Cruise travel insurance

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Going on a sea or ocean cruise, or including one as part of your trip? Medibank Travel Insurance offers cruise insurance to help protect you whilst you're cruising.

cruising and travel insurance

What is cruise travel Insurance?

For an additional premium, you can add Cruise Cover to your travel insurance policy to help protect your cruise adventure. Cruise Cover is a mandatory add on if any part of your trip includes travel on a multi-night sea or ocean cruise. Without purchasing additional Cruise Cover, no cover is available for any event arising from, or related to your cruise travel. 

Cruise Cover is not required if you are travelling on a single-night cruise, or on a river cruise (e.g. European river cruise, or a Murray River cruise). Likewise, if you are travelling on a cruise that is only within Australian coastal waters (e.g. Kimberly Cruise) then Cruise Cover is not required. If your Australian cruise is going from port-to-port then you'll need to select 'Domestic Cruise' as your destination, which is an International Plan, to provide cover for your journey.

Cruise travel insurance benefits - get cruising with Medibank

$unlimited ship to shore and onboard medical & dental cover.

If you suffer a sickness, disease or disabling injury whilst you're on a cruise ship overseas or outside Australian costal waters then you will have:

$Unlimited onboard medical and emergency dental cover, including cover for onboard medical treatment should you suffer from sea sickness whilst travelling. 1

Cover also includes $unlimited costs for emergency transportation if onshore care is required. 2

Missed port cover

Should you miss the scheduled departure of your pre-booked cruise or a pre-booked connection to your cruise due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control, we will cover you for reasonable costs (up to $1,000) to use alternative public transport services to catch up to your planned itinerary. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Cabin confinement

Cover for up to $100 per day to a maximum of $1,500 should you be confined to your cabin for at least 24 hours due to sickness, disease or disabling injury. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Missed shore excursions

Even when you're all set, trips to shore can unfortunately be missed. Should you miss a pre-booked shore excursion due to unforeseeable circumstances we could reimburse the non-refundable cost of the unused ticket(s) up to $1,000. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Building your cruise insurance quote

Cruise view from onboard

Step 1: Select your area

Where you travel will influence your premium. You will need to choose the main destination/country based on where you will spend the most time travelling. Don't forget to take into consideration the 20% rule for the Africas and Americas detailed  here . 

If you are travelling on a multi-night cruise which leaves from one Australian Port to another, then you can enter 'Domestic Cruise' as the destination.

Step 2: Click on insurance type

Depending on your needs, you can select Single Trip or  Annual Multi-Trip cover. 

Step 3: Select additional cover

For an additional premium, you can choose to add cover for additional scenarios, like snow sports or moped riding . If you're travelling with valuables, you can also opt to increase your item limit(s) for luggage and personal effects. Read the  PDS  for more information.

When don't I need to add Cruise Cover?

You don’t need to add sea or ocean cruise cover, if you are:

  • Travelling on a river cruise
  • Not travelling on a cruise during your trip
  • On a cruise for only one night
  • Only taking a ferry trip
  • Are cruising in Australia or in Australian coastal waters (this can include Kimberley Cruise or Murray River cruises.)
  • Are sailing (sailing is not covered in International Waters).  

Cruise during sunset on the ocean mountains in background

Cruise insurance FAQs

If i need to be evacuated, will medibank travel insurance with cruise benefits cover me.

If you are travelling on a multi-night (2 or more nights) cruise overseas or outside Australian Coastal Waters, you'll need to add and pay for the additional Cruise Cover to be insured for claims related to your cruise travel. 

If during your trip you suffer a disabling injury, sickness or disease (which first presents during the Period of Insurance), we will pay the usual and customary cost of emergency transportation provided outside of Australia by, or on the advice of, a qualified medical practitioner to evacuate you to the nearest onshore medical facility (unlimited on our  international travel insurance  policies with Cruise Cover).

Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and conditions apply. See the Combined PDS/FSG  for more information.

My cruise stops at multiple destinations, what Medibank Travel Insurance Policy should I buy?

You can purchase an International Comprehensive or International Medical Only Policy, and then add Cruise Cover to your selected policy. If travelling overseas or from a port in Australia to another port or ports outside Australia – please choose or enter the main area or destination/country based on where you will spend the most time on your trip. If the cruise travels between Australian ports, but travels outside of Australia Coastal Waters, you will need to select Domestic Cruising as a destination.

You can compare Medibank Travel Insurance policies on our  compare page .

