Cruise travel insurance

Cruise insurance policies from £6.42*

  • Insurance with cover for the extras you need

  • Find cover for cabin confinement, missed port and more

  • Compare some policies with covid cover

*The cheapest Cruise policy is £6.42 (based on 1 adult aged 31, with no previous medical conditions selecting cover for a cruise and travelling in Europe for up to 3 nights). Prices correct on the 02/11/2022.

What is cruise travel insurance?

Cruise travel insurance offers specific cover for your cruise. When you buy cruise insurance you’ll still get standard travel insurance to cover things like lost and stolen belongings, trip cancellation, medical expenses and repatriation.

Plus, you'll get extra cover for your cruise, including for:

  • Missed port departures
  • Cruise cabin confinement
  • Unused excursions
  • Cruise itinerary changes
  • Cruise interruption

You can usually buy cruise cover on its own, as an add-on to a standard policy or even as annual multi-trip travel insurance with cruise cover.

What does cruise travel insurance cover?

Cruise insurance covers you against unexpected costs and emergencies that can happen while at sea, including:

  • Cabin confinement cover if you fall ill and are instructed by the medical officer on board to stay in your room. You’ll get the cover amount set out in your policy per day you’re confined.

  • Personal belongings, money and baggage cover come in handy if your items are stolen, accidentally lost or damaged.

  • Cancellations cover for pre-paid travel, accommodation, and unused excursions if you have to cancel your trip in an emergency.

  • Delayed departure or abandoning your trip due to missed port, poor weather conditions, strike, industrial action or mechanical problems.

  • Medical cover is extremely important, especially if you’re hundreds of miles away from the mainland and need medical assistance. This may cover emergency airlift to hospital if needed.

When you get a cruise insurance quote, we’ll only show you policies that have the protection you’ll need for your cruise based on the details you give us. Policies can vary between insurers, so it’s important to check what's covered before you buy.

What isn't covered by cruise insurance?

Each cruise travel insurance policy is different, but some won't cover:

  • Claims related to pre-existing health conditions
  • Delays or cancellations due to bad weather
  • Cancellations made by the cruise provider
  • Incidents that happen when under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Excursions or sports that aren't covered by your policy

To find out what you're covered for, check your policy details or call your insurer.

Cruise insurance with Covid cover: what do I need to know?

Despite updating policies to control infections, cruise ships have still seen coronavirus outbreaks. If you’re going on a cruise, make sure your cruise holiday insurance policy covers you for claims around Covid-19. Check your policy wording so you know exactly what’s covered.

Some cruise travel insurance policies emergency medical cover if you get ill with or die from coronavirus while on your cruise. Policies can also cover you if you have to cancel or cut your trip short due to Covid-19.

Cancellations usually apply if you’re diagnosed with coronavirus 14 days before your cruise ship sets sail. Or if you’re denied boarding due to having Covid-19 symptoms. Policies may also cover trip cancellation within 14 days of departure due to a close relative being hospitalised or dying from Covid-19.

Covid-19 entry requirements vary in different countries, so it’s important to plan your trip in advance. The GOV.UK website provides useful information on foreign travel during coronavirus, including your destination’s entry requirements and your return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Previously, people returning to the UK from red list countries would face stricter rules, including having to book a quarantine hotel package.

There aren't currently any countries on the red list, but before you buy cruise travel insurance, think about what could happen if your destination moves to the red list. You may face travel restrictions and extra costs that your policy won't cover.

If you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice, your cruise travel insurance policy won't cover you. Always read the latest FCDO advice before you travel and keep tabs on any government updates to the international cruise ship travel guidelines

Can I get cruise travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions?

Usually, yes. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you could still get cruise insurance. Just select your condition(s) on our quote form.

Pre-existing medical conditions include things like:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Stroke
  • Heart and respiratory problems

Your insurance could cost more if the insurer thinks the pre-existing condition means you’re more likely to need medical treatment while on holiday.

Some insurers may not offer cruise travel insurance if you have a serious medical condition, especially if you’re undergoing treatment or waiting for an operation.

You should always tell the truth about pre-existing medical conditions when you get a cruise insurance quote or could invalidate your cover.

How much does cruise travel insurance cost?

The cost of your cruise insurance policy can depend on:

  • Where you’re travelling
  • How long you’re away for
  • If you have a pre-existing medical condition
  • Your age

Here are the average costs of 1-week cruise insurance policies for the UK and the most popular cruise destinations around the world.

Destination Average premium1
UK
£27.14
Europe
£64.21
France
£48.98
Portugal
£64.56
Greece
£51.09
USA
£66.78

1Confused.com travel data: Average price of premiums (1 week trip) 2nd May to 2nd November 2022.

Why is cruise insurance so expensive?

Like any insurance, cruise travel insurance prices are based on risk, and costs the insurance provider will have to pay out in the event of an incident.

Cruise cover is usually more expensive than other types of travel insurance due to less amenities being available while you’re at sea. For example, while many ships will have medics and basic equipment on board, this won't be enough if you need to go to hospital, or leave the boat in an emergency. These extra considerations mean more risk so you'll pay more for these types of additions compared to a standard travel policy.

When comparing quotes, you’ll see policies with airlift options, in case you need to go to hospital but are far from the mainland. You’ll also see cover for things like abandoning your trip due to extreme weather. These extras all help determine your policy cost.

