical evacuation coverage $250,000 min.

Requirements by cruise line

With cruise lines operating again, many require unvaccinated travelers to buy medical coverage to board the ship. These are the requirements of the cruise lines and I believe they are too low. But, the cruise lines are requiring this to protect themselves.

Royal Caribbean: Travelers must have $25,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $50,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.

Carnival Cruise Line: Travelers must have $10,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $20,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.

Disney Cruise Line: Travelers departing from Florida must have $10,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $30,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.

What expenses can I insure?

Travel insurance covers your pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses . This includes airfare to your port of departure, hotel at the port of departure, the cruise fare, shore excursions, organized tours, or event tickets. It is important to spend a few minutes to gather all of your trip costs to make sure you don’t miss anything. If the expense is not included in your insured trip cost, you will not be covered.

What does cruise insurance cover?

Finding the best cruise travel insurance means finding the right coverage. Every trip is different, and cruises come with their own list of risks.

Protection before you leave

Trip Cancellation Insurance This protects your trip cost if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason. The most common reason people cancel is someone getting sick right before the trip. It also covers death in the family, hurricane & weather, house fire, quarantine, jury duty, terrorism, and more. The medical issues also apply to family members, so a parent getting sick and needing your care would be covered.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage Upgrade The list of covered reasons for cancellation includes most common situations. But, that list cannot include everything. Cancel For Any Reason insurance extends your cancellation coverage to “everything”. You need to cancel at least 48 hours before departure and insure your full trip cost. You also buy in time (usually within 10 days of your first trip payment). All the above best cruise travel insurance plans have CFAR as an optional upgrade.

Protection while at sea

Emergency Medical Coverage This covers expenses for emergency medical treatment while on your trip. Your insurance from home may not cover you when you leave your home country.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage This coverage pays for medical transportation . It includes an ambulances to the hospital, an airlift from a remote location, or a medical flight back home.

Primary medical coverage Having Primary coverage for medical emergencies is better than Secondary coverage. It means the plan will pay first, without needing to use any other insurance you may have. With a Secondary coverage plan you would need to use any other coverage you might have first. Then you would use the travel insurance coverage. You’re covered either way, but having Primary coverage makes it easier to file a claim.

Protection throughout your trip

Travel Delays This covers extra expenses caused by travel delays . For example, a few extra nights in a hotel, meals, or personal items.

Baggage Loss, Theft, or Damage This covers your baggage not only on your flight, but on your entire trip. It will reimburse you for personal items and luggage if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip.

Baggage Delay If your baggage is delayed in reaching your destination, you might need extra cloths or personal items. This coverage reimburses you for these expenses.

Covid-19 Cruise Insurance: How is coronavirus covered?

The pandemic remains a concern for all travers, especially those traveling with children or elderly parents. The plans above cover cancellations if you get Covid-19. A doctor will need to verify that you cannot take your trip. In this case, Covid is treated like any other sickness for trip cancellation coverage .

The best cruise travel insurance plans also cover Covid for emergency medical treatment. This is important when you travel abroad where your insurance from home may not cover you.

There are many other covered reasons for trip cancellation . These include severe weather, terrorism, house fire, or a death in the family. Getting sick before your trip is the most common.

What makes cruises different than other trips?

Cruises are a different type of travel. To find the best cruise travel insurance, you need to consider some extra risks that are unique to cruises. These include hurricanes and other weather-related concerns, the harsh cancellation policies associated with cruise lines, high pre-paid expenses, and the distance to emergency medical help. We’ll break these issues down more in-depth to help you understand why travel insurance for cruises is so important.

Cruising and hurricane season

Bad weather and hurricanes affect thousands of trips every year. Many cruises go to hurricane-prone destinations, putting them more at risk. Your flight can be canceled or delayed, causing you to miss your boat.

What makes good hurricane & weather coverage ?

Low time trigger for delays – Trip cancellation coverage covers common carrier (airlines) delays of a certain length of time. Some companies set this amount at 6, 12, 24, or even 48 hours. That would mean your flight would need to be delayed for 48 hours before your cancellation coverage would apply. So, the shorter this time, the better for you. I selected 12 hours or less for the criteria.

Hurricane warnings covered – This is not a common feature in most plans, which is why 2/3 of the best plans include it. This extends your coverage because you don’t actually need to be affected by the hurricane, but you can cancel your trip with full reimbursement if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning. Note: you must purchase travel insurance before the storm is named.

Missed connection coverage – This helps you catch up to your itinerary if you miss your departure for a covered reason, such as bad weather or a flight breakdown on the way to the port.

Itinerary Change coverage – This will reimburse travelers for missed events if their travel supplier changes their itinerary.

Cruise lines have harsh cancellation penalties

Cruise companies usually have the most harsh cancellation penalties of all travel suppliers. Hotels would let you cancel up until the day before, and airlines would charge a fee to change your tickets. Cruise lines would have a penalty schedule that put you on the hook for the full expense weeks before departure.

One bright side of the Covid pandemic has been the relaxing of some of these hard policies. To get travelers spending money again, travel suppliers have reduced or eliminated many of these penalties.

Even with these new policies the best you can hope for in the event of a cancellation is a voucher with the cruise line. The downside is they expire. This puts you under pressure to book another trip with the same cruise line in that time frame.

You have high pre-paid expenses

Cruises are sold as package travel experiences. This means costs like lodging, transport, and even meals are combined into a single cost. These expenses are pre-paid and non-refundable. That means you could lose your expenses if you needed to cancel.

You are far from hospitals if there’s an emergency

Cruise ships have medical care on board, but it is not a fully equipped and staffed hospital. If you have a serious issue onboard you want the proper medical care. Serious conditions include a stroke, heart attack, or appendicitis. Off the ship, you are likely in foreign locations where you would want proper medical care.

When should I buy my plan?

My rule: Buy travel insurance within 10 days of your first trip payment.

Some travel insurance coverage is time-sensitive. This means you need to purchase your plan soon after your initial trip deposit . This period of time is different for each company. The lowest is 10 days, and some companies are as high as 30 days.

This is why 10 days is the safest goal for you. No matter which company, 10 days will put you within that time-sensitive window.

What coverage is time-sensitive?

Cancel For Any Reason coverage (also known as CFAR) is an optional coverage with some plans. Every company that sells CFAR requires you to purchase within their time frame. If you try to purchase after this time period, you will not be able to.

Pre-existing condition coverage is time-sensitive. This does not cost extra, but many companies will cover this if you purchase at the right time.

Are these insurance companies trustworthy?

Yes. All companies featured in our review of the top travel insurance for cruises are reputable. You don’t have to take our word for it either – they are regulated by the Division of Insurance.

Zero Complaint Guarantee

Every policy purchased through CoverTrip comes with a unique Zero Complaint Guarantee .

If you are unhappy with how your travel insurance claim is handled, Squaremouth’s team of licensed claims adjusters will investigate your case and mediate with the provider on your behalf. If the complaint is not resolved to Squaremouth’s satisfaction, they will remove the provider from the website and stop selling their policies.

Cruise travel insurance FAQs

Before we wrap up our yearly review of the best cruise insurance companies and plans, we want to answer some frequently asked questions we get on this subject. If you still have questions after reading through these FAQs, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re passionate about helping you get coverage that fits your needs and budget!

Why do I need travel insurance for a cruise trip?

A few reasons. Your pre-paid expenses for your cruise are non-refundable, and you could lose it if you needed to cancel. Cruises often take place during hurricane season, which means more opportunity for a cancellation. Cruises take you far from hospital care in the event of a medical emergency.

Is cruise travel insurance refundable?

Yes. Every travel insurance plan we sell comes with a Free Look period. This means you have a certain number of days to examine your coverage, and still have the ability to cancel for a full refund. This period is different for each company, but 10 days is a safe standard to keep in mind.

What is the cheapest cruise travel insurance company?

Most travel insurance companies have 2-3 plans at different premium levels, following the “good, better, best” pricing strategy. I tend to recommend plans in the middle level because they have great value– the right mix of coverage and pricing. Cheaper travel insurance plans will have lower coverage limits for medical, evacuation, baggage, and delays. They might also be missing some less popular coverages. We have a complete guide on the cheapest travel insurance available if you’re interested.

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Travel insurance covers sudden and unforeseen events such getting sick, a death in the family, a hurricane, theft, a house fire, and more. Therefore, if you already know you will need to file a claim you cannot purchase travel insurance to cover it. The list of exclusions also includes losses as a result of war, professional sports, some hazardous activities, drug/alcohol abuse, etc. Learn more in our in-depth discussion on what travel insurance covers .

Are cruises covered under travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance covers cruises. Some companies market “cruise” plans, which is a collection of coverages that are important to cruise travelers.

Is travel insurance necessary for a cruise?

Yes, sort of. In the past insuring cruises insurance was popular but not necessary. For example, up to 70% of cruisers buy insurance, vs just 40% of regular travelers. But Covid has made travel insurance a requirement in many ports-of-call so it is necessary.

Can you get cruise insurance after booking?

Yes. I recommend you purchase within 10 days of your first trip payment. If you do this, you have the most options and access to coverages like Cancel For Any Reason and Pre-existing Conditions. You can purchase travel insurance right up until departure, but if something happens that causes a cancellation, you need to already have coverage purchased.

Final Thoughts On The Best Cruise Insurance Coverage

That concludes our list of the best cruise insurance plans of the year. You now know which companies and specific plans best suit your needs. More importantly, you recognize the importance of insuring your cruise. Travel insurance in general is important – but even more so when your trip involves a cruise. There are unique risks to this type of vacation that travel insurance covers. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy peace of mind and protection by investing in quality cruise insurance coverage today! And if you want to learn more about comparing travel insurance , read our complete guide. It will help you gain confidence in making your decision.

DamianTysdal

Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.

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Travel Insurance for Cruises

When experienced cruisers are about to set sail, they choose Allianz Travel Insurance to protect their cruise. Why? Because when you’re at sea, small mishaps quickly become major problems. Travel insurance can help make things right.

If the ship sails without you because your flight to Miami was delayed, travel delay benefits can help you catch up. If you break your leg and have to cancel your trip, the cruise line won't reimburse you—but travel insurance can. And if you suffer a medical crisis on board, travel insurance can cover your evacuation and emergency medical care.

Here’s the best part: Allianz Travel Insurance is much more than cruise travel insurance. Our plans can protect your flights, hotel stays, cruise excursions, and just about any other kind of travel. Learn about the options and insure your next cruise, so you can leave your worries at the dock.

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Cruise Line Insurance Plan Comparison

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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The Best Cruise Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is one of the most important things you can get for your trip.

As I’ve come to learn — and as any traveler will tell you — things don’t always go as planned when you travel.

You just never know what will happen .

Sure, nine times out of ten you’ll be completely fine. But every now and then you’ll stumble into an unfortunate situation.

Maybe it’s just a missed flight or a delayed connection. Maybe your wallet disappears while riding a crowded bus. Maybe, like me, you burst an eardrum while scuba diving in Thailand .

Bad things, unfortunately, do happen when you travel. And they can get really expensive if you’re injured or fall sick abroad and are not insured.

But what about if you’re taking a cruise — how does travel insurance work then?

Well, of course, you still need travel insurance if you’re on a cruise, but there are some extra things you’ll want to be aware of.

These include delays and cancellations (such as a flight delay that causes you to miss the ship), getting sick while onboard (we all saw how quickly illness spreads on cruise ships during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic), and getting injured (on an excursion or on the ship itself). Whichever travel insurance policy you choose, make sure you double-check that it’s valid for any of these emergencies and problems that might arise on a cruise.

Also, purchase insurance as soon as you make the initial deposit for your cruise. Some insurance policies must be purchased within a certain time frame (such as within 14 days of paying your deposit), plus, you can only be covered for incidents that happen after your coverage begins. If a hurricane ruins your trip, your travel insurance would only cover you if you bought it before the hurricane formed. Don’t wait to get insurance. I’ve seen it happen too often!

All that being said, here’s everything you need to know about buying travel insurance for cruises!

7 Things to Look for in a Cruise Travel Insurance Policy

1. Both international and domestic coverage – Even if you’re cruising close to home, you may still run into unforeseen issues. For example, in the United States, medical insurance stops covering you when your ship is more than six hours away from a US port; in Australia, it stops as soon as your ship leaves port. For that reason, you’ll want to get a policy that covers you even if you’re in/around your home country.

2. Medical coverage – Be aware that the treatment for less serious medical conditions — the kinds that don’t require you to leave the trip — are more expensive on a cruise ship than on land. Make sure your policy has a sufficient amount of medical coverage (at least $100,000 USD).

3. Emergency evacuation – Remember, if you fall seriously ill when you’re at sea and you need to be evacuated to a hospital, it’s more expensive than if you’re already on land. Evacuation by helicopter to the nearest treatment facility can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure your policy has sufficient evacuation coverage (at least $250,000 USD).

If you don’t want to get stuck in that “nearest” hospital, consider getting Medjet . They are the premier membership program that then gets you all the way to a hospital at home (read more in my Medjet review ).

4. Cancellation, delay, or trip interruption coverage – If you have a flight delay that means you’ll miss the start of the cruise, it’s a lot more difficult to deal with than just arriving late for a land-based trip. Hurricanes or other severe weather events also affect cruises significantly, and you’ll want your insurance policy to take that into account.

5. Activity coverage – Take a look at the shore activities you might participate in during the cruise and check if any need to be mentioned to your insurer, like certain adventure activities or water sports.

