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Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance - 2024 Review

Norwegian cruise travel insurance.

• Available at Check-Out
• Strong Insurance Partner
• Good Cancellation Protection
• Incredibly Expensive
• Totally Inadequate Medical Cover
• Very Poor Medical Evacuation Cover

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Norwegian cruise line was founded in 1966 and is the third largest cruise line in the world. Norwegian currently operates 17 ships and has plans to release 6 more soon. For their 17 fleets, Norwegian offers BookSafe Travel Protection.

In our Norwegian Cruise Travel (NCL) Insurance Review, we will run through the different trip insurance options that Norwegian offers and compare them against the wider travel insurance market.

First, let’s review the critical reasons to buy cruise travel insurance, to explain the logic behind some of our recommendations.

Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance on Check-Out

For our review, we have two 62-year-old travelers going on a three-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. The total cost for the cruise came in at $1,102.76 for the two passengers.

As we get towards the check-out page, we are encouraged to buy Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance. The exact image of what was presented is shown below. We are offered not one, but two cruise travel insurance options – ‘Platinum’ and ‘Standard’.

Don’t I Need to Buy Cruise Travel Insurance when I Buy My Cruise?

Every travel insurance policy has some ‘Time-Sensitive Benefits’ that are enabled when a traveler buys trip insurance within a short period of time after their initial trip deposit. This Time-Sensitive Period is normally 10-21 days. Generally, you have a couple of weeks to check out different trip insurance options. Get quotes from a few different travel insurance carriers to compare prices and benefits.

The main reason we want to get our cruise travel insurance in place sooner rather than later is that we get cancellation benefits once our travel insurance policy is in place.

Cruise Travel Insurance – Three Critical Benefits

Irrespective whether you buy Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance, or buy a different travel insurance, there are three critical benefits that you really need to have in place.

• Cruise Cancellation Protection

Travel Medical Health Insurance

• Medical Evacuation Coverage

Norwegian Cruise Cancellation Insurance Protection

Every comprehensive trip insurance policy has cancellation benefits built in. When we refer to ‘Cruise’ travel insurance, we really do mean regular, comprehensive travel insurance. Every major travel insurance carrier has comprehensive trip insurance policies that will support you if you are traveling on a cruise ship, by rail, or by aircraft. It doesn’t matter to the travel insurance carrier what type of vacation you are enjoying. So don’t get caught up in buying a travel insurance policy with ‘Cruise’ in the title.

Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance is referred to by Norwegian as ‘Booksafe Travel Protection’, so even Norwegian does not worry about including ‘Cruise’ in the title of their coverage. Every trip and cruise insurance policy will have basic cancellation protection that should offer a 100% refund for the following types of events:

• Accident, illness, or death of you, a traveling partner, business partner, or family member • Jury duty • Legal appearance • Traffic accident en route to airport • Death or hospitalization of your host at your travel destination • Weather • Bankruptcy of your travel provider

On a cruise, death or hospitalization of a host at destination is not relevant. But bankruptcy of your travel provider is important. Norwegian’s does NOT include bankruptcy protection, so please be careful on this.

These events happen rarely, which is why travel insurance policies include basic trip cancellation coverage for little cost. Many of us, however, will want additional travel cancellation protection.

NCL Cancellation Protection – Work

Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance does a good job in offering us a 100% refund if we are terminated or laid off from full-time employment by our company. This assumes that the reason for the lay-off is no fault of our own. This is good coverage from Norwegian – only one year of continuous employment is required. Most airline policies, for example, require three years of continuous employment, so Norwegian does a good job in this respect.

However, what is missing with Norwegian’s policy is protection if our work vacation is cancelled. Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance offers no vacation cancellation protection, and we consider this as a significant weakness for anyone who requires approval to go on vacation. Strong  Cancel for Work Reasons  Travel Insurance would incorporate this coverage. Norwegian Travel Insurance does not, so please beware.

There is one higher level of cancellation protection than Cancel for Work – it is called Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance.

Norwegian Cruise Cancellation Protection – Cancel for Any Reason

If you buy Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance, you will get Norwegian's version of Cancel for Any Reason protection built in. It is not, strictly, insurance, as you will not get your money back if you cancel. You will get a credit to be used for future cruises, which is a pretty good substitute.

Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance offers two alternatives – Platinum or Standard. Standard will provide a credit of 75% of your funds if you cancel your cruise with Norwegian. You can then use these funds for a future cruise. Platinum offers a 90% credit. The coverage is expensive, but travelers may well benefit from it. A sensible alternative to Norwegian’s Cancel for Any Reason coverage would be the  Cancel for Any Reason  protection that is embedded into many Comprehensive Travel Insurance policies. We will show a few alternatives later in this article.

Travel Medical Health Insurance is one of the most critical pieces of trip insurance that any traveler can have. It is essential, in our opinion. International private hospitals are not cheap and can often cost $3k to $4k per day. For this reason, we recommend that a traveler leaving the USA have at least $100k of Travel Medical Health Insurance in place.

Decent medical coverage is not expensive! Indeed, you will see this $100k figure in almost every comprehensive travel insurance available in the wider US market. The only time we are comfortable with less than $100k of travel medical insurance coverage is if the traveler has alternative insurance in place that the travel insurance can supplement. If you have any doubt - stick to $100k of Travel Medical Insurance coverage in any Travel Insurance, you buy.

Let’s look at all the coverage levels from Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance. The price we see below is that quoted to us for our $1,102.76 cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Insurance Coverage - **Platinum**

$250 / Stateroom

• Trip cancellation or interruption for a covered reason - Total NCL vacation cost
• Trip Delay - $500
• Emergency Evacuation - $50,000
• Accidental Medical Expense - $20,000
• Sickness Medical Expense - $20,000
• Baggage / Personal Effects - $3,000
• Enhanced Cancellation Protection provided by NCL - 90% cruise credit

Norwegian Cruise Insurance Coverage - **Standard**

$130 / Stateroom

• Emergency Evacuation - $25,000
• Baggage / Personal Effects - $1,500
• Enhanced Cancellation Protection provided by NCL - 75% cruise credit

The Norwegian Standard plan offers $20k in medical insurance.  Norwegian Platinum Cruise coverage offers the same benefit, which is inadequate for an unforeseen medical emergency.

Cruise Insurance 101 Travel Insurance Marketplace

It’s relatively simple to get alternative travel insurance options for your Norwegian Cruise. In fact, we need only one minute of your time. At Cruise Insurance 101 , give us your travel details, and we share them anonymously with our Travel Insurance Carriers. You get a series of quotes, showing you rates and coverage levels, from some of the most respected Travel Insurance Carriers in the USA. We only work with carriers who have ‘A’ ratings from A.M. Best, and customer service levels that we are happy to recommend.

AIG Travel Guard Plus Insurance

One of our favorite low-cost travel insurance policies is the AIG Travel Guard Plus  plan. Here are the protection levels incorporated into the policy.

Time-Sensitive Benefits  • Cancel for Any Reason: 0% refund • Cancel for Work Reason: 100% refund • Preexisting Waiver: Yes • Time Sensitive Period: 21 days • Free Look Period: 15 days • Preexisting Look Back: 180 days  Regular Benefits  • Medical Coverage: Primary • Hospital of Choice: No • Covered Cancellation: 100% refund • Financial Default: Yes • Medical Sickness: $100,000 • Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000.

This travel insurance from AIG comes in at $78.44 for our two travelers. Yet, it has $100k of Travel Medical Health Insurance embedded into it. Let’s look now at our final piece of critical coverage – medical evacuation insurance.

Travel Medical Evacuation Insurance

Sometimes an accident or illness is so severe that a medical evacuation is necessary. We want to get the patient to the most suitable medical facility to treat them, and oftentimes this is not going to be in a small port city of an underdeveloped country. A medical evacuation can involve specially equipped private jets with associated doctors and nurses on board. A near-shore evacuation can cost $100k - $250k. An evacuation from Asia or Africa can easily cost $500k. These are the minimum levels of coverage that we ever recommend to a traveler. There is simply no logical reason in taking less protection than this.

