Find the best cruise travel insurance for your next voyage. Compare 10+ brands to cover onboard medical expenses, emergency evacuation, cabin confinement, missed ports, and more – all in one place.
the benefits
Medical treatment on a cruise ship is charged at private rates, and bills can reach as much as $5,000 per day. A dedicated cruise travel insurance policy covers onboard medical, surgical, and hospital treatment, so an unexpected illness or injury at sea doesn’t turn into a financial crisis.
When onboard medical facilities aren’t sufficient, emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital can be necessary – and extremely costly. Most cruise travel insurance policies cover the full cost of emergency medical evacuation, whether you’re sailing in international waters or closer to home.
If you’re required to remain confined to your cabin due to illness or quarantine, cruise travel insurance can reimburse you for each day of confinement up to the limit specified in your policy, providing some compensation for missed activities and experiences while you recover.
Bad weather, mechanical breakdowns, and unexpected delays can cause you to miss a scheduled port stop or even your initial departure. Cruise travel insurance can cover additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred as a result, as well as reimbursement for missed port stops outside your control.
From cameras and laptops to formal evening attire, cruises often involve travelling with high-value belongings. A good cruise travel insurance policy covers loss, theft, and damage to your personal belongings, including formal wear, which some policies cover specifically given the unique requirements of cruise travel.
Our cruise travel insurance comparison is completely free to use. You’ll be directed straight to the insurer’s website to complete your purchase at their direct price – no markups, no surprises.
key considerations
Not all standard travel insurance policies automatically include cruise cover. Some insurers include it as part of their comprehensive policy, while others require you to purchase a cruise pack as an optional add-on. We’ve taken the guesswork out of it; simply select ‘Cruise’ when entering your trip details into our quote tool and we’ll show you which policies include cruise cover and at what price.
A common misconception among New Zealand cruisers is that the ACC or the public health system provides cover in domestic waters. In reality, neither scheme provides adequate cover – meaning that once you’re out at sea, you’re responsible for any medical costs incurred. Cruise travel insurance is just as important for domestic voyages as it is for international ones. When purchasing a policy for a domestic cruise, select ‘Pacific’ as your destination region in the quote process.
Medical treatment onboard a cruise ship can be costly; even a brief consultation with the ship’s doctor can cost upwards of $250, and more serious treatment can amount to thousands of dollars per day. In a serious emergency, onboard facilities may not be sufficient, requiring evacuation to the nearest hospital. Make sure your policy provides adequate medical and evacuation cover for the waters you’ll be sailing in.
Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared when purchasing cruise travel insurance. Some conditions may be covered automatically, while others may require an application or attract an additional premium. Cover varies significantly between insurers, so it’s worth comparing policies carefully if you or anyone travelling with you has a pre-existing condition. Look for insurers who offer online medical screening so conditions can be assessed and declared upfront.
When purchasing cruise travel insurance, you’ll need to include every country or port you plan to visit in your quote. If your itinerary covers multiple destinations within the same region – such as Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu – you can simplify this by selecting the relevant region, such as ‘Pacific’, rather than listing each destination individually. Stopovers and port visits should always be included to ensure your cover is valid at every stop.
Cruise holidays often involve significant upfront costs – deposits, flights, shore excursions, and pre-paid packages can all be at risk if you need to cancel before departure. Cancellation coveractivates as soon as you purchase your policy, so it’s advisable to arrange cruise travel insurance as early as possible after booking. Check the cancellation limits on any policy you’re considering though, as these can vary widely between insurers.
further reading
Expert guides to help you make an informed decision about your travel cover.
get answers
Not necessarily, it depends on the insurer. Some travel insurance policies include cruise cover automatically as part of their comprehensive offering, while others treat it as an optional add-on that must be selected and paid for separately. When comparing policies on Compare Travel Insurance, you can check whether cruise cover is included automatically by selecting ‘more info’ within the quote results. Alternatively, when you are directed to your chosen insurer’s site to buy, you’ll typically be prompted to add cruise cover during the checkout process; always confirm this step before completing your purchase.
Yes, cruise travel insurance is strongly recommended for domestic cruises, not just international voyages. A common misconception is that the ACC or New Zealand's public health system covers New Zealanders sailing in domestic waters, but neither provides adequate cover for medical treatment received onboard or emergency evacuation at sea. Without insurance, any medical fees and emergency transport expenses would be at your own cost. When obtaining a quote for a domestic cruise, select ‘Pacific’ as your destination region to ensure you’re adequately covered.
Medical treatment on a cruise ship is charged at private rates, which can be significantly higher than what you might expect to pay on land. A brief consultation with the ship’s doctor can cost upwards of $250, while more involved treatment, procedures, or hospitalisation onboard can amount to thousands of dollars per day. Cruise travel insurance covers these onboard medical costs, ensuring that an unexpected illness or injury doesn’t result in a significant out-of-pocket expense.
Yes, all destinations and ports of call should be included when obtaining a cruise travel insurance quote to ensure your cover is valid throughout your entire voyage. If your itinerary spans multiple destinations within the same region, you can simplify the process by selecting the relevant region rather than listing each port individually. For example, if your cruise visits Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, selecting ‘Pacific’ as your destination region will cover all stops within that area.
This varies between insurers. Some automatically cover river cruising without requiring a separate cruise pack, while others treat it the same as ocean cruising and require additional cover to be added. Because river cruises operate on inland waterways, getting passengers to medical care is generally more straightforward than from an ocean vessel, which is why some insurers don't charge extra. It's always worth confirming with your insurer before you travel to make sure you're adequately covered.
Join thousands of cruisers who save time and money with our free comparison tool.
No credit card required · 100% free to use