If I miss the boat or lose luggage while on the cruise, does Medibank cruise insurance benefits cover me?

If you are travelling on a multi-night (2 or more nights) cruise overseas or outside Australian Coastal Waters, you'd need to add and pay for the additional Cruise Cover to be insured for claims related to your cruise travel. 

Missed port cover:  Should you miss the scheduled departure of your pre-booked cruise or a pre-booked connection to your cruise due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control, we will cover you for reasonable costs (up to $1,000) to use alternative public transport services to catch up to your planned itinerary. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Luggage and personal effects cover:  If you purchased an International Comprehensive Plan and added Cruise Cover to your policy, you will have luggage cover up to the limits specified in the  PDS  for any lost damaged or stolen luggage whilst cruising.

Unfortunately if you purchased an International Medical Only plan, no cover is available for lost, damaged or stolen luggage whilst you're on your trip.

Item limits and sub-limits apply. See the  Combined FSG/PDS  for terms, conditions and more information.

I'm travelling between Australian ports, is that a domestic cruise?

If you are travelling from a port in Australia to another port in Australia without any stopover at a port outside of Australia, (e.g. a cruise from Sydney to Brisbane) you should select 'Domestic cruising' as your destination. These cruises will go outside of Australian coastal waters so an 'International Plan' with Cruise Cover is required to be insured for claims related to your domestic cruise.  If you are only cruising within Australian coastal waters, (e.g. a Kimberley cruise) you do not need to add Cruise Cover to your  domestic travel insurance . If you are cruising overseas, (e.g. a Caribbean cruise) please choose the main area of destination country based on where you will spend most of your trip.

If you are unsure of which category your cruise might come under, contact Medibank Travel Insurance by  calling 13 41 90 .

Can I buy Medibank cruise insurance benefits when I'm already on the cruise?

Yes, you can purchase a travel insurance policy after your trip commenced, however you will be subjected to a 3-day no cover period. Cruise Cover must be purchased at the time of purchasing the travel insurance policy and cannot be added retrospectively.

Am I covered for COVID-19 related claims on an international cruise?

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 on board a multi-night sea or ocean cruise, cover applies to: 

  • On-board medical. 1
  • Dental cover ship to shore medical cover. 2

Available on International Comprehensive and International Medical plans only if Cruise Cover has been added.

Does Medicare cover me on a cruise in Australian waters?

If you're on a cruise in Australian Waters, Medicare may not pay towards your medical cost on the cruise ship because the cruise ship may not have doctors onboard who are registered to practice in Australia. Check before your trip and consider getting travel insurance with Cruise Cover.

Emergency assistance whilst travelling

Every Medibank Travel Insurance policy comes with 24 hour emergency assistance. 

Our team of experienced doctors, nurses, travel consultants and case managers are ready to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We can help if you need support finding appropriate medical treatment, if you need to organise medical evacuation, or if you require assistance replacing lost travel documents and credit cards. 

Learn more about our 24/7 emergency assistance .

Cruise on the ocean in Europe

Things you should know

1  Available on the International Comprehensive and Medical Only Plans. Cover applies for a maximum of 12 months from the date of onset of injury or illness.

2  We will pay the usual and customary cost of emergency transportation provided outside Australia by or on the advice of a qualified medical practitioner to evacuate you to the nearest onshore medical facility.

3  Limits and exclusions apply. Available on the International Comprehensive and Medical Only Plans.

Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and conditions apply. This is general advice only. Medibank Private Limited, ABN 47 080 890 259, an Authorised Representative, AR 286089, of Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited, ABN 73 144 049 230 AFSL 360138 arranges the insurance on behalf of the insurer. The insurer is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507. Please consider your own needs and the  Combined FSG/PDS  to decide if this product is right for you. For information on the Target Market and  Target Market Determinations , visit  medibank.com.au/travel-insurance/help/

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Cruise travel insurance

Cruise travel insurance can cost as little as $6 a day. pop in your trip details, filter to see cruise options and compare quotes from 13 brands – that’s more than any other site in australia..

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In this guide

Do you need special travel insurance for a cruise?

Is cruise travel insurance worth it, can you get travel insurance for covid on a cruise, compare cruise travel insurance benefits, how to find the best cruise travel insurance, cheap cruise travel insurance, frequently asked questions.