Norwegian Medical Evacuation Coverage

So, what Travel Medical Evacuation coverage does Norwegian provide in its two policies?

• Standard - $25k
• Platinum - $50k

What level of medical evacuation coverage do we see in a low-cost travel insurance?

• AIG Travel Guard Plus - $1,000,000

Again, this is a massive increase in protection from what is one of our cheapest policies. The Norwegian Cruise Insurance is totally inadequate in this regard.

Cancel for Work and Cancel for Any Reason

Where the AIG Travel Guard Policy also rates well is that it offers work vacation cancellation protection. If your previously approved vacation is cancelled, AIG will provide a 100% refund of your non-refundable costs. From such a low-cost travel insurance policy, that is a great benefit. Remember, Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance does not provide this protection.

If you would like a policy with the optional benefit of  Cancel for Any Reason  trip cancellation protection, the Travel Insured WorldWide Trip Protector Plan is a great option.

It incorporates true Cancel for Any Reason protection. We say ‘true’ coverage, because if you need to cancel for any reason not normally covered by your other policy benefits, the insurer will write you a check for 75% of your trip costs. Cash is better than credit.

Here are the policy benefits:

Time-Sensitive Benefits

• Cancel for Any Reason: 75% refund
• Cancel for Work Reason: 100% refund
• Pre-Existing Waiver: Yes
• Time Sensitive Period: 21 days
• Free Look Period: 14 days
• Pre-Existing Look Back: 60 days

Regular Benefits

• Medical Coverage: Primary
• Hospital of Choice: Yes
• Covered Cancellation: 100% refund
• Financial Default: Yes
• Medical Sickness: $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000

Evacuation benefits are 50 times as much as Norwegian Cruise coverage. Medical coverage is five times as much. Travel Insured’s Medical coverage is Primary; Norwegian’s is Secondary. All this coverage costs 14% LESS than Norwegian’s Platinum coverage!

Norwegian Cruise Travel Insurance Review – Conclusion

Norwegian offers two policies that are expensive, with little in the way of critical protection for some of the most expensive risks. We consider the policies that Norwegian offers to be unsuitable for almost all travelers. There are many other options available to cruise customers by searching within the wider travel insurance market. We rate Norwegian Cruise Line insurance a 7 out of 10.

Cruise Travel Insurance in the USA

The US has one of the most significant travel insurance markets on earth. At  Cruise Insurance 101  we take the leading Trip Insurance Carriers and place them in our marketplace. We offer you at least a dozen alternative policies from these leading insurers. The rates we show are the same as if you had gone direct to every travel insurer yourself. We do not mark up prices. In fact, US anti-discrimination law  prevents such practices . As such, we can guarantee that you cannot buy the same policy at a lower rate.

Have questions? Chat with us online, send us an email at  [email protected]  or alternatively call us at  +1(786) 751-2984 . We would love to hear from you.

Safe Travels

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

Recent AARDY Travel Insurance Customer Reviews

Amanda was extremely helpful

Amanda was extremely helpful, very courteous & professional and answered all my questions. I appreciated receiving the emails about the quote and purchase is such a quick and timely manner. Thanks

Miranda was on the spot!

Helpful and knowledgeable customer service

I was not able to narrow down the specifics of my travel insurance needs just utilizing the website; but with the help of a customer service agent I was very satisfied and completed my purchase for my trip.

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Should I Buy Cruise Insurance? Complete Guide to Coverage

A step-by-step guide to cruise insurance, what it covers, and if you need it..

Note:   Cruzely.com nor the author is an insurance professional. Be sure to review any policy and ask your insurance company any questions you might have.

We are an affiliate of InsureMyTrip, linked below. We receive a small commission if you buy travel insurance through the links included in this article, at no cost to you.

Most people don’t like to think about the bad things that can happen when you are on vacation. But the truth is that accidents, cancellations, theft and other mishaps can occur, even while you’re on your dream trip. For example:

• You get sick after eating the local food, leading to two days in the hospital.
• You get pickpocketed in a crowded market, and the thief takes your passport.
• You miss a connecting flight, meaning you have to unexpectedly pay full price for a hotel room until you can reach your destination.

The list is endless of what could happen. But they all share one major theme. They can ruin your vacation and potentially cost you hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars. These mishaps can be compounded when you are on a cruise. With a cruise ship’s tight schedule, any delays could cause you to miss the boat. Of course, that means having to purchase lodging, transportation, meals, and more while you try to make arrangements to get back home.

Worst yet, medical emergencies aboard a cruise can rack up serious bills. What happens if a major illness hits while the ship is in the middle of the ocean? While cruise ships do have doctors to administer first aid, the expenses of emergency transport for serious emergencies can be astronomical.

It’s for these reasons that cruise insurance has become a major interest among passengers. To be absolutely clear, the vast majority of cruises go off without a hitch. Still, there is something to be said for having a little peace of mind and not having to worry just in case something does go wrong.

Travel & cruise insurance is made exactly for that purpose. By purchasing this coverage you are covered for a wide range of events (many detailed below) that could otherwise cost you significant money without insurance.

Of course, in exchange for that coverage you have to pay a premium — money out of your pocket for a service that you might not ever use. That leads to a big question: Should you buy cruise insurance? Is it worth it?

To decide if it’s the right choice for you, we’ve researched all the ins and outs of cruise insurance to help you out…

( See how affordable travel insurance can be. Get a free quote from InsureMyTrip. )

What does cruise insurance cover?

Every policy is slightly different; there is no set requirement of what is covered. That’s why its important to review the terms of any plan you purchase. That said, you’ll find most cruise insurance covers the same basic things. Here are the major items that you’ll want to make sure your policy covers.

Trip Cancellation – The most basic coverage with cruise insurance, trip cancellation protection allows you to get your money back that you’ve paid for your trip if you cancel for specific, predetermined reasons . This coverage doesn’t allow you to get repaid if you just decide to cancel because you don’t want to go (though there are policies that can do that).

The specific reasons will be laid out in your policy. In general, they fall into several major groups:

• Major illness or injury to you, traveling companion, or family member
• Death of you, traveling companion, or family member
• Birth of child
• Traffic accident
• Divorce (from traveling companion)
• Being fired/laid off
• Travel delays

Trip Interruption – Similar to trip cancellation, this coverage pays you for an interruption for specific reasons like the ones mentioned above after your trip has already started or when travel is delayed. In addition to being reimbursed for the remainder of what you’ve paid for your cruise, you’ll often also be reimbursed for expenses like flight and hotel to get back home.

Emergency Medical – If you’re worried about getting sick or injured while on your cruise, then know that most plans offer emergency medical coverage. This is exactly as it sounds. It provides medical insurance for serious illness or injury. Many plans also offer some dental coverage.

Emergency Evacuation – Nearly every plan will have some sort of emergency evacuation coverage. This is coverage to get the person to the most appropriate medical treatment (often as defined by the insurance company). So if you break your leg while on an excursion in Mexico and have to be transported to a larger city for the correct care, then your expenses are covered. Emergency evacuation coverage also can pay for you to get you home if you are in a medical facility away from home.

Lost/Stolen Luggage – Most of the time lost or stolen luggage isn’t so much about the money as the pain of having to replace everything. Even so, cruise insurance should provide some reimbursement expense for your loss, taking some of the sting out of losing your bags. Understand that most times this coverage has special limits for things like laptops or electronics that may not fully replace the lost item.

Pre-Existing Condition Coverage – Most of us know that insurance is hesitant to cover pre-existing conditions. Travel insurance can offer pre-existing condition coverage in certain circumstances (but not always!), which is especially helpful if believe you’ll need some sort of coverage while in a foreign country for an on-going illness. If this is important to you, make sure you double check the specific policy, which will make it very clear if pre-existing conditions are covered or not.

What doesn’t cruise insurance cover?