6. Theft or loss of personal property – Unlike other kinds of travel, you might be more likely to take valuable jewelry and expensive clothing for some of the fancy dinners and events cruise ships hold. Often a regular travel insurance policy will only cover these items up to a certain value, so check that your belongings are covered against possible loss or theft.

7. Option for Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage – This add-on is not something that everyone will want to pay for (it increases the cost of policies quite a bit). But if you want the ultimate peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to get reimbursed no matter the reason for cancelling your trip, you might want to upgrade to CFAR coverage.  

What is the Best Cruise Travel Insurance?

With so much to consider, it can be hard to decide which cruise travel insurance to choose.

Be aware that while many cruise companies offer their own insurance, the conditions are often stricter, they don’t cover any part of your trip that’s not on the cruise (such as airfare and/or hotels while you’re traveling to the departure port), and you might find it hard to make a claim.

They also rarely pay out in cash (and instead simply provide vouchers for future cruises), tend to have a short list of acceptable cancellation reasons, and rarely cover pre-existing medical conditions. You’re always better off using a third-party insurer.

Whichever policy you decide on, it’s vital that you read the policy details carefully so you know exactly what you are covered for.

The insurers below are some I recommend that have specific cruise insurance policies and offer a decent amount of coverage for a lot of potential mishaps:

Travel Guard Travel Guard has specific cruise insurance policies, which makes it simpler than trying to find an add-on. If you’re getting a quote online, they’ll ask you to specify if you’re taking a plane, a cruise, or both. They cover any emergency travel assistance, trip interruption, delay, and cancellation.

Medical expenses and emergency evacuation are covered, but the maximum amount varies between the essential, preferred, and deluxe plans: the essential plan includes a $150,000 limit on emergency evacuation, which might not be quite enough from some parts of the world, but you can get up to $1,000,000 of coverage on the deluxe plan.

Insure My Trip Insure My Trip is an unbiased aggregator site that you can use to look at many different insurance policies to find the one that best fits your needs. It’s also the best place to find travel insurance for travelers over 65 .

VisitorsCoverage VisitorsCoverage is another insurance marketplace with a specific cruise section that compares different plans, including the popular SafeCruise plan by IMG. This plan is designed for cruise travelers and includes everything you might need, including the add-on for cancel for any reason coverage. Additionally, as long as you purchase insurance by the time you make your final trip payment, there’s a waiver for most pre-existing conditions, too.

Don’t go on a cruise without proper travel insurance. That means being aware and paying a bit more attention than usual to the conditions of your policy. Make sure that any policy you choose covers you sufficiently for medical evacuation, medical treatment onboard, and other mishaps like missed connections, stolen luggage, delays, and cancellations.

And be sure to purchase cruise insurance as soon as you book your cruise so that you can take advantage of cancellation benefits should the need arise.

If you can’t afford to add cruise travel insurance to the costs of your trip, you probably can’t afford to travel. It’s just not worth the risk of coming home with a bill in the tens of thousands of dollars or more if something unexpected goes wrong.

In my experience, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The peace of mind is worth the extra cost.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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All Your Questions About Cruise Travel Insurance, Answered

By Elissa Garay

Rarely does real life make its way into our fantasies of a dream vacation : palm trees swaying in the breeze, expertly plated meals served at whim, toes pointed toward the horizon on a sun-soaked day at sea. That vision doesn't factor in missed flights, lost bags, or medical mishaps. But life has a way of getting in the way, even when you’re trying to get away from it all. Add in an unexpected curveball like the coronavirus pandemic (and the disease it causes: COVID-19)—which has effectively wiped out cruising, for the near future, at least—and things get even more complicated.

In most instances, you can buy peace of mind in the form of a well-tailored cruise travel insurance policy, which industry experts say is nearly always a smart bet. Not only does coverage insure your financial investment in the case of a hiccup, but it can also help with access to quality medical care on the road, as well as reimbursement for any unforeseen expenses that may pop up in the face of such scenarios. In this primer on travel insurance for cruises, we break down everything you need to know so you can pick up a policy with ease—and then get back to planning your eventual lounge on the lido deck.

What does cruise travel insurance cover?

“A cruise vacation has so many moving parts, including the sheer number of destinations you visit, flights, and hotels bookings. Things can go wrong after you’ve made that final deposit, and without travel insurance, you’d likely lose that payment,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of cruise review and community site Cruise Critic .

While specific policies vary in their coverage—you’ll need to review the fine print carefully before you buy—most offer recourse for commonly encountered issues like the need to cancel a trip (for approved reasons like your traveling companion falling ill, or the involuntary loss of your job) or trip delays and interruptions. “If you miss your initial embarkation of a cruise due to a flight delay or a weather event, such as a hurricane or winter storm , travel insurance could help cover the costs of you getting to the next port of call, so you can join your cruise,” says James Page, senior vice president and chief administrative officer of AIG Travel, whose subsidiaries sell policies designed to cover cruisers.

Other potential problems might include the airline losing your checked bags , getting pickpocketed in port, the cruise line canceling your sailing due to weather or mechanical issues—or, as we’ve seen of late, due to not being able to run itineraries in areas affected by the coronavirus. While the cruise line would almost certainly pay out a refund in cases of cancellation or major itinerary changes, other prepaid expenses not purchased through the line directly, such as flights or hotel nights, would be on your dime without a qualifying policy in place. “The biggest tip is to make yourself aware of exactly what your plan will cover prior to purchasing,” McDaniel says.

Weather is not covered unless it results in the cancellation of or significant interruption to the cruise. McDaniel says that you won’t get a refund if the scheduled ports visited on a cruise itinerary are changed due to bad weather. “Skipped ports would not be covered by travel insurance,” she says, in cases of inclement weather.

How is the coronavirus affecting travel insurance?

When it comes to coronavirus , it’s important to know that circumstances like epidemics and pandemics are not typically listed as covered events under most standard cancellation policies. Also worth noting: Preemptively canceling a trip out of fear for your health and safety is never part of a standard policy. Accordingly, while some insurers honored claims associated with the onset of the epidemic, almost none are paying out trip cancellation claims for travel or policies booked after late January (with specific cutoff dates ranging between January 21 and January 27, according to travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth). This is owed to the rationale that once the outbreak became a known event, risk is assumed by the would-be travelers who book.

“However, there are now some providers who do not consider contracting the virus as foreseen, even during a global pandemic like the coronavirus outbreak,” says Kasara Barto, public relations manager for Squaremouth. “In this case, trip cancellation benefits can still apply if a traveler contracts the virus or is physically quarantined and unable to travel as planned."

Economic-woe scenarios, like having to cancel if you are laid off from your job, or if a travel supplier should declare bankruptcy, are typically covered under standard plans. Squaremouth notes, however, that coronavirus-prompted impacts like travel bans and border closures are not usually covered by standard policies, nor are cases of cruise lines canceling a scheduled sailing (in which case, the cruise companies themselves would be expected to pick up the tab for reimbursement, or to offer a voucher for future travel).

Because of these exclusions, industry experts advise that a “cancel for any reason” policy upgrade will offer some level of protection even if your reason for canceling is based on fear of travel alone. With this more expensive insurance, you must meet criteria like purchasing your policy within a set time frame (typically within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit) and you must also cancel your trip at least two days in advance of departure.

Keep in mind, too, that down the road, in the post-coronavirus world, industry insiders forecast that new virus-related policy inclusions will become part of standard policies. “Similar to how the September 11 attacks led to terrorism coverage to be offered standard on most travel insurance policies, we anticipate that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead the travel insurance industry to offer more policies that include coverage for pandemics, which may cover things like CDC alerts, travel advisories, and stay-at-home orders,” Barto says.

Insurance and medical incidents

Beyond trip cancellation, medical incidents while traveling present another major need for coverage, since it’s unlikely that your regular health insurance covers such expenses abroad. Most ships have onboard doctors, but visiting them isn’t cheap nor is emergency medical evacuation in the case of more serious illnesses or injuries. “Without [insurance], your out-of-pocket costs could be astronomical,” McDaniel says.

Shannon McMahon

CNT Editors

Hannah Towey

Page of AIG Travel agrees. “Even a short weekend cruise could turn costly if a traveler has an accident or becomes ill, and requires emergency medical treatment or a medical evacuation from sea,” he says, pointing out that travelers are more prone to injury since they often take risks on vacations—like jet-skiing or hiking on unfamiliar terrain —that they might not take back home. “It’s important to ensure the policy you purchase covers the things you may need, such as pre-existing medical conditions or adventure activities,” Page says.

Specific to the coronavirus, should you contract the virus while cruising, “medical coverage availability will vary per travel insurance provider,” Barto says, noting that a half-dozen insurers were offering such medical coverage as of press time. “While some providers are still providing medical benefits for newly purchased policies, others are only covering medical expenses related to the coronavirus to insureds who bought a policy prior to the outbreak.” Coverage in regards to scenarios like being denied boarding (for registering a fever at port or having recently traveled to a high-risk destination for COVID-19, for instance) or being placed in mandatory quarantines likewise can vary by insurer.

Orlando —based travel agent Kelley Lord is an avid cruiser, with nearly 40 cruises under her belt, and she has taken out a policy for every one of them. It’s proven to be a smart strategy: In 2017 alone, her family had to cancel three separate cruises at the last minute, due to medical issues. “We had a 17-night, port-intensive cruise and Europe trip planned for early June that included expensive flights, prepaid excursions, hotels, and the cruise fare,” she says of one incident. “My husband tore up both of his knees in late May playing kickball at the company picnic and had to have double knee surgery. There was no way we could make the trip.” Thankfully, in that and the other two instances that followed that year, “we filed with our travel insurance and were able to recoup most of the cost of the trip,” she says.

Where to buy cruise travel insurance

While cruise lines usually offer their own insurance policies, experts advise looking instead to an independent, third-party insurer. “Travel insurance policies from independent insurers tend to be more comprehensive than those you might purchase through a cruise line,” McDaniel says. “Cruise line insurance is usually secondary coverage, meaning you’ll first need to file through any private insurance policies [like homeowner’s or renter's] that you have before your travel insurance will kick in. This could mean needing to pay out-of-pocket to start.”

Adds Page: “The advantage of purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy through an insurance provider like Travel Guard is that the comprehensive plans may offer additional benefits, such as emergency medical evacuation, which may not be available under protection plans offered through cruise lines.”

In addition, cruise line insurance can be more limited than you might expect. “Travelers who purchase the cruise line’s policy can only insure expenses purchased directly through that cruise line," says Jenna Hummer, former director of public relations for Squaremouth. "Any outside airfare or expenses would be forfeited in the event of a cancellation.”

You can pick up a policy from your travel agent directly through a reputed individual insurance provider (like AIG Travel Guard or Allianz), or via an insurance comparison site that lets you compare plans from various insurers (like Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip).

How much does cruise travel insurance cost?

The cost of a standard policy is calculated as a percentage of your overall vacation expenses—generally anywhere from 5 to 10 percent of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost, according to data provided by Squaremouth. “The premium varies by policy and provider, depending on three primary factors: total trip cost, age of travelers, and length of travel,” Hummer says. “Older travelers taking long, expensive cruises will most likely be paying more for the same policy as a younger traveler taking a cheaper trip.”

According to Squaremouth, “cancel for any reason” benefits will typically increase a policy’s premium by roughly 40 percent over the cost of a standard policy, and will only cover a portion (up to 75 percent) of the total trip cost’s reimbursement.

When to buy cruise travel insurance

Experts say to buy your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your cruise —that will give you the biggest window of protection should anything arise before you set sail. Hummer says that coverage for preexisting medical conditions is sometimes available at no additional cost from independent insurers—but only if you purchase that policy within 14 to 30 days of your first trip payment.

Remember that you can’t purchase a policy after an event transpires that leads to a claim (say, after you get into an accident and break your leg), but you can purchase standard insurance plans as late as 24 hours in advance of your scheduled departure. As noted before, "cancel for any reason" policies typically must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit.

Though you may never use the insurance you purchase, should an issue pop up, the investment can prove to be of great benefit, both economically and psychologically. Lord says, from experience, “You never know when you will need it, but if you do, you will be so grateful that you have it.”

This story was last published in March 2020. It has been updated with new information.

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Home » Budget Travel » The Best Cruise Travel Insurance – Sail on Safely In 2024

The Best Cruise Travel Insurance – Sail on Safely In 2024

Ahoy me maties! While ordinarily us Broke Backpackers are land-lubbers, from time to time we do like to dip our toes into the waters and take a trip upon the high seas.

And moreover, while us Broke Backpackers are usually, erm, broke, sometimes some of us do manage to cobble together the bucks for a high end luxurious experience; and there are few experiences more luxurious and magical than taking a cruise!

If you’re daydreaming about feeling the ocean breeze in your hair while sipping on a (free) pina colada as you sail from one paradise island to the next, then a cruise may be just what you need.

But wait—before you dive into that pool deck or try your luck at onboard casinos, let’s talk about something less sexy but incredibly vital: Cruise Travel Insurance .  Trust me, when you’re out at sea or gallivanting through multiple ports, the last thing you want is to be caught without adequate coverage.

In this post we will examine why regular travel insurance may not be quite suitable for cruises and we will instead show you some excellent cruise travel insurance providers.

5 Best Cruise Travel Insurers

• > User friendly app based interface
• > Good level of cover on trip interruption and medical evacuation

World Nomads

• > Wide range of activities covered
• > Can buy after a trip has started

• > Flexible cover – no end date and no itinerary needed.
• > Decent medical cover for emergency and non-emergencies

• > Fast reimbursement
• > Good medical and trip interruption coverage

Visitors Coverage

• > Bespoke cruise cover
• > Excellent medical and evacuation cover

What Makes Cruise Travel Different?

