Keep your itinerary afloat with missed port and onboard medical coverage.
Compare cruise-specific policies covering missed embarkation, itinerary changes, and onboard medical emergencies. A single night in a cruise ship infirmary averages $500-$1,000, and medical evacuations by helicopter from ship to shore start at $25,000—often not covered by cruise line policies.
do i need insurance for cruisecruise line vs third partycruise medical evacuation costmissed cruise departure
Missed port departure with same-day flight catch-up—a common issue when shore excursions run late or flights are delayed.
Cruise interruption for mechanical failures, weather, or itinerary changes that force you to disembark early.
Onboard medical coverage and ship-to-shore evacuation for emergencies that require land-based hospital care.
Pre-cruise trip cancellation if family emergencies or illness prevent you from boarding before departure.
Hurricane and weather-related coverage for rescheduled sailings during peak storm season (June-November in Caribbean).
Frequently asked questions
Is cruise line insurance enough?
Cruise line policies prioritize cruise credit reimbursements. Third-party policies often offer cash refunds and higher medical limits. For example, if a $8,000 cruise is canceled due to illness, cruise line insurance might offer a future cruise credit, while third-party insurance provides a cash refund.
What's covered if I miss the ship departure?
Cruise-specific policies include missed connection coverage that reimburses flights and hotels to catch up with the ship, provided delays meet policy criteria. If your flight is delayed 6 hours and you miss embarkation in Miami, the policy can cover a $1,200 flight to Cozumel to rejoin the ship.
What if I get sick or injured onboard?
Cruise ship medical care is private and not covered by Medicare or most health insurance. A simple doctor visit costs $150-$250, an IV treatment runs $400-$700, and a medical evacuation by Coast Guard helicopter from the Caribbean to Miami is $30,000-$50,000. Travel insurance fills this gap.
Are shore excursions covered if I get hurt?
It depends. If you book through the cruise line and get injured during a sanctioned tour, you may have limited coverage through the cruise line. Independent excursions (zip-lining, ATV tours, scuba diving) typically require your own travel insurance. A broken ankle during a zip-line tour in Honduras resulted in a $12,000 medical bill that wasn't covered by the cruise line.
What happens if the cruise line cancels my sailing?
Cruise lines typically offer refunds or rebooking for cancellations they initiate, but they won't cover your non-refundable airfare ($800+) or pre-cruise hotel ($300+). Third-party insurance covers these ancillary costs so you're not out thousands of dollars.
Do I need cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage for cruises?
CFAR is valuable if you're worried about changing your mind or have elderly family members whose health could decline. Standard policies only cover specific reasons (illness, weather, jury duty). CFAR costs 40-60% more but reimburses 50-75% of non-refundable costs for any reason if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure.
What if a hurricane threatens my cruise departure?
If a named storm forces the cruise line to cancel, you'll get a refund or rescheduling. But if the storm hits before cancellation and you decide not to go, you'll lose your deposit without CFAR coverage. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia forced last-minute route changes, leaving passengers scrambling without coverage for changed plans.
Recommended providers
See all providersTin Leg