Should You Buy Travel Protection for a Cruise?

Some of the best cruise deals and sales events are available from January through March when cruise lines are booking trips for the peak of the cruising season. If you’re booking a cruise, we suggest you consider cruise insurance, because many of our top reasons for getting travel insurance apply directly to cruise trips.

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Cruises tend to benefit more from travel insurance and assistance services than most other types of travel. Because cruises can involve multiple destinations, strict cancellation policies, and limited access to medical care, travel protection is particularly valuable for cruise travelers.

For example, cruise cancellations are different than most other types of travel bookings. If you need to cancel a fully paid cruise — even for valid reasons — you may not receive a refund. That’s because cruise lines generally have strict payment schedules and tight rules around refunds.

Read on to learn more about how travel protection can help before and during your cruise.

Should You Buy Protection Through the Cruise Line?

While cruise lines offer the convenience of adding protection to your booking, it’s important to carefully review what’s included. The coverage provided by cruise lines often comes with strict guidelines for reimbursement in the event of cancellation.

For example, you may only receive a credit toward a future cruise rather than a cash refund — which may not be ideal if your plans change. Additionally, cruise line protection typically does not cover other travel expenses related to your trip, such as flights, accommodations, or excursions booked separately.

Why Travel Protection for your Cruise Is Worth It

Generali Global Assistance offers travel protection plans for cruise vacations and packages to help cover your vacation protection needs. Here are just a few reasons why it’s worth considering a travel protection plan:

Cruise Insurance for Health and Safety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cruise trips pose potential health hazards and staying informed and prepared for those dangers can help travelers fully enjoy their vacations. Cruisers might encounter viral illnesses or seasickness, and respiratory illnesses are reportedly common aboard cruise ships. Chronic conditions could also unexpectedly worsen as a result of cruise-related stressors such as changes in diet or climate variations.

Cruise travel insurance can offer a unique global solution if your health insurance provider doesn’t extend coverage outside of the United States. Note that Medicare, in particular, may not provide coverage internationally. If an insured experiences a sickness or injury on their trip they can utilize their cruise travel insurance plan to seek reimbursement for otherwise potentially burdensome medical expenses.

Many cruise insurance plans can also help in the event of a medical emergency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical evacuations by air ambulance can cost $50,000-$100,000 and must be paid in advance by travelers who don’t have insurance. Such travel insurance plans, like those offered by Generali Global Assistance, provide travelers with access to a 24/7 international emergency hotline and coverage for emergency medical evacuations.

Also read:
• Tips for Planning a River Cruise—When to Go, Where to Go and What to Expect
• 5 Reasons Why a Disney Cruise is not Just for Kids

Cruise Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation

I didn't think we would need this trip coverage but health issues forced us to cancel our cruise. I'm glad we bought the policy.

Michael and Shirley B. from Corona, CA

If you’re forced to cancel your cruise, how much of that prepaid trip cost could you get back? There are often cancellation penalties tied to travel purchases, especially cruise trips, and you could get a portion of your trip costs back or none at all. Those penalties tend to get more severe as the departure date gets closer. This is where Trip Cancellation coverage can help you.

Many things can happen between the time you book your cruise and the start of your vacation that could affect you or your traveling companions or family members and force you to cancel your trip—sickness, job loss, and even flight cancellations due to adverse weather or an airline strike. Luckily, travel insurance is a small investment against the full cost of a cruise and Generali Global Assistance plans include Trip Cancellation coverage that can provide reimbursement for a canceled trip. This could be an especially important coverage if you’re cruising during hurricane season.

The Cruise Connection

Cruise trips differ from self-directed travel in terms of itinerary. If a self-directed traveler encounters a flight delay at the start of their vacation, they could suffer inconvenience and financial loss but they won’t, quite literally, be missing their boat.

Delays due to inclement weather or other unforeseen events can result in amplified problems for cruisers, such as forfeited prepaid trip arrangements, additional transportation expenses, and the necessary purchase of accommodations and meals while delayed. Many travel protection plans include coverages that can reimburse for such expenses. Review a plan’s Description of Coverage or Policy for a complete schedule of benefits and full details on coverages like Trip Interruption, Travel Delay and Baggage Delay.

A carefully planned trip should be carefree. If you book a cruise during the cruise deals season, or anytime, travel iprotection can help in case a covered event disrupts your trip. Travel protection plans from Generali Global Assistance include the above-mentioned services and coverages.

Protection for Belongings

You'll likely pack valuable items such as electronics, jewelry and travel documents with you on a cruise. Unfortunately, the risk of loss, theft or damage to your baggage is always present. Travel protection can help cover the loss or damage of your baggage.

24/7 Travel Assistance

Our travel protection plans include 24/7 Travel Assistance services. Having access to around-the-clock support can be invaluable while you're at sea or in a foreign port. This service provides reliable help whenever you need it, offering added peace of mind throughout your trip.

How to Choose the Right Travel Protection Plan for Cruises (plus Flights)

Generali Global Assistance offers a range of travel protection plans that cater to different needs and budgets. Our Premium Plan provides extensive coverage for rental car damage, pre-existing medical conditions, sporting equipment coverage, and more. Other plans offer essential coverage at a lower cost, which might be sufficient for some travelers.

For more information about our plans and to find the right coverage for your cruise, get a quote today.