Is regular travel insurance suitable for cruises, top 5 best cruise travel insurance companies, faqs about cruise cover, final thoughts on finding the best cruise travel insurance.

All aboard! Now, you probably know that Cruises really aren’t quite like your typical two-week beach holiday or weekend city escape. In some ways, there are more akin to backpacking trips in that travellers are hopping from country to country but really, that’s where the similarity ends.

Remember that on a cruise, you spend a lot of time in international waters where law and regulation can be as blurry as your vision after that third margarita and are often visiting a new country every single morning.

Cruises are also, of course, notoriously expensive. Seriously now, it’s not particularly unusual to pay upwards of $10k for a two-week Caribbean cruise and while that generally does include all food and drink on board, it usually doesn’t cover excursions and organised trips to shore which can sometimes sting passengers for another few G’s. 

For these reasons and many more besides, you need to make sure that you are properly prepared and fully covered and insured when you go a-cruising.

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Because of the unique nature of cruise travel, regular backpacker insurance may often not be appropriate cover.

Perhaps you already have some form of travel insurance policy in place, or maybe you are thinking of using the travel insurance company you used for your last vacation. While regular or more conventional travel insurance might be suitable for your cruise, it might not be. 

In order to help you work out whether “normal” travel insurance is suitable for a cruise, let’s look at some of the major considerations;

• Visiting Different Countries: Most regular policies focus on one country whereas on a cruise, you will be visiting many different ones and spending a lot of time in international waters. If your normal insurer does not cover just one of the countries you visit during the cruise, then you are not sufficiently covered.
• Missing the Boat: A standard “trip interruption” policy may not help if you miss the boat and need transport to meet it again. A cruise-specific plan covers you if you get stuck in one of the ports because you lost track of time or got lost.
• Medical Emergency Support: Having to get airlifted off a cruise liner from the middle of the ocean will prove massively, seriously, weepingly expensive. Normal travel insurance policies may therefore simply not cover it.
• Trip Interruption: With cruises sailing away from a different port in a country every night, the risk of missing the boat increases exponentially and normal travel insurance policies may not cover this.
• Cancellation Policies: If you get sick or have a family emergency a week before your cruise and can’t go, you probably want that $10k back. As such, you need a cruise travel insurance policy that offers the best possible cancellation cover.
• Onboard Treatment: Sprained ankle from onboard salsa dancing? You’ll want that covered too.

Basically, while your regular, go-to travel insurance may be OK, relying on your standard policy could prove to be riskier than a late-night bet at the cruise casino. As such, we think it is worth looking for specialist cruise travel insurers, or at least travel insurance providers who offer a cruise cover package.

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Things To Look For in Cruise Travel Insurance

Let’s recap just what an ocean-bound traveller needs to look for when selecting travel insurance for a cruise;

• All Destinations Covered: Firstly you need to make sure that all countries you will visit on the cruise are covered. You need to be careful and pay close attention here. This is especially critical if you’re stopping at a U.S. territory as many policies do not cover the US or require an additional premium.
• International Waters Covered: You also need to ensure that the policy covers international waters and maritime law.
• Medical Coverage: To be fair, you can get ill on sea or on land. Therefore only consideration here is that you may end up being sent to a hospital in any number of different countries and need to ensure that they are all covered.
• Emergency Evacuation: Evacuations at sea don’t come cheap. There are other aspects of safety involved in travel out on the ocean that are covered by special insurance.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption: If you need to miss the cruise, then it’s a LOT of money down the pan. As such, check that your policy offers robust trip cancellation coverage and covers the full value of your trip.
• Trip Interruption: The big risk here is that you miss the boat at a particular port and need to fly to the next one to catch up with it. Regular insurance policies may not cover this so find one that specifically confirms that it does.
• Onboard Incidentals: Some policies offer quirky but essential features like a “missed port” trip interruption coverage coverage.
• Lost or Stolen Items: Phones and wallets can fall into the ocean, by being stolen from your cabin or pick-pocketed from your person at port (and note that thieves ad gangs specifically target cruise passengers in every single port on earth) As such, make sure that the lost and stolen items cover is adequate.
• Duration of Coverage: Are you a one-cruise wonder or a serial cruiser? Choose accordingly and make sure that the policy covers your whole  trip, including flights to and from home.

Even though travel insurance for cruises is a niche and ‘non-standard’ financial product, there are nevertheless rather a lot of different policies on offer from a wide range of providers.

In fact, there are different travel insurance options out there that choosing between them can prove to be nothing short of overwhelming. However the good news is that we have looked at a LOT of these policies and can wholeheartedly recommend that you start your enquiries by checking out the ones below.

These are our top personal picks for the cruise travel insurance;

Faye is a US based, fin-tech-travel-insurer whose industry leading innovative platform was created to be efficient and user friendly placing an emphasis on resolving claims fast. Users can buy and manage their Faye policy without the need for any paperwork whatsoever by downloading the Faye app.

The app allows them to interact with Faye in real time, and successful claims are paid out almost instantly to travellers’ e-wallets.

While Faye do not offer a specific cruise travel insurance package, their policy does offer the following;

• Medical emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $500k
• Emergency medical expenses up to $250k (Int’l)
• Up to 100% of non-refundable trip costs for trip cancellation
• Up to 150% of  non-refundable trip costs for trip interruption
• Up to $300/day (subject to a max of $4,500 per trip) for trip delays

User friendly app based interface

Good level of cover on trip interruption and medical evacuation

Only available to citizens

Specialised “cruise cover” not available

We’ll go ahead and save you some precious time and energy: World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

World Nomads travel insurance is provided in over 100 countries. And if you leave home without travel insurance or your policy runs out, you can easily buy or extend while on the road – that’s a big bonus!

World Nomads keeps it pretty simple. There are two plans to choose from: the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Depending on your country of residence, age, and travel destination(s), the prices will vary accordingly.

Check out the full list of what is covered under each insurance plan.

Wide range of activities covered

Can buy after a trip has started

Not the cheapest

Currently not available in the EU

SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance offers a flexible and comprehensive insurance option that may be suitable for cruisers. This plan covers a range of on-board activities, including athletic events, and does not require travellers to follow a fixed travel itinerary.

Additionally, it is applicable to a multitude of cruise destinations worldwide (with some country exclusions) and allows individuals to easily sign up even if they are already embarked on a cruise.

While the medical cover and flexibility SafetyWing offers are great, the downsides are that they do not offer the best trip interruption and cancellation insurance . If you end up missing the boat or have to cancel the whole trip, then you could end up out of pocket. Oh, and SafetyWing does not cover anybody over the age of 74.

Flexible cover – no end date and no itinerary needed.

Decent medical cover for emergency and non-emergencies

Very limited trip interruption and cancellation cover.

HeyMondo provides whole-trip travel coverage and care that brings out the best in each journey with industry-leading technology that enables smarter and smoother assistance with faster claims resolutions.

Their app-based travel insurance covers your health, your trip and your gear all via an app that provides real-time proactive solutions, quick reimbursements and 24/7 customer support.

HeyMundo are a great option for cruise guests as they offer medical evacuation of up to $500k as well as excellent trip delay and trip interruption coverage that we will set out below;

• American Citizens :

Trip Cancellation or Interruption: Up to $10,000.

Trip Delay: Up to $3000

Missed- Connection: Up to $750

• The rest of travellers :

Trip Cancellation or Interruption: Up to €7000.

Trip Delay: Up to 1500€

Miss Connection: Up to 1000€

Fast reimbursement

Good medical and trip interruption coverage

Not a cruise cover specialist

Not suitable for seniors

VisitorsCoverage is an insurtech company primarily known for providing travel insurance solutions for international travelers. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company offers a broad range of travel insurance policies catering to various needs, from trip cancellation to medical emergencies.

What makes Visitors Coverage a cracking great choice is that they offer a Safe Cruise policy which is custom-made for cruise travellers. 

All of the major benefits like trip interruption, medical evac and missed connection are there as well as a pretty good Covid-19 coverage.

However, note that this cover is only available to citizens of the US.

Bespoke cruise cover

Excellent medical and evacuation cover

Missed connection limited to $2k

Only available for US citizens

Let’s keep the ball rolling. Here are some frequently asked questions about getting your cruise covered.

Do I really need travel insurance for a cruise?

While travel insurance for a cruise is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Cruises are a significant investment and have unique risks, such as medical emergencies at sea or in foreign ports, and itinerary changes due to weather conditions.

Can I get a refund if I decide to cancel my cruise?

Whether or not you can get a refund for your cruise depends on both the cruise line’s cancellation policy and the type of travel insurance you have. Some travel insurance plans also offer “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage although it’s usually more expensive and may only reimburse a portion of your costs.

Will my travel insurance cover excursions?

Coverage for excursions depends on the specifics of your travel insurance policy. Some plans will cover injuries or illnesses that might occur during shore excursions. High-risk activities like scuba diving, zip-lining, or jet skiing may require an additional “adventure activities” or “hazardous sports” rider.

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Alright, sailor, by now you should be all aboard with why cruise insurance is non-negotiable. So go ahead, book that dreamy Mediterranean or Caribbean adventure, but do it with the peace of mind that only the right kind of insurance can provide.

And remember, the cruise travel insurers we showed you here are just a few of the providers out there. While they are our personal favourites others are out there and if you feel we missed anybody, please let us know in the comments below.

Bon Voyage , or as they say on the high seas, fair winds and following seas!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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The Best Cruise Insurance Plans (April 2024)

Sarah Horvath is one of the home service industry’s most accomplished writers. Her specialties include writing about home warranties, insurance, home improvement and household finances. You can find her writing published through distributors like HouseMethod, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping and more. When not writing, she enjoys spending time in her home in Orlando with her fiance and parrot.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Based on the Marketwatch Guides analysis of over 70 travel insurance policies , Nationwide offers the best cruise insurance plan.

Cruise insurance can help protect your vacation by reimbursing prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you’re forced to cancel. It can also cover additional expenses you incur unexpectedly on a cruise, including emergency medical bills and costs related to baggage loss.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

The Best Cruise Insurance Plans for 2024

Here are our top picks for the best cruise insurance companies:

• Nationwide Travel Insurance: Luxury Cruise
• Faye : Travel Protection Plan
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection : WaveCare ®
• Travelex Insurance: Travel Basic
• AXA Assistance USA:  Gold Plan
• Trawick International: Safe Travels Voyager

How We Picked the Best Cruise Insurance Companies

To recommend the best providers to our readers, we looked for the following factors when evaluating coverage options for cruise insurance:

• Cruise-specific plan options: Our team sought out travel insurance providers that offer cruise-specific plans with coverages not found on standard policies, such as shipboard service disruption coverage, prepaid excursion reimbursement and more.  
• Medical coverage: This protection helps pay for medical care at a local facility if you’re injured on your cruise. Companies with more generous medical coverage limits ranked higher in our roundup. 
• Medical evacuation: We prioritized companies offering higher medical evacuation coverage, which can benefit you depending on how long and far you are from a port while on the cruise ship.
• Coverage maximums: We considered whether a provider offered higher-value coverage options for travelers planning longer trips or opting for an all-inclusive luxury package.
• 70-year-old couple taking a $3,000, seven-day cruise in Mexico
• 65-year-old taking a $1,200, five-day cruise in the Bahamas
• 34-year-old couple taking a $6,000, seven-day cruise in Greece
• 21-year-old taking a $900, five-day cruise in the Caribbean

The Best Cruise Insurance in Detail

Nationwide travel insurance.

Pros and Cons

Cruise insurance highlights.

• Nationwide offers plans specifically for cruises with benefits such as shipboard service disruption, prepaid excursion reimbursement and missed connection benefits.
• Cruise-specific policies include medical and non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Nationwide covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for a covered cancellation and up to 150% of your total costs for trip interruption.

Coverage and Cost

Plans and Coverage

Nationwide offers three cruise insurance plans with varying coverage limits. Each plan also includes missed connection coverage and reimbursements for itinerary changes.

Add-On Options

Nationwide allows you to add the following optional coverages to your cruise travel insurance plan:

• Accidental death and dismemberment
• CFAR coverage (up to 75%)
• Vendor financial default coverage
• Preexisting medical conditions coverage waiver
• Rental car collision coverage

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Nationwide’s average trip cost is $182.17.

*A.M. Best ratings accurate as of July 2023

• Faye provides policyholders with a comprehensive mobile app and 24/7 customer service, a potential benefit for travelers at sea and restricted to internet-based communication.
• Covers medical and non-medical emergency evacuation, with medical benefits capped at $500,000 and non-medical at $100,000.
• Faye’s travel insurance plan treats COVID-19 like any other illness, including any required care under its emergency accident and sickness medical expense coverage.

Coverage and Add-Ons

Unlike most competitors, Faye only offers one travel insurance policy with the following included coverages:

It also includes other coverage that could benefit cruise-goers, such as a passport replacement benefit, up to $200 for in-trip inconveniences and protection for sporting equipment.

Optional Add-Ons 

Faye offers the following add-on coverage options — though residents in some states such as New York only have access to limited add-ons.

• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) 
• Rental car damage or theft
• Adventure and extreme sports protection 
• Vacation rental damage protection

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Faye’s average trip cost is $298 .

