Travel insurance for cruises
Travel insurance tips for cruises
Catriona Rowntree’s top travel insurance tips for cruises.
Catriona Rowntree
Travel
Video Transcript
Hello there. I’m Catriona Rowntree, host of Australia’s longest-running travel and lifestyle show, Getaway.
I have visited more destinations than I can count. And today, I just wanted to talk to you about travel insurance for your cruise holiday.
You know, Aussies have a love affair with cruising.
Before COVID-19, we were the world’s number one cruise market per capita.
With restrictions easing and ships returning to Australian shores again.
The industry is full steam ahead, so it’s time to brush up on the importance of keeping ourselves covered when we hit the seas.
Purchasing cover as soon as you book your holiday can ensure any deposits and final payments; they are covered in case your trip is cancelled or rearranged due to unforeseen circumstances.
Getting an international travel insurance policy with appropriate medical expenses cover.
Even if you’re only travelling in Australian waters, it could prove crucial.
As the moment your ship leaves an Australian port, you’ll no longer be covered by Medicare or your private health fund.
Even if you’re not visiting any international ports, oh, and if you have pre-existing medical conditions, make sure that you’re comparing products
that allow you to declare these conditions as part of your application. The insurer, they will then decide whether to cover these conditions or not.
And before you set sail, make sure to make photocopies of your travel insurance, your passport, and any other documents.
Leave a copy at home with someone, just in case. Keep your possessions close by; if you leave them unattended and, they’re stolen, a theft claim might not be accepted.
You know, navigating what travel insurance is right for you.
It doesn’t have to be difficult, and by comparing, you could save time and money.
More for shopping.
Compare the Market can help you compare travel insurance policies online in minutes.
So you can travel with confidence.
Why take out cruise travel insurance?
Taking out cruise insurance is a good idea as it will not only give you peace of mind on your holiday but it could also cover unforeseen expenses that occur as soon as you leave port – such as medical care (as Medicare and private health insurance are not valid aboard the ship) or cancellations to your trip or planned ports.
Policies targeted towards cruises also cover unique scenarios, including medical evacuations at sea, shore excursion cancellations and mandatory travel insurance requirements for destinations such as New Caledonia.
It’s important to note that ‘cruise travel insurance’ is not a standalone product and is instead usually an add-on to comprehensive travel insurance policies. Some insurers may offer cruise cover automatically in their offerings but this is rare.
Besides helping give you peace of mind on your holiday, there are a few other reasons you should consider taking out travel insurance for your cruise:
On board medical cover can be extremely costly, as can repatriation and emergency evacuation if you are seriously injured or ill and need to be evacuated to the nearest hospital. This is especially true if you’re out at sea. Without travel insurance, this cost will need to be paid entirely out-of-pocket, even if you’re on a cruise in Australia as your regular domestic health cover doesn’t apply on a ship.
- Taking out your travel insurance policy with cruise cover as soon as you make any bookings can help cover you in case you need to cancel your trip before your departure.
- If bad weather causes your cruise to avoid docking at a destination, you may be covered for any missed ports or unused pre-booked excursions on your trip.
- If you don’t make it to your cruise on time and miss the departure, you may be covered for the cost of getting to the next port so you can board the ship.
Choosing cover for cruises
When choosing travel insurance cover for your cruise, it’s important your policy is suitable for your trip. So before purchasing, be sure to consider the following:
- Beyond cruise-specific benefits, it’s a good idea to be covered for theft or loss of luggage, personal liability and medical expenses, including cover for any pre-existing medical conditions.
- Make sure you’re covered for both onshore and offshore activities; if your activities aren’t covered automatically, they may be covered under an adventure pack add-on.
- Be aware of any exclusions to your policy that might affect your ability to claim, as well as your policy’s claim limits and any age limits that may apply.
Expert tips for choosing a great travel insurance policy for cruises
Our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, has some top tips for helping you search for a great travel insurance policy for your cruise holiday.
Adrian Taylor
Chief Executive – General Insurance
Increasing your excess can lower your premium
While adding cruise cover may increase your overall premium, there are still ways to possibly save. Increasing the excess on your travel insurance policy will lower your premium but you should make sure you choose an amount you’re able to pay if you need to claim.
Declare any ports of call
If you’re going on an international cruise, declare the countries you’re cruising to otherwise you might not be covered for those destinations. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to select ‘South Pacific’, ‘Asia’ or ‘Europe’ as a destination for blanket cover of the countries within those regions.
Get international travel insurance for domestic cruises
Even domestic cruises need either an international travel insurance policy or a domestic travel insurance policy that includes a cruise add-on that has medical cover. If you become sick or injured on your trip, your Medicare or private health insurance typically won’t cover you. For example, if you get severely ill and need to be evacuated back to land, it may set you back tens of thousands of dollars.
All about travel insurance for cruises
Do I need special travel insurance for a cruise?
Yes, you will need a travel insurance policy that includes cruises if you’re going on a cruise trip. While some comprehensive policies automatically offer cover for cruises, most offer it as an additional add-on.
If you depart on a cruise without cover specifically for cruises, then you won’t be covered for any losses that happen onboard.