Cruise insurance actually covers more things and offers more benefits than just what is listed above. But it doesn’t cover everything and policies are pretty specific about what they will and won’t pay.

The most notable exception is that you can’t just cancel your cruise for any reason and get reimbursed for any money you lose . Instead, the only way the policy will pay is if you cancel for one of the specific reasons cited in your policy for cancelling your cruise. Keep in mind these reasons you are allowed to cancel may be more than what’s listed above.

You also won’t be compensated for inconveniences on your trip. For instance, if your trip doesn’t go as planned, but you don’t suffer an actual loss, then you won’t be able to make a claim. If it pours rain an entire day that you are in port and you can’t even get off the ship, your travel insurance won’t cover the loss of a day of vacation. Weather is not covered unless it causes an actual interruption to the cruise.

Also, it’s important to understand that your benefits are less any refunds you might receive otherwise. So if your cruise is cancelled and the cruise line refunds your fare, you won’t be able to claim the cruise fare as a loss.

Addendums to coverage

Some policies allow you to add coverage to your insurance that allow more flexibility and benefits.

The most popular addendum is known as “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage . This addendum allows you to cancel your trip and receive reimbursement, no matter why.

So if you simply decide that you don’t want to get out of bed the morning of your cruise and call the whole trip off (not sure why you would do such a thing!), then you can cancel and get your money back.

One important thing to note is that these policies rarely give 100% of your entire trip fare back. It usually ranges from 50-75%. Still, considering that you get nothing back if you cancel for a non-covered reason, this additional coverage is often worth the cost.

Many cruise travel insurance policies will also offer an addendum for rental car coverage. Obviously most cruise passengers won’t opt for this coverage since it’s rare to rent a car given that you are in port only for a day at a time.

What about insurance sold by cruise lines?

When buying a cruise, you’ll be offered an option to purchase insurance from the cruise line. This coverage takes on many different names. You might have seen one of the following if you’ve already bought your cruise:

• Carnival Vacation Protection
• Royal Caribbean Travel Protection
• Princess Vacation Protection
• Norwegian Cruise Line Booksafe Travel Protection Plan
• Celebrity CruiseCare Travel Insurance Program

These plans are quite popular because of their ability to be sold right alongside the cruise, which means they are convenient to buy. However, that doesn’t automatically make them a good purchase.

While convenient, these plans can often offer much lower coverage rates than traditional travel insurance, for a similar price. So while traditional travel insurance might offer $50,000 in medical coverage, a cruise line might only offer $25,000.

The one advantage that cruise line plans have is that they typically offer cancel for any reason coverage included. Royal Caribbean’s plan, for example, will reimburse you 90% of what you’ve paid for your cruise if you cancel for any reason. Just know that the refund is applied as a future cruise credit — not a cash payment as you’d get with the coverage from a traditional travel insurer.

For these reasons, we suggest sticking with traditional travel insurance from a third-party instead of the policies offered by cruise lines. But any coverage is better than no coverage.

What time period does the insurance cover?

While you should check with your specific insurance policy, they usually go into effect at midnight of the day after you purchase them. They then stay in effect until you return home from your trip.

Example: You buy cruise insurance at 6 p.m. on December 1 for a cruise that departs December 20 and returns December 27. Your coverage would be from in effect from midnight on December 2 until you return home from your cruise.

How do I Buy Cruise Insurance?

As mentioned earlier, if you are buying through the cruise line, you can purchase coverage at the same time that purchase your trip. You can also purchase at a later date by visiting the links below.

For third-party travel insurance, you can get a free quote and purchase directly through the provider. We’ve listed the major companies and their websites here:

Generali: https://www.generalitravelinsurance.com/ Travelex Insurance: http://www.travelexinsurance.com/ AXA Travel Insurance: https://www.axatravelinsurance.com/

For most people, however, we suggest looking at a site like InsureMyTrip.com . This site searches many companies at once to find the right insurance for you and your trip and bring you all your choices. Whether you are looking for affordability or the best coverage, all your options are laid out for you.

You can get a free quote here , see how much coverage might cost, and see everything it covers.

When should I buy cruise insurance?

The best time to buy is as soon as you’ve purchased your cruise. This allows you all the cancellation benefits immediately should something come up between the time you purchase and the time you actually travel.

One thing to note is that you can’t purchase after you already have an event that will lead to a loss. For example, say you get hurt in an accident that means you won’t be able to go on your vacation. You can’t purchase insurance and then try to be reimbursed for your trip. This is insurance fraud and the company won’t provide reimbursement.

How much does it cost?

Ah, the most important question. After all, every type of insurance is basically a bet between you and the insurance company whether something will happen on your trip.

Prices will vary based on company, trip length, cost, who is being covered, and the sort of coverage you choose. Most companies also offer different levels of plan that have different limits and thus, higher or lower prices.

As a general rule of thumb, traditional cruise insurance offered by a third-party will run about 5%-7.5% of your trip cost . So for a $5,000 trip, expect to pay around $250-$375 for coverage. That can vary widely, however.

Should I buy cruise insurance?

If you want to have some peace of mind on your trip, then yes. However, the vast majority of cruise passengers will never use their insurance.

The problem is that for issues that do come up, the expenses can be large and unknown. For instance, there is no price list of having to be evacuated medically from a cruise ship. The cruise insurance offers valuable peace of mind.

If you do decide to purchase, we highly suggest that you shop around for prices and also read your plan carefully (comparing two or three of the most well-known providers). And while every cruise line strongly recommends purchasing some sort of insurance for your cruise, we don’t recommend purchasing insurance offered through them, as traditional plans can offer better coverage for a similar price.

Get a free quote at the link below

Again, for cruise travel insurance, we suggest looking at a site like InsureMyTrip.com . This site searches many companies at once to find the right insurance for you and your trip and bring you all your choices. Whether you are looking for affordability or the best coverage, all your options are laid out for you.

Disclaimer: Cruzely.com is an affiliate with the travel insurers mentioned in the article above. We receive a small commission if you get a quote or purchase through the links included in this article at no extra cost to you.

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If a cruise is not leaving Australian waters, a passport is not needed. Will your private health insurance / medicare still be applicable on a domestic cruise?

Not familiar with Australian insurance rules. I’d suggest contacting the cruise line.

I believe Medicare doesn’t cover you overseas. That is why we get it

do you have insurace for canadians travelling on a cruise fro new york to bermuda

Any travel insurer should be able to cover you. You can go to a site like InsureMyTrip.com or AIG Travel Guard to see your options.

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Is it worth getting NCL’s AON Insurance?

By Crown Vic , July 13, 2022 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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We have our own private insurance, booked separately, giving us $5 million in medical coverage, some Trip Interruption insurance, Evacuation coverage etc.

Norwegian appears to be providing refunds/FCCs for Covid caused inability to travel, denial of boarding or reboarding under the NCL Refund and Cancellation Policy.  The question is has anyone had the need to claim under the NCL Policy and what review of the claim process would be given?

Appreciate your input. Cheers!

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We have had to make 3 claims in the past.  2 for me and once for my husband.  All were for trips to the medical department for sinus infections which required antibiotics.  Each visit cost over $300.  NCL provided all of the documentation (which we knew our insurance would not cover).  AON explained what we had to do & when all claims were denied by insurance, AON reimbursed everything.  It took time, and we did have to pay out of pocket while on the ship...I don't know if that is different with other insurances.  PS...I always travel with antibiotics now.

GeezerCouple

5 minutes ago, hernando52 said: We have had to make 3 claims in the past.  2 for me and once for my husband.  All were for trips to the medical department for sinus infections which required antibiotics.  Each visit cost over $300.  NCL provided all of the documentation (which we knew our insurance would not cover).  AON explained what we had to do & when all claims were denied by insurance, AON reimbursed everything.  It took time, and we did have to pay out of pocket while on the ship...I don't know if that is different with other insurances.  PS...I always travel with antibiotics now.