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

• WaveCare® covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for covered cancellations and 150% of your total trip costs for covered interruptions.
• Berkshire Hathaway’s cruise-specific plan offers coverage beyond the norm, including cruise disablement, cruise diversion and river cruise diversion coverage.
• WaveCare® provides coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $750,000.

While Berkshire Hathaway offers various travel insurance plans, WaveCare™ is specific to cruise protection. In addition to the coverage outlined in the chart below, this plan also includes $500 in fixed coverage if your cruise ship is disabled.

If you are going on a high-value cruise and would prefer increased coverage limits, Berkshire Hathaway also offers travel insurance plans designed for vacations with expensive inclusions. Its LuxuryCare plans include additional leisure protections, such as concierge services and up to $100,000 in insurance coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway currently offers the following additional coverage options:

• CFAR coverage
• Preexisting conditions waiver

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Berkshire’s average trip cost is $163.

• Travelex offers some of the most affordable plans of the providers on our list, and allows parents to extend coverage to their children for a slightly higher rate.
• Add-on coverages available through the Travel Basic plan include car rental collision coverage and flight accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D).
• The Travel Basic policy has no deductible and is considered a primary coverage plan.

Travelex offers three travel insurance plans that can protect your cruise. The Travel America Plan, which can cover up to eight travelers, also includes unique protections like inconveniences caused by sporting equipment delays and medical expenses for your pet.

The following add-on coverages are available on Travel Select plans:

• Car rental collision
• Additional medical coverage
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits for air travel
• Adventure sports coverage

Note that add-on options may be limited for the Travel Basic Plan.

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Travelex’s average trip cost is $242.

AXA Assistance USA

• AXA Assistance’s plans include 24/7 concierge services to help you with travel-related services and emergencies.
• The Gold Plan offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, $500,000 in emergency evacuation and 100% trip cancellation coverage.
• Rental car coverage is available through the Gold and Platinum Plans.

AXA Assistance offers three travel insurance plans that you can purchase to protect your cruise. If you are planning sporting or leisurely activities, the Platinum Plan includes daily coverages for lost skier days, lost golf rounds and sporting equipment rentals.

AXA Assistance offers the following optional add-ons for its Platinum Plan:

• Rental car collision waiver

While you can also add rental car collision protection to the Gold Plan, the Silver Plan is not eligible for any add-on coverages.

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, AXA’s average trip cost is $265.50.

Trawick International

• The Safe Travels Voyager plan, marketed as Trawick’s most popular cruise insurance coverage, includes 30 covered reasons for trip cancellation.
• Trawick offers various optional add-on benefits, such as CFAR coverage, 24-hour AD&D, trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage and more.
• Trawick provides a stipend for a hospital companion to evacuate with you during a medical emergency.

Trawick has three options for annual cruise insurance, with each plan offering coverage for up to 30 days per trip.

Trawick Travel Insurance does not currently offer add-ons for its annual cruise policies.

Based on quotes we obtained using the seven trip profiles outlined in our methodology, Trawick’s average trip cost is $208.41.

How To Shop For Cruise Insurance

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report , cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism, with a projected 36 million people choosing a cruise vacation in 2024. While purchasing travel insurance to cover your cruise vacation is a personal decision, there are some coverages to look for that can enhance your policy.

If you’re worried about illnesses or potential injuries during your cruise, travel medical insurance covers medical expenses up to a maximum amount. This coverage is worth considering if you’re cruising abroad, as domestic healthcare may provide limited to no coverage out of the country. If you’re worried about suffering a medical emergency and requiring transport to a hospital while at sea, it is important to also have emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip cancellation insurance and interruption coverage can reimburse you if you cancel or cut your cruise short for a covered reason. If you’re concerned about canceling your trip for a reason not listed under a policy’s coverage terms, consider cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage . If you’re looking at plans explicitly marketed for cruises, you may find special benefits like cruise diversion, cruise disablement and prepaid excursion reimbursement.

Other benefits to look for with a cruise insurance policy include travel delay coverage, baggage insurance and missed connection coverage. If you are concerned about pre-existing conditions or COVID-19 coverage, check if a cruise insurance plan offers these protections as you shop for a policy.

Compare The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

*We determined costs by averaging quotes we pulled for four different traveler profiles. Your actual cruise insurance plan costs and CFAR coverage availability will vary.

How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?

According to our analysis, the average cost of cruise insurance is $242. However, we found that the cost ranges from $81 to $500 and heavily depends on the total trip cost and age of the traveler.

The cost of cruise insurance can vary between customers. The best way to determine what you will pay for your coverage is to get a quote. According to data from Berkshire Hathaway, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your total cruise vacation price for insurance.

To help you get a better idea of what you might pay for cruise insurance, we requested multiple quotes from the providers in our review using various sample traveler profiles. The table below summarizes our findings:

To calculate costs, we collected quotes for each of the following trips and traveler profiles:

What Affects the Cost of Cruise Insurance?

As with most types of insurance, the cost of a cruise insurance policy will vary depending on your trip and personal details. Some of the most significant factors that insurance providers consider when pricing cruise policies include the following:

• Your age: According to the CLIA, the average age of a cruise tourist is around 46 years old. Travelers above the age of 50 will pay higher rates than younger travelers.
• Total trip cost: Expect to pay more for your insurance if you take a luxury or higher-value cruise trip.
• Total trip length: The number of days you travel likely increases your chances of getting sick or injured, raising your cruise insurance cost.
• Plan type: There are several types of cruise insurance policies. The more protection you need, typically the more expensive your cruise insurance quote.
• Number of travelers: While you can buy a single policy for multiple travelers , each traveler will have their own premium, increasing the total cost of your trip coverage.
• Destination: Destination may affect the cost of your cruise trip insurance, especially when you consider on-shore excursions. For example, if you’re embarking on a cruise to a jungle with adventure-centered excursions, you will likely pay more for coverage than someone taking a cruise to a quiet beach town.

Is Cruise Insurance Worth It?

Determining whether cruise insurance is worth it is a personal decision. Cruises can get expensive quickly, so if you’re embarking on a 14-day international cruise that you’ve spent months saving up for, you may prefer to protect your investment. Spending a fraction of your total cruise expenses on insurance can help prevent you from forfeiting the entire cost of a non-refundable trip should the worst happen.

Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners, noted that “When you’ve made a financial investment in your trip or need to protect your health when you travel, travel insurance is 100% worth it.” She also pointed out that coverage can help you recoup your expenses if the unexpected happens. 

“Travel insurance can also reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them during your trip,” she added. “Again, that’s a financial savings you would have missed out on if you didn’t have travel insurance.”

If you are unsure whether cruise insurance is worth it, we recommend getting a quote from our highlighted insurance providers before you set sail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Insurance

What should cruise insurance cover.

Cruise insurance should provide you with 100% coverage for trip cancellation and at least 100% trip interruption coverage. Your policy should also include baggage loss, trip delay coverage, medical care and emergency evacuations. 

When should I buy trip insurance for a cruise?

While your trip insurance cost might not increase if you buy a policy at the last minute, it’s best to buy coverage as soon as you make your initial trip deposit. Most insurance companies only allow you to add CFAR coverage a few days after you make your first trip payment. If you’re considering this insurance add-on, buy coverage as soon as possible. 

Do I need special insurance for a cruise?

Whether you need travel insurance specifically for cruises depends on the provider. While some travel insurance companies specify that policies provide coverage even if you’re on a cruise, others may exclude cruises from standard travel plans. For this reason, it’s best to check the terms of your coverage before purchasing a policy. 

Some companies, like Nationwide and Berkshire Hathaway, offer cruise-specific protection plans in addition to standalone travel insurance policies.  

What are the benefits of cruise insurance?

There are multiple benefits to investing in a cruise insurance policy. Cruise insurance provides you with money back for nonrefundable trip expenses, which can help you recoup a portion of your costs if you need to cancel at the last minute. Cruise insurance also provides protection when you’re on a boat and visiting international ports of call, with medical insurance coverage and compensation for travel expenses if you’re forced to evacuate during your vacation.

Does cruise insurance include COVID-19 coverage?

Travel insurance policy purchases have spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most travel policies consider COVID-19 the same as any other illness, which means you may be entitled to use your insurance benefits if you’re hospitalized or cannot travel due to COVID-19. However, this also means that the fear of catching a new COVID strain will not entitle you to use your cruise insurance. 

If you’re concerned about the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on your vacation plan, consider upgrading to CFAR coverage.

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Nationwide Cruise Insurance Review 2024: Is It Worth It?

Is Nationwide cruise insurance legit?

Yes — Nationwide cruise insurance is a legitimate product. The company has been in business since 1925 and is a reputable insurance provider. 

You can choose from multiple cruise policies based on your unique coverage needs. Each one is underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

In addition to cruise insurance and travel insurance, Nationwide offers a selection of pet, home, auto and farmland policies. The company also provides banking and financial services.

Industry experts have a high level of confidence in Nationwide. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau; A.M. Best ranks it as A+ Superior in the category of companies with a financial size of $2 billion or greater.

Let’s take a look at the main highlights, features and benefits you can access when you purchase cruise insurance from Nationwide.

Bottom line: Main highlights of Nationwide cruise insurance

Nationwide offers three travel insurance plans designed specifically for cruises. That way, you can choose the one that best suits your travel plans and budget. 

Even the base-level plan includes high levels of protection, which isn’t always the case for cruise insurance. Plus, you’ll get access to Nationwide’s 24/7 travel assistance support team if you need help before or after you sail.

Nationwide cruise insurance plans & coverage

When you buy cruise insurance from Nationwide, you can choose from one of three plans.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

Each one covers 100% of the trip cost if you need to cancel for a covered reason , which is a great way to protect your prepaid, nonrefundable deposits. All three plans also include coverage to help you recoup lost costs if your trip is interrupted. You can get reimbursed for 125% of the trip costs for the Universal plan and 150% for the Choice and Luxury plans.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these three options.

Cruise Universal:

This is Nationwide’s most basic cruise plan. It’s a good option for shorter cruises that are relatively close to home. You’ll get $75,000 in secondary medical coverage and $250,000 for medical evacuation coverage — that’s critical, especially if you have an emergency while the cruise ship is at sea. This policy doesn’t include coverage for pre-existing conditions or accidental death and dismemberment. When it comes to delays, the Nationwide Universal cruise insurance plan will give you up to $100 per day up to $500 per person. This coverage can help you pay for hotels, food and other costs.

Cruise Choice:

This midrange cruise insurance plan is a great option for longer cruises. It comes with $100,000 in travel medical insurance and $500,000 for medical evacuation , which is useful if you break a leg on shore excursion in Alaska and need to be airlifted to the nearest hospital. This policy also includes $25,000 for nonmedical evacuation. It can help you get home after a natural disaster, a political situation or a security problem. The Choice plan will cover your pre-existing conditions. However, you must buy the policy within 14 days of your first deposit. The policy also includes $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment. Dealing with a delay? Cruise Choice gives you $150 per day up to $750 to cover the additional expenses. This higher limit can help you save money if you’re stuck in an expensive city, you need to book a new flight to meet the cruise or you lose out on prepaid accommodation bookings due to the delay.

Cruise Luxury:

When you’re traveling to a far-flung destination or taking a very long cruise, the Luxury plan can help protect your investment. It includes trip delay insurance of $200 per day up to $1,000, so you’re covered if you miss the cruise departure and need to catch up. You can also opt for cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage for additional peace of mind. The Nationwide Luxury cruise insurance plan is also ideal if you have health concerns. It covers pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase within 14 days of the first cruise payment. Plus, you’ll get $150,000 in medical coverage and $1,000,000 in medical evacuation . If you fall ill on a cruise to the Galapagos or Antarctica, this coverage ensures you’re not stuck with the cost of a medical flight back to the mainland. Like the Choice plan, this plan offers $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment.

Here’s a comparison of the benefits and per-person coverage limits for each Nationwide cruise insurance plan.

Optional add-ons

If Nationwide’s base policies don’t provide all the coverage you need, it’s possible to buy extra coverage for an additional fee.

Here are two optional add-ons that Nationwide offers with its cruise insurance.

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage

When you purchase the Luxury Cruise plan from Nationwide, you have the option to buy CFAR coverage . If you cancel the trip for a reason that isn’t covered by the original policy, this add-on reimburses you for up to 75% of the cost of your trip. This can come in handy, considering the base policy excludes things like mental or emotional disorders (unless you’re hospitalized). With the CFAR add-on, you’ll be covered if you need to cancel the cruise due to a bout of depression or anxiety

Interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage

Need to leave your cruise early? The IFAR add-on reimburses you for costs that include lost payments and deposits and airfare to get home (minus any credits from the original ticket). Keep in mind that this coverage has limits — the Universal Cruise Plan will make reimbursements up to $250, the Choice Cruise plan covers up to $500, and the Luxury Cruise Plan reimburses you for up to $1,000. If you need to leave to take care of a work emergency on the second day of a $5,000 cruise, you’ll only be able to recover a small portion of the costs.

Things not covered by Nationwide cruise insurance

Nationwide’s cruise policies come with a list of exclusions, or things that aren’t covered. These situations can vary from policy to policy and even between coverage types — in other words, the exclusions for baggage delay insurance might be different from those for medical insurance.

It’s always important to read the fine print, but for reference, here’s a list of common Nationwide cruise insurance exclusions:

• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Extreme sports and contact sports, including hang gliding, canyoneering or scuba diving
• Underwater activities
• Participation in professional athletics as an athlete
• Flying or learning to fly a plane
• Intentional self-harm, including suicide and suicide attempts
• Mental and emotional disorders (unless you’re hospitalized)
• Nonemergency medical procedures
• Travel against the advice of a doctor
• War or invasion
• Treatment in a government hospital
• Pregnancy or childbirth, unless there are complications

In addition, Nationwide excludes anything not specifically listed as covered in your policy.

