Cruise Coverage
What is the best coverage for a cruise?
Have you booked or are planning to book a cruise vacation? Then we recommend you pair this with an All-Inclusive Travel Insurance plan.
The All-Inclusive Travel plan provides comprehensive coverage for emergency medical, lost or delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and trip interruption. With the constraints related to the cruise ship’s arrival and departure from each port, one should ensure they have the necessary insurance protection should there be a need to disembark from an unplanned port or make an adjustment to their journey mid-cruise.
Why should I protect my cruise vacation?
A cruise vacation is a significant investment, and in the unfortunate circumstance of you having to cancel your travel plans prior to departure, Trip Cancellation coverage can provide the necessary protection. What would happen if you or your travel companions fell ill prior to your cruise?
Trip Interruption coverage can help with reimbursement in the event of something happening AFTER you’ve left on your cruise but you suddenly have to return home. In most situations, you would now be having to pay out of pocket to essentially book a new trip home which would likely be from a different port that you had planned to return from, given that your cruise is stopping at multiple ports on its voyage.
Consider circumstances where your trip is delayed and you are unable to depart with your cruise due to a missed connection. Benefits may assist in supporting the expenses to get you to the next accessible port for you to (re)join the cruise.
As you can see, unlike other vacations where you would be staying in one location where there are no barriers to accessing your destination, the moving target and fixed departure schedules of a cruise require effective coverage for all possibilities, and this is where an All-Inclusive Travel Insurance plan provides great value.
What if I already have travel emergency medical coverage through another plan or my credit card?
If you have travel insurance through another plan or credit card, ensure that you review the policy wording to understand the coverage’s eligibility and benefits. If it’s through a credit card, do you have to book the entire trip on your card? Is your card in good standing? And how long is the coverage valid for – is it enough to cover your trip?
But, if you already have emergency medical coverage with another plan, you can obtain stand-alone trip cancellation and trip interruption only coverage. A Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption plan is a great complement to an existing emergency medical plan and typically allows you to protect trips with a higher trip value than the all-inclusive plan, but it’s important you review benefits and limitations to ensure you know which risks are covered.
When should one obtain coverage to protect the cruise vacation?
If you’re taking out cover to protect the value of the cruise vacation, you should obtain coverage as soon as you’ve made your booking, even if it’s just a deposit. It is important to protect the entire value of your trip as soon as possible - so ensure that your coverage has trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits.
What else should I consider when planning a cruise vacation?
In addition to the right travel insurance coverage for your cruise vacation, here are some other factors to consider:
- Destination: Choose a destination based on your interests and travel goals.
- Cruise line and ship: Select a cruise line and ship that fit your budget and provide the amenities and activities you desire.
- Itinerary: Consider the ports of call and the length of time spent at each port.
- Cabin: Decide on a cabin type that meets your needs and budget, such as inside, outside, balcony, or suite.
- Time of year: Consider the climate and season of your destination to ensure the best weather conditions.
- Budget: Determine a budget for your trip, including airfare, transportation, excursions, and onboard expenses.
- Research and reviews: Read reviews from past passengers and research the cruise line, ship, and destination to make informed decisions.
Remember, if you're looking to get the right travel insurance coverage at the best value, it's important to compare quotes from a variety of different insurers.
And that is why we are here to help. We'll help you quickly compare different plans so you can get the right travel insurance for your cruise vacation.
Get a quoteHealthcare in other countries can be very expensive, especially in the United States. A simple emergency room visit can cost someone a few thousand dollars without health insurance. More severe reasons for conditions could cost hundreds of thousands.
An all-inclusive coverage bundle provides additional coverage on top of emergency medical expenses with benefits such as baggage loss/delay and trip cancellation/interruption.
You should purchase travel insurance as soon as you have made payment arrangements to secure your travel plans.
Your Government health plan does not provide coverage for medical expenses incurred outside of Canada (some provincial plans provide very limited reimbursement for out-of-province medical bills). Travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected medical emergencies and related expenses incurred outside of Canada (and your home province). Travel insurance needs to be purchased prior to departing your home province.
Warren holds over 19 years of experience in the travel insurance industry. He enjoys telling the stories of people and places which is fed by his love of travel. Warren is an active member of the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) to better educate the Canadian traveller on the benefits of travelling protected.
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