What kind of insurance do you need for a cruise?

When shopping for cruise insurance, make sure to look for coverage that offers the following:
  • Trip delay and cancellation.
  • Medical expenses, including emergency evacuation.
  • The option to cancel for any reason (including COVID-19).
  • Adventure activities if you're planning certain onshore excursions.




When booking a cruise, you need a specialized Travel Insurance policy that specifically includes "Cruise Cover" or "Cruise Plus" benefits. Standard travel insurance often lacks the high-limit coverage required for maritime-specific emergencies. The most critical component is Medical Evacuation insurance, which covers the astronomical costs (often $50,000–$100,000+) of being airlifted from a ship to a land-based hospital. You also need Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance to protect your investment if you miss the ship due to a flight delay or if a family emergency cuts the trip short. Another specific cruise benefit to look for is "Missed Port Cover," which compensates you if the ship skips a destination due to weather or mechanical issues. In 2026, it is also highly recommended to ensure your policy covers COVID-19 related disruptions and "pre-existing conditions" if applicable. Many savvy cruisers use third-party sites like InsureMyTrip rather than buying the cruise line’s own protection, as third-party policies often provide higher coverage limits and "Cancel for Any Reason" (CFAR) options that the cruise lines do not offer.

People Also Ask

Cruise Line Travel Protection Drawbacks Medical coverage - Typically lower than what we see on 3rd party travel insurance plans. Cancel for Any Reason - Typically offered through the cruise line as a type of waiver, and reimburses credits/voucher, not cash as a third-party plan would.

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Buying 50 Days Before Departure Buying cruise insurance at this time also takes the “panic” factor out of your purchase. There'll be lots to think about right before you leave. Buying 50 days out means you won't be worrying about “what-if” scenarios right up to departure date.

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A typical Caribbean cruise travel insurance policy may come with many features such as:
  • Trip Cancellation.
  • Trip Interruption.
  • Trip Delay or Missed Connection.
  • Baggage Delay or Loss.
  • Medical Expenses.
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation / Repatriation.
  • Financial Default.
  • Repatriation of Remains.


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The short answer is: It's not too late! You absolutely can buy travel insurance after booking your trip. However, it's always best to purchase insurance as early in the process as possible. If you procrastinate, you may miss out on certain benefits.

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Most cruise insurance plans may cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and lost, damaged, or stolen luggage when you're on a cruise. Cruise insurance can also cover cruise-ship disablement and pre-existing conditions, depending on when you buy coverage.

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Add on cruise ship travel insurance allows you to be insured for those extra things that you might not need on a standard trip. For example if bad weather occurs, and you're unable to make a scheduled port stop and are unable to go to an alternative port, then cruise travel insurance will cover this.

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You're always free to cancel your cruise before the cruise line does, but in most cases, you will lose the full price you paid for the cruise (minus port fees). In instance of extremely severe storms (like hurricanes), cruise lines will typically allow passengers to cancel without penalty.

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As long as you haven't yet departed, it's not too late—but your plan choice may be limited. When you get an online quote for travel insurance and enter today as your day of departure, you'll see just a few plans that are available for last-minute travel. Your single-trip plan option is OneTrip Emergency Medical.

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From 29 to15 days prior to sailing, the penalty is 75% of the total fare or the standard deposit amount, whichever is greater. From 14 days prior to sailing to the day of your cruise, the penalty is 100%* of the total fare.

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When your trip is cancelled, your cruise operator should offer the choice of an alternative or a refund. When a sailing is cancelled and an overnight stay becomes necessary, your cruise operator should offer you accommodation free of charge, if possible. This can be on board the ship, or ashore.

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6 Best Cruise Insurance Companies of 2023
  • Nationwide Travel Insurance: Our pick for cruise travel.
  • Faye: Our pick for all-online experience.
  • Travelex Insurance: Our pick for budget travelers.
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Our pick for luxury travelers.
  • AXA Assistance USA: Our pick for leisure travelers.


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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences. Here are some guidelines to help you decide how much money to bring on a cruise.

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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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We recommend paying for on shore purchases that are over $10 with a credit card to reduce the amount of cash you need to carry when off-ship and for a good record of your purchase, and use pocket change or local currency for the rest.

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