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Travel Insurance for Cruises
Travel Insurance for Cruises
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
What is cruise travel insurance?
Long story short
Cruises need their own cover
Most travel insurance policies won’t include cruise-specific concerns, so you’ll usually need to add specific extra cover for cruises to your insurance policy.
Medical bills at sea aren’t cheap
Once your ship leaves Australian waters (and even in them), Medicare and private health won’t be able to cover you, but cruise travel insurance can help pick up the tab.
Even though cruise insurance is an extra cost, it could save your trip
Cruise travel insurance is an extra cost on top of your base policy, but if something goes wrong, it could save you tens of thousands.
What is cruise travel insurance?
For Aussies who want to unwind while exploring exotic destinations in comfort, cruises are the ultimate getaway. However, they’re a unique type of holiday, and you’ll usually need a specialised type of travel insurance to cover the risks more unique to them.
Cruises aren’t generally covered as standard in most travel insurance policies. Most providers let you add cruise cover on as an optional extra or ‘cruise pack’. You could find that some comprehensive travel policies include cruise coverage, but this is usually only if the cruise meets certain conditions, like only lasting a few nights.
Once your insurance is all done and dusted, you can happily sit by the poolside deck in pure bliss, knowing that insurance has your back if things go wrong.
Why should I consider travel insurance for cruises?
One of the most important big-ticket items that cruise insurance helps with is medical coverage. Once your ship leaves Australian waters, Medicare and private health insurance won’t cover your medical costs. Even if you’re on a domestic cruise, you could find that there aren’t any Medicare-friendly docs onboard, so that little green card might not be able to help. Cruise insurance is there to help with medical bills both onshore and offshore, plus emergency transport if you need to be evacuated from the ship.
Beyond medical coverage, cruise insurance can also protect you from missed port departures, lost or delayed luggage, and travel delays or disruption expenses. It’s basically there to make sure your trip sails along as smoothly as your cruise ship.
Do I need travel insurance for cruises?
Cruise insurance isn’t always mandatory. But many cruise operators and even some destination countries require you to have travel insurance before you can jump on board. For example, travel insurance is required for entry to New Caledonia – a popular port for many South Pacific cruise itineraries. Even if cruise insurance isn’t mandatory, it can be a wise way to protect yourself against the unexpected.
What does travel insurance for cruises cover?
Hopefully, your cruise is drama-free! But being forewarned is forearmed, so here are some situations you might and might not be covered for on a cruise.
Missed departures or ports
If you miss the boat – literally – or can’t dock due to reasons outside of your control, 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
Seasickness, falls, and injuries from shore activities could all be covered by your insurance, along with expenses onboard and onshore for medical treatment.
Serious medical emergencies
If you need evacuation to the nearest hospital by helicopter, it could easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. But your insurance should be able to help.
Transmissible diseases
Viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and noroviruses are always a risk in high-density spaces, and could lead to cabin confinement. Your policy should cover reimbursements for parts of your trip you’ve missed.
Theft and loss of belongings
Cruise ships and ports can be hot spots for theft. Insurance can cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen items.
Undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition and don’t declare it, you likely won’t be able to make any related claims during your cruise.
High-risk sports and activities
Cruise cover will usually include a few standard activities, but not all. If you take part in a risky activity without specific extra cover, it likely won’t be covered.
The use of alcohol or drugs
If you have a few too many cocktails or take illegal substances and need to claim, your insurer probably won’t cover it.
Reckless or illegal behaviour
If you do something dangerously risky or break the law and end up needing to claim from a related incident, your insurer probably won’t cover it.
Disruptions from war or civil unrest
If your cruise gets derailed by local civil unrest and you need to make a related claim, your insurer won’t cover it.
Cruising to countries with a ‘Do not travel’ status
If you travel somewhere with an advice level of ‘Do not travel’ by the Australian Government, you likely won’t be covered for any resulting claims.
Missed departures or ports
If you miss the boat – literally – or can’t dock due to reasons outside of your control, 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
Seasickness, falls, and injuries from shore activities could all be covered by your insurance, along with expenses onboard and onshore for medical treatment.
Serious medical emergencies
If you need evacuation to the nearest hospital by helicopter, it could easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. But your insurance should be able to help.
Transmissible diseases
Viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and noroviruses are always a risk in high-density spaces, and could lead to cabin confinement. Your policy should cover reimbursements for parts of your trip you’ve missed.