Destinations

What you need to know

  • Aussies love cruises, with 26% of us considering taking a cruise soon.
  • Alas, things can go wrong at sea, and costs like medical expenses can blow out quickly.
  • Travel insurance that covers cruising is kind of essential, but not too expensive.

'Cruise travel insurance' is typically a normal travel insurance policy with cover for cruising added onto the policy. You'll get all the standard travel insurance benefits, such as cover for cancelletions and medical care, but it offers some extra, cruise specific coverage. This might include:

  • Onboard medical expenses,
  • Emergency evacuation,
  • Missed ports,
  • Missed cruise departure,
  • Cabin confinement,
  • Formal cruise attire,
  • Marine rescue diversion, and more.

Travel insurance is almost always worth it, and cruise travel insurance is even more so. The main reason for this is because you will really want medical coverage on your trip.

You're probably won't be covered by Medicare on a cruise, so all medical bills will ahve to be paid out of your own pocket. Medical bills can reach the thousands when they're not subsidised, and cruise ships charge a premium for everything. Cruise insurance can reimburse you if something goes wrong. If something goes really wrong, you can also get cover for evacuation expenses to get you to an Aussie hospital quickly.

Yes, lots of travel insurance policies now cover COVID-related expenses if you catch the virus. This can include onboard medical expenses, medical evacuation and cancellation or rearrangement costs. For example, if you catch COVID before your cruise, you can cancel and get reimbursed for your trip, usually up to $5,000.

A small proportion of Australians (10%) say they don't plan to book a cruise in the next 12 months because COVID has ruined it, according to a 2023 Finder survey.

COVID still makes up 11% of all claims. On average we are paying out claims for cancellation and travel disruption due to COVID to the value of $1,500, which is a sizeable cost.

Jo McCauley

Jo McCauley CEO - Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Based on our research, we believe these are the most important features of a cruise travel insurance policy.

Note: This information was last updated March 2024 * Missed port cover: Cover if your cruise skips a scheduled port due to weather restrictions or mechanical breakdowns. ** Cabin confinement: Cover if you're confined to you cabin (usually for more than 48hrs) due to a serious illness.

The best cruise travel insurance is a policy that is most suited to your individual needs. It's not just one specific policy. To help you find the best cruise travel insurance, follow the simple steps below.

Number 1

Choose a single trip or annual multi-trip policy. Think about all the trips you'll be taking over the next 12 months. If there are 2 or more, an annual policy will save you money and time.

Number 2

Compare brands. Some brands cover more than others and come with higher limits for certain benefits.

Number 3

Choose a brand you trust. If you've never bought cruise travel insurance, look at forums for reviews . Just be careful, since reviews are written by the general public and are heavily influenced by negative outcomes.

Number 4

Buy your cruise travel insurance as early as possible. Most insurers will cover your cancellation fees if you have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, so it pays to buy early .

Cruise

If you're travelling on a budget and need an affordable policy, getting cheap cruise travel insurance is possible but you might have to sacrifice a few benefits. The most important thing is to have cover for medical treatments and emergency evacuation. Anything on top of that is a bonus.

The table below shows how the cheapest policies usually cover medical and emergency assistance only on cruises. It also shows the price difference among the cheapest, and why paying a bit more money for a policy gives more benefits for your cruise.

We got these prices in November 2023 for a 30-year-old going on a South Pacific cruise for 14 days, with a standard excess of $200.

Angus Kidman

Meet our travel expert Angus Kidman

Angus Kidman is the international editor-at-large at Finder. He's an award-winning journalist, avid travel enthusiast and passionate frequent flyer. Angus appears regularly on Sunrise, Today, The Project, Seven News and other TV and radio shows to share his expert tips.

Angus's top cruise insurance tips

  • Remember, you're not covered by Medicare on a cruise, even if it's only in Australian waters. Make sure you get cover - on-ship treatment is super-pricey.
  • Comprehensive insurance should cover missed connections, but reduce the risk by allowing plenty of time for connecting flights if you're not cruising from your home city.
  • Drinks package warning: travel insurance likely won't cover your for inuries that occur while you're drunk.

Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts

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Do i need cover for each location i visit.

You don't need separate policies, but you do need to tell your insurer every place you will be visiting by sea or by land. This helps them work out the price of your quote.

Most travel and cruise insurance policies provide automatic cover for stopovers of up to 48 hours.

Does cruise travel insurance cover me if I get sick?

Yes, cruise travel insurance covers your medical expenses while onboard. It can also give you an allowance if you're confined to your cabin for more than 48 hours due to a sickness such as gastroenteritis. This benefit is called cabin confinement.