Depending on the countries you’re visiting, the cost of medical treatment may be higher due to private healthcare systems they have in place, so your policy will factor that in too. If you’ve got a pre-existing condition, make sure you get a medical travel insurance policy before you travel.

How do I decide on the best travel insurance for my cruise holiday?

To make sure you're getting the right level of cruise travel insurance cover, it’s important to check the policy wording carefully. Exactly what’s covered by cruise insurance varies between insurers.

Here are our top tips for choosing the right policy:

  • Make sure all the cruise destination points are covered by the cruise travel insurance policy
  • Always check you’re covered for any sports/activities you intend to do both on and offshore as part of your trip
  • Compare policy cover levels for cabin confinement as well as for more standard travel insurance cover for things like personal belongings
  • Check the conditions for missed port departure cover – you might not be covered by your cruise holiday insurance if you miss your boat due to a private excursion, for example
  • Get comprehensive medical cover that includes emergency helicopter transfers, cover for your journey home if you can’t return on your cruise ship and medical costs like hospital fees

How do I get a cruise travel insurance quote?

Just click ‘Get a quote’ to get started and fill in our form with a few details about your trip:

  • What type of cover you want - single-trip, annual or backpacker travel insurance
  • Which countries you’re travelling to and when you’re going
  • Who's needs cover under the policy
  • Select ‘cruise cover’ when choosing any extras for your policy
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions you or anyone else on the policy has

Our insurance partners then get to work on getting you the best cruise insurance quotes for your holiday.

Compare cruise travel insurance quotes

We compare quotes from up to 40 travel insurance companies to find you our best deals

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When should I buy cruise insurance?

You should buy cruise insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday – you may need to cancel your trip if you fall ill prior to departure.

Are cruises covered by ATOL?

Find out if your cruise is ATOL protected or not by checking your holiday provider’s website – look for the ATOL protected logo. If your cruise is covered by ATOL, you should also receive a certificate with all the details of this.

If you have any doubts, check with your holiday provider before you book.

Can you buy cruise travel insurance after booking?

You can buy cruise travel insurance after you've booked your holiday until your departure date.

But if you don't buy cover right away and need to cancel your holiday, you may lose out financially.

There is also often a period after booking when you can't claim, often 24 hours. So it's not always a good idea to leave it to the last minute to buy a policy.

Do I need travel insurance for a domestic cruise?

If you're going on a domestic cruise around the UK, you may still need insurance. The NHS will cover your medical costs, but you won't have cancellation cover.

But if you're using travel insurance for a domestic cruise, check the policy's small print. Some travel insurers have certain rules, such as travelling a certain distance away from your home before you can use the policy.

Do I need cruise insurance for a river cruise?

You'll need cruise insurance to cover the extra risks associated with a cruise trip. This includes travelling to different countries and potentially being airlifted to a hospital if there isn't the right medical equipment on board.

Before you buy your cruise cover, check which countries you'll be travelling through on your river cruise and make sure they're included.

Will the countries I visit affect the price of my cruise insurance?

Insurance is all about risk and the more countries you visit, the higher the risk will be of something going wrong. Similarly, if you're travelling to somewhere dangerous or remote, the price may be higher as it'll cost an insurer more to pay out a claim made there.

The price is also affected by the cost of medical care. In America, for example, it's a lot more expensive to seek medical treatment than it is in France.

Can I cover my partner or family on cruise insurance?

As with standard travel insurance, you can buy a group policy or one with family members on.

If you decide to do this it's worth checking the price of a combined policy and separate policies. If one person is a higher risk, like if they have a pre-existing medical condition, they may increase the overall price for the whole family.

Do I need a EHIC / GHIC card for a cruise?

You don't need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) (which is replacing the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for a cruise but it might be useful.

The card gives you access to medical treatment at the same cost as a local would pay. This can dramatically reduce your medical bills if you do need treatment. It's not a substitute for insurance but it can lower your costs. But it doesn't cover all EU countries so check which are included before your trip.

If you still have an EHIC you can continue using it until it expires. You can apply for a GHIC up to 6 months before your EHIC is due to expire for free through the NHS website.

What countries does cruise insurance cover?

You can buy cruise insurance that covers worldwide travel or specific areas. You're likely to visit or travel through a few different countries on a cruise. So it's important to make sure your insurance covers all of these countries.

In some cases, insurance won't cover countries that are especially dangerous or where the Foreign Office has warned against travelling to. If you're not sure, check with your insurer.

Can I get annual multi-trip travel insurance with cruise cover?

If you go on a few cruise trips every year, annual multi-trip travel insurance with cruise cover could be an option. It will cover cruises anywhere in the world and it is often cheaper than buying standalone policies for each cruise you go on.

It's always worth comparing prices though to make sure you're getting the best value. In some cases, annual insurance can be more expensive if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

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What our travel insurance expert says

Cruise holidays are growing in popularity and offer a different experience to your standard beach break. Getting cruise insurance for your trip is the best option if you want peace of mind. Knowing you’ve got the cover you need to sail off into the sunset. Don’t leave it too late, buying your policy early should offer protection against cancelled holidays and could help save you money.
Jac Morris Travel & Pet insurance expert signature

Jac Morris

Travel Insurance Product Executive

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