Travel insurance is important especially for cruisers because cruises are unique compared to other types of vacations.

Unlike a road trip or a resort stay, a cruise often involves multiple destinations, international waters, and strict cancellation policies.

Here are the top reasons why travel insurance is a wise investment for cruisers:

1. Trip Cancellations & Interruptions

Cruises often require full payment months in advance, and most cruise lines have strict cancellation policies. If you need to cancel due to illness, a family emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances, travel insurance can help reimburse non-refundable expenses.

2. Medical Emergencies & Evacuations

Your health insurance may not cover you outside your home country. If you get sick or injured while at sea or in a foreign port, medical costs can be significant.

Worse, if you need emergency evacuation from the ship to a hospital, through MedEvac, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance helps cover these expenses.

I've personally been on several cruises where a fellow passenger encountered a catastrophic medical situation that required diversion and emergency disembarkation at a foreign port of call.

3. Missed Connections & Delays

If a flight delay causes you to miss your cruise departure, you could be responsible for catching up with the ship at the next port, at your own expense. Travel insurance can cover missed connections, allowing you to rejoin your cruise without hefty out-of-pocket costs.

4. Lost, Delayed, or Stolen Luggage

Cruises require multiple transitions (flights, transfers, and embarkation) that increase the chances of lost or delayed luggage. Travel insurance can help cover essentials if your bags are delayed and reimburse you if they are lost or stolen.

5. Weather-Related Disruptions

Hurricanes and severe weather can lead to cruise delays, cancellations, or altered itineraries. Travel insurance can cover these disruptions, helping with rebooking costs or refunds.

When purchasing travel insurance for a cruise, you have two main options: buying through the cruise line or purchasing a third-party policy.

However, it's important to note that cruise line insurance is unavailable to residents of some states, such as New York, due to state regulations, and it's unavailable to residents of certain countries. If you live in a area where cruise line insurance isn’t an option, you’ll need to explore third-party policies instead.

Each option has its advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Buying Travel Insurance Through the Cruise Line

✅ Pros:

1. Convenience – It’s easy to purchase directly when booking your cruise, eliminating the need to research and compare policies.
2. Covers Cruise-Related Issues – These plans are designed specifically for cruise travelers, covering trip cancellations, itinerary changes, and missed connections.

❌ Cons:

1. Limited Medical Coverage – Most cruise-line policies do not include sufficient medical coverage, particularly for emergencies, hospital stays, or medical evacuations.
2. Limited ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ (CFAR) Option – Cruise line insurance usually only covers cancellations for specific reasons, and if it provides CFAR it's only for partial future cruise credit. If you want flexibility to cancel for any reason, and to receive a refund with cancellation, third-party insurance is likely a better choice.
3. Coverage is Restricted to the Cruise – Typically, cruise-line insurance does not cover pre- or post-cruise travel, flights, hotel stays, or independently booked excursions.
4. Medical Evacuation May Be Insufficient – If you need to be airlifted from the ship, the included coverage might not be enough to cover the full cost.

Buying Travel Insurance on Your Own (Third-Party Insurance)

✅ Pros:

1. More Comprehensive Coverage – Third-party policies typically include higher medical limits, emergency evacuations, and broader trip interruption benefits.
2. Covers Pre- & Post-Cruise Travel – If your trip includes flights, hotels, or excursions outside the cruise, a third-party policy will cover those aspects, unlike cruise line insurance.
3. More Flexibility – Many third-party policies offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which lets you cancel for reasons not covered by standard policies.
4. Independent Assistance – If something goes wrong, you deal directly with the insurance provider, not the cruise line, which may be more responsive in an emergency.
5. Coverage of All Travel - Some plans, like the Allianz annual plan I personally use, covers all of my trips throughout the year, making it a much more affordable option.

❌ Cons:

1. Requires Research – You need to compare policies, coverage limits, and exclusions to find the best plan for you and your family.
2. Might Be More Expensive – A third-party plan can cost more upfront, but the coverage is often more robust, making it a better value in the long run.
3. Pre-Existing Conditions May Require a Waiver – If you have a pre-existing condition, you may need to purchase your policy within a certain timeframe (e.g., 14-21 days of booking) to qualify for coverage.

Many travelers assume their regular health insurance will cover them on a cruise, but that’s often not the case. Here’s why relying solely on your medical insurance can leave you vulnerable:

1. Limited or No Coverage Outside Your Home Country

Most U.S.-based health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not cover medical expenses incurred outside the country. Since cruises often travel to international waters and foreign ports, your standard insurance may not apply.