Adding cruise cover may incur an additional premium but without it you may have no financial protection if something goes wrong while you’re onboard. In fact, some cruise lines may not let you onboard the ship unless you’ve secured suitable travel insurance.
Do I need travel insurance for a cruise in Australia?
Yes, it’s important to consider travel insurance for a cruise in Australia as Medicare and health insurance policies won’t cover your medical expenses. This comes into effect the moment your ship leaves an Australian port, even if you’re not visiting any international ports or sailing in international waters.
Most doctors on cruise ships are private practitioners, meaning consultations, medical treatments and medications are charged at private rates. Instead of having to pay out of pocket, having a travel insurance policy could mean unexpected medical emergencies could be covered.
Most cruise operators will suggest that passengers take out international travel insurance that includes cover for overseas medical expenses, regardless of whether you’re taking a domestic or international cruise. If you’re searching for a great travel insurance policy with cruise cover for your Australian trip, why not use Compare the Market’s online comparison tool to compare a range of brands to see if any match your plans and itinerary?
How much does travel insurance for cruises cost?
You may think that adding cruise cover to a travel insurance policy is going to hugely increase the premium, but that’s actually not the case. In fact, for a 30-year-old cruising to New Caledonia and Vanuatu for a week, a basic policy including cruise cover would cost around $77*; for the same policy without adding cruise cover, this figure falls to $71**.
Things to consider when getting travel insurance for your cruise
Here are some things that may be useful to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance for your cruise.
- What activities will you be partaking in? Cruises often include snorkelling, scuba diving and other activities when stopped at different ports, whether in Australian waters or in the oceans around Indonesia, Fiji or New Caledonia. You may not be covered for these types of activities unless you’ve purchased an adventure sports add-on.
- Are your medical costs covered? If you’re worried about getting sea sickness, falling ill otherwise or getting injured on your trip, consider a travel insurance policy that covers overseas medical expenses, medical or emergency evacuations and even pre-existing medical conditions.
- Reimbursement if you miss out on activities. If you must cancel your cruise or any pre-paid onshore excursions or activities for unforeseen reasons, a travel insurance policy may help you get your money back.
- Looking after your gear. If your luggage is stolen, lost or damaged for any reason, your travel insurance may cover its worth, up to your benefit limits. This can also extend to belongings such as your phone, camera and laptop.
Insurance policies may not cover all of the above, so remember to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you purchase to know exactly what your policy does and doesn’t cover, and also check your insurer’s Target Market Determination (TMD) to see if the policy is suitable for you.
Inclusions and exclusions
What does travel insurance for a cruise cover?
Travel insurance for a cruise covers cruise-specific incidents such as missed ports or cabin confinement, along with general travel insurance inclusions such as medical assistance, lost luggage and cancellation cover.
- overseas medical assistance and hospital expenses
- medical evacuation or repatriation back to Australia or the nearest medical facility
- cabin confinement due to sickness
- trip cancellation costs for pre-paid travel arrangements
- trip delays and rescheduling fees for unexpected disruptions
- missed ports, cruise departure or non-refundable pre-paid shore excursions due to natural disasters or other covered events
- lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects
- lost or stolen cash, credit cards and travel documents
- additional expenses
- 24-hour emergency assistance.
Be sure to read the full details of the PDS of your policy before buying to understand what limits, sub-limits and exclusions may apply to your cover. If you’re unsure whether a policy is right for your needs, read the Target Market Determination too.
What is excluded in travel insurance for cruises?
There are certain things that will be excluded in travel insurance policies for cruises, whether that’s due to negligent behaviour or disobeying government advice. These will vary depending on the provider and policy offering but, in general, cruise travel insurance often doesn’t provide cover for:
- pre-existing conditions that were not disclosed to your insurer, or your insurer did not agree to cover
- lost, damaged or stolen belongings that were left unattended in a public space
- incidents due to intoxication, drug use, risky behaviour or acting illegally
- travelling against government advice (check Smartraveller for travel alerts)
- acts of war, terrorism or civil unrest
- travelling past the policy age limit.
If you’re a senior traveller, you should always check the PDS of your policy to understand the insurer’s age requirements. Depending on the policy, some insurers will cover travellers up to 99 years or older; however, age limits will vary between insurers. Read our pages on travel insurance for over 65s and over 85s for more information on travel insurance for seniors.
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.
Want to know more about travel insurance?
*Prices from our website on 6/05/2026 for comprehensive cover with cruise cover, a $200 excess for one person aged 30 travelling to New Caledonia and Vanuatu 1 July – 8 July 2026. Minimum cover for trip cancellation $10,000, minimum cover for luggage $5,000 and no pre-existing medical conditions with cruise cover included. Prices are indicative only.
**Prices from our website on 6/05/2026 for comprehensive cover with a $200 excess for one person aged 30 travelling to New Caledonia and Vanuatu 1 July – 8 July 2026. Minimum cover for trip cancellation $10,000, minimum cover for luggage $5,000 and no pre-existing medical conditions with cruise cover not purchased. Prices are indicative only.