Why Do You Need Travel Insurance When Going on a Cruise- Know Now!

A cruise holiday is unlike any other, giving you the joy of visiting multiple destinations while soaking in the luxury of life at sea. But, like any special experience, it comes with risks that differ from those on regular trips. Knowing these risks early helps you choose the right travel insurance for cruise and stay prepared.

Cruise Trips Are Different from Regular Holidays

A cruise ship may feel like a floating city, but its medical facilities are limited. While onboard, doctors and nurses can handle minor illnesses or injuries, serious medical cases may require evacuation to a land-based hospital, which can be costly and complex.

Cruises also take you far from home, often sailing through remote locations where access to emergency services is delayed. Strict schedules mean that missing a departure time at any port can leave you stranded, while adding stress and expense to your trip.

Common Risks While on a Cruise

• Medical Emergencies - Illness or injury requiring onboard treatment or costly emergency evacuation.
• Trip Cancellations or Interruptions - Unforeseen events such as illness or accidents that force you to cancel or cut short your trip.
• Common Carrier Cruise Interruptions - Unexpected injury or illness during your insured cruise results in hospitalisation on foreign dry land.
• Adverse weather conditions - Storms or rough seas affecting schedules and passenger safety.
• Port closures or itinerary changes - Unplanned adjustments due to weather, security issues, or operational reasons.

Cruise travel insurance is a specialised travel cover designed for holidays at sea. It comes as an add-on to an international travel insurance plan, providing protection against risks that are unique to cruise journeys.

Whether it is an international or domestic cruise travel insurance, this add-on offers travellers additional financial safety. It covers both land-based and sea-based risks, which otherwise, a standard travel insurance may not include.

It is especially valuable for those embarking on international cruises where the nearest medical help may be hundreds of miles away.

How Cruise Trip Insurance Differs from Regular Travel Insurance

Regular Travel Insurance

A regular travel insurance policy safeguards you during trips abroad, covering risks such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost baggage. However, its protection is generally limited to land-based travel and may not address situations that arise while you are at sea.

Travel Insurance Cruise Cover

A cruise add-on to your travel insurance extends your coverage to time spent sailing between ports or enjoying days entirely at sea. It offers higher medical benefits, considering that onboard medical care can be limited and costly.

This cover protects against cruise-specific incidents such as missed port calls due to weather changes or itinerary adjustments. It also supports shipboard medical evacuations in case of serious illness or injury and emergency transfers to the nearest hospital onshore.

Missed Cruise Departure

If you miss your cruise due to an accident involving your transport to the port, mass strikes, government cancellations, or a pandemic-related disruption, the cruise bundle reimburses for non-refundable travel ticket costs. This is especially valuable when delays are beyond your control and backed by public authority acknowledgements.

Medical Emergencies at Sea

Cruise ships usually have limited onboard medical facilities, which may not be equipped to handle serious illnesses or injuries. If you require specialised treatment, an evacuation by air or sea can cost thousands of dollars. This cruise insurance cover ensures you receive financial assistance for such emergencies, including cases like illness on board or accidents during your cruise holiday.

Trip Cancellations and Interruptions

Unforeseen events like illness, injury, or a family emergency before departure can force you to cancel your trip. The international travel insurance reimburses pre-paid, non-refundable expenses, helping you recover the financial loss. If your journey is cut short in the middle of the cruise due to a medical emergency, you can also claim for alternate travel booking from the place of hospitalisation in a foreign land.

Bad Weather and Itinerary Changes

Cruise itineraries can change due to storms, cyclones, or high waves. This may lead to missed port calls, cancelled excursions, or rescheduled activities. Your travel insurance cruise cover helps cover related costs and minimises the financial impact of such disruptions.

Cruise Interruption Cover

If the insured individual suffers an unexpected illness or injury during your insured cruise and requires hospitalisation on foreign dry land, the cruise insurance add-on cover reimburses the expenses for alternate travel bookings.

The arrangements must be made to reach the next closest port where the cruise will dock. It allows you to rejoin the same vessel and continue your journey without missing the rest of your holiday.

24/7 Worldwide Assistance

Having round-the-clock support while at sea is essential. Whether it is locating the nearest hospital at the next port or arranging emergency travel, you can get help whenever and wherever you need it.