What if I'm just taking a short cruise as part of a longer holiday?

You will still need cruise insurance, but technically only for the length of the cruise. However, it can be tricky to find a single policy that lets you split your cruise and non-cruise portions. Here are your best options:

  • Stick with a cruise policy for the whole trip. Remember, cruise insurance covers you on and off land, and you may find that this option is not much more expensive than a normal policy anyway.
  • Double up by getting a standard policy and a cruise policy. If you're only out to sea for a couple of days, you might consider buying cruise insurance on top of the normal travel insurance that's covering the rest of your trip. You'll be paying twice, but hey, if you save a few bucks, you're still ahead. Just remember you won't be able to make the same claim on both policies.
  • Work out an arrangement with the insurer. If you don't want to double up or pay for cruise insurance when you won't be using it, try contacting an insurer and see if they can create a custom policy for you.

Can I get insured for my cruise if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, it’s possible, especially if you can prove that your pre-existing condition is stable or you haven’t had any significant issues for at least 12 months.

Am I covered for activities that I'll be doing on the cruise such as snorkelling and other watersports?

Not necessarily, so check the fine print. You may need to purchase an additional adventure sports pack to make sure you have the cover you need.

What region should I include when getting cruise insurance?

When you take out travel insurance, include every country that you'll be visiting. If you miss one, any claim you make could be denied. If you're cruising domestically, probably select the Pacific region, which will usually include New Zealand, Bali, the south-west Pacific and Norfolk region, and the waters in between. If you're still unsure what region to select for your domestic cruise, check out your insurers product disclosure statement (PDS) for confirmation.

  • Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF): 2024 Cruise Survey
  • Finder Consumer Sentiment Tracker statistics (July 2023)
  • Smartraveller: Advice for mature and older travellers
  • Smartraveller: Going on a cruise
  • Travel insurance methodology

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).

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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

COVID-19 and travel

Find out about travel requirements and steps you can take to stay safe.

Domestic travel within Australia

Domestic travel requirements are determined by state and territory governments. Check the websites of local health departments for information about travel to:

  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • South Australia
  • Western Australia .

Travelling overseas

The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements in place for travellers entering and departing Australia.

COVID-19 however continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. We strongly encourage wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. You should practice good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distance from others where possible.

Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may have COVID-19 travel requirements in place. Check the requirements of any:

  • countries you are travelling to, or transiting through
  • airlines or vessel operators.
  • Smartraveller website
  • Australian Government – international travel information .

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important if you become sick with COVID-19 overseas. Make sure your insurance includes:

  • transit destinations
  • inclusions for COVID-19
  • other add-ons like cruise specific insurance.

Some destinations also require travellers to hold travel insurance as a condition of entry.

Cruise travel

Check with your cruise provider or travel agent for up-to-date travel requirements for your ship and destination/s. You can also contact the relevant state or territory government to find out if any requirements apply for your destination.

Outbreaks onboard a cruise

Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other types of travel. COVID-19, influenza, and other infectious diseases spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.

If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise, you may need to:

  • quarantine on the ship
  • disembark and follow the local rules in the state or territory or country you are in.

Before you travel, check the  Smartraveller advice on cruises . Contact your travel agent or cruise operator for specific information on their COVID-19 safety protocols.

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Travel Insurance for Cruises

Before you set sail into the sunset, consider whether you have the right travel insurance for cruises

I'm interested in...

  •   Things to know
  •   International cruise coverage
  •   Australian cruise coverage
  •   Travel alerts
  •   Getting a quote
  •   Policy documents

Important things to know about RACV Travel Insurance for cruises

Cruising can be a spectacular way to see the world or even just explore your own country in new, exciting ways. Whether you’re voyaging through the crystal-clear waters of the South Pacific, meandering through the Mediterranean or exploring Australia’s West Coast, cruise holidays can offer everything from total relaxation to action-packed adventure. RACV Travel Insurance includes limited COVID-19 cover #  on  RACV Comprehensive Travel Insurance  and  RACV Domestic Travel Insurance .

However, before you set sail into the sunset, you should consider whether you need travel insurance. If so, you should make sure you have the right  travel insurance  that covers you for cruises.

RACV Members get 15% off RACV Travel Insurance

Cruise cover

When you purchase a policy cruise option must be selected for all ocean voyages more than one night. This will determine the premium you pay.

