Cruise Travel Insurance

What is cruise travel insurance?  

For Aussies seeking a holiday to unwind and explore exotic destinations in comfort, cruises are the ultimate getaway. Since cruises are a unique type of holiday, a specialised type of travel insurance is needed to cover the risks more commonly associated with this style of travel.  

Cruises aren’t generally covered as standard in most travel insurance policies, although most providers will allow you to add on coverage for cruises as an optional extra.  This type of add-on is sometimes referred to as a cruise pack.   

Imagine sipping a cocktail on the poolside deck, knowing that insurance has your back. 

Why should I consider cruise insurance? 

One of the most important aspects to consider is medical coverage. Once your ship leaves Australian waters, Medicare or your private health insurance will not cover your medical costs. Cruise insurance helps provide financial protection for any medical expenses you might incur both onshore and offshore, as well as emergency transport should you need to be evacuated from the ship 

Beyond medical coverage, cruise insurance can also protect you from any unexpected financial losses resulting from a range of scenarios such as missed port departure, lost or delayed luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance.  

Is cruise insurance mandatory? 

While cruise insurance is not always mandatory, some cruise operators and destination countries require travel insurance as a condition of travel.  For example, travel insurance is mandatory for entry to New Caledonia – a popular port of call on many itineraries. In any case, having cruise insurance is wise to protect yourself against the unexpected. 

When should I purchase cruise insurance? 

It can be a good idea to consider taking out cruise insurance as soon you’ve started booking your holiday and paid for any part of your cruise. That way, you’ll be covered for pre-trip cancellations and get a refund on some of your prepaid costs and deposits if you need to cancel before setting sail.  

How can I make sure I’m covered for all my cruise stops? 

To ensure you’re well-protected for any unexpected mishaps, make sure you include all the countries the cruise docks on your travel insurance policy, not just the country of departure. In addition:  

• Your insurance should cover onshore activities at every port, so if your cruise departs from Australia and visits other countries, make sure your policy includes regional or international coverage for those countries.
• If your cruise itinerary includes a stop at an Australian port, add Australia to the list alongside the other regions you’ll be visiting. 

What will cruise insurance help cover me for? 

Hopefully your cruise is drama-free!  But forewarned is forearmed, so here are some things that could go wrong on a cruise and dampen your holiday: 

Missed departures

If you miss the boat – literally – insurance can cover the cost of alternate transport to catch up to your original itinerary. 

Itinerary changes due to bad weather

Bad weather can cause travel delays, missed port connections, and cancelled shore excursions. Without insurance, lost deposits and cancellation fees add up quickly.  

Illness or injury

Rough sea conditions can cause sea sickness and falls, or you may get injured while participating in adventure activities. Insurance will cover expenses onboard and onshore for medical treatment. 

Serious medical emergencies

Although cruise lines have trained medical staff on board, serious medical emergencies might require evacuation to a hospital by helicopter, which can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.  

Transmissible diseases

While reputable cruise lines have great safety and hygiene protocols, transmissible diseases such as COVID-19, influenza, and noroviruses are always a risk in high-density spaces. In some cases, the ship’s medical officer may advise you to be confined to your cabin, causing you to miss out on the best parts of your holiday. 

Theft and loss of belongings

Cruise ships and ports can be prime targets for theft. It only takes a moment of inattention for your belongings to be stolen or left behind. Insurance can cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen items.  

I’m not leaving Australian waters.  Won’t I be covered by Medicare or private health insurance? 

Even if you’re on a domestic cruise that doesn’t leave Australian waters, your medical expenses are unlikely to be covered by Medicare or private health insurance.  

Cruise lines are usually owned by international companies that hire private doctors who may not be licensed to practise in Australia. Be aware that in most cases, you’ll have to pay up-front for treatment, which could be very expensive.  

For domestic cruises, you can contact the cruise company to find out if they’ll have Medicare-eligible doctors onboard. However, this is likely to be an exception rather than the norm and shouldn’t be relied on.  