• Accident Before Boarding – Covers non-refundable travel ticket costs if you miss your cruise due to an accident involving the vehicle used immediately before reaching the sea port.
• Bandhs or Strikes – Provides reimbursement if mass bandhs, shutdowns, or widespread strikes acknowledged by public authorities cause you to miss your cruise.
• Government Cancellations – Covers missed cruise costs if your vehicle is cancelled due to government regulations or control.
• Catastrophe at Departure Point – Offers protection if a natural catastrophe at the cruise’s place of origin prevents you from boarding.
• Pandemic Disruption – Reimburses non-refundable ticket costs if a pandemic declared by the WHO or the local authority leads to a missed cruise.
• Cruise Interruption Due to Medical Emergency – Covers alternate travel bookings if you suffer an unexpected illness or injury during the cruise and require hospitalisation on foreign dry land. It allows you to rejoin the cruise at the next docking port.

When purchasing an international travel insurance plan with a cruise bundle add-on, it is important to understand the exclusions to avoid unexpected claim rejections.

• Pre-existing Medical Conditions (unless declared): Any illness or condition you had before buying the policy is usually not covered unless it has been declared and accepted by the insurer.
• Adventure Activities Not Covered: High-risk sports or activities such as scuba diving, parasailing, or rock climbing are generally excluded unless you have opted for a special adventure sports cover.
• Alcohol or Drug-Related Incidents: Any claim arising from incidents where you were under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs will typically not be accepted.
• Non-Declared Medical History: If you fail to disclose your past medical history at the time of purchasing the policy, related claims may be denied.
• Travelling Against Medical Advice: If you travel despite being advised by a doctor not to do so, your claims for related illnesses or injuries during the trip will not be covered.

• Look for Cruise-Specific Coverage: Ensure the policy includes benefits like missed cruise, cruise interruption, and coverage for medical emergencies on board or at foreign ports.
• Compare Medical Evacuation Limits: Cruises may sail far from hospitals. Choose a cruise travel insurance plan that offers high medical evacuation limits to cover costly air or sea transfers.
• Check for Multi-Destination and International Waters Coverage: Buy travel insurance that covers all countries and waters you will enter during the journey, including ports in multiple nations.
• Understand Claim Process and Support Availability: Look for insurers offering 24/7 global assistance, simple documentation requirements, and multiple channels for claim submission.
• Compare Premiums vs. Benefits: Balance affordability with comprehensive protection to get the best travel insurance for cruises. The cheapest plan may exclude crucial cruise-specific benefits.
• Verify Pre-Existing Condition Clauses: If you have existing medical conditions, ensure the policy offers coverage or at least includes emergency stabilisation benefits.
• Review Trip Cancellation and Interruption Terms: Choose a policy that covers cancellations or interruptions due to illness, strikes, natural disasters, or government orders.
• Consider Baggage and Personal Belongings Cover: Lost or delayed luggage at airports can be costly. Ensure your policy compensates for essentials and valuables.

By reviewing these points before booking, you can select the best travel insurance for cruises that safeguards your trip from unexpected disruptions and financial expenses.

• Buy Early After Booking the Cruise: Buy travel insurance policy soon after confirming your cruise to enjoy full benefits, including trip cancellation cover.
• Declare All Medical Conditions Honestly: Be transparent about pre-existing medical conditions to avoid claim rejections later.
• Understand Your Coverage Limits: Familiarise yourself with limits for medical expenses, baggage cover, and evacuation to avoid surprises during claims.
• Check Port and Destination Exclusions: Some ports or regions may be excluded. Review the list before travelling.
• Keep Copies of Documents Handy: Carry both digital and physical copies of your cruise trip insurance policy, ID, tickets, and medical reports.
• Save the 24/7 Assistance Number: Keep your insurer’s emergency contact number accessible at all times, even offline.
• Contact the Insurer Immediately in Case of Emergencies: Notify your insurance provider as soon as an issue arises to get timely guidance and approval for expenses.
• Follow Claim Procedures Exactly: Submit claims within the specified timeframe and keep all receipts and proof of expenses.

Cruise travel insurance cover is not just an optional extra; it is an essential safeguard against the unique risks of travelling at sea. It ensures you can enjoy your cruise trip with confidence, knowing you have financial protection for emergencies, cancellations, and interruptions.

At TATA AIG, we provide comprehensive protection when you set sail. Our international travel insurance with cruise cover is designed to protect you both on land and at sea, covering medical emergencies, missed departures, itinerary changes, and more.

You can buy travel insurance online quickly on our portal, access 24/7 global assistance, and travel knowing you are backed by a trusted insurer. Whether you are planning a short coastal trip or an extended international voyage, you can count on us for tailored coverage that meets your needs.

Plan smarter and travel safer - buy travel insurance with TATA AIG today and enjoy your cruise without worry.