Cover for international and domestic river cruising is included automatically in your Policy and you do not need to select the Cruise option.

Travel Insurance for Australian Cruises

cruise ship sailing alond a stretch of water at dusk

If you’ve booked a cruise that’s only travelling around Australia and isn’t leaving Australian waters, you probably think that you won’t need travel insurance.

However, it’s important to consider travel insurance when cruising around Australia, as it can provide cover for cancellation fees and lost or delayed luggage as well as providing medical coverage while at sea. RACV International Travel Insurance policies include coverage for cruises in Australian waters.

If you are going on a cruise which is only in Australian waters or calling into ports in Australia, you may still require a policy which includes medical cover whilst you are on board the ship (check with your cruise provider) as the medical providers are not registered with Medicare. You will therefore need to select Australian Cruise as your country of destination. By selecting Australian Cruise as a destination you will be offered the international policy options and benefits. This will then provide cover for medical and evacuation benefit whilst at sea but not if you go to a medical provider whilst in port in Australia.

What is covered?

Depending on the type of cover chosen, RACV Travel Insurance policies may provide the following cover:

  • Medical expenses and medical evacuation while on board the ship, from medical providers on board who are not registered with Medicare (Medicare or your private health insurer may cover you if you seek medical treatment on land, whilst the ship is in port)
  • Lost or delayed luggage (sub-limits apply for the loss of specific items)
  • Cancellation fees
  • Lost deposits
  • Emergency expenses,
  • and so much more.

This cover provided by RACV Travel Insurance policies is subject to terms and conditions, limits (including sub-limits) and exclusions. For a comprehensive list of these and all the policy benefits on RACV Travel Insurance Australian Cruise coverage, as well as policy options and add-ons, click here .

RACV Travel Insurance policies for Australian Cruises

RACV Travel Insurance has a number of options to choose from for those looking to take a cruise that is only travelling in Australian waters. Just remember to apply for an International plan or an Annual Multi-Trip plan and select “Australian Cruise” as your destination – this ensures you have medical coverage on board the ship, where the medical providers are not registered with Medicare.

All RACV Members are also rewarded with 15% off their policy.

Insurance policies:

Comprehensive – for a more comprehensive cover which includes cancellation fees and lost deposits, overseas medical and hospital expenses and emergency overseas dental expenses.

  • Essentials  – Mid-range cover with great inclusions such as emergency overseas dental expenses, cancellation fees and lost deposits and travel delay, overseas medical and hospital expenses.

Basics – Basic cover that includes key benefits like emergency overseas dental expenses, emergency expenses and lost luggage

  • Annual-Multi Trip Plan – Planning on going away a few times over the next year? RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance provides more comprehensive cover for an unlimited number of trips over 12-months.

International cruise travel insurance

By taking out an RACV International Travel Insurance  policy, you’re covered for cruises.

What does International Travel Insurance cover for cruises?

front view of cruise ship sailing on the ocean

To be covered for cruising you must select Cruise option when purchasing your policy.

Depending on the type of cover chosen, RACV International Travel Insurance can cover:

  • Overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation
  • Cancellations (not available with Travel Care plans)
  • Luggage (sub-limits apply for all items, and sets and pairs (including accessories are treated as one item))
  • Limited COVID-19 cover #
  • 24-hour emergency assistance
  • Emergency expenses overseas
  • A number of existing medical conditions and certain stages and conditions of pregnancy

International cruise coverage

There are a range of RACV International Travel Insurance policies to choose from.

If you would like to be covered for cruising you must select Cruise Option for all ocean voyages more than one night. This will determine the premium you pay.

Cover for international and domestic river cruising is included automatically in your policy and you do not need to select the Cruise option.

RACV International Travel Insurance:

Essentials – Mid-range cover with great inclusions such as emergency overseas dental expenses, cancellation fees and lost deposits and travel delay, overseas medical and hospital expenses.

Annual-Multi Trip Plan – Planning on going away a few times over the next year? Our multi-trip plan provides more comprehensive cover for an unlimited number of trips over 12-months.

When should you take out travel insurance?

Consider purchasing cover as soon as you pay for any part of your trip so that you’re covered in case you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.

Luckily though, you can quickly and easily get RACV Travel Insurance online, up-to right  before you go . Even if you are at the airport ready to fly, there’s time to pack the added protection of RACV Travel Insurance for your trip.