Cost of Nationwide cruise insurance plans

Based on our research, we found that Nationwide cruise insurance costs around $11 to $15 per day .

To give you a better idea of how much Nationwide cruise insurance costs, we got quotes for each of the three cruise insurance plans for five popular cruise destinations. We then took the average of each quote.

Average Cost of Nationwide Cruise Insurance

Bear in mind that the cost of cruise insurance depends on several factors, such as your age and the trip cost, so your premium will differ from those listed above. To find out how much you’ll pay for insurance, use our online comparison tool to get a quote .

Methodology for reaching these averages

We applied these details to our quotes:

• Total trip cost: $2,000
• Trip duration: 7 days
• Time of trip: August 2024
• State of residence: California
• Destinations:   Mexico , Bahamas , Dominican Republic , Spain and Italy

Nationwide cruise insurance reviews from customers

Nationwide has an overall rating of 4.01 out of 5 on Squaremouth. We read through hundreds of reviews to help you understand the overall attitudes toward the company’s policies. Bear in mind that these ratings come from all Nationwide travel insurance reviews, so they’re not all cruise-specific.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about Nationwide.

What customers like

Customers who are impressed with Nationwide travel insurance policies often mention:

• Helpful customer service
• Reasonable prices
• Easy to set up a policy

Here are a few comments from positive Nationwide cruise insurance reviews:

“We had to cancel our cruise because of COVID…the claim process was smooth and efficient.” - James

“Nationwide handled our trip interruption extremely well. The service provided by One Call International was thorough, and we were treated well.” - Gary

What customers don’t like

Unhappy Nationwide customers often mention:

• Slow response times for claims and customer service
• Excessive documentation requirements for claims
• Long claim process

Here are a few comments from negative reviews:

“Difficult claim process and no information back.” - Lauren

“They were impossible to reach by phone, and it took approximately 6 to 8 weeks to get a response via email.” - Flash

Is Nationwide cruise insurance worth it?

Yes, it’s definitely worth it to buy Nationwide cruise insurance. 

Cruises are expensive, and the company’s comprehensive policies can help protect you financially if you need to cancel or interrupt the trip. With cruise-specific plans for every budget and a few optional add-ons, it’s easy to find a plan that suits your finances and your itinerary. 

For basic coverage, the Universal Cruise plan is an affordable insurance option. Consider the Choice Cruise plan for mid-length cruises, and opt for the Luxury Cruise plan if you’re taking an expensive trip that sails to far-flung ports.

If you’re looking for cruise insurance with primary medical coverage or higher coverage limits for baggage and delays, you may want to go for another provider .

FAQ: Nationwide cruise insurance

Who underwrites nationwide cruise insurance.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and its affiliated companies underwrite the provider’s cruise policies.

Do Nationwide cruise insurance plans cover COVID?

Nationwide cruise insurance covers COVID-19 , assuming it falls within the other terms of the policy. If you catch COVID-19 on board the ship, for example, your policy covers a doctor’s services, lab tests, hospitalization if necessary and medications. If you get sick before you leave, your trip cancellation insurance should cover lost costs up to the maximum benefit — however, you will likely need documentation from a doctor that says you shouldn’t travel because of the illness.

When should I buy Nationwide insurance for a cruise?

You should buy a Nationwide cruise insurance policy as soon as possible after making your first payment on the cruise. That way, you’ll be covered if something happens to cancel or interrupt your trip. Plus, some plans have time-sensitive benefits. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you can get coverage under the Choice and Luxury plans — but only if you buy a policy within 14 days after you make the first deposit and opt to cover the whole cost of your trip.

How do I file a claim with Nationwide cruise insurance?

If you need to file a claim with Nationwide, you should always start by calling the Cruise Claims Administrator. They will ask about your issue and send you the correct forms and documentation requirements. At that point, you can submit all paperwork by email or standard mail.

Elizabeth Smith is an experienced travel and finance writer who specializes in topics including credit cards, travel insurance, and personal finance. Travel insurance, in particular, has both professional and personal significance for Smith. She’s traveled to 73 countries, and has extensive experience choosing and using various policies — she understands how valuable the right plan can be in an emergency, and loves to help readers find the perfect fit.

Smith comes to the world of finance from a scientific and technical background. She spent more than 10 years writing about engineering, science, and technology for universities and private companies. When she’s not writing or traveling, Smith can usually be found hiking or Nordic skiing.

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Travel Insurance

Best travel insurance companies of April 2024

Amy Fontinelle

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 8:41 a.m. UTC April 12, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best travel insurance company of 2024 , based on our in-depth analysis of travel insurance policies. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans get 5 stars in our rating because of the extensive coverage they provide for the price. Both plans come with high limits for important benefits such as emergency medical and evacuation, travel delay and missed connections. WorldTrips travel insurance also offers a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if you buy a plan within 21 days of making your first trip deposit.

Best travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our travel insurance experts evaluate hundreds of insurance products and analyze thousands of data points to help you find the best trip insurance for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Travel insurance quotes comparison

Best travel insurance companies, best travel insurance.

Top travel insurance plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, why it’s the best.

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, WorldTrips has two top-rated travel insurance plans in our rating:

• Atlas Journey Preferred provides $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage, with the option to upgrade to primary coverage. Primary coverage means you don’t have to first file a medical claim with your health insurance company. Atlas Journey Preferred is also the best travel insurance for cruises with $1 million in coverage for emergency evacuation.
• Atlas Journey Premier costs more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage. This plan is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority. It also has $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier has $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan includes travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Customer reviews

WorldTrips has a rating of 4.27 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 411 reviews of policies purchased through the travel insurance comparison site since 2008.

Best travel insurance for emergency evacuation

Travel insured international.

Top travel insurance plan

If you’re traveling to a remote area, consider Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector. It has the best travel insurance for emergency evacuation of travel insurance policies in our rating. This top travel insurance plan provides up to $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits.

• Only plan in our rating that offers $150,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person is only available for cruises and tours.

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.39 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 3,402 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Best travel insurance for missed connections

If you’re looking for good travel insurance for missed connections , it’s worth considering TravelSafe. Its Classic plan includes $2,500 in missed connection coverage for each person on the plan. Some travel insurance companies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe doesn’t impose that restriction.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of our best-rated travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage option.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

TravelSafe has a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,506 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Best trip insurance for traveling with a pet

Go Ready Choice by Aegis has the most affordable travel insurance of the best-rated travel insurance companies in our rating. It’s also the best trip insurance for pet parents , with an optional Pet Bundle add-on that includes pet medical, pet kennel and pet return benefits.

• Cheapest of our best trip insurance plans.
• Optional pet bundle adds pet medical expense and pet return benefits.
• Low emergency medical and evacuation limits.
• Low missed connection benefit of $500 per person for cruises and tours only.
• Low baggage and personal items loss benefit of $500 per person.

Aegis has a rating of 4.06 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 1,111 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2013.

Best travel insurance for families

Top-scoring plan

Travelex Insurance Services has the best travel insurance for families because you can add kids aged 17 and younger to your Travel Select plan at no additional charge.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• Robust travel delay coverage of $2,000 per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Low emergency medical coverage of $50,000 per person.
• Non-medical evacuation is not included.
• Low baggage delay coverage of $200 requires a 12-hour delay.

Travelex has a rating of 4.43 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 2,048 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2004.

Best travel insurance for add-on coverage options

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, making it the best traveler insurance for add-on options . These include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

See our full AIG travel insurance review

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best travel insurance for cruise itinerary changes

Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan is good travel insurance for cruises . It has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion.

Cruise Choice also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay when you’re taking a cruise or tour. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.

• Benefits for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” upgrade available.

Nationwide has a rating of 4.02 stars out of 5 on Squaremouth, based on 570 reviews of policies purchased on the travel insurance comparison site since 2018.

What is the best travel insurance?

The best travel insurance for international travel is sold by WorldTrips, according to our in-depth trip insurance comparison.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the trip you are planning and the coverage areas that are most important to you.

• Best cruise travel insurance
• Best COVID travel insurance
• Best “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance
• Best senior travel insurance

Best travel insurance for cruises

The best cruise travel insurance is Atlas Journey Preferred sold by WorldTrips . This plan offers solid travel insurance for cruises for a low rate.

Via TravelInsurance.com’s website

Best travel insurance for COVID-19

The best COVID travel insurance is the Trip Protection Basic plan sold by Seven Corners . It is a relatively low cost travel insurance plan with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Best travel insurance for “cancel for any reason” 

The best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance is Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Basic. Adding CFAR coverage to a RoundTrip Basic plan only increases the cost by about 40%, which is lower than other plans we analyzed. For the extra cost, you get coverage of 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, as long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Best travel insurance for seniors

The best senior travel insurance is the Gold plan sold by Tin Leg . It is an affordable travel insurance plan with travel medical primary coverage of $500,000 and a pre-existing conditions waiver if you insure the full amount of your trip within 14 days of your first trip deposit.

How much is travel insurance?

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs . 

How much you pay for travel insurance will depend on:

• The cost of your trip.
• Your destination.
• The length of your trip. 
• The ages of travelers being insured.
• Your state of residence.
• The travel insurance policy you choose.
• The total coverage amounts in your policy.
• Any travel insurance add-ons you select. 

Here are average travel insurance rates for a 30-year-old female who is insuring a 14-day trip to Mexico.

Looking to save? Discover cheap travel insurance options.

How much travel insurance should I buy?

Travel insurance companies typically offer several plans with varying maximum limits. The higher the coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends the following coverage limits for international travel: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $50,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $100,000. 

If you’re going on a cruise, or to a remote location, Squaremouth recommends: 

• Emergency medical coverage: At least $100,000. 
• Medical evacuation coverage: At least $250,000.

When evaluating travel insurance plans, our team of insurance analysts considered the best medical travel insurance policies to have at least $250,000 in emergency medical coverage and at least $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage. 

When should I buy travel insurance?

The best time to buy travel insurance is within two weeks of making your first nonrefundable travel payment, whether it’s for a plane ticket, hotel stay, cruise or excursion. 

Travel insurance costs the same whether you buy it early or last minute, and buying it early has added benefits: 

• You may be able to add on “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , an upgrade that is typically only available for a limited time after you’ve started paying for your trip. 
• You may qualify for a pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, meaning your pre-existing conditions will be covered by travel insurance. This waiver is generally added to your policy automatically, provided you buy the travel insurance within a certain window after your first trip deposit.  
• You will be covered over a longer period of time for unforeseen events that could cause you to cancel your trip, such as medical emergencies, inclement weather and natural disasters. 

Expert tip: You can buy travel insurance up to the day before you leave on your trip, but waiting may cost you the opportunity to qualify for a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver or to buy a “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Where can I buy travel insurance?

You can buy a travel insurance plan:

• Online. Visit a travel insurance company’s website to buy a policy directly or use a comparison website like Squaremouth or Travelinsurance.com to see your options and compare plans. You may also be able to purchase travel insurance online through an airline, cruise, hotel, rental car company or other provider you book a ticket with.
• In person. A travel agent or insurance agent may be able to assist you in buying travel insurance.

Travel insurance trends in 2024

Americans are changing the way they travel and this includes buying travel insurance when they might have skipped it in the past. As spending on trips continues to rise , travelers have more to lose if their plans are disrupted. 

Based on travel insurance searches from Jan. 1 to April 1, 2024, here are the main benefits travelers are looking for. 

Source: Squaremouth.com

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024. For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 30.
• $3,000, 8-day trip to Mexico for two travelers age 70.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 40.
• $6,000, 17-day trip to Italy for two travelers age 65.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to Italy for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to France for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• $15,000, 17-day trip to the U.K. for four travelers ages 40, 40, 10 and 7.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Best travel insurance FAQs

According to our analysis, WorldTrips has the best trip insurance. Two of its plans — Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier — get 5 stars in our rating.

The best travel insurance policy for you will depend on what type of coverage you need. With so many different policies and carriers, the policy that was best for your friend’s trip to California might not be ideal for your trip to Japan. If you’re looking for the best travel insurance for international travel, you may be willing to pay more for higher coverage levels.

A comprehensive travel insurance plan bundles several types of travel insurance coverage, each with its own limits. To ensure you have adequate financial protection for your trip, your travel insurance policy should include the following travel insurance coverages:

• Trip cancellation . With trip cancellation insurance , you’re covered if you need to call off your trip because of a reason listed in your policy, such as unexpected illness, injury or death of you, a family member or a travel companion, severe weather, jury duty and your travel supplier going out of business. 
• Travel delay. Once your trip has started, travel delay insurance reimburses you for unexpected expenses you incur after a minimum delay, such as five hours. It can cover needs like airport meals, transportation and even overnight accommodation. 
• Trip interruption. If you need to cut your trip early for a reason listed in your policy, trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for any prepaid, nonrefundable payments you’ll lose by leaving early. It can also pay for a last-minute one-way ticket home. 
• Travel medical . Emergency medical benefits are especially important if you need international health insurance for travel outside of the country. Your domestic health insurance may provide limited coverage once you leave the U.S. The best travel medical insurance pays for ambulance service, doctor visits, hospital stays, X-rays, lab work and prescription medication you may require while traveling. 
• Emergency medical evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote area, or planning excursions such as boating to an island, emergency medical evacuation coverage is a good idea. This coverage pays to transport you to the nearest adequate medical facility if you are injured or sick while traveling. 
• Baggage delay. After a certain waiting period, such as six or 12 hours, this coverage will reimburse you for necessities you need to buy to tide you over while you wait for your bag to arrive. Be sure to save your receipts and look at your coverage limit, as some caps are low, like $200. 
• Baggage loss. Baggage insurance can reimburse you if your bag never arrives, or if your personal belongings are stolen during your travels. Coverage limits apply here, as well as exclusions for certain items such as electronics.  

