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Cruise Travel Insurance

Compare cruise holiday travel insurance

Cover for cabin confinement
Protection for missed ports
Up to unlimited medical cover

Price comparison without the guesswork

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Cover for pre-existing medical conditions

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Do I need specialist travel insurance for a cruise?

If you’re planning to see the world on a cruise holiday, adding cruise cover to your policy means you’ll have extra protection on your dream trip. Some insurers need specialist cruise cover added so they can cover you if you need help. The right cover can give you peace of mind when you’re sailing the high seas.

So whether you’re heading to the shores of the Caribbean, exploring Norwegian Fjords or a trip around the Mediterranean, you know you’ll be covered if things don’t go to plan.

What does cruise cover include?

As well as everything you’d expect from your travel insurance policy, cruise insurance can include cover for things like:

Missed port cover for when you can't dock at a planned stop on your cruise
Cabin confinement cover if you get ill and have to stay in your cabin
Cruise interruption if you have to leave the cruise for a medical emergency
Unused excursions protection if you miss out because of illness, accident or an injury

What won’t be covered?

Some common claims that can’t be covered include:

Accidents related to alcohol or drugs
A medical condition you should’ve declared
Choosing not to travel
Travelling against the advice of your doctor
Travel for medical treatment

Check your policy documents before you leave, so you know what you will and won’t be covered for.

Getting the right cover for your cruise

When you go on a cruise, you’ll need to make sure you have enough cover for your holiday. This includes checking:

The full length of the trip
All the destinations you’ll be going to
Any activities you plan on doing

Some cruise lines might ask you to have a travel policy with at least £2m cover for medical and repatriation. So make sure you check your cover limits carefully before you book.

If you already have an annual multi-trip policy, it’s a good idea to check the countries your cruise will be stopping at. If it stops at a country outside the geographical area you’re covered for, then you should get in touch to change your policy before you leave. You would also need to make sure your annual policy includes cruise cover.

Annual policies will also usually have limits on how long each trip can be, so it’s important to check that you’ll be covered for your whole cruise.

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Will my travel insurance cover me for COVID-19?

New policies will cover you for emergency medical treatment for Covid-19 while you are away, as long as, before the trip begins, the Foreign Office (FCDO) has not advised against all but essential travel to your intended destination.

If the Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to your destination, you will only be covered if you select a product with the FCDO advice extension (Europe only).

Currently the Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against travel to certain destinations. Please see gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for full details.

What are the key benefits of travel insurance?

Before you buy a policy, it’s important to understand what you’re covered for and what you’re not.

Cancellation cover

Cancellation cover is designed to pay back any pre-paid expenses that would be lost if you’re forced to cancel your holiday before you travel.

It’s important to make sure that you choose a policy with enough cancellation cover for the costs you would need to claim for.

Medical Emergency Cover

Travel insurance is designed to pay the costs for a medical emergency while you’re on holiday. You may have to pay an excess contribution to the total costs or you can choose a ‘nil excess’ option if you wish.

Some policies will cover emergency dental treatment if it’s for the immediate relief of pain.

All policies will pay to bring you back to the UK when this is recommended.

Treatment in a private hospital or clinic abroad is not usually covered if a suitable public or state facility is available.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I buy cruise travel insurance?

Taking out travel insurance as soon as you book your trip means you’ll be covered for cancellations before you head off on holiday.

Some cruise lines will ask that your travel policy has a good level of cover, and will check documents before you board. So comparing your options in advance means you’ll feel prepared for your trip.

Can I use an EHIC/GHIC on a cruise?

EHIC/GHICs won’t cover medical treatment when you’re on a cruise ship, even if you’re at port.

If you’re travelling to one of the 39 countries with state healthcare, and you need medical treatment on land, then your GHIC or EHIC could help with treatment costs. So it’s a good idea to pack your card if you’re going on a European cruise.

But an EHIC/GHIC isn’t a replacement for cruise travel insurance, as it won’t cover the costs of getting home in an emergency, or things like lost luggage or passports.

Do I need travel insurance for a UK cruise?

Most cruise operators will still ask that you have travel insurance even if your cruise is in the UK. This is because your policy will help cover the costs if you need to be airlifted off the ship and any medical expenses on board.

Can I get cruise travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?

You can still get cruise travel insurance when you have a medical condition, but it’s important to tell your insurers about your condition when you take out your policy. Your claim could be rejected if you have a medical emergency related to a condition you have not told your insurer about.

Let us know if you've had symptoms, treatment, or undergone tests for any medical condition in the past two years.

You’ll also need to tell us if you’ve ever been treated for, or had investigations for:

High blood pressure, raised cholesterol, blood clots, aneurysm or any circulatory disease

Heart attack, angina, chest pain(s) or any other heart condition

Any form of stroke, transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) or brain haemorrhage

Can I get cruise cover for a river cruise?

Your cruise policy will also cover you for river cruises. This can help with the cost of claiming against lost baggage or personal items as well as medical expenses. It will also mean you’ll be covered before you go in case you have to cancel your trip due to illness.

Can I get cruise travel insurance for over 80s?

Many insurance providers have no upper age limits for policies. So you can add cruise cover to your over 80s travel insurance to enjoy your golden years on the trip of a lifetime.

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Travel Insurance Medical

PayingTooMuch is a price comparison site using trusted providers to compare quality travel insurance at an affordable price. They specialise in cover for pre-existing medical conditions, as well as families and older age groups. PayingTooMuch is a trading name of TICORP Limited. PayingTooMuch travel insurance is arranged by TICORP Limited which is registered in Gibraltar. Company number 111526. Registered office: First Floor, Grand Ocean Plaza, Ocean Village, Gibraltar. TICORP Limited is authorised and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and trades in the UK on a freedom of services basis. Financial Conduct Authority FRN 663617. PayingTooMuch is administered by Eclipse Financial Management Limited which is registered in England and Wales number 07412856. Registered office: Britannia House, 3-5 Rushmills Business Park, Bedford Road, Northampton, NN4 7YB. Eclipse Financial Management Limited provide financial services and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, reference 535496.