Cruise Travel Insurance
A cruise isn’t quite like any other holiday. Whether it’s a week in the Mediterranean or a month around the Caribbean, you’re visiting several places in one booking and spending days at sea. Just Travel Cover compares cruise insurance quotes from a panel of UK insurers, so you can see the best options and choose the cover that suits you.
- Compare cruise insurance from UK insurers
- Cover for ocean, river, UK and world cruises
- Missed port departure and cabin confinement cover
- Single-trip and annual policies available
What is Cruise Travel Insurance?
Cruise Travel Insurance is a policy that provides you with protection for things that might go wrong while you’re on a cruise, or in the run-up to it.
When doing regular travel, insurance is not always mandatory, however many cruise providers now require Travel Insurance with specific cruise cover for anyone booking their cruise.
Unlike regular Travel Insurance, some cruise insurance policies include benefits specific to cruising, such as missed port departure and cabin confinement cover, so you’re covered for more than standard holiday benefits.
Why is Cruise Insurance Different from Standard Travel Insurance?
On most holidays if you fall ill a hospital is a short taxi ride away. On a cruise, getting to where you can be treated can be more complex and costly. The right cover is important in case a medical emergency means you need:
- Treatment on a cruise ship
- Relocation for treatment on land
- Medical repatriation
- Itinerary changes such as if you miss your port
A policy with the right cruise cover is written with those situations in mind. We compare options so you can select which policy works based on factors like your cruise location, duration, and any medical conditions.
How to Find the Right Cruise Travel Insurance
When looking for cruise insurance, we compare your policy options across our panel of UK insurers. We’ll take you through a quick screening to find the options that suit your needs.
1. Tell us about your cruise
We’ll ask a few questions about things like the destinations you’ll visit on your cruise and the duration of your trip.
2. Complete a quick medical screening
For us to understand any pre-existing medical conditions which might need to be considered for your cover.
3. Compare policy options
Review your options across our panel of providers to find the right cover for your cruise.
How to Find the Right Cruise Travel Insurance
When looking for cruise insurance, we compare your policy options across our panel of UK insurers. We’ll take you through a quick screening to find the options that suit your needs.
1. Tell us about your cruise
We’ll ask a few questions about things like the destinations you’ll visit on your cruise and the duration of your trip.
2. Complete a quick medical screening
For us to understand any pre-existing medical conditions which might need to be considered for your cover.
3. Compare policy options
Review your options across our panel of providers to find the right cover for your cruise.
Cruise Insurance for Every Type of Cruise
Not all cruises are equal, and you might need different cover depending on the type of cruise you’ll be going on.
| Type of Cruise | What to Declare | What to Look out for |
| Mediterranean | Every port country, especially any outside the EU such as Turkey, Morocco or Egypt. | Some insurers count the same itinerary as Europe on one policy and Worldwide on another. To be sure your destinations are covered, list all countries you will be visiting. |
| Caribbean | If you fly into the USA or spend a night there (such as Miami or Fort Lauderdale), you’ll need to declare the USA as a destination | Many policies price the USA separately. Leaving it off could leave you uninsured where treatment costs are highest. |
| Europe | Each port country, plus any pre-cruise flights or hotel stays | A GHIC may help in a state hospital ashore in an EU country, but it doesn’t cover treatment on board. |
| The Americas | Every country where you embark and disembark. | Make sure the area you choose includes the USA and Canada if your cruise starts, ends or calls there. |
| Northern Europe and Norwegian fjords | Each country you’ll be visiting. | Remote fjord ports can mean longer transfers to hospital. Declare all the countries you will be porting in and carefully read your policy wording. |
|
E.g. Arctic, Antarctica, Galápagos |
Declare any countries you’ll be visiting. Remember – these cruises include activities like kayaking. | Some insurers treat remote or polar trips differently, and activities may need adding. Check your policy documentation for the exact activities that are covered. |
| Asia and The Far East | Each port country and any flight connections, which often route through the Middle East or other hubs | Long-haul flights add days to the trip, so count them in your travel dates and check the trip fits your policy’s maximum length. |
| Indian Ocean | Each island nation the ship calls at | Smaller islands may have limited hospital facilities, so check the policy covers emergency transport to a larger hospital. |
For more information, find out more about the cover you need for your cruise type.
Our Expert Says
“When you’re going on a cruise, there are a few more things your insurance needs to consider, so it’s important to get a specialist cruise policy rather than any general holiday insurance.