My cruise is between an Australian port and a foreign port. Will Medicare or private health insurance cover my medical expenses? 

No, Medicare or private health won’t cover you. Cruises between Australian and foreign ports, or between two international ports, are automatically excluded from Medicare and private health insurance coverage, regardless of the medical provider’s registration status.  

Cruise travel insurance: What’s covered and what’s not?  

Here’s a handy breakdown that shows what cruise travel insurance policies commonly include and exclude. Be sure to review your chosen policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS) to ensure the coverage fits your needs.  

Common inclusions	Common exclusions
Pre-departure trip cancellation	Undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions
General medical expenses, hospitalisation and medical evacuation	High-risk sports and activities
Missed departures	Incidents arising from the use of alcohol/drugs
Lost, stolen or delayed baggage	Incidents caused by reckless or illegal behaviour
Lost or stolen travel documents	Disruptions from war or civil unrest
24/7 emergency assistance	Visiting countries with a ‘Do Not Travel’ status

Does cruise insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions? 

Cruise insurance may have limitations on pre-existing medical conditions. Some conditions are automatically covered if you meet specific criteria, while others require screening and agreement from the insurer to cover them, often at an additional premium, so it’s always best to disclose when obtaining a quote.  

Even if a specific condition isn’t covered, you’ll still be protected for non-related medical expenses and can enjoy all the usual benefits of travel insurance. 

Does cruise insurance cover water sports and activities? 

Cruises and water activities go together like barnacles on a boat. Parasailing, jet skiing, scuba diving, and snorkelling are popular activities on a seafaring adventure.  

Some insurers cover these activities under their standard policies, while others consider them higher risk and exclude them from their general cover, so always check the fine print. But don’t fret if that’s the case – there are often sports or adventure pack add-ons that provide additional coverage for certain aquatic activities.    

Does cruise insurance provide COVID-19 coverage? 

Due to growing consumer demand, many travel insurance providers now offer coverage for COVID-19-related disruptions, but the conditions and limitations can vary widely between providers. Some insurers explicitly exclude cover for COVID-19 on cruises, so always read the PDS carefully to avoid any surprises. 

Does cruise insurance have any age limits? 

Yes, cruise insurance policies often have age limits which can vary between providers. Some policies cap coverage for individuals aged 69, but many extend it to 100, making the latter a great choice for senior cruisers. A few providers offer no age limits, giving older travellers complete peace of mind. Just be sure to check the policy to make sure you and your travelling companions are covered on your journey. 

Cost-benefit analysis of cruise insurance 

We’ve prepared a rough cost-benefit analysis to demonstrate how invaluable cruise travel insurance can be if things go awry at sea.  

For example, insurance for a couple travelling from Australia to New Zealand on a two-week summer cruise might start from just under $100 for basic cover and up to around $400 for a comprehensive policy.  

Of course, the true cost of being caught out without insurance depends on a multitude of factors, not least of which is how expensive your trip, or how valuable your luggage, is. For example, a lost Louis Vuitton suitcase is likely to be worth more than a $1000!  And the cost (financial and emotional) of cancelling a long-awaited around the world trip is likely to be more painful than cancelling a quick Bali escape.  

Either way, the cost of travel insurance itself pales in comparison to the potential costs if an accident were to occur away from home. So it’s a worthwhile investment to have the enjoyable, stress-free cruising holiday you deserve. 

Can cruise cover be added on as an extra to travel insurance? 

Yes, it’s super simple. If you purchase comprehensive international travel insurance, some policies might automatically include cruise coverage. Otherwise, cruise cover can generally be added as an extra to most travel insurance policies. When you use our comparison tool, you can indicate if your travel includes a cruising component to bring up relevant policies for your trip. 

Where can I find and compare cruise travel insurance? 

Ready to find a travel insurance policy with great cruise cover? Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies through iSelect. Once your insurance is sorted, it’s full steam ahead on your cruising adventures. .