“Typically, travelers are expected to pay their expenses out of pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement,” said James Clark, spokesperson for Squaremouth. “However, there are medical situations in which a provider may be required to pre-authorize payment to make sure the policyholder receives the treatment they need.”

According to Clark, “Providers can pre-authorize payment for medical care and emergency evacuations. With that said, every circumstance is unique, and providers will handle each situation on a case-by-case basis.”

Travel insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs — as well as extra money you may need to spend due to unforeseen circumstances and emergencies — both before and during your trip.  

Travel insurance coverage varies by plan, but in general travel insurance covers costs associated with these problems: 

• Bankruptcy of a travel insurance company, such as your airline or tour operator. 
• Dangerous weather conditions.
• Delayed and lost luggage.
• Illness or death in your family that requires you to stay home or cut your trip short.
• Illness that needs medical attention.
• Injury requiring medical evacuation.
• Jury duty. 
• Travel delays and missed connections.
• Theft of your personal belongings while traveling.
• Unexpected job loss. 

Travel insurance policies often exclude or limit “foreseeable” losses. Typical travel insurance exclusions include:

• Accidents or injuries caused by drinking or drug use.  
• Canceling your trip because you changed your mind.
• Ending your trip early because you changed your mind.
• Losses caused by intentional self harm, including suicide.
• Losses due to war, civil disorder or riots.
• Medical tourism.
• Medical treatment for pre-existing conditions.
• Mental health care.
• Natural disasters that begin before you buy travel insurance.
• Non-medical evacuation.
• Normal pregnancy. 
• Medical treatment related to high-risk activities.
• Routine medical care, such as physicals or dental care.
• Search and rescue.

Your U.S. health insurance may provide little or no coverage in foreign countries. Check with your health insurance company to see if you have any global benefits and ask how they work. If your health care does extend across the border, the benefits it provides abroad may not be the same benefits it provides domestically. 

Medicare usually won’t pay for health care outside of the United States and its territories, so older travelers planning an international trip should look into the best senior travel insurance with robust medical benefits. 

The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your trip and making a nonrefundable payment — in other words, as soon as you’re at risk of losing money. This way, you’ll know the total cost that you need to insure and you’ll have the longest window to take advantage of your policy’s benefits if something goes wrong.

You can’t wait until something goes wrong and then buy travel insurance to get reimbursed for your loss. Travel insurance only covers unexpected losses.

Travel insurance companies can decline to cover travel to certain countries. For example, you may find that some trip insurance companies don’t offer coverage to countries with a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. 

Travel insurance policies also frequently exclude certain risks that you’re more likely to encounter in Level 4 or Level 3 countries. For example, your policy may not cover losses related to declared or undeclared wars or acts of war or losses related to known or foreseeable conditions or events. 

Some credit cards , such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offer benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement when you use your card to pay for your trip.

Ask your credit card issuer for your card’s benefits guide to see what coverage you may have. Keep in mind that it may not cover all the risks you want to protect against, such as the cost of international health care or emergency medical evacuation .

Business travel insurance makes sense if you are self-employed and paying for your own travel expenses, or if you are traveling internationally and want medical coverage abroad.

You might also consider buying travel insurance for a business trip if your company won’t cover extra expenses if your flight is delayed or you need to head home early.

Cruise travel insurance can help protect you financially if you need emergency medical care in a remote location, or if a delayed flight causes you to miss embarkation and you need to pay extra to catch up to your cruise.

Experts caution that travel insurance you buy through a cruise line may not be as comprehensive as plans you can buy directly from travel insurance companies.

Some travel insurance plans cover rental cars as an optional upgrade, for an additional cost. The 5-star rated travel insurance companies in our rating offer these optional rental car benefits:

• Travel Insured International — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000.
• WorldTrips — Rental car damage and theft coverage of $50,000 with a $250 deductible. 

Travel insurance typically only covers a single trip, although your insured trip can have multiple destinations. 

If you’re looking to insure several trips in the same year, annual travel insurance may be a good option for you.

Travel insurance may be required, depending on the country you plan to visit. But it’s smart to consider buying a travel insurance policy for international travel, even when it is not required. A good travel insurance policy can protect you financially if you need emergency medical assistance when traveling, or if you need to cut your trip short and buy a last-minute plane ticket home because an immediate family member is ill. 

Wondering if travel insurance is worth it? What travel insurance covers

Editor’s Note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:

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• COVID-19 or delta variant have you ready to scrap your trip? Here’s how to cancel like a pro
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• How to choose the right travel insurance for your next vacation
• Travel insurance can save the day
• Angry passengers brawl after Spirit cancels flights
• What to do when travel insurance doesn’t work
• How lockdowns, quarantines and COVID-19 testing will change summer travel in 2021
• Travelers will pay and worry more on summer vacation this year. But they won’t cancel
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• Yearning to travel in 2022? First, figure out your budget – then pick a destination
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• Want to steer clear of contracting COVID-19 on your next vacation? Follow these guidelines
• Post-pandemic travel: Is it OK to ask another passenger’s vaccine status or request they mask up?
• These days, forgetting these important travel items could cost you thousands of dollars
• International travel hacks: When to book flights and hotels, how to deal with COVID-19 rules
• Traveling post-coronavirus: How do you book your next trip when so much remains uncertain?
• The COVID-19 guide to holiday travel – and the case for why you shouldn’t go this year
• Should you travel during the holidays? Americans struggle with their decision
• ‘There’s still pent-up demand’: What you should know about fall travel
• Planning for life after coronavirus: When will we know it’s safe to travel again?
• ‘Busiest camping season’: Travelers choose outdoor recreation close to home amid COVID-19 pandemic
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• There’s a good chance that your credit card already gives you some kind of travel insurance coverage
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• Change fees and travel insurance continue to rise

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Amy Fontinelle has more than 15 years of experience helping people make informed decisions about their money, whether they’re refinancing a mortgage, buying insurance or choosing a credit card. As a freelance writer trained in journalism and specializing in personal finance, Amy digs into the details to explain the products and strategies that can help (or hurt) people seeking greater financial security and wealth. Her work has been published by Forbes Advisor, Capital One, MassMutual, Investopedia and many other outlets.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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• Travel Insurance Compare Our Plans Popular Benefits COVID-19 Benefits International Plans Domestic Plans Comprehensive Insurance Annual Multi-Trip Inbound Plan Cruise Ski & Snowboard Motorcycle & Moped Adventure Activities Seniors Medical Conditions
• Emergency Assistance
• Travel Alerts COVID-19 International Travel Tool Cover-More App
• Manage Policy
• travel_explore Not sure? See region list.

Where are you going?

Enter the destination(s) you plan to visit or select them from the list of countries and regions in the dropdown.

Planning a stopover? If you’re in a country for less than 72 hours, you do not need to list it as a destination.

Don’t currently know all the countries you’ll be visiting? You can select a region to obtain cover for all countries within that region, or you can select “Anywhere in the world”. Important: If selecting “Anywhere in the world”, your policy will not provide cover for claims arising in countries that are subject to sanctions. Your safety is paramount, so please read and familiarise yourself with the “ Standing Travel Alert for High Risk and Sanctioned Countries ” when undertaking worldwide travel – and before making any side trips to neighbouring countries – to ensure you have adequate cover.

Going on a cruise? If your cruise is in inland Australia (e.g. on the Murray River) or in Australian coastal water (e.g. the Kimberley), enter or select “Australia”. If your cruise embarks and disembarks from Australia ports only without any stopover at a port outside of Australia (e.g. a “Sampler Cruise” or cruise from Sydney to Brisbane), enter or select “Domestic Cruise”. If your cruise is overseas (e.g. a European river cruise, a Caribbean cruise, or a cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong), enter or select the country or region you will spend the most time in during your trip.

Want to come to Australia on our Inbound Plan? Select “Australia Inbound”.

When do you depart?

Enter the date you will leave your home to start your trip.

When do you return?

Enter the date you will arrive home based on AEST (considering any time differences/zones and travel times).

Duration of each trip?

Select the maximum trip duration that best suits your needs.

The maximum trip duration you select will apply to each separate trip you take during the 12-month period of your policy.

For cover to apply, you cannot take trips that exceed this maximum duration. If you make a claim related to a trip that exceeds this maximum duration, it may be declined.

The maximum trip duration you select will be shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

Age of each traveller?

Enter the age (as of today) of each adult and child to be included on the policy.

Cruise Travel Insurance Benefits

Protect your cruise holiday from medical expenses and more

Whether you’re on a cruise to the Pacific Islands, sailing through the Caribbean, or exploring the seas of Australia’s tropical north, cruise travel insurance benefits can help protect your trip from costs if something goes wrong.

At Cover-More, our goal is to provide you with quality cruise insurance benefits to help keep you safe. If you’re going on a multi-night cruise on the sea or ocean, you must tell us about your cruise for Cruise Cover to be added to your policy and an extra premium will apply. (This cover is not required for river cruises within Australia or international destinations.)

Still deciding whether to take a cruise or not? Read our helpful guides on how to choose the best cruise for you , and essential travel advice for your cruise . (Plus, check out our useful holiday preparation list , too.)

If you have specific questions about our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits, read our Cruise Cover benefits FAQs .

Skip to read:

Why do I need cruise travel insurance benefits?

Will medicare cover me for a cruise in australia, what happens if i get sick on a cruise, does cover-more travel insurance include cruise insurance benefits, what are cover-more's cruise travel insurance benefits, how do i buy cover-more's cruise cover.

• Do Cover-More's cruise travel insurance benefits cover medical costs?

Do Cover-More's Cruise Cover benefits cover emergency evacuations?

Does cover-more travel insurance cover existing medical conditions on a cruise.

Cruises are a great way to relax , bask in the sun and enjoy the sea breeze while exploring new destinations. So, it may come as a shock if your cruise experience isn’t exactly smooth sailing.

From delayed luggage to falling seasick, it can be difficult to predict what will happen on board – let alone the money you may lose if you must cancel your cruise before you even leave home.

Cruise Cover benefits can provide cover for medical costs on board, help you if you need to be medically evacuated off the ship, and provide reimbursement for lost luggage and non-refundable expenses (up to the cancellation amount you have added to your policy).

To enjoy the cruise holiday you deserve, we recommend you consider travel insurance for cruising for extra peace of mind, and support when you need it most.

No. Cruise ships are not obligated to have doctors registered to practice in Australia on board. This means if you visit a doctor on board, it may not be covered by Medicare and you may end up with out-of-pocket expenses.

This is why you should consider travel insurance for any cruises you take in Australia.

At Cover-More, our International plans include overseas medical expenses cover when you enter/select “Domestic Cruising” as your travel area and when you tell us about your cruise when you purchase travel insurance.

Our Cover-More cruise insurance international plans can include cruise cover when you tell us you are travelling on a sea or ocean cruise for two or more nights.

Domestic and international cruise ships do offer onboard medical assistance, but the medical staff are only there to stabilise your condition.

If you require urgent medical attention while on a cruise, you may need to be evacuated from your cruise and taken to hospital – which can be extremely costly depending on where you are in the world.

That’s where cruise travel insurance benefits can help when cruise cover is added to your international plan.

With our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits included in your policy, we can not only assist with medical costs, but you’ll have our expert 24-hour Emergency Assistance team on hand to help if you are hospitalised.

Travel insurance benefits for cruising are automatically included in our Cover-More travel insurance plans when you tell us you are travelling for two or more nights on a sea or ocean cruise.

If you are taking a multi-night cruise (except for river cruises within Australia), you must answer “Yes” to the question “Will you be travelling on an ocean or sea cruise for two or more nights?” and pay the additional premium to be protected in the event something goes wrong on your cruise. (This cover is not required for river cruises within Australia or international destinations.)

To see full details of our cruise insurance benefits, read the PDS .

Our Cruise Cover provides travellers with many benefits to assist if an accident, mishap, or delay occurs on their cruise holiday.

Our Cruise Cover benefits and benefit limits per adult are as follows:

Please refer to the PDS for limits, sub-limits, exclusions, and conditions that may apply to our travel insurance benefits for cruising.

Ready to get a quote? You can generate one online now.

Ready to book your cruising holiday and purchase our Cruise Cover to protect it? You can buy a travel insurance policy with cruise benefits through our website or by calling us on 1300 72 88 22.

To get a cruise quote online:

• Enter the area of travel you want cover for in the quote box . For international trips with cruises, choose the country, region, or “Anywhere in the World”. For domestic trips with cruises, choose “Domestic Cruise” – not “Domestic” – and an international plan with overseas medical expenses will be available. Our Domestic plans exclude cover for any medical expenses in Australia. (See below for more details on choosing your destination.)
• Select the dates of your first trip.
• Enter in the ages of travellers.
• Click ‘Get Quote’ to go to the next page.
• Select the best plan for you from the options displayed on the screen, including whether you want a Single Trip policy or an Annual Multi-Trip policy if the option is available to you.
• You’ll then be asked if you are travelling for two or more nights on a sea or ocean cruise. By selecting “Yes”, an additional premium will be added to your policy, and the cruise benefits will be included when the Certificate of Insurance is issued.
• Continue down the page to fill in the rest of your details.
• Declare any of your existing medical conditions.
• Pay for your policy.