Almost all travel insurance for medical costs requires the traveler to pay for the services/supplies and submit receipts for reimbursement later.  We always travel with several charge cards with high credit limits (our regular cards, nothing special for travel, but we take several with us, if for no other reasons in case one goes missing or gets compromised, etc.) in case ...

There are some insurers who may help with payment guarantees (or perhaps in the moment?) if it's required, but that's not common - but neither is the need for ultra-high cost care.  We saw one overseas ER, obviously an English-speaking tourist area, where the billing office had a sign displaying something like, "Cash or credit card only.  No travel insurance unless it is <and the names of a few major travel insurance companies>."

I handed a credit card over, while DH was being taken to the ER from the ambulance.  

When we had to have a hotel call a physician to see me, and then come back again, and then direct the hospital to call an ambulance, he (physician) required cash on the spot.  So we had to ask the hotel to help us with local currency in the middle of the night, which they did.

But the physician wouldn't take charge cards or check, etc.  Just cash.

He gave us a "receipt" that was just a statement of what he had collected and the date, on a piece of his letterhead.  That was accepted without issue by our travel insurer.

But you *NEED* to have RECEIPTS!  That isn't always thought of in the moment.

(I forgot when tipping a taxi driver.  We had a receipt for the fare, but not for the tip.  Small amount, no problem, but it reminded me of the importance of receipts.)

In the section I quoted, it sounds like the travel insurance was "secondary", meaning it REQUIRES that you get a denial (for all or part) of the costs before they'll pay anything at all.

We get "primary" insurance coverage, so nothing needs to be submitted elsewhere first.

NOTE:  For those with some Medicare add-ons, there is a $50k lifetime limit for foreign care. Much better to have primary travel insurance and *not* need to use up any of that $50k.  Also, apparently Medicare can be slow to issue the denial, so you can't collect from the travel insurer until that denial arrives.

YES!  It does take some footwork to get reimbursed but we got everything back except the insurance cost, of course!  Ours was covid cancellation.  ;-(

BklynBorn47

We have 2 claims submitted to AON right now.  2nd leg of B2B2B cancelled because of positive covid on 1st leg (last day) It "should" take 30 days to be resolved (by Aug 1).  If this thread is still active I will let you know how it goes.

We've always taken the AON insurance.  Got reimbursed for remaining balance after NCL partially refunded a cruise that we cancelled.

Had to cancel a cruise last minute due to my father's sudden health decline and enter into hospice. He passed away prior to claim to being fully reviewed. Took 3-4 months to settle but got our fare refunded. Still will use AON for next cruise.

montecarloss

Does anyone know how late you can purchase NCL's insurance? (Essentials)

Had to cancel cruise in mid-March due to death of my father. Filed claim 3/18. AON is still processing claim four months later. I called them for the third time yesterday and they said "thank you for your submission, it will take 21 business days but may take longer."  Can't understand how it would take so long for something cut and dried. Annoying as hell, but what can you do?   Sure you are handling a lot of Covid cancellations, but four freakin' months? 

BirdTravels

19 minutes ago, tombli said: Had to cancel cruise in mid-March due to death of my father. Filed claim 3/18. AON is still processing claim four months later. I called them for the third time yesterday and they said "thank you for your submission, it will take 21 business days but may take longer."  Can't understand how it would take so long for something cut and dried. Annoying as hell, but what can you do?   Sure you are handling a lot of Covid cancellations, but four freakin' months? 

You're also in line with thousands of claims from cancelled cruises (e.g., Escape grounding in the Dominican Republic). As noted, you are filing a claim with a commercial insurance company, not NCL. 

On 7/14/2022 at 6:02 AM, montecarloss said: Does anyone know how late you can purchase NCL's insurance? (Essentials)

Any time up to final payment. You know the Essentials plan has minimal post-departure benefits with no cancellation coverage, right?

Old Fart Cruisers

We had AON with Carnival.  Had to cancel the day before our flight (two days before the cruise), due to a death of a family member (May 29th).  Filed the claim on June 10th, but had to mail all documents because their website wasn't working to accept uploaded documents, so that added a few days.  

Got a check in the mail TODAY.  So just over one month from the time they received the documentation until we received the check.  It was actually easier than I expected. 

11 hours ago, Babr said: Any time up to final payment. You know the Essentials plan has minimal post-departure benefits with no cancellation coverage, right?

“Essentials” is just the name of the plan. The level determines your coverage.

The policy does not have a cancellation for any reason provision. However, NCL, not the insurance company, will provide you with a 75% or 90% FCC if your cancellation claim is denied by the insurance company depending on your level. 

56 minutes ago, BirdTravels said: “Essentials” is just the name of the plan. The level determines your coverage.   The policy does not have a cancellation for any reason provision. However, NCL, not the insurance company, will provide you with a 75% or 90% FCC if your cancellation claim is denied by the insurance company depending on your level. 

It appears NCL has three policies - Platinum, Standard, and Essential.  The Essential provides trip delay, but there are no provisions for covered reasons so you’ll never get 100% cash reimbursement for what might otherwise be allowed such as a death in the family or a last minute illness. If people are OK with losing 25% of the value and being reimbursed with FCC, then that policy serves well.

A very inexpensive premium provides a very minimum of medical coverage.

Thanks for all your replies.  Not looking for cancellation coverage, just medical and evacuation home.

12 minutes ago, montecarloss said: Thanks for all your replies.  Not looking for cancellation coverage, just medical and evacuation home.

You’ll have some coverage as long as your expectations are in line with what the policy covers and any claim does not involve a pre-existing condition.

The evacuation part is for hospital-to-hospital transfer when it is approved as medically necessary. Otherwise, you’ll be treated at the nearest facility. 

1 hour ago, Babr said: It appears NCL has three policies - Platinum, Standard, and Essential .  The Essential provides trip delay, but there are no provisions for covered reasons so you’ll never get 100% cash reimbursement for what might otherwise be allowed such as a death in the family or a last minute illness. If people are OK with losing 25% of the value and being reimbursed with FCC, then that policy serves well.   A very inexpensive premium provides a very minimum of medical coverage.

I only see two options, not three - Standard or Platinum.  Both are "Essentials Travel Protection" plan options

40 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:   I only see two options, not three - Standard or Platinum.  Both are "Essentials Travel Protection" plan options

Well, that is interesting. Here is what I see when I search for NCL travel protection.

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/booksafe

I see three options under BookSafe - Platinum, Standard, and Essential. Is this current information?

9 hours ago, Babr said: It appears NCL has three policies - Platinum, Standard, and Essential.  The Essential provides trip delay, but there are no provisions for covered reasons so you’ll never get 100% cash reimbursement for what might otherwise be allowed such as a death in the family or a last minute illness. If people are OK with losing 25% of the value and being reimbursed with FCC, then that policy serves well.   A very inexpensive premium provides a very minimum of medical coverage.

All I can say is this is how it is listed on my reservation:

6 hours ago, Babr said: Well, that is interesting. Here is what I see when I search for NCL travel protection.   https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/booksafe   I see three options under BookSafe - Platinum, Standard, and Essential. Is this current information?

It looks like I was wrong.   We were only offered Platinum or Standard, but both were listed as Essential plans as:

the Standard Essentials Travel Protection

the Platinum Essentials Travel Protection for $60 more per person

But now I see it looks like there are three plans.  Sorry for the misinformation

4 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:   It looks like I was wrong.   We were only offered Platinum or Standard, but both were listed as Essential plans as: the Standard Essentials Travel Protection the Platinum Essentials Travel Protection for $60 more per person   But now I see it looks like there are three plans.  Sorry for the misinformation

You are very gracious to apologize for something that is so confusing. You are correct that only two options are given at booking. I don’t know where the so-called Essential Plan fits in or how anyone is supposed to know about it.

ChiefMateJRK

3 minutes ago, Babr said: You are very gracious to apologize for something that is so confusing. You are correct that only two options are given at booking. I don’t know where the so-called Essential Plan fits in or how anyone is supposed to know about it.

It shows up after final payment, at which time it is the only option.  It is generally a crappy option compared to third party catastrophic coverage policies.

