When it comes to travelling, stumping up a few extra hundred dollars for travel insurance feels like an extra pinch after you paid thousands for your cruise. While travel insurance for a cruise isn’t technically mandatory, it’s something you’ll definitely regret not getting.
If your cruise doesn’t leave the country, you might feel less inclined to fork out for travel insurance. However, while some cruise ships have access to medical help onboard, generally these medical facilities can’t deal with complex health issues. If a medical emergency requires you to be evacuated or receive specialised care, Medicare or even your private health insurance may be able to cover your expenses when you’re offshore.
As for international cruises, you’re even more likely to need travel insurance. If you’re travelling to places like the South Pacific, New Zealand or even Europe, you’re going to want to make sure that in the case of an emergency, you’re covered.
It’s not just medical emergencies that make travel insurance worth investing in, it’s things like missing luggage, delays and cancellations where, if you’re not covered, you could be thousands of dollars out of pocket.
What does travel insurance cover for a cruise?
So, what exactly does travel insurance cover when you’re on a cruise? Travel insurance typically covers you in case of a wide range of scenarios that could impact your trip. Depending on how much you spend and how comprehensive your insurance plan is, you can expect the following things to be covered:
- Cancellation coverage: Life happens. If you happen to fall ill, or an emergency takes place before going on your cruise, your travel insurance can help you recuperate the costs if you have to cancel.
- Medical coverage: Even if you’re cruising within Australian waters, Medicare or private health insurance may not cover you once you’re onboard. Should you fall ill or require emergency medical treatment, cruise travel insurance can help you pay for any out-of-pocket medical expenses like doctors visits or medical transportation. This is especially important when on an international cruise where medical costs can quickly skyrocket.
- Delayed or missed departures: Some things are out of your control, if your flight to the port gets cancelled or you run into other delays, cruise travel insurances can help to recuperate any costs – depending on your plan.
- Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal items: There’s nothing worse than when your bags don’t make it on board with you, or, when your personal items get damaged as they’re loaded onto the ship. Some cruise travel insurance plans will reimburse you for lost, stolen or damaged luggage.
Some policies will also cover you for missed shore excursions due to schedule changes or cabin confinement due to illness. Things don’t always go to plan, which is why having travel insurance in your corner is the smartest way to travel.
How much does travel insurance cost for a cruise?
The cost of travel insurance depends on the provider and how comprehensive the plan is. It also depends on factors like your age, how long your cruise goes for and whether it’s a domestic or international trip.
On average, a basic travel insurance policy for a domestic Australian cruise can start from as little as $50 to $100 per person. However, for longer or international cruises, you could be looking at $150 to $300 or more.
However, as with most things in life, the cheapest option isn’t always the best and generally only provides limited, basic coverage. If your cruise involves international destinations and a range of excursions, you should consider investing in a more comprehensive plan that will protect you in a whole different range of scenarios.
At Viking, we’ve taken care of everything. Enjoy complimentary access to The Nordic Spa on all Viking ocean and expedition ships with traditional Nordic hot and cold therapy.