  • 2015 Australia Economic Impact Study -  Cruise Lines International Association 

Travel alerts, claims and policy documents

Travel alerts.

RACV Travel Insurance won't cover you for countries/regions with a DFAT travel advisory of "Do Not Travel".

  • Smart traveller
  • Recent travel alerts
  • COVID-19 travel advice & FAQs

Review or manage your policy

For full details on how you’re covered, read the RACV Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement.

  • Make a claim
  • Find a policy document
  • Contact us on 13 13 29

# Limits and sub-limits apply. Refer to the  Product Disclosure Statement  for full details.

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations . For copies, visit racv.com.au. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd AR 001243563 is an authorised representative of the issuer and receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. RACV Travel Insurance issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548. Terms & conditions apply, refer to the PDS.

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Covid-19 Assurance Policy

Our Covid-19 Assurance Policy applies to cruises departing on or before 31 March 2023.

The following applies to all applicable cruise departures until further notice and is subject to change based on relevant local health requirements.

Prior to Boarding

Please note that effective for all P&O Cruises departures on or after 29th August 2023, any guest who is unable to board due to testing positive to COVID-19 will be subject to our cancellation & refund policy.

Guests with valid travel insurance should submit a claim with their insurance provider.

During your cruise

Any guest who tests positive to COVID-19 during their cruise and is required to isolate onboard, will be eligible to receive a Future Cruise Credit for the number of days in isolation. Any guest who must isolate during their cruise, will be entitled to a Future Cruise Credit for the days spent in isolation. The Future Cruise Credit will be the value of the cruise fare paid for the number of cruise days missed less government taxes, fees and port expenses, and will be subject to our standard terms and conditions for Future Cruise Credits.

Visit our Healthy Cruising pageand FAQs, for more information.

  • Already Booked
  • Travel Insurance

Learn more about travel insurance here.

Sail the seas with peace of mind knowing you are covered with support and assistance should you need it.

Ensure you are covered for general medical expenses overseas, existing medical conditions, hospitalisation and medical evacuations. We strongly recommend that you purchase appropriate international travel insurance for your Carnival cruise.

Australian Domestic Cruises

Please note, International travel insurance is recommended on Australian coastal cruises, as your cruise is outside the scope of Australian Medicare.

Special note for New Caledonia

Guests traveling on a South Pacific cruise that calls on New Caledonia (Noumea or Lifou) must present printed proof of travel insurance at time of check-in. The selected international travel insurance must have both cruise and COVID coverage. Guests may also be requested to present it during the cruise. Any guest who is unable to provide proof of holding suitable travel insurance will be denied boarding.

Our Recommended Partner

With nearly thirty years of experience and more than 2.2 million journeys every year, Cover-More knows what travellers need.

That's why Carnival Cruise Line recommends Cover-More Travel Insurance for guests from Australia, which covers general medical expenses overseas, hospitalisation and more so you can avoid unforeseen expenses. Some Cover-More benefits do not apply to claims involving travel on our cruises. For example, there is no cover for medical expenses if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 on or after a cruise. It is your sole responsibility to read the PDS for details of what cover is included BEFORE purchasing any insurance products.

For Cover-More's COVID-19 FAQs read here .

Be aware when organising your insurance that uninsured travellers (or their families) are held personally liable for cancellation, medical and associated costs incurred at any time whether before the cruise, on board or overseas.

Hospitalisation costs on board or outside of the country and medical evacuation costs are very expensive and are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Daily hospital bills can cost as much as AUD 5,000 per day. All consultations, treatments and medications are charged at private rates.

If you plan on participating in sports such as scuba diving or parasailing, ensure your policy covers these activities.

  • For Australian guests , obtain a quote here with Cover-More Travel Insurance

For more information, please see the Department of Foreign Affairs website at smartraveller.gov.au .

Disclosure: Carnival Cruise Line has a referral arrangement with Cover-More and may receive a fee or commission if you choose to purchase an insurance product from Cover-More. Limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Insurance administered by Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd (ABN 95 003 114 145, AFSL 241713) on behalf of the product issuer, Zurich Australian Insurance Limited [ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Any advice is general advice only. Please consider your financial situation, needs and objectives and read the Combined FSG/PDS before deciding to buy this insurance. For information on the Target Market and Target Market Determination for these products, contact Cover-More on 1300 77 88 22

Already booked?

Find more information for guests:

  • Online Check-In
  • Travel Requirements
  • Port Information
  • What to Pack
  • Life Onboard

Need some help?

