Cruise Travel Insurance – Protection for Cruise Vacations | Redpoint
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Luxury cruiser in Fira Bay

Cruise Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance

Why Cruise Travel Insurance Matters

A cruise vacation offers travelers the best of both worlds: a high seas adventure where you can visit multiple exotic ports, all without the hassle of traveling to and from numerous destinations. Food, drinks, activities, entertainment, and programming are all provided for you, so all you have to do is relax and focus on having a great time.

However, just because much of the planning and logistics are done for you on a cruise, that doesn't mean things can't go wrong. On the contrary, these so-called "floating hotels" can actually come with unique risks of their own, which is why it's essential to have travel insurance for cruises to make sure you're covered. Read on to find out what you might need in a cruise travel insurance plan and how to get one before you go.

Cruise insurance coverage ensures that your non-refundable trip costs are covered if you can't go on your cruise as planned. In addition, it protects you from having to pay out of pocket for any unforeseen accidents, emergencies, or events that may happen while you're at sea or in port. Let's take a look at some cruise-specific risks:

  • Medical care onboard: While most cruises have medical providers on board, they can be limited in what they can provide, and can also be expensive. Cruise travel insurance will reimburse you for any medical costs you have to pay for, including if you need to be transferred or evacuated to more advanced medical facilities.
  • Potential delays or missed ports: If weather, delays, or illness prevent you from participating in a pre-paid activity in a port, then travel insurance will recoup you for the costs of the missed activity. If you're doing any high-risk adventure activities while in-port, you may also want to get high-risk travel insurance coverage as part of your policy.
  • Quarantine risks: Covid-19 had a huge impact on the cruise industry, and should another situation like this arise while you're on board, it could mean a major disruption to your plans. Cruise travel insurance would reimburse you if you had to book any alternative onward travel due to quarantine or disruption.
  • Lost luggage between airport and cruise terminal: Losing your luggage can be more complicated when you're on a cruise versus in a fixed destination. Cruise insurance coverage will cover the increased logistical costs of getting your belongings returned to you if they are lost in transit.
Tourists on a large cruise ship on Boka Bay near Perast Montenegro.

What Cruise Insurance Should Cover

Cruise travel insurance is tailored to the unique risks of cruising and offers protection far beyond standard trip coverage. Here’s what to look for in a comprehensive policy:

Trip Cancellation & Interruption

Cruises are often booked months in advance, and usually paid for up front. Trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage provides coverage for things that may come up, such as serious illness, family emergencies, severe weather like hurricanes, or even cruise line mechanical failures that delay or cancel your trip. You should check the “covered reasons” listed by your insurance policy to see what you’re allowed to make a claim for. If you think you might need to cancel for a reason that is not covered by your policy, then consider adding Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to your policy.

Medical Emergencies & Onboard Care

A sudden illness or injury at sea can be both stressful and costly, and ship-wide disease outbreaks are certainly a possibility. Medical insurance for cruise ships includes coverage for onboard doctor visits, treatment during outbreaks like norovirus, and necessary medical care while docked. Emergency medical coverage also covers hospital transfers at the nearest port if your condition requires advanced treatment.

Emergency Medical Evacuation at Sea

If you suffer a serious medical emergency that requires evacuation, such as a heart attack or trauma, medical evacuation coverage can cover the high cost of airlifting you from the ship or port to the nearest appropriate medical facility — often tens of thousands of dollars.

Missed Ports or Connections

If your ship skips a scheduled port due to weather or mechanical issues — or if you’re delayed getting to your departure port — cruise insurance can reimburse you for missed experiences, added expenses, or the cost of rejoining your cruise.

Lost baggage and personal items

Packing for a cruise often requires bringing formalwear, medical devices, and any custom gear for expeditions and adventures you have planned. Insurance helps replace lost, stolen, or delayed luggage, so you can continue your trip without added expense.

Best Redpoint Plans for Cruise Travel

Redpoint cruise coverage offers three different policies for different types of trips.

  • Ripcord is ideal for expedition-style cruises and those which visit remote ports. This is enhanced coverage intended for cruise travelers who plan to go on high-risk adventure activities or destinations that are far removed from advanced medical facilities.
  • Cavalry is great for family vacations or luxury cruise itineraries that visit popular ports anywhere in the world. It also includes coverage for any activities you’ve planned during your port visits.
  • Harbor is a solid budget option for itineraries visiting popular, well-trafficked ports like the Bahamas, Venice, Miami, or Mexico.

Cruise Destinations to Consider

One of the major selling points of a cruise holiday is the opportunity to see multiple destinations in a much shorter amount of time, all on a single trip. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular destinations that cruises tend to visit in each region.

  • Caribbean: Cruising through the Caribbean is synonymous with a carefree vacation, and ports like Nassau in the Bahamas, St Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Port Cozumel in Mexico are popular for a reason.
  • Mediterranean: Cruising through Europe is a great way to spend a summer, and travelers tend to love visits to iconic ports like Barcelona, Santorini, and Civitavecchia (Rome).
  • North America: From Miami to Alaska, there is plenty to explore closer to home in North America. Hotspots in Alaska include the capital, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.

FAQs About Cruise Insurance

Cruise Liners On Geiranger fjord, Norway.

What is cruise travel insurance?

Cruise travel insurance is a specialized type of coverage designed to protect you from the unique risks of cruising — like missed ports, onboard medical issues, or ship delays. It typically includes trip cancellation, trip delay coverage, emergency medical care, evacuation at sea, and reimbursement for lost luggage or missed connections.

Does regular travel insurance cover cruises?

Standard travel insurance may offer some coverage for a cruise, but you might find it falls short for certain events that are specific to cruise ships. A cruise-specific policy provides broader protection for the unique risks of cruise itineraries, which is why many cruise lines and experts recommend it over general travel insurance.

What happens if I get sick on a cruise?

If you get sick while on a cruise, your insurance can cover onboard doctor visits, prescription medications, and treatment for illness outbreaks like norovirus. If your condition is serious, cruise travel insurance can also cover hospital transfers or even emergency evacuation to the nearest medical facility on land.

Does cruise insurance cover missed ports?

Yes. If your ship skips a scheduled port due to bad weather or mechanical issues, cruise insurance can reimburse you for lost prepaid excursions or activities. Some policies even offer a flat payout for each missed port on your itinerary.

What kind of travel insurance do I need for a cruise?

When you purchase travel insurance, you should look for a comprehensive cruise-specific policy that includes trip cancellation, emergency medical and evacuation coverage, missed connections and ports, and baggage protection.

Get Covered for Your Cruise

Redpoint Travel Protection has a range of travel insurance plans for anyone embarking on a cruise, no matter the destination or length of the trip. With 24/7 assistance, flexible options, and the option for coverage in multiple countries, you can set sail with confidence knowing that you’re covered no matter what. To find out more about our plans, compare our plans, and get a quote today.

Sunset From A Cruise Ship