Theft and loss of belongings
Cruise ships and ports can be hot spots for theft. Insurance can cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen items.
Undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition and don’t declare it, you likely won’t be able to make any related claims during your cruise.
High-risk sports and activities
Cruise cover will usually include a few standard activities, but not all. If you take part in a risky activity without specific extra cover, it likely won’t be covered.
The use of alcohol or drugs
If you have a few too many cocktails or take illegal substances and need to claim, your insurer probably won’t cover it.
Reckless or illegal behaviour
If you do something dangerously risky or break the law and end up needing to claim from a related incident, your insurer probably won’t cover it.
Disruptions from war or civil unrest
If your cruise gets derailed by local civil unrest and you need to make a related claim, your insurer won’t cover it.
Cruising to countries with a ‘Do not travel’ status
If you travel somewhere with an advice level of ‘Do not travel’ by the Australian Government, you likely won’t be covered for any resulting claims.
How much is travel insurance with cruise cover?
How much travel insurance costs for your cruise depends on a number of factors, like where you’re cruising to, your age, and what type of base policy you’ve chosen. This is why prices usually change from one person to another. But to ease some burning questions, we’ve compared some comprehensive cruise policies from iSelect’s range of providers as of August 2025 across Australia’s top five cruise destinations.
Is travel insurance for cruises worth it?
Illnesses can spread fast on a cruise ship, and the consequential medical costs can spiral just as quickly, so it might start to look worth it. But what about the overall cost benefit? Let’s look at our fictional friends Scott and Kirsten. They’ve decided to take a two-week summer cruise from Australia to New Zealand, picking out a comprehensive policy that costs them around $103.
| Incident | Possible out-of-pocket cost without insurance | Cost with insurance (excess payable) |
| Lost luggage | $2,000 | $200 |
| Onboard medical treatment | $300–$10,000 | $200 |
| Trip cancellation | $5,000 | $200 |
| Medical evacuation | $10,000–$30,000 | $200 |
The true cost of being caught out without insurance depends on a multitude of factors. A lost Louis Vuitton suitcase is likely to be worth more than $2,000. And cancelling a long-awaited around-the-world cruise is likely to be more painful (and costly) than cancelling a quick Bali escape.
Either way, the cost of travel insurance is small change compared to the potential costs you might need to fork out if an accident were to happen. Think of it as a ticket to help guarantee that stress-free cruising holiday you deserve.
Helpful tip
Make sure to check the entry requirements for each port your cruise boat docks at. If you’re on an international cruise that takes you from one country to the next, there could be different rules. One country might have lax entry rules, while the next might require travel insurance or a visa as a mandatory requirement to step off the ship.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
Frequently asked questions
Will Medicare or private health insurance cover me for cruises in Australian waters?
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.
Most cruise lines are owned by international companies that hire private doctors (who may not be licensed to practise in Australia). That means that Medicare or private health is unlikely to lend a helping hand. You’ll also likely have to pay for treatment before disembarking. Some domestic cruises could have Medicare-eligible doctors on board, but you’ll have to contact them to find out.
Will Medicare or private health insurance cover me for cruises between an Australian and a foreign port?
No, Medicare or private health insurance won’t cover you. Cruises between Australian and foreign ports, or between two international ports, are excluded from Medicare and private health insurance coverage. This is the case even if it’s a registered Australian doctor treating you on board.
How can I make sure I’m covered for all my cruise stops?
If you want to be well protected for any unexpected mishaps, make sure you include all the countries the cruise docks in on your travel insurance policy, not just the country of departure. Your insurance should also cover any onshore activities you want to participate in at every port, whether it’s domestic or international. If your cruise itinerary includes a stop at an Australian port, add Australia to the list alongside the other regions you’ll be visiting, just in case.
When should I purchase travel insurance for a cruise?
It can be a good idea to sort out your cruise insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday or 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 if you need to cancel before setting sail.
Does travel insurance for cruises have any age limits?
Yes, most cruise insurance policies do have age limits. Some policies cap coverage at age 79, but many extend it to 100, which is a win for senior cruisers. Just be sure to check the policy so you and your travelling companions are properly covered on your journey.
Save yourself from an ‘oh buoy’ moment with travel insurance for cruises
Cruises are all about sitting atop the poolside deck, cocktail in hand and not a worry in the world (emphasis on that last part). If you want to make sure your cruise is all smooth sailing ahead, start comparing from a range of travel insurance policies and providers. Once your insurance is sorted, it’s full steam ahead on your cruising adventures.
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