Additional helpful information on how to choose the correct destination when getting a quote:

• If you’re cruising within Australia on an inland waterway (e.g. a Murray River cruise) or within Australian coastal waters (e.g. a Kimberley cruise where the cruise does not leave these waters), please chose or enter “ Australia ” for a Domestic Plan.
• If you're cruising from a port in Australia to another port(s) in Australia that does not stop at a port outside of Australia (e.g. a cruise from Sydney to Brisbane or a Kimberley cruise that leaves Australian waters), please choose or enter “ Domestic Cruising ” for an International plan which includes SECTION 1: Overseas Medical and Dental (including emergency repatriation/evacuation).
• If you're cruising overseas, possibly stopping in many destinations (e.g. a European river cruise, a Caribbean cruise or a cruise from Hong Kong to Sydney) or from a port in Australia to another port or ports outside Australia (e.g. Sydney/ Singapore), please enter every country you will be travelling to or enter a region.

Before purchasing our cruise travel insurance, read the PDS to ensure a Cover-More policy is right for you.

Do Cover-More's cruise travel insurance benefits cover medical costs on board?

Yes, our Cruise Cover benefits can provide cover for medical expenses incurred on board the ship and if you are offloaded from the ship. Without this type of cruise insurance benefit, you could be out of pocket hundreds or thousands of dollars for a medical incident that happens whilst on a cruise.

One Cover-More customer visited their onboard cruise doctor after a sniffle that developed into influenza. Although quick, the doctor’s visit resulted in a $700 medical fee. Luckily, they had a Cover-More policy with Cruise Cover, and we were able to settle their claim.

To find out how much it costs to protect your cruise, get a Cover-More quote online now.

Note: our claims are subject to approval.

Our cruise insurance benefits are vital in helping protect you against more serious medical claims, especially those that result in your emergency evacuation from a cruise.

It doesn’t matter if you’re on a cruise off the shores of Australia or on an overseas cruise, if you’re in the middle of the sea or ocean, it can be incredibly expensive to be transported to the nearest hospital via air or sea.

In 2016, one of our customers fractured their leg on a cruise ship in the South Pacific. The air ambulance cost to bring them back to Australia for surgery totalled $86,000.

To protect your cruise with Cover-More, get a quote online or call 1300 72 88 22.

Not all existing medical conditions are automatically included in our plans, so you will need to go through the same medical assessment process we use for general travel.

If all of your conditions do not meet the existing medical condition criteria to be automatically included, you will need to complete an online medical assessment and if the cover is approved, pay the extra premium to us for cover. Ensure you disclose all your existing conditions to ensure you have the right cover.

You can visit our existing medical conditions (EMC) page to view a comprehensive list of conditions we cover.

Please note: if you are not approved for your existing medical conditions, we can still provide cover for lost luggage and travel documents, and any illness or injury not relating to your EMC.

Got more questions? Find your answers over on our dedicated FAQs for cruise travel insurance page .

Want us to protect your cruise holiday?

Find our Cruise Cover and get ready to set sail.

~ Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition, or injury.    ^Cover chosen applies per policy.    If you do not tell us about your cruise, claims in any way related to your multi-night cruise, and multi-night cruise travel or that arise while on a multi-night cruise are specifically excluded by this policy.

Alaska Travel Insurance

Expect the unexpected. Please consider protecting your trip with travel insurance.

• Trip Planning
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Because we cannot make exceptions to our cancellation or change policies for any reason, including natural disasters, and family or medical emergencies, we encourage all of our guests to purchase travel insurance. As an added bonus , if you purchase travel insurance through Alaska Tour & Travel we will waive our 10% fee for changes or cancellations made up until 31 days prior to travel. If you decide not to purchase travel insurance we strongly recommend that you consider our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver. For more information on either program please call 800-208-0200 or contact us online .

Most travel insurance not only covers cancellations fees, but usually covers items such as medical evacuations and missed connections due to late or cancelled airline flights. Both can be issues given Alaska's remoteness and unpredictable weather. We have found one of the best companies to be Travel Guard . Their "Cruise, Tour and Travel" or "Deluxe" policies (depending on your state of residence) typically include the following coverage:

• Trip Cost Cancellation and Interruption
• $50,000 Medical Expense
• $1,000,000 Emergency Medical Transportation
• $1,000 Lost, Damaged or Stolen Baggage or Travel Documents
• $1,000 Trip Delay
• $200 Baggage Delay
• 24 hour Emergency Hotline

Coverage is subject to change. For more information or a no obligation rate quote, click here .

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Travel Insurance for Europe: 4 Best Options for 2024

Allianz Travel Insurance »

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Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance for Europe.

Table of Contents

• Allianz Travel Insurance
• Travelex Insurance Services

You almost certainly will want travel insurance for Europe, mostly because the high cost for international trips is worth protecting against travel delays and trip cancellations. Since your U.S. medical coverage will not apply overseas, you also need international health insurance that covers surprise medical expenses and medical evacuation.

If you're searching for the best Europe travel insurance that money can buy, consider the following plans and all they have to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people need travel health insurance at a bare minimum when traveling to European destinations like France, Italy or Switzerland, as well as additional countries inside and outside of the Schengen area. After all, U.S. health insurance plans do not provide coverage for medical emergencies overseas, and the same is true for government health plans like Medicare. Check out our article on whether your health insurance covers international travel .

Other benefits built into Europe travel insurance plans can also protect the money that's been spent on airfare, hotel stays, Europe cruises and tours. For example, travelers can benefit from having coverage for trip cancellation, trip delays, lost or delayed baggage, and more.

Every travel insurance policy is unique, so you'll want to read over individual travel insurance plans to see what they protect against. That said, the bulk of travel insurance plans for trips to Europe provide the following coverages:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Travel delays
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Baggage delay coverage
• Medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Rental car damage

Some travel insurance plans also offer additional or optional coverage for sports equipment or sports equipment delays, missed connections, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), adventure sports and more.

Some visitors to countries in the Schengen area are required to have a visa for short stays that can last for up to 90 days within a timeline of up to 180 days. However, this is not the case for American citizens, who can stay in Europe for up to 90 days at a time without meeting specific visa requirements.

The U.S. Department of State also notes that American citizens who want to stay in Europe for more than 90 days should reach out to the country they plan on visiting to inquire about their visa process.

If you live in a country that requires a Schengen visa, you are required to purchase Schengen visa insurance that pays for overseas medical expenses. This coverage must provide at least 30,000 euros in protection against medical expenses that result from hospitalization, emergency treatment and repatriation of remains in the case of accident or death.

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Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) and preexisting medical conditions coverage available

Kids 17 and younger covered for free

Lower coverage amount for medical expenses than some providers

• $100,000 per traveler in coverage for trip cancellation
• $150,000 per traveler in coverage for trip interruptions
• $500 in coverage for eligible trip changes
• $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• $500,000 for emergency medical transportation
• $1,000 toward baggage loss or damage
• $300 in coverage for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
• $800 in protection for travel delays (daily limit of $200 applies)
• $100 per insured person per day in SmartBenefits coverage for eligible delays
• 24-hour hotline assistance
• Concierge services

Optional CFAR and preexisting medical conditions coverages available

Kids 17 and younger are covered for free

Many coverages cost extra

• 100% of trip cost for trip cancellation (up to $50,000)
• 150% of trip cost for trip interruption (up to $75,000)
• $2,000 in coverage for trip delays of five hours or longer
• $750 in coverage for missed connections
• $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses ($500 dental sublimit included)
• $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
• $1,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
• $200 for baggage delays of 12 hours or longer
• $200 for sporting equipment delays of 24 hours or longer
• $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment coverage
• 24/7 travel assistance
• 100% of the insured trip cost for financial default of a travel provider (maximum of $50,000)
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage for preexisting medical conditions (maximum of $50,000)
• Cancel for work reasons coverage
• CFAR insurance
• Car rental coverage worth up to $35,000
• $50,000 in additional emergency medical coverage
• $500,000 in additional coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
• Adventure sports exclusions waiver
• $200,000 in coverage for flight accidental death and dismemberment

CFAR and preexisting medical conditions coverages available

High coverage limits for medical expenses and evacuation

CFAR coverage only reimburses at 60%

• $1,000,000 coverage limit for emergency medical evacuation and transportation
• $250,000 coverage limit for medical expenses ($500 limit for dental emergencies)
• 100% of trip cost for trip cancellation
• 175% of trip cost for trip interruption
• $1,000 per person for travel delays ($300 per person daily limit applies)
• $2,000 per person in coverage for baggage and $500 for baggage delays
• $2,000 per person in coverage for sporting equipment and $500 for sporting equipment delays
• $1,000 per person in coverage for missed connections
• Air flight accident AD&D coverage worth $100,000 per person and $200,000 per plan
• Travel accident AD&D coverage worth $50,000 per person and $100,000 per plan
• $25,000 in coverage for rental cars
• 24-hour travel support

Discounts for groups of five or more

Potential for high coverage limits for medical expenses

No coverage for trip cancellation

Available coverage limits vary by age

• $5,000 for local burial or cremation
• Up to $25,000 in AD&D coverage
• $100,000 in coverage for emergency reunions
• $10,000 in coverage for trip interruption
• $1,000 for lost checked luggage
• $100 in coverage for lost or stolen passports or visas
• $100 in coverage per day for travel delays of at least 12 hours (two days of coverage maximum)
• Up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who has created content about travel insurance, family travel, cruises, all-inclusive resorts and more for over a decade. She has visited more than 50 countries around the world and has an annual travel insurance plan of her own. Johnson also has experience navigating the claims process for travel insurance plans and has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson works with her husband, Greg, who is licensed to sell travel insurance and owns the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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• Travel Guide

How To Find The Best Antarctica Travel Insurance For You

Key considerations for antarctica travel insurance, geographical coverage, trip delays, missed flight/connection, trip cancellation, trip interruption, policy excess, medical emergency evacuation, repatriation and expenses (including covid-19), on-shore and off-shore adventure activity cover, baggage loss, theft and delay, frequently asked questions about antarctica travel insurance, why should i purchase travel insurance for my polar expedition, when should i arrange my travel insurance, what is the difference between medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance, what part of my expedition do i need to cover with travel insurance, what if i have travel insurance through my own credit card benefits, what if i already have a worldwide travel insurance policy, can you not choose and book my travel insurance for me, what is the best travel insurance for antarctica, antarctica travel insurance providers, antarctica travel insurance for north american travelers, antarctica travel insurance for uk travelers, antarctica travel insurance for australian travelers, questions you may like to ask your insurer, i’ve bought my insurance. what next.

Travel insurance is not just important when visiting Antarctica due to its extreme isolation, conditions, and the considerable costs associated, but some levels of coverage—especially with regards emergency evacuation, repatriation, and medical cover—are a mandatory requirement for travelers.

As with any form of travel, insurance to protect you, your belongings, and your investment, is a wise choice, but perhaps never has it been more apparent than when booking an Antarctica expedition where the risk-reward relationship is higher than most.

Modern explorers certainly have it easier than those in whose wakes they follow, with the latest state-of-the-art expedition vessels arguably the safest found anywhere on the seven seas, but it would be foolhardy to take a trip to this wild and unpredictable part of the world without adequate protection.

Here we’ll take a look at how travel insurance for Antarctica—like the continent itself—is unlike anything else, and point out what makes a good policy to give you the peace of mind to embark on your expedition with only excitement and without any apprehension.

While most cruises tend to visit the Antarctic Peninsula region, some visit more remote reaches of the continent, and other trips even venture into the depths of the Antarctic interior. So whilst an insurance policy may state it covers Antarctica, please do check it covers the entire continent or at a minimum your chosen expedition route.

Operator requirements regarding travel insurance covering Antarctica’s interior are normally even greater than those for Antarctica cruises given the extra logistical complications, higher costs associated with evacuation, your likely participation in more adventurous (and subsequently hazardous) activities, and the added danger of higher altitude—as Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the Moon, will attest after having to be evacuated from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to McMurdo Station on the south tip of Ross Island and on to Christchurch, New Zealand, after succumbing to its effects.

So if you are planning a visit to the South Pole or spending some significant time camping on the White Continent, be prepared for higher minimum coverage requirements for Medical Evacuation Insurance—anywhere from USD$150,000, but as high as USD$300,000 for expeditions outside of the Ellsworth Mountains—and also be aware that policies often need to be not just for the duration of your expedition but at least 7 days beyond your return flights home to ensure you’re covered in the event of any unforeseen delays.

Whichever part of the White Continent you’ll be exploring, you’ll likely be traveling to several countries en route to Antarctica so you will need to ensure your policy covers these destinations too. For example, if your cruise departs from Ushuaia, you’ll need a policy that covers you for both Argentina and Antarctica, or if you are booked on a fly-cruise from Punta Arenas you will require a policy covering Chile and Antarctica.

Related to this, it is also important to check whether your insurance will still cover you in the event of any changes to governmental travel advisories relevant to your trip, such as a Level 4 travel advisory being announced unexpectedly before or during your travels.

Nowhere else but Antarctica can the weather conditions actually dictate when your ship or aircraft can depart, and delays due to dangerous flight or unsailable sea conditions can be long, sometimes even days. It’s therefore vital to purchase an Antarctica travel insurance policy that covers you for trip delays.