14 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said: It shows up after final payment, at which time it is the only option.  It is generally a crappy option compared to third party catastrophic coverage policies.

That makes sense. Final payment is the last opportunity for NCL to sell some basic coverage for medical. Since it is described as post- departure, there are no cancellation benefits. There is no mention of FCC whereas Standard will give 75%, and Platinum will give 90% if one cancels for a non-covered reason.

It appears that part of my statement in post #14 is incorrect, and my first interpretation was right.  Only Platinum and Standard offer the option of FCC for cancellations not covered by insurance.

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Table of Contents

Look to your credit cards, first

What to consider if you buy a separate cruise travel insurance policy, what cruise travel insurance doesn't cover, how to shop cruise travel insurance options, is cruise travel insurance necessary.

Travel insurance can save you when you’re in a pinch, and cruises are especially important to protect. Whether you experience a flight delay, your car breaks down or you get sick, having a backup plan that will cover the cost of your trip, or at least help you get there without extra expense, can be essential. It’s recommended to arrive one day before the departure of your cruise to allow for any delays because if you arrive late to the departure point, the ship may have already left.

If you find yourself stranded at the pier long after your cruise has left, or aren't able to get to the pier at all, cruise travel insurance can help. These are some of the best travel insurance options for cruises.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Many credit cards provide sufficient travel protection that can help you in the event of a delay or cancellation. It can even help if you arrive on time, but your bags do not. Other travel protections include helping if you need medical attention or evacuation during your trip, as well as insurance for a rental car if you decide to drive in one of the ports you visit.

Some of the popular credit card options that provide ample protections include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card . Terms apply.

United℠ Explorer Card .

You'll need to review the policy before the trip to decide if you need to purchase additional coverage.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

If you don't have a credit card with coverage or you want to add more protection, it is wise to buy insurance as soon as possible after booking the cruise. Some companies require that you buy cruise insurance within two weeks of making the initial deposit, particularly if you're hoping for pre-existing medical coverage.

The longer you wait to buy cruise insurance, the higher the price may become.

Also, your own health insurance may not cover cruise travel or medical attention onboard a ship. Often, some personal insurance plans do not protect passengers once they have sailed more than six hours from any U.S. port. This may come as a surprise for those who thought they were protected, which is why it can be wise to purchase additional coverage for a cruise.

Since medical treatment on a ship may be more expensive, and evacuation at sea may require a helicopter or small boat, having emergency coverage can be essential.

If you’re still deciding on additional protection, consider these factors:

Destination: Is it remote or far from an airport or medical facility? How difficult will it be for you to find medical care or leave the ship?

Length of stay: How long will you be traveling? If it's only a few days, the probability that you will need coverage is less than if the trip were longer or farther from home.

Credit card protections: Read the fine print of your credit card benefits. If you used that card to pay for your travel, you may already have protection in the event of trip delay or cancellation, missing or lost luggage, medical reasons or weather issues.

Personal liability: Will you be engaging in activities that may make you responsible for someone else’s injury? Will you be renting a car or participating in activities like boating, biking or motorized water sports? If you may be held liable for someone else’s injury, insurance can help protect you.

As important as knowing how you will be protected, it is also paramount to know what is not included.

For example, if any injury or health issue is alcohol-related, it may not be covered. You might also want to know if natural disasters like a hurricane, terrorist incidents or bankruptcy by the cruise line are also covered. Sometimes, there are specific carve-outs for such situations.

Another important factor to consider is COVID-19 protection , as not all insurance plans include it. You will want to consider what happens if you get sick before the sailing or onboard since you may have to find accommodation if you are not able to travel for a period of time.

Some cruise insurance policies will cover itinerary changes. This means if you have your heart set on visiting a particular place, but it gets cut from the itinerary (a common occurrence due to weather conditions), you would receive some form of compensation. Not all plans include this, and for certain trips with a popular port (like visiting Alexandria, Egypt, to drive to the Pyramids), it may be wise to check if you are covered.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

There are many providers of travel insurance, and often, cruise companies will recommend a partner when making a reservation. Those are often best since the cruise line has a history of working with that company and has considered the intricacies of the various ports its ships are visiting. Still, policies vary.

If you want to buy a policy beyond what is already offered by your credit card, start with an aggregator site like Insure My Trip that compares several policies based on the criteria you choose. How long will you be gone? Where are you going? Do you have any pre-existing conditions? All of these things can affect the price of a policy that you purchase.

There are other respected insurance options like Travel Guard , which has policies specifically geared toward cruise trips. SafeCruise from VisitorsCoverage is another plan that is designed for cruise travel, and it includes an upgrade for a partial Cancel For Any Reason reimbursement.

Deciding if you want to protect your trip probably depends on your budget. If you can afford a worst-case scenario without protection, then maybe you won’t need to purchase travel insurance for cruises.

But for most travelers, having a backup plan in case anything goes wrong makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Cruise and Hotels
• Norwegian Cruise
• Essential Guide to Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance: Benefits and Coverage Explained

In this guide, we will break down the essential elements of Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance, providing you with a clear understanding of what it entails and how it can benefit you. From emergency medical coverage to trip cancellation protection, we will explore the comprehensive coverage options available and explain the benefits each one offers. Additionally, we will discuss the pre-existing condition coverage, exclusions, and limitations, ensuring that you have a complete picture of what is included in your policy.

To give you a quick overview of the key points covered in this guide, here is a table summarizing the most important aspects of Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance:

By referring to this guide, you will gain valuable insights into Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance, allowing you to make informed decisions when selecting the right coverage for your needs. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, this guide will serve as a valuable resource to ensure you have the necessary protection for a worry-free cruise experience.

Sources: – [Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Protection](https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/travel-protection) – [Understanding Travel Insurance](https://www.insuremytrip.

Does my health insurance cover me on a cruise ship?

When planning a cruise vacation, it is essential to consider whether your health insurance provides coverage while you are on board. While some health insurance plans may cover emergency medical expenses on a cruise ship, it is crucial to review your policy’s benefits and limitations. The Essential Guide to Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance: Benefits and Coverage Explained provides detailed information on the various factors to consider, such as the type of coverage you have, the geographical limitations, and the potential need for additional travel insurance. Understanding your health insurance coverage beforehand will ensure peace of mind and can help you make informed decisions regarding your health and well-being during your cruise. For more information on this topic, please refer to the Essential Guide to Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance: Benefits and Coverage Explained.

What is covered by cruise insurance?

Cruise insurance offers coverage for a range of situations that can occur during your trip, ensuring peace of mind and financial protection. Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance provides benefits such as emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption, and lost baggage. In case of a medical emergency, the insurance covers the costs of hospitalization, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. Additionally, if you need to be transported to a medical facility, the insurance will arrange and cover the expenses of medical evacuation. Trip cancellation or interruption due to unforeseen events, such as illness or severe weather, is also covered, allowing you to recoup your non-refundable expenses. Furthermore, if your baggage is lost, damaged, or stolen, the insurance will provide compensation for your belongings. It is important to carefully review the policy and understand the coverage limits and exclusions before selecting a cruise insurance plan.

Does your insurance work on a cruise ship?

When planning a cruise vacation, it is crucial to consider whether your insurance will cover any potential health emergencies that may occur on board. The Essential Guide to Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance: Benefits and Coverage Explained provides valuable insights into this matter. While some insurance policies may offer limited or no coverage on cruise ships, it is recommended to opt for a comprehensive travel insurance plan specifically designed for cruises. These plans typically include benefits such as emergency medical coverage, evacuation services, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, and baggage loss/delay coverage. It is crucial to review the policy details, limitations, and exclusions before purchasing insurance to ensure it meets your specific needs.

How much does it cost to see a doctor on a cruise ship?