2. Emergency Medical Care Can Be Expensive

Cruise ships have medical facilities, but they are limited and often charge out-of-pocket rates for treatment. Suppose you need more advanced medical care, such as an emergency appendectomy, as just one example. In that case, you may have to be transported to a hospital in a foreign country, where your insurance might not be accepted.

3. Medical Evacuations Are Not Covered

If you experience a severe medical emergency, you might need an emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital or even back home.

These evacuations can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and most health insurance plans (including Medicare) do not cover them. Travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation benefits can cover these costs.

4. International Billing and Reimbursement Issues

Even if your medical insurance offers limited international coverage, you may have to pay upfront for treatment and then submit claims for reimbursement, which can be a complicated and lengthy process.

If you seek treatment on a cruise ship, even if your medical insurance may cover it, you'll most likely need to pay the full cost upfront before being allowed to disembark. It's then up to you to submit for reimbursement later. 

5. Travel Insurance Provides Supplemental Medical Coverage

A good cruise travel insurance policy includes primary or secondary medical coverage that helps pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and even emergency transportation without the hassle of out-of-pocket expenses or claim denials.

It's helpful to look into your health insurance to see what, if anything, is provided for international coverage, as well as the payment and reimbursement policies.

Now let's talk about travel credit card coverage.

If you have a travel-specific credit card, which I am a big advocate of, you likely receive some travel protections for trips purchased with that card. 

However, while these benefits can be useful, they come with limitations, and relying solely on credit card coverage could leave you underinsured.

I do both. I book my cruises with a travel-specific credit card, and personally I'm a big fan of the Capital One Venture X card, and I also carry an annual family travel insurance plan.

As one example, my Venture X card does provide some built-in basic protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay reimbursement, and lost luggage coverage.

However, for comprehensive protection for medical emergencies, evacuations, and full trip cancellation coverage, a dedicated travel insurance policy offers far more coverage, especially for medical costs at sea, and that's why I do both.

Use of a premium travel credit card can supplement, but not replace, a dedicated travel insurance policy. 

The decision between an annual travel insurance plan and individual trip coverage depends on how often you travel and the types of coverage you need.

For me, it's a no-brainer since I cruise monthly. But if you don't travel that often, here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

An annual policy may be best if:

• You take multiple trips per year, including cruises, flights, or road trips.

• You want one policy that covers every trip, including domestic and international travel.

• You value convenience and don’t want to remember to purchase a new policy every trip.

• You’re looking for better value over time, since annual plans are typically more cost-effective for frequent travelers.

• You want to cover things like trip delay, cancellation, medical emergencies, and rental car insurance in one bundled plan.

• You want coverage for your family. The Allianz annual plan covers everyone in your household.
  
  

An individual trip policy may be best if:

• You only travel once or twice a year.

• Your trips vary widely in cost or type, and you prefer tailoring coverage to each one.

• You’re booking a very expensive or complex trip, like a bucket-list cruise or international itinerary, and want high-limit or customizable coverage.

If you're still unsure, I suggest calculating your total estimated travel costs for the year and comparing the annual premium vs. the cost of individual trip policies.

If the math tips toward the annual plan, and you take more than 2-3 trips a year, it’s probably the best choice.

If you decide that an individual trip policy is best for you, you may be wondering when you need to buy it.

The best time to buy your travel insurance is within 14 days of your "initial deposit date." This refers to the date of the very first payment you make toward your cruise, flight, resort, or tour.

Buying early ensures you qualify for the maximum benefits of the Allianz individual trip insurance policy, such as trip cancellation coverage.

Even if you've passed the 14-day window, though, you can still purchase a policy up until the day before departure, and you’ll still receive valuable coverage for things like:

• Medical emergencies

• Emergency evacuation

• Trip interruption

• Baggage loss or delays

• Travel delays

Bottom line: If you want the most complete protection, don’t wait. Buy your policy shortly after you make your first trip payment; ideally within that 14-day period.

Want an instant quote for an individual trip policy? Just complete the form below.

Buying coverage through the cruise line is convenient, but an Allianz plan generally provides better coverage.

An Allianz individual trip plan typically includes trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical care, evacuation, baggage loss, and travel delays.

Unlike cruise line insurance, which often has limited medical and evacuation benefits, Allianz often provides broader, third-party protection.