If you have just booked your first cruise holiday you may not know what to expect next. So much must be done before you head to port, from buying foreign currency to visiting your GP and getting your inoculations.
Whether you are going on a three day or a two-week cruise, you may find it confusing to know what type of travel insurance you need. We’ve come up with a handy guide to help you get the correct cover in place.
What you need to know about travel insurance and cruises
Not all insurance companies will cover you if you are going on a cruise, so it’s important to check the policy wording before you purchase your travel insurance and state that you are travelling on a cruise when obtaining a quote.
It’s important to know that should you fall ill on-board, you will have access to emergency treatment. If you have the correct travel insurance in place, then you will be covered should you need to be repatriated from the ship, or be taken to a hospital from port.
Would an annual travel policy be better?
This really depends on the length of the cruises you intend to go on. In general, an annual policy will only cover you for a maximum of 31 days per trip, so if you are planning a long cruise, then an annual policy may not cover you.
However, if you are likely to be going on several shorter cruises then an annual policy may work out to be a cost effective option.
Covered worldwide
One of the main benefits of taking a cruise holiday is that you get to visit many different countries in one holiday. Taking in some of the most exciting places that these countries have to offer without having to drag around luggage or move from hotel to hotel.
It is important to check though that the countries you are due to travel to are covered under your travel insurance policy.
What am I covered for when I’m on a cruise?
- Full cancellation cover if the cruise is postponed or cancelled due to severe weather
- Medical cover – if you need emergency medical treatment
- Theft of luggage
- Lost luggage
Emergency medical treatment on ocean cruises can be costly, due to the added complexities and costs of transporting the patient to a medical facility nearby and the possibility of needing an air ambulance back to the UK. The Association of British Insurers reported that the cost of treating a holidaymaker who suffered a heart attack on a Caribbean cruise and needed an air ambulance back to the UK came to £92,000. It’s certainly a scenario you wouldn’t want to find yourself in.
Get travel insurance
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, always shop around for your travel insurance and you don’t just purchase insurance through the travel agents, even if you booked the holiday through them. They may not be able to cover you for pre-existing medical conditions and if they do, it’s likely to be quite expensive. It’s worth shopping around for your cover as you will find an affordable and suitable policy, but you will need to ensure your insurance does indeed cover you for being on a cruise.
Our specialist travel insurance comparison service offers quotes from a range of insurers, whose policies are designed to cover your pre-existing medical conditions. We offer quotes from a panel of specially selected insurers who can offer competitive prices for your holiday insurance. We don’t have any upper age limits on our policies either.
So, give our travel insurance comparison tool a try or call our friendly travel consultants today on 01243 784 000.
