Key takeaways
- Some travel insurance policies include cover by default but for most, you'll need to add it as an optional extra.
- Even if you're cruising within Australia, it's wise to look at an international policy with cruise cover. We'll cover more about why this is the case below.
- Cruise insurance can cover you for time both onshore and offshore.
What is cruise travel insurance?
Typically, 'cruise insurance' isn't an actual standalone policy. Rather, you'll need to buy a normal travel insurance policy, check if it includes cruise cover, and add it as an optional extra if it doesn't include it by default.
Travel insurance for domestic and international cruises
Domestic cruise travel insurance
When organising travel insurance for your cruise, it's suggested you purchase an international policy, even if your cruise isn't leaving Australia. This is because domestic travel insurance policies do not include cover for medical expenses and the medical expenses onboard a cruise ship can be extremely costly.
Importantly, Medicare is unlikely to cover you for any medical care you need onboard the ship, even if you're within Australia. To be covered by Medicare, the onboard doctor would have to be Medicare registered and this is unlikely to occur because the major cruise lines aren't typically owned by Australian companies.
Therefore, those taking off on a cruise around Australia are encouraged to take out an international travel insurance policy because then it'll cover you for eligible medical expenses.
International cruise travel insurance
This one is simple. If you're going on a cruise that takes you internationally, you just need to purchase an international policy and make sure you've got cruise cover either included by default or added as an optional extra.
Is cruise insurance mandatory?
For some cruise lines, purchasing insurance before departure is mandatory. For others, it's not. Whether or not you need this will likely depend on where you're going, the length of your trip and the cruise line. Because of this, there's no rule that's consistent among them all.
Your cruise line or travel agent will let you know if you need to arrange travel insurance before you depart.
Does cruise insurance cover you for the time you spend onshore?
It does, yes. You can be covered in a few ways:
- Your policy inclusions for things like medical cover and personal effects will apply both on land and while you're onboard the ship.
- You can have cover for more specific things like shore excursions by ensuring you pick a policy that covers events such as; trip disruption expenses, trip cancellation expenses, travel delay expenses and rental vehicle excess.
Keep in mind, the above discusses benefits that are typically available. Not all will be included by default, you'll likely have to add some of these benefits as optional extras. Every product disclosure statement is different, be sure to read it thoroughly.
What does cruise insurance cover?
Below is a list of benefits that a travel insurance policy with cruise cover can include. Every provider's policy inclusions differ so be sure to read the PDS to know exactly what you're covered for.
- Onboard medical costs
- Onboard dental costs
- Ship to shore medical cover
- Sea sickness cover
- Cabin confinement. This means if you're confined to your cabin due to injury, sickness or disease.
- Missed port cover
- Missed shore excursions
Common cruise woes and how travel insurance can help
Scenario | How cruise travel insurance can help |
---|---|
You get gastro and can't leave your room. | If you have a policy that covers cabin confinement then you could claim for this. |
You encounter rough seas, get sea sick and need to visit the onboard doctor. | Onboard medical costs are covered so your visit to the doctor and the cost of the sea sickness anti-nausea injection can be covered. |
You have bad weather and can't dock at one of the islands on your trip. This means you can't go to your pre-paid onshore activity. | If you have a policy that includes cover for pre-paid onshore excursions, you can claim for this. |
FAQs
More guides on Finder
-
The best travel insurance – 3,000 policies analysed (seriously…!)
The best travel insurance policies are different for each individual traveller.
-
Looking for a travel insurance discount in December 2024?
Check out these travel insurance coupons to save on your policy.
-
Lost luggage? Here’s what to do.
Airline lost your luggage? Here's what you need to know.
-
Compensation for delayed luggage
What should you do if your luggage doesn't make it? Find out more about the airline's responsibility, as well as when travel insurance steps in.
-
Wedding insurance. Do you really need it?
Getting married overseas and looking for some extra cover? Discover the benefits of a destination wedding travel insurance policy.
-
Travel insurance for children and under 18s
Find out how to get travel insurance for children/under 18s travelling without the supervision of their parents and learn the terms and conditions for getting free child cover for your dependent child.
-
USA travel insurance
Ready to get moving? See quotes and compare travel insurance policies for USA from 16
brands -
A guide to travel insurance claims
Travel insurance claims can be confusing and time consuming. Find out what you can do in the event of a claim to ensure you are paid.
-
Domestic travel insurance: Australia
Domestic travel insurance can provide cover for trip cancellation (domestic flights), loss or damage to luggage and expensive items, car rental excess charges and much more. Find out why domestic travel insurance is worth getting and compare policies from Australian insurers.