The cost of seeing a doctor on a cruise ship can vary depending on the cruise line and the specific medical services required. Most cruise ships have onboard medical centers staffed by qualified doctors and nurses to attend to passengers’ healthcare needs. These medical centers are equipped to handle minor illnesses and injuries. However, it is important to note that medical services on cruise ships can be expensive, with initial consultations typically ranging from $80 to $150, excluding any additional treatment or medications. It is strongly recommended for cruise passengers to have adequate health insurance coverage that includes medical expenses incurred while on board. This ensures peace of mind and financial protection in the event of a medical emergency at sea. For more information on health insurance options for Norwegian cruise passengers, please refer to the Essential Guide to Norwegian Cruise Health Insurance: Benefits and Coverage Explained.

Is ncl travel protection worth it

When considering a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vacation, it is important to evaluate the value of NCL travel protection. This comprehensive insurance plan offers benefits that can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The coverage includes trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and baggage protection. With NCL travel protection, travelers can relax and enjoy their cruise knowing they are protected against unexpected events. To learn more about the benefits and coverage of NCL travel protection, visit the official Norwegian Cruise Line website.

In today’s world, health insurance has become an essential part of our lives. Whether we are traveling abroad or simply planning a cruise vacation, it is crucial to understand the benefits and coverage offered by health insurance plans. This is especially true when it comes to Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of Norwegian Cruise health insurance, explaining the benefits and coverage provided by these plans.

First and foremost, it is important to note that health insurance for Norwegian Cruise Line is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Accidents and illnesses can happen at any time, and being prepared with the right insurance coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a variety of insurance plans that cater to different needs and budgets. These plans are designed to cover medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and other unforeseen circumstances that may arise during your cruise vacation.

One of the key benefits of Norwegian Cruise health insurance is the coverage it provides for medical expenses. While onboard medical facilities are available on Norwegian Cruise ships, they are not free of charge. In case of illness or injury, having health insurance can alleviate the burden of hefty medical bills. Norwegian Cruise health insurance plans typically cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and medical treatments. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of the insurance plan to understand the limits and exclusions of coverage.

Emergency medical evacuation is another critical aspect of Norwegian Cruise health insurance. In the event of a serious medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention beyond the capabilities of the onboard medical facilities, emergency medical evacuation ensures that you will be transferred to the nearest appropriate medical facility. This can involve helicopter or air ambulance services, which can be extremely expensive without insurance coverage. Norwegian Cruise health insurance plans often include emergency medical evacuation as part of their coverage, providing peace of mind and financial protection in case of a medical emergency.

Trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage are also important components of Norwegian Cruise health insurance. Unexpected events such as illness, injury, or natural disasters can disrupt travel plans and result in financial loss. Trip interruption coverage reimburses you for the unused portion of your trip if you are forced to interrupt your cruise due to covered reasons. Trip cancellation coverage, on the other hand, provides reimbursement for non-refundable trip expenses if you have to cancel your cruise before it even begins. These benefits can save you from significant financial loss and allow you to reschedule or cancel your cruise without worrying about losing your investment.

When considering Norwegian Cruise health insurance, it is essential to read the policy carefully and understand the coverage, limits, and exclusions. Each insurance plan may have different terms and conditions, so it is important to choose a plan that best suits your needs and budget. It is also a good idea to compare different insurance providers and obtain quotes to ensure you are getting the best coverage at a competitive price.

In conclusion, Norwegian Cruise health insurance offers valuable benefits and coverage for travelers embarking on a cruise vacation. From medical expenses to emergency medical evacuation and trip interruption/cancellation coverage, these insurance plans provide financial protection and peace of mind. It is crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of the insurance plan, compare different providers, and choose a plan that suits your needs and budget. By investing in Norwegian Cruise health insurance, you can enjoy your cruise vacation with the knowledge that you are protected in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Sources: 1. Norwegian Cruise Line – Travel Protection Program: [https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/travel-protection-program] 2. Cruise Critic – Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Insurance: [https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1562] 3. InsureMyTrip – Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Insurance: [https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-plans-coverages/norwegian-cruise-line/] 4. TripSavvy – Norwegian Cruise Lines Travel Insurance: [https://www.tripsavvy.

Ensuring Safe and Healthy Travels: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Comprehensive Health Policy

Ensuring a Safe Voyage: Norwegian Cruise Health Requirements Explained

Secure Your Norwegian Cruise with the Best Travel Insurance

Essential Norwegian Cruise Health Questionnaire: Ensuring Safety Aboard

Ensuring a Smooth Sailing: Norwegian Cruise Pregnancy Form and Guidelines

Norwegian Cruise Pregnancy Policy: Essential Guidelines and Information

com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bcb6c86ccbe64ca1ce5b2ca5ea39a86d-300x225.jpg" class="pt-cv-thumbnail img-none" alt="Ultimate Guide: Norwegian Cruise's Drone Policy - Fly High on Your Norwegian Cruise!" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://cruiseandhotels.

com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bcb6c86ccbe64ca1ce5b2ca5ea39a86d-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cruiseandhotels.

com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bcb6c86ccbe64ca1ce5b2ca5ea39a86d.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Ultimate Guide: Norwegian Cruise’s Drone Policy – Fly High on Your Norwegian Cruise!

Understanding Norwegian Cruise Hurricane & Weather Policies: Stay Informed for Your Safety

Norwegian Cruise: Clear-cut Cancellation Policy for Excursions – Plan Worry-Free!

Norwegian Cruise Line: Discover the Pet-Friendly Policy for Your Next Voyage!

Everything You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Line’s Liquid Policy

Quick Guide: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Liquor Policy – What You Need to Know

Norwegian Cruise: Unveiling the Convenient Carry-On Beverage Policy

Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Beverage Policy: What You Need to Know

Exploring the Delicious Culinary Experience: Norwegian Cruise Food Policy Unveiled

Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Tipping Policy: Everything You Need to Know

Ultimate Guide to Norwegian Cruise Wine Policy: What You Need to Know

Norwegian Cruise Alcohol Policy: Everything You Need to Know

Know the Norwegian Cruise Stroller Policy for a Hassle-Free Family Vacation

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The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

While smooth sailing will always be the aim, cruising today is often about expecting the unexpected. You can prepare yourself by taking out an insurance policy that can compensate you when your vacation at sea does not go as planned.

Need to cancel your trip last minute due to an accident or illness? Did your bags get delayed or lost? Do you need to exit the sailing early to take care of an emergency back home? Was there a mechanical issue with the ship that required a change of itinerary, causing you to miss your flight home?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

All of these contingencies and more can be covered; it's just a matter of finding the best insurance policy for you. Here's how to evaluate which plan is the right choice for you, as well as five of the best cruise travel insurance plans available.

The best cruise travel insurance plan will always be a 3rd-party option

No plan will meet the needs of all cruise travelers, so there is little benefit to booking the one insurance option recommended by your cruise line during the booking process other than convenience.

You'll often find more affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and favorable terms utilizing third-party insurance companies. You'll have a wide choice of plans, so you can pick the one that works the best for your situation.

If you're wondering where the best place is to purchase third-party insurance, "No one comparison site is getting preferential deals," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "Insurance carriers' rates are the same anywhere." However, these insurance comparison sites can help you directly compare the pricing and coverage of multiple policies by a range of preferred providers.

Look for the following coverage options and compare coverage amounts to determine which third-party plan is the best cruise insurance option for your upcoming trip.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Trip cancellation

You'll want to be reimbursed if an unexpected event forces you to cancel your cruise. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, detailing which specific reasons for canceling your trip are covered and not covered.

Trip interruption and travel delays

You'll also want to be covered if issues occur after travel begins. It's important to find "a plan that offers trip interruption if something does happen during your trip, along with a plan that offers emergency medical evacuation, coverage for travel delays and missed connection benefits," adds insurance expert Meghan Walch from InsureMyTrip .

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise

COVID-19 contingencies

Walch advises all travelers booking a cruise to consider a plan that includes cancellation coverage for COVID-19. Note that you'll need more than a home test to file a claim. According to Walch, "You'll need a doctor saying that you have been diagnosed with COVID and specify that you are unable to travel."

