The best cruise travel insurance will have high coverage limits on emergency medical evacuations, as sea to land evacuations can be expensive. They'll offer coverage for baggage delay, trip interruption, and it might be a good idea to have some adventure sports coverage if you plan on participating in any outdoor activities like snorkeling or scuba diving.
Why You Should Trust Business Insider
When comparing the best cruise travel insurance, we evaluated over 25 companies based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:
Customer Satisfaction
We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot, SquareMouth, and InsureMyTrip to see what customers have to say, particularly about claims experience.
Policy Types
The most important part of any travel insurance company, we look at all the policies a company offers. While we looked at coverage limits, we also looked at options for multi-trip plans, travel medical insurance, and pre-existing condition coverage. We also considered policy flexibility and add-ons that a company offers.
Average Premiums
We acquired quotes from various travel insurance companies using the same trip details. We compared these quotes side-by-side, taking into account the level of coverage each company offered for the price.
Claims Paid
We looked at how quickly a company processes and pays out on a claims. We also look at any favorable terms related to claims. For example, some companies will pay a claim with additional interest if they take longer than expected to pay out.
Ethics
We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.
You can read more about Business Insider's travel insurance rating methodology.
Best Cruise Travel Insurance of 2025
Get Cruise Travel Insurance Quotes Online
Best Overall
A-
$206
N/A
Up to 200%
- Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
- Annual travel insurance plans available
- Strong trip cancellation coverage
- Cancel for any reason coverage available
- CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
- Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer
Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.
Nationwide- Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
- Cancel for any reason coverage available
Nationwide Travel Insurance is a top pick overall for cruise travel insurance, with a long-standing reputation in the insurance industry and solid coverage and reasonable rates for cruises.
It has three cruise travel insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage. It also offers coverage for itinerary changes that caused you to miss pre-paid excursions, from $250 up to $1,000 depending on the plan.
The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.
Runner-up
$218
N/A
Up to $1 Million
- Generous medical evacuation coverage
- Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
- Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
- Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
- CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%
AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.
AXA- Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
- Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
- Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
- Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000
AXA Assistance USA is our runner-up for cruise travel insurance, offering three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.
The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.
In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.
The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.
Best for Seniors
- Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
- Available in all 50 states
- Prices are higher than many competitors
- Reviews around claims processing are mixed
- Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
- Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available
Seven Corners Travel Insurance is great for senior travelers, offering coverage to people 100 years old and younger.
While Seven Corners isn't the only provider with high age limits, its also known for its affordable premiums for senior travelers while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.
Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.
Best for Cheap Cruise Travel Insurance
A-
- Three plans to choose from
- Reasonable premiums
- CFAR coverage available with some plans
- High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
- Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
- Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
- Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
- Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
- Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan
HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance is one of the cheapest travel insurance companies. It offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays/cancellations, and medical expenses. Their premiums also remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.
Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), making it viable for emergency cruise evacuations. You'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost.
Best for Adventure Cruises
A-
- Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
- Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
- You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
- If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
- Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
- No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
- Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
- 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
- Trip protection for up to $10,000
- Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
- Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
- Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)
World Nomads Travel Insurance is the best cruise travel insurance for people taking cruises that involve adventure activities. World Nomads offers coverage for over 300 activities, including aquatic activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and deep sea fishing. This benefit will cover the myriad of excursions you may book while on your cruise.
The basic Standard Plan comes with $125,000 in medical emergency coverage and $400,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. You'll get higher coverage limits with their Explorer or Epic plans, plus a greater variety of covered activities. However, it's worth noting that emergency evacuation coverage maxes out at $700,000.
World Nomads is also one of the few travel insurance providers that sells policies to people who have already departed for their trip, perfect if you want last-minute travel insurance for cruises. However, policies bought after departure have a 72-hour waiting period.
Compare Cruise Insurance
Introduction to Cruise Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for cruises may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical. The best travel insurance plans will provide flexibility to add coverage options to fit your travels needs.
Understanding the Basics of Cruise Travel Insurance
At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.
Why Cruise Travel Insurance is Important
Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.
Types of Cruise Travel Insurance Coverage
Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts. Interruption coverage should also include coverage for missed stops on your cruise or the cost of rejoining a departed cruise if you missed your cruise due to a delayed or cancelled flight. You can also find coverage for missed nonrefundable pre-booked excursions due to a covered incident or missed ports during your cruise.
Medical Coverage
Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Travel medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.
When you purchase travel medical insurance, be sure to note whether your coverage is primary or secondary. Secondary insurance means you'll need to file a claim with your primary insurance provider before filing with your travel insurance provider.
Emergency Evacuation Coverage
In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses. You'll want high coverage limits for emergency evacuation, as sea-to-land evacuations can be costly.
Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage
Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience. It'll reimburse you for any money you spent replacing items while traveling.
Adventure Sports Coverage
Cruises often offer activities that can be classified as adventure sports, such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Medical treatment for injuries sustained while participating in these activities isn't normally covered under normal travel medical coverage. If you're planning on participating in any adventure activities, you'll want to ensure that your policy explicitly includes coverage for these activities or offers an adventure sports coverage add-on.
Tips for Buying the Best Cruise Travel Insurance for You
Securing the best travel insurance for cruises isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs.
When to Purchase Cruise Insurance
It's always best to purchase cruise insurance soon after placing the initial deposit on your cruise. The sooner you buy your insurance, the quicker your trip is protected against a sudden cancellation. Additionally, most travel insurance plans have optional riders you can add to your policy as long as you purchase your policy within a certain window.
For example, cancel for any reason coverage often needs to be purchased within a purchasing window, which can last anywhere between a few days to three weeks from your initial trip deposit. You can also get coverage if you're traveling with preexisting medical conditions under the same conditions by purchasing your policy early, depending on your provider.
That said, most companies will let you buy travel insurance up until the day before your departure. There are some limited policies that you can purchase after you've left for your trip, such as Allianz OneTrip Emergency Medical policy.
How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Travel Insurance
Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat.
A travel insurance comparison site like VisitorsCoverage and InsureMyTrip are good cruise insurance aggregators. You can compare quotes for the best travel insurance side-by-side and compare benefits.
FAQs
When is the best time to buy cruise travel insurance?
The best time to buy cruise travel insurance is right after you book your trip. It'll cover anything before the trip, and you'll qualify for additional coverage like preexisting condition waivers.
What exactly does cruise travel insurance cover?
Cruise travel insurance covers trip cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, emergency evacuations, and lost or damaged baggage, though coverage can vary based on the policy.
How much is travel insurance for a cruise?
The average cost of travel insurance is $293.84, but the amount may be even higher for a cruise, as they can be more expensive, and you may want more coverage.
Can you get insurance on a cruise after departure?
Most travel insurance companies do not allow you to purchase cruise insurance after departure. However, World Nomads offers post-departure travel insurance with a 72-hour waiting period.
Can I buy my own cruise travel insurance?
Yes, you can buy your own cruise travel insurance that isn't offered through the cruise line operator. It may be a better option if you want coverage for travel to the cruise's departure point, as well.
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