Travel Insurance for a Cruise

The appeal of cruises is that so many of the activities and amenities are included for you. But you may want to add cruise insurance to your packing list.

You may not always be required to have travel insurance for a cruise, but having cruise travel insurance may ease your mind if an unforeseen event were to occur on your trip.

What Is Cruise Travel Insurance?

Cruise travel insurance is an added layer of coverage to your travel plans, specifically geared toward cruise trips. It is a type of insurance you would purchase specifically geared to protect against cruise-specific incidents:

Port-of-call itinerary changes made by the cruise line
Last-minute cancellations made by the cruise line
Ship mechanical problems or breakdowns
Disruptions to shipboard services
Missed port connection

Where travel insurance covers protection against injury or illness, expenses for lost luggage, or cancellations, cruise travel insurance covers those, plus events that may happen on your cruise. Cruise insurance typically covers:

Trip interruptions
Trip cancellations
Medical evacuations or emergencies
Sickness or injury
Ship disablement
Lost luggage
Missed connection
Inclement Weather

Cruise insurance covers prepaid, non-refundable expenses such as airfare, hotels, and expedition deposits.

Does Cruise Travel Insurance Cover My Flight?

Yes! AXA’s Travel Protection plans can offer coverage for certain prepaid, non-refundable expenses, such as airfare, associated with your cruise.

Is Cruise Travel Insurance Mandatory?

Not always. Cruise insurance may not always be required; some carriers may allow you to board without it. Emergencies can occur anywhere, anytime, and you don’t want to be without coverage if any unfortunate situation arises on your cruise trip (or before it).

Do I need Travel Insurance for Domestic Cruises?

Your cruise line may or may not require travel insurance to cover your medical expenses and emergency evacuations, but there can be several other situations that may warrant travel insurance. These include last-minute cancellations or unforeseen events like bad weather, ship breakdowns causing significant delays, itinerary changes, or missing your ship.

Does AXA Travel Insurance Cover Cruises?

Yes, AXA offers travel protection plans for cruises. AXA’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans offer travel protection benefits to help cruisers steer with peace of mind on their next cruise voyage. The specific coverage provided can vary depending on the plan you choose, but some of the common coverages that may be included in AXA Travel Protection Plans for cruises are:

Trip Cancellation: This coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your cruise due to a covered reason such as illness or injury.
Trip Interruption: This coverage can provide reimbursement for unused portions of your cruise if you have to interrupt your trip due to a covered reason, such as a medical emergency.
Emergency Medical and Dental Expenses: This coverage may assist with payment for medical or dental expenses incurred while on your cruise due to illness or injury due to a covered reason.
Emergency Evacuation: This coverage may include payment for emergency medical transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility due to a covered reason such as illness or injury while on your cruise and require medical attention that is not available on the ship.
Baggage Loss or Delay: This coverage can reimburse you for the cost of replacing lost or delayed baggage.
COVID coverage: If your trip is interrupted or even canceled due to COVID, our plans covers unused prepaid expenses.
24/7 Assistance Services: AXA’s travel plans also include 24/7 assistance services, such as travel and medical assistance, concierge services, and emergency travel services, which can be helpful if you need assistance during your cruise.

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Disclaimer: It's important to note that the specific coverage and terms and conditions of each plan can vary, so it's a good idea to review the policy documents carefully to understand the coverage provided and any exclusions or limitations that may apply

How Does Crusie Travel Insurance Work?

Like other travel insurance plans, you need to be sure you purchase cruise insurance well before your trip. Most agencies recommend you purchase within 14 days of paying for your trip deposit. The earlier you buy insurance, the greater your coverage window.

And, like other travel insurance, you’re offered reimbursement or protection against covered incidents. Talk with a licensed agent today to get specifics for your plan’s notification window.

How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?

You can expect cruise insurance to run around 5-8% of your total trip prepaid expense cost.

Other Things to Consider

Like any other type of insurance, buying a policy for your cruise trip requires taking a close look at it to ensure it offers what you need. Here are a few key things you must consider:

Does your health insurance cover medical expenses onboard a ship?

Many people assume that their health insurance will cover any medical expenses that may be incurred on domestic cruises—but this isn’t always the rule. Some insurance providers do not offer medical coverage onboard a ship or if it is an international cruise.
Be sure to check with your healthcare insurance provider before departing.

Do you or your traveling companion have a pre-existing condition?

AXA offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with the Gold and Platinum plans. The availability and terms of coverage for pre-existing medical conditions may vary depending on the specific plan you choose, the nature of your condition, and your state of residency. 

If you have a pre-existing medical condition and wish to obtain coverage under an AXA travel protection plan, you will need to meet certain criteria:

Your pre-existing medical condition was diagnosed 60 days prior to your effective policy date
Your premium for pre-existing medical coverage is received within the time-sensitive period of 14 days of the initial trip deposit date
You are medically able to travel on your departure date

Travel Insurance & Credit Cards

Many major credit card companies offer travel protections, such as trip cancellation or trip interruption reimbursement benefits. In fact, many people even redeem credit card points to fund their travel.

However, it’s important to note that cruise travel insurance offers additional protection that isn’t covered by your basic credit card benefit. AXA’s travel protection plans offer the ability to cancel for any reason, with greater coverage protection against claims for baggage loss, medical claims, or missed connections.

How Do I Get Cruise Insurance?

Check out AXA’s Travel Plan Guide to see which plan is right for you.

Need Help Choosing a Plan?

Speak with one of our licensed representatives or our 24/7 multilingual Insurance advisors to find the coverage you need for your next trip. From Medical Coverage to Trip Cancellation protection, our team of travel experts will help you choose the right coverage.

Receive a free quote within minutes
Or call us at 855-327-1441 to speak with our licensed Travel Insurance Advisors.
Monday-Saturday, 8AM-7PM Central Time

Also see: Plan Comparison Table |Silver Plan| Gold Plan | Platinum Plan 

Disclaimer

AXA Assistance cannot guarantee the availability of assistance services everywhere or under all conditions, as there may be times when circumstances beyond AXA’s control hinder its endeavors to provide services.

The insurance benefits in the Silver, Gold and Platinum plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliated companies including Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio. Benefits are administered by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. (in California, doing business as AXA Assistance Insurance Services, License Number 0H74893). Non-insurance assistance services are provided by AXA Assistance USA, Inc. and are not underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.