In addition, look for coverage if you get sick and need to isolate away from home. "Some plans offer additional trip delay coverage, put in place as a result of needing additional or higher limits for instances that might include if the policyholder gets quarantined in a location," Sandberg adds.

Cancel for any reason

A cancel-for-any-reason optional upgrade offers the most flexibility. You can get a refund of up to 75% if you cancel your voyage for reasons not usually covered by travel insurance. However, it adds about 40% to your premium and can only be purchased within a limited window of time after your cruise purchase.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Lost or delayed baggage

Baggage loss insurance covers your luggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. In the case that you make it on the cruise and your bags do not, the insurance agency can assist with locating and redirecting the bags to your next port, reimbursing you for items you may need to purchase to get you through your travels while you are without your belongings and covering your losses in the case that the bag is actually gone for good.

Note that certain high-cost items such as electronics, luxury watches and fine jewelry are not always covered by baggage loss insurance. Consider purchasing additional coverage for such items or — better yet — keep those items with you at all times.

Health coverage

Medical coverage is another consideration. "Most domestic health coverage [including Medicare] does not cover travel abroad, so it is important to look at a travel insurance policy that offers medical coverage during your trip, just in case anything happens," says Walch. "If you fall ill or are injured during the trip, it can be pretty expensive – even when going to the ship's onboard medical facility."

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Hurricane coverage

Extreme weather and hurricanes are typically not covered if the cruise commences as scheduled, though you might be eligible for trip interruption coverage if weather cancels the cruise or cuts the itinerary short. There are also insurance plans that offer trip reimbursement if a destination on your itinerary is under a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued hurricane alert or warning.

How much will cruise travel insurance cost?

Insurance pricing is dependent on the trip cost and the age of the insured travelers. Sandberg estimates that "travelers in their 30s or 40s can ballpark insurance coverage somewhere around 5% to 7% of the trip costs, with rates that can get lower depending on the extent of coverage."

Insurance is a tiered product that gets more expensive as you age. "As you get older, that range can expand to 10% of trip costs," notes Sandberg. "Adding bells and whistles, like 'cancel for any reason' [coverage], rates can rise to 11% to 12% of the cost of your trip."

Related: How cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Following extensive research scouring the fine print, we've selected five of the best cruise insurance plans that will appeal to a variety of seagoing travelers.

All five plans provide coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellation and interruption.

For the leisure cruiser: TravelSafe Classic Plan

TravelSafe's Classic Plan is the best value all-around for the average cruiser, with superior coverage limits at a fair rate.

This plan's coverage includes an impressive $1 million per person for medical evacuation and a high $2,500 coverage limit for bag loss. You have extra time – 21 days – from your initial deposit to add a cancel-for-any-reason upgrade to your plan. The accident and sickness medical coverage is primary, with coverage up to $100,000.

The policy's $750-maximum trip delay coverage begins after a six-hour delay and includes kennel fees for up to $100 per day, along with coverage for additional meal and accommodation expenses.

For the budget conscious: AXA's Silver Plan

AXA's Silver Plan is the company's entry-level offering, with more value added than most budget insurance options — most notably the company's concierge service. Coverage under this plan includes robust trip cancellation and interruption coverage, both at 100% of the costs, along with $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.

The plan also offers identity theft assistance in case your wallet or passport gets stolen while traveling, assisting with filing and obtaining police and credit reports, taking inventory of lost or stolen items, and even wiring emergency funds to you when you're really in a bind.

You won't have the option to purchase a cancel-for-any-reason add-on or opt in for a collision damage waiver on this lowest-tier plan.

For the luxury cruise traveler: John Hancock's Gold Plan

John Hancock's Gold Plan offers robust medical evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $1 million per person, ideal for those luxury cruises that rove to the farthest reaches of the globe. The plan has excellent baggage loss coverage at up to $2,500 per person, along with a low three-hour minimum travel delay ($1,000 per person, $200 daily limit) benefit.

Preexisting medical conditions are covered by this policy, though you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your trip deposit.

For increased medical coverage: Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan

Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan offers primary medical coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses up to $500,000, while many other plans only offer secondary coverage. The plan's medical evacuation coverage is high at $1 million, and preexisting conditions are covered with a few conditions that apply, namely that you purchase the policy within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The policy also offers detailed, robust COVID-19 coverage, including reimbursement for medical care if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Its coverage also includes meals, local transportation and lodging if you're delayed six or more consecutive hours due to quarantining with COVID-19.

Coverage options on the plan may vary slightly depending on which U.S. state you claim as your residence.

For the adventurous cruiser: World Nomads' Explorer Plan

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover more than 200 adventure activities on your travels, including scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping. The coverage for the long list of activities includes emergency medical expenses while outside the U.S., medical evacuation and repatriation, along with trip interruption.

World Nomads' Explorer Plan also offers $25,000 in coverage for nonmedical emergency evacuation for covered events, such as a natural disaster or political or security situations.

Travelers 70 and older are required to add a "Silver Nomads" policy, offered through TripAssure.

Bottom line

Cruising isn't always a blissful week spent relaxing on the pool deck or snorkeling among multicolored reefs. Mishaps occur, whether it's losing luggage, missing a flight or falling ill.

The best cruise insurance policies are the ones that won't let you sail without a safety net, charging a fraction of your trip expenses in exchange for the peace of mind that there's a plan in place should something go wrong. With a range of pricing and coverage options available, you can feel confident that you can find a policy to suit your travel needs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Smooth Sailing Ahead: Your Guide to Cruise Travel Insurance [2023]

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

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Best Cruise Travel Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners

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Taking a cruise is one of the easiest ways to travel, but cruising isn’t immune to unexpected hiccups. Sudden illness, travel delays, or other unforeseen events could cancel or interrupt your cruising plans — you might even need medical coverage. 

With cruise insurance, you’re covered for unexpected issues that can interfere with your travel plans . Read on to learn what cruise insurance is, how to get it, and how to find the best cruise insurance policies, whether you’re buying directly from the cruise line or a third-party insurance company.

The 5 Best Cruise Travel Insurance Policies

The right cruise insurance policy offers the coverage you need at a good price, but policies aren’t one-size-fits-all. We’ve run quotes for various coverage scenarios — from seniors to adventure tours — to find the best cruise insurance policies . 

Consider these travel insurance policies for your next cruise:

Seniors cruising the world can get comprehensive coverage from Seven Corners Travel Insurance . We were quoted $89 for a 70-year-old cruising Mexico . The Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic policy offers trip cancellation and interruption, medical coverage, and medical evacuation, along with COVID-19 cancellation and medical coverage.

Comprehensive travel insurance, regardless of your age, is widely available and relatively affordable. Check out our complete guide to travel insurance for seniors .

If you’re concerned about COVID-19 derailing your cruise travel plans, getting cruise travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is essential. The battleface Discovery Plan covers COVID-19 cancellation and medical expenses, along with regular trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and medical emergency coverage. We were quoted $36.54 for a 35-year-old cruising Italy on this plan.

Young travelers often have the lowest-priced travel insurance policies. We got a quote for just $30.27 from Aegis for a 22-year-old cruising the Bahamas . The Aegis Go Ready Choice policy covers COVID-19 medical and cancellation, trip cancellation and interruption, medical evacuation, and medical expenses.

Are you planning adventurous excursions on your cruise? IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite , with options for winter, adventure, and extreme sports, can give you the coverage you need. We were quoted $58.87 for a 40-year-old traveler cruising to Costa Rica with plans to zipline . It covers trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, medical evacuation, and adventure sports with some exclusions, such as diving and adventure races.

Your travel insurance might not cover everything you want to do — particularly if you plan on adventure activities. Here’s our complete guide to adventure and extreme sports travel insurance .

If you’re especially concerned you may need to cancel your cruise, Cancel for Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel your trip and receive partial reimbursement for nonrefundable trip expenses, even if you cancel for reasons not normally covered by trip cancellation coverage. We were quoted $100.50 for a 55-year-old cruising Alaska for John Hancock Insurance Agency’s Silver plan , which reimburses up to 75% of your trip cost under Cancel for Any Reason coverage. It also offers coverage for COVID-19 medical and cancellation, trip cancellation and interruption, and medical expenses and evacuation with primary coverage.