Different cruise policies will have different options too, for things like how much excess you pay. The best way to see your options is to compare policies, so you can find one that suits what you need for your cruise.”
Dale Robinson
Dale Robinson, Travel Insurance Expert – Just Travel Cover
Does Your GHIC Cover You For a Cruise?
It’s important to know that a UK GHIC doesn’t cover you for any medical treatment you receive while you’re on board a cruise.
If you’re taken to a hospital on land in a country where the card is valid, you may be entitled to treatment there, but the card never covers the important things you might need if you experience a medical emergency or problem during your trip, such as medical repatriation, or cancellation cover.
A specialist cruise Travel Insurance policy ensures that you are covered, on and off board your cruise, should you need medical treatment or other insurance coverage for your trip.
What’s Included in Cruise Travel Insurance?
Cruise insurance usually covers more than what you can get in a basic travel policy for a holiday on land. Usually, you’ll find additional benefits that cover you for things which you could experience on a cruise.
Included in most standard holiday policies:
- Cover for emergency medical expenses
- Cover for repatriation
- Cancellation and curtailment cover
- Full cover for pre-existing medical conditions
- Lost or stolen baggage cover
- Emergency medical assistance
+ Included additionally in most cruise policies:
- Missed port departure cover
- Cabin confinement cover
- Unused excursions cover
- Itinerary change cover
- Cruise interruption cover
Every policy will have different inclusions and levels of cover, so it’s important to carefully read any policy wording before you choose, to make sure you fully understand what it included in your policy.
Where am I Covered With Cruise Travel Insurance?
We compare policies for cruises over a range of destinations, so you can find suitable cover whether you are spending a few days sailing the British Isles, or a week in the Norwegian fjords.
When you use our insurance quote tool to see your options, you can input the destinations you’ll be visiting on your trip. Don’t worry if you’re going to multiple destinations, you can add everywhere your cruise stops and it will be included in one policy.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CRUISERS
Most Cruise companies now specify that you must have Travel Insurance with cruise cover in place before setting sail.
You will typically be asked to confirm you have Cruise Travel Insurance at the terminal, and you may need to provide proof of your policy.
Sometimes, you may be denied boarding at your own expense if you do not arrange cruise-specific Travel Insurance.
Requirements for insurance can differ between cruise providers, it’s important to understand the requirements of your provider before you book cover.
Find out more about Travel Insurance requirements for cruises.
Find the Right Cruise Cover for You
Just Travel Cover offers Cruise Travel Insurance for a wide range of ages and medical conditions, find out more at our guides below
Why Compare Cruise Insurance with Just Travel Cover?
Cruise insurance tends to vary between insurers. Two policies are unlikely to have exactly the same options when it comes to things like missed port departure limits or excess amount. That’s why comparing helps you land on the best option. At Just Travel Cover, we review your policy options across our panel of specialist UK insurers to find the best policy that works for you.
We’ve been comparing Travel Insurance for over 20 years, insuring over 1 million travellers. Our commitment to understanding your unique needs and preferences is what sets us apart, providing an award-winning experience so you can make the best policy choice to meet your needs.
You can compare your policy options online, or, you can call our team to discuss your trip over the phone.
Authorised and Regulated
JustTravelCover.com is a trading style of Just Insurance Agents Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 610022) for general insurance distribution.
Cruise Travel Insurance FAQs
What if the cruise line cancels or changes my sailing?
If the cruise line cancels, your first route is usually a refund or rebooking under its booking conditions. Travel Insurance is generally designed for cancellations for reasons like illness, rather than supplier decisions, though some policies include itinerary change or supplier failure cover. To ensure you have the level of cover you need, read your specific policy wording carefully for details.
Will an annual policy cover a cruise?
It can, if the policy includes cruise cover or you add it. It’s worth checking your existing policy before you sail to make sure, and check the maximum trip length per journey to ensure it covers the whole cruise.
Are shore excursions covered?
Sightseeing excursions generally are, but some activity-based ones may be excluded or may need to be added. If you’re not sure if an excursion will be covered by your policy, check the activity list and add cover where needed.
Is there an age limit for cruise insurance?
We compare policies across a panel who specialise in insurance without an upper age limit. While your exact policy options will depend on several details, like your medical history, destination and trip length, we only show you policies that will cover your age and circumstances. Find more information on cruise insurance for senior travellers here.
How much does a cruise insurance quote cost?
The cost of your final policy will depend on factors such as your age, medical conditions, where you’re cruising, how long for, and how much cancellation cover you need. Comparing across our panel allowed you to see the range available for your trip.
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