Most Antarctica travel insurance policies will cover you up to somewhere in the region of USD$500 for trip delays, however, if you can find higher, do so, as trip delays in Antarctica are not uncommon. In order to avoid disappointment it’s best to book your Antarctica cruise with some leeway either side to give yourself the flexibility to adjust your travel plans as required.

While travel delay typically covers a daily amount for unplanned accommodations and other costs incurred as a result of a delay, missed flight/connection cover—often available as an add-on—additionally reimburses you for potentially expensive transportation costs required to “catch up” to your trip in the event of a covered delay. This may be very useful for those with short lay-overs or anyone considering a fly-cruise itinerary where the connecting flight is crucial to the experience.

Whilst Trip Cancellation insurance isn’t a requirement as such, given the high cost of Antarctica expeditions we strongly advise that you do purchase it to protect yourself against any event which may force you to cancel your trip before departure, including unforeseen illness, family death, or natural disasters.

Equally unlikely, potential cruise operator insolvency is also a possibility. Indeed, one of the major Antarctica cruise operators was forced to cease operations a few years ago and anyone who had not purchased Antarctica travel insurance prior to their trip lost any monies they had already paid. A good Antarctica trip cancellation policy will also include cover for the continent’s capricious weather conditions.

Trip cancellation generally pays out anywhere from USD$2,500 – USD$10,000 depending on the policy level, so if your trip costs more than the limit specified you may wish to consider purchasing a “top-up” policy to cover the difference.

A trip interruption normally occurs when a traveler unexpectedly has to cut short their trip and return home—like trip cancellation but after you have already begun your trip—so it is equally sensible to protect yourself for any events that may cause you to leave your polar experience part-way through.

Conversely, trip interruption can also encompass events which may cause you to have to stay in your destination longer than you’d originally planned. If you are sailing the notorious Drake Passage, trip interruption cover would be sensible as it is not unheard of for a ship to have to turn around due to high winds and rough seas. Trip interruption normally covers you up to USD$5,000 on a standard Antarctica travel insurance policy.

One tool at your disposal for reducing the price of your Antarctica travel insurance policy is by raising your policy excess—the amount you are willing to pay first as part of any claim. Most insurers will have a compulsory excess of roughly USD$100 – USD$200. If you wish to remove such an excess, note that only a few Antarctica travel insurers offer zero excess policies.

Because of Antarctica’s remote location and the expense of getting someone to a medical facility, every Antarctic tour operator requires you to have a certain level of medical emergency (air-)evacuation insurance before you can embark your expedition vessel. (Medical repatriation is slightly different to medical emergency evacuation as it covers travelers who’d prefer to be taken home to have medical treatment rather than just be taken to the nearest hospital.)

Given the cost of an Antarctica evacuation is upwards of USD$100,000 and simple hospital operations costing in excess of USD$10,000, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Antarctica operators typically require you to have a minimum emergency evacuation, repatriation and medical cover of USD$100,000 – USD$250,000 (or even higher for trips to the Antarctic interior outside of the Ellsworth Mountains). It is important that you check this minimum amount in advance. Be warned that while many Antarctica travel insurance policies may claim they cover you for USD$5,000,000 or more, this rarely includes any actual evacuation so do check the wording carefully.

Closely linked to the topic of geographical coverage, Argentina and Chile (or any other country you may be traveling through to get to Antarctica) may also have their own medical insurance requirements for entry into the country. For example, during the pandemic, both these countries required foreign nationals to have medical insurance that explicitly covered any expenses relating to COVID-19 (medical costs, quarantine, trip delay, etc.) upon entry, indeed Chile required a fixed level of medical insurance with a minimum claim value of USD$30,000.

Whilst these may no longer be applicable currently, the situation may revert back so we have included this point to raise awareness. Please be aware that whilst we make every effort to ensure the latest requirements are reflected here, it is your responsibility to check they haven’t changed before you travel.

Also note that, as with all medical insurance, Antarctica travel insurance policies will not cover you for any pre-existing medical conditions or illnesses.

One of the most important aspects of any Antarctica travel insurance policy is understanding what activities you are covered for. Some policies may stop covering you the moment you leave your cruise ship, others however may cover you (as standard or via an add-on) for some but not all polar pursuits you’ll be partaking in. Even if they do in fact cover every adventure, activity, insurers rarely openly state every covered activity so it will be up to you to read the fine print to make sure you’re covered.

Most policies will cover you for on-shore activities such as wildlife watching, but activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, camping and hiking are typically not covered as standard but easily added on for a premium. More hazardous activities or trips to the Antarctic interior like mountaineering, skiing, and skydiving may require separate specific coverage or higher minimum medical evacuation limits.

Another important consideration for your Antarctica travel insurance is your baggage cover—particularly important for the many Antarctica travelers planning to take high-end camera gear with them. No one wants to turn up for their once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition to find their expensive equipment has been lost in transit, damaged, or worse still, stolen. Luckily, all standard Antarctica insurance policies cover for such scenarios to some extent, however, it’s important to understand how much you are covered for.

A standard amount for lost or stolen luggage is USD$1,000, but if you’re carrying expensive camera gear, this amount won’t really cut it! Also note that many policies will not actually cover you for any optic or electronic gear, or any items that have been bought second-hand.

It’s always advisable to bring a lock to secure your luggage. Although theft is not a problem in Antarctica or on any Antarctic expedition cruises, like any busy city the world over, Ushuaia and other South American cities you may visit or transit through are not exempt from crime and sensible precautions should be taken.

Here is a list of the most common questions we receive with regards travel insurance for Antarctica cruises and expeditions. Should you have any additional questions that aren’t covered here, feel free to get in touch with our specialists who will endeavor to answer your queries.

Given the remote regions you’ll be visiting, the unpredictable weather and sea conditions, and the high cost of a polar expedition, comprehensive travel insurance is not only strongly recommended to protect yourself, your belongings, and your investment, but certain levels of coverage is also a stipulation of cruise operators in order to embark on an expedition.

It is best practice to arrange any travel insurance at the same time as you book your trip (or as soon after booking as is feasible) not only to ensure your investment is protected for trip cancellation as soon as possible, but also because some insurance policies actually offer a reduced level of coverage—or none at all in the case of “Cancel for Any Reason” policies—if not bought sufficiently soon after paying for your cruise deposit.

Emergency Evacuation Insurance covers the incurred transportation costs associated with getting you to the nearest location with a medical facility for your needs, whereas Medical Insurance takes over once you get to that facility to cover your medical expenses, such as medical procedures, doctor/hospital fees, prescriptions, etc.

It is recommended you purchase travel insurance coverage for the entire cost and duration of your travel plans, including any countries you’ll be visiting or traveling through before and after your expedition. If you are planning to visit the Antarctic Interior you may even need to get coverage for up to a week after your scheduled return date in the event of any unforeseen delays.

Credit card travel insurance policies often exclude Antarctica expeditions, medical evacuations, and trip delays, but it is your responsibility to find out what travel insurance coverage and benefits you may have through your credit card provider to see if it is suitable and sufficient for your and any tour operator requirements.

Despite being called ‘worldwide’ policies, many do not include Antarctica so it is always advisable to check the geographical coverage of your policy. Even if they do, such policies rarely have the requisite levels of coverage for emergency evacuation, or indeed the desired trip cancellation amounts either. It may however be possible to top up an existing policy with your current or a separate provider, but do be aware that top up insurance is contingent on your base insurance paying out.

Antarctica Cruises are not insurance experts and are not legally permitted to provide insurance advice. Any considerations and comments here are solely based on our personal experiences and research, and should not be relied upon or construed as insurance advice in any way. Each traveler is individually responsible for arranging their own insurance and should always consult with an accredited insurance provider or broker for accurate information.

Really this question should be, “what is the best travel insurance policy for my Antarctica trip?” as everyone’s personal circumstances, age, health, belongings, route, activities, historical claims, affluence levels, and risk appetite are unique to them.

For example, someone may be too old, be wanting to bring too expensive camera equipment, or take part in too hazardous an activity for some underwriters to insure for a reasonable price or at all. Other travelers may be wanting to visit more remote locations than someone else, and may be willing to pay much more in excess in the event of a claim for a lower premium.

All this goes to highlight that the best Antarctica travel insurance policy for you will always be the one which provides you personally with sufficient peace of mind, whilst still satisfying the requirements of the tour operator you’ll be traveling with. For more detailed information on what is required for your specific expedition please refer to your tour operator’s terms and conditions.

We have provided a list of well-known Antarctica travel insurance providers below to assist you in finding and researching those Antarctica insurance policies we are aware of. As our expertise lies in Antarctic expedition cruises and not the nuances of insurance—not to mention that legally we are not permitted to provide any insurance advice—please address any specific questions you may have about your particular requirements to them.

Given insurance typically has to be bought in your country of residence, it may be worthwhile contacting a local insurance broker who has a thorough understanding of the options available in your region, as they may be able to match you up to a suitable policy.

Always take the time to thoroughly review any prospective policy and its exclusions before purchasing. Again, for legal reasons we are unable to check the wording or suitability of any policies you are considering, so  should you have any queries needing clarification please contact the relevant insurer directly.

If your locale is not listed below then unfortunately we are unable to provide any insurer information.

Please note that many standard US-based insurance policies will cover you for travel to a Level 4 travel advisory country, but not for cancellation because of a state advisory change prior to entering the country or for “fear of travel” reasons. Known Antarctica travel insurance providers serving North America residents who you may like to contact for a quote include:

Cat70 Tin Leg HTH Travel Insurance Travel Guard Travelex Arch – RoamRight Allianz Squaremouth (comparison site)

Please note that standard UK insurance policies often have insufficient cancellation coverage to fully protect most trips to Antarctica, so you may need to consider purchasing an additional “top-up” policy. Known Antarctica travel insurance providers serving UK residents who you may like to contact for a quote include:

PJ Hayman Campbell Irvine Travel + General

Known Antarctica travel insurance providers serving Australia residents who you may like to contact for a quote include:

NIB Travel insurance

Here are some important points you may like to discuss with your insurer prior to purchasing your Antarctica travel insurance policy. We strongly recommend phoning insurers to discuss your requirements as it can prove difficult finding all the necessary answers online, not to mention time consuming.

Please note this list of questions is not exhaustive and you should ensure you also discuss any relevant personal circumstances which apply to you.

• Does the policy cover cruising or travel to countries that are subject to a travel advisory? For example, for US-based travelers it’s important to ask about scenarios around US State Department travel advisory Level 4, both prior to booking or during your trip.
• What coverage does this policy include in relation to COVID-19? For example, cancellation coverage for the full value of the trip should you test positive prior to departure, and travel delay, interruption, and medical coverage should you test positive during travel and need medical costs?
• Does the policy cover you for any missed flights, connections, or airline delays which may have a detrimental knock-on effect to your trip?
• Will the policy cover you for any lost or curtailed cruise days as a result of inclement weather, along with any charges for rescheduling other impacted travel arrangements such as hotels and flights.
• Does the cancellation coverage amount actually cover the full cost of the expedition cruise plus any flights and hotel arrangements that you may have booked separately?
• Is a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy available and, if so, what are its terms and conditions?
• Does the policy sufficiently cover all the requirements set out by your tour operator? This may include mandatory emergency evacuation coverage to a certain value.
• Are all the adventure activities I’ll be participating in covered?

Having the right travel insurance for you and your Antarctic adventure will give you peace of mind before and during your travels, so be sure to take your time to research the options available and scrutinize the fine print.

Once you have booked your trip with us and bought an appropriate insurance policy to comprehensively cover your full itinerary and any associated activities, your Antarctica specialist will request a copy, usually several weeks in advance of travel, to submit to the relevant tour operators for review and filing as proof of coverage. After that, you can concern yourself with packing your bags and building up the excitement for your trip of a lifetime.

When it comes to actually traveling, we recommend not only having your policy easily accessible on your phone, but also carrying a printout (or two) to show at airline counters when boarding your flight(s) if requested, and storing both your policy number any relevant claim hotline numbers in your contacts for ease of reference. Hopefully you’ll be among the throngs of Antarctic travelers who won’t be in need of any of them, but in the unlikely event a situation arises that you do need to make a claim for, be sure to inform your insurer immediately and adhere to any specific process they require you to follow as specified in their policy wording.

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Our travel guides are for informational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Antarctica Cruises makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information in our guides or found by following any link on this site.

Antarctica Cruises cannot and will not accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies, or for any consequences arising therefrom, including any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the display or use of this information.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?

Get in touch with us via phone or form today and you’ll be assigned a dedicated Antarctica specialist who’ll be with you every step of the way to help you choose, book and plan the right Antarctica cruise for you. Here’s how it works:

Listen & Match

We’ll carefully listen to your aspirations and curate an impartial shortlist of personalized polar cruise recommendations—and pre- and post-cruise extensions—to match your desired experience.

Reserve & Relax

Next we’ll place a free, no obligation, 24-hour cabin hold on your preferred cruise option whilst we discuss the final details. Book and relax safe in the knowledge you’ll be paying the lowest price guaranteed.

Prepare & Travel

Then we’ll provide you with our expert packing advice, insider travel tips, and more to ensure you are fully prepared for—and maximize your enjoyment of—your once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

• With Partner/Friend
• With Family
• As Part Of A Group
• Emperor Penguin
• Photography
• Exploration Heritage
• Antarctic Peninsula
• Antarctic Circle
• Falklands/S. Georgia
• Weddell Sea
• Ross Sea/E. Antarctica

Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List
• Beach Packing List
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
• First-Time Cruise Tips
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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