Cruise insurance is travel insurance that covers cruises . It can help you manage all the what-ifs on your cruise. What if you need to cancel your booking? What if your flight is late? What if you get sick or hurt? Travel insurance for cruises can cover you for all of these things. 

Many travel insurance policies cover cruises, but cruise insurance may be tailored to the risks of cruises, covering transportation, accommodations, and activities. Getting travel insurance for cruises can offer peace of mind if you’re concerned about losing nonrefundable trip payments, travel delays, or covering emergency medical care.

Cruise bookings can be unforgiving, and cruise insurance can help you minimize your risk of losing the money you’ve paid for your trip. Travel insurance coverage is often a good idea if you’re concerned about losing nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses or covering emergency medical expenses . 

Because cruises are often less flexible than other types of travel, it’s generally a good idea to get cruise travel insurance. For example, you might be able to rebook a flight or hotel room, but if you cancel your cruise, you could lose your deposit or more. Often, cruise lines won’t offer any refunds if you cancel within a certain period before your cruise, such as 14 or 30 days .

Additionally, you shouldn’t expect your U.S.-based health insurance plan to cover you on your cruise, especially if you’re on an international cruise. And it’s exceptionally expensive if you need to be evacuated for a medical condition.

While everyone hopes for smooth sailing, the reality is a lot of unexpected issues could pop up on your cruise. Your flight to the cruise port could be delayed, you might get sick or injured on your cruise, or you might have to cancel the whole thing if illness or obligations prevent you from going on your cruise. A hurricane could interfere with cruising in storm hotspots such as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. 

Cruise insurance can offer financial support for many unexpected problems you might experience with a cruise. And with a 24-hour travel assistance hotline , you can get knowledgeable help whether you need to find a local pharmacy or coordinate the replacement of lost travel documents such as your passport.

That said, you might have travel insurance coverage available with a credit card . Some credit cards offer travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical treatment and evacuation, and travel delay coverage. Still, you should check the details of your credit card’s coverage to ensure it’s enough for your needs. 

Looking for a credit card with travel protections? Read our guide to the best credit cards for travel insurance coverage and protection.

Generally, expect cruise insurance to cost between 5% to 10% of the total cost of your cruise . For a $3,000 cruise, you’ll typically pay between $150 to $300 for comprehensive travel insurance coverage. But keep in mind several factors influence the cost of cruise insurance, including:

• Add-ons, such as CFAR 
• Coverage options 
• Cruise cost 
• Deductibles and limits 
• Destination 
• Group policies 
• Traveler age 
• Trip duration

Learn more about travel insurance costs in our guide to the average cost of travel insurance .

What Cruise Insurance Covers

Each travel insurance policy is unique, but travel insurance for cruise coverage typically includes:

• 24/7 Assistance: You can get 24/7 support for itinerary changes, rebooking, medical emergencies, and more.
• Baggage Protection: Your luggage is covered for loss, theft, or damage on your flight or during your cruise.
• Cabin Confinement: You may get reimbursement if you have to stay in your cabin during your cruise, such as a required quarantine due to COVID-19.
• Cancel for Any Reason: Usually available as an add-on, CFAR travel insurance allows you to cancel your cruise for any reason and receive a partial reimbursement of your nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Itinerary Changes: You can get covered for changes in your cruise’s itinerary, missed port calls, or extended delays beyond your control.
• Missed Connections: If you miss your cruise departure due to a flight delay or other covered reason, you can get reimbursed for your nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical Emergencies: Cruise insurance can cover medical treatment on the cruise and may offer coverage for medical evacuation.
• Trip Cancellation or Interruption: You can get reimbursed for your nonrefundable travel expenses if you cancel your cruise or end your trip early due to covered reasons such as illness or injury. You’re typically covered if the cruise line cancels due to mechanical issues, weather, or other unforeseen events.

Cruise-specific travel insurance may also offer reimbursement if your cruise ship is disabled. And if you want to cover shore excursions, be sure to include the cost of excursions in your total travel cost when you get quotes for cruise insurance.

While these coverage types are common among cruise insurance policies, checking the terms and conditions to confirm all coverage areas is a good idea.

There are many options for travel insurance, and you can generally choose as little or as much coverage as you’d like. You can opt for a comprehensive travel insurance policy, which may offer Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, or you might prefer to limit your costs and choose just the coverage you need. For example, you might choose standalone trip cancellation insurance or a travel medical insurance policy but decide you don’t need coverage for missed connections or baggage.

Consider these factors as you compare the best cruise travel insurance policies:

• Cancellation Window: Understand how many days before your cruise departure you must cancel to qualify for reimbursement.
• Coverage Availability: Travel insurance policies typically offer cruise coverage, but it’s best to confirm that a policy specifically covers cruises before you purchase it. Also, consider availability for coverages that may be important to you, such as CFAR or adventure sports. 
• Customer Reviews and Reputation: You can get insight into the insurance provider and how claims and customer service work by reading customer reviews and ratings.
• Eligibility Criteria: Cruise insurance policies may have eligibility criteria such as limits on age or trip duration and preexisting conditions. For example, some travel insurance policies max out at 90 days.
• Exclusions and Limitations: Read the policy to understand what’s excluded or limited specifically to cruise-related coverage, such as reimbursements for port closures, itinerary changes, or medical incidents on the cruise.
• Policy Cost: Get multiple quotes and compare each cost and coverage value to ensure you get a good value for your cruise insurance policy.
• Purchase Timeline: You’ll usually need to purchase your cruise insurance within a certain period of booking your trip, so be sure you’re buying your policy within that timeframe.
• Reimbursement Structure: Review the cruise insurance policy to confirm how much you can be reimbursed for under qualifying circumstances, such as if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip.

You can buy cruise insurance from the cruise line when you book, or a travel agent may offer cruise insurance plans. You also have the option to purchase cruise trip insurance independently. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes to compare your costs and coverage and get the best deal on cruise insurance.

You should buy cruise insurance when you make your first deposit so you’re immediately covered for trip cancellation. Here are some of the options and coverages if you purchase cruise insurance directly from the cruise line:

Before you purchase cruise insurance from a cruise line, compare your third-party options. You can get quotes from multiple travel insurance companies at once using a travel insurance aggregator such as Squaremouth .

Even a meticulously planned cruise can run into unforeseen disruptions — and cruise insurance can come in handy for the unexpected.

Cruise insurance covers you for sudden illnesses, travel delays, and more, offering financial protection so you’re safeguarded against uncertainties. Whether you get cruise insurance from the cruise line or third–party insurance providers, understand your coverage and how it protects your investment in cruise travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my health insurance cover me on a cruise.

Some health insurance policies offer limited coverage on cruises, but coverage often depends on where you’re cruising and your planned activities. Check with your insurance provider about coverage before you depart on your cruise. Find out if supplemental cruise insurance is available if you want to use your existing health insurance coverage.

Are cruises covered under travel insurance?

Cruises are typically covered under travel insurance , so you don’t necessarily have to buy specialized cruise insurance, such as coverage from the cruise line. Travel insurance can cover trip cancellations and interruptions, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more on your cruise trip.

Can you buy cruise insurance after booking?

You can buy cruise insurance after booking. It’s generally best to purchase cruise insurance as soon as possible after making your initial trip deposit — when you have money on the line. The sooner you purchase cruise insurance, the sooner you’re covered for trip cancellations.

Can you buy medical insurance for a cruise?

You can buy medical travel insurance to cover your medical expenses on a cruise, offering coverage such as medical emergencies, illnesses, and injuries.

How do I add travel insurance to my cruise?

You can add travel insurance to your cruise when you book with the cruise line or a travel agent. Alternatively, you can purchase travel insurance directly from travel insurance agencies.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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