Call to speak with one of our agents:

  • Australia : 1300 385 625
  • New Zealand : 0800 442 095

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Choice travel insurance buying guide.

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Do you need travel insurance? How do you choose the right cover? What are you covered for?

CHOICE answers all the questions you need to know before leaving the country.

Download the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide [PDF 3.52MB] Download the CHOICE travel insurance cheat sheet [PDF 587KB] Who is CHOICE? Set up by consumers for consumers, CHOICE is the independent consumer advocate that provides Australians with information and advice, free from commercial bias. Visit choice.com.au .

Why travel insurance?

  • Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

How to get travel insurance

Before you buy, how to save money on travel insurance.

  • How to read the product disclosure statement

What are you covered for?

  • Credit card insurance

How to make a complaint

If you’re leaving Australia, travel insurance is just as essential as a passport.

Holidays don’t always go as planned.

If you’re leaving Australia, travel insurance is just as essential as a passport. Medical expenses are the number one reason to get insurance, but sometimes other things can go wrong, such as trip cancellations, delays, lost luggage or even the big stuff like natural disasters and pandemics. If you end up out of pocket because of these things, insurance can make up for that.

The Australian Government won’t pay your medical bills.

In an emergency, the Australian Government can only help so much. The Consular Services Charter describes what the government can and can’t do to help Australians overseas.

If you end up injured or sick while overseas, you’ll be footing the hospital bill and the cost of flying home. If you’re really unlucky, that could cost you or your family hundreds of thousands of dollars.

68% of travellers mistakenly believe the Australian Government would ensure they get medical treatment if they need it overseas, and 43% believe the government would pay their medical bills.

Some countries won’t let you in if you don’t have insurance. 

Singapore and the UAE require you to have travel insurance. Not to mention all 26 European countries in the Schengen Area if you’re applying for a visa to visit. Read the Smartraveller travel advice for information about your destination.

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Reciprocal healthcare Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with several countries: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. If you have Medicare, you can get subsidised treatment for essential services only in these countries, which often leads people to ask whether they still need travel insurance. The answer is yes, for the following reasons. You’re usually only covered for urgent care that can’t wait until you get home. If you’re very ill, travel insurance can pay for a medical escort to bring you home to Australia. You still may have to pay fees for treatment and medication. For example, in New Zealand reciprocal health care doesn’t cover you for free or subsidised care by a general practitioner or ambulance. Travel insurance can cover you for cancellations, delays, stolen items and more.

Remember to take your Medicare card with you. You’ll need it, along with your passport, to prove you’re eligible for reciprocal health care. For more information, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au .

Marco* had breathing difficulties on his way home from Europe, causing his flight to be diverted to the UAE. Hospitals in the UAE won’t admit you unless you have insurance or can pay an upfront fee. Marco’s family had to pay thousands of dollars for his treatment. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Do you need domestic travel insurance?

Most of us already have medical cover at home, be it Medicare or private health insurance or both. But there are still a few key reasons to consider domestic travel insurance.

  • Cancellation: If you’ve spent a lot on your holiday, then it’s not too much extra to buy travel insurance in case of the unforeseen.
  • Baggage cover: If you’re travelling with valuables, think about whether you want them covered for theft, loss or damage.
  • Car hire excess: You can save money using travel insurance to cover your collision damage excess, rather than paying the car hire company’s extra charge.

Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Many travel insurers now offer limited cover for COVID-19, but the available cover varies quite a lot.  Some policies only cover medical and repatriation costs if you get COVID-19 overseas, while other policies provide limited cover for cancellation costs in addition to medical and repatriation costs.

You should always check the details of your insurance coverage, particularly how it applies to COVID-19 and travel disruptions.

Over 90% of travellers will look for insurance that covers them for cancellation and medical expenses caused by COVID-19.

If you’re planning to go on a cruise, be extra careful. Some travel insurers may not offer COVID-19 cover for multi-night cruises or they may restrict the cover provided on cruises.

Also, don’t rely on the travel insurance on your credit card unless you check it closely – it may not cover claims related to COVID-19.

There are cooling-off periods for COVID-19 cancellation cover, so it’s best to buy your travel insurance at the same time as you book your trip. Some insurers may only cover cancellation if you test positive to COVID-19 and the policy was purchased more than 21 days before your scheduled departure date.

Make your travel plans COVID-safe

You need to be prepared for your travel plans to be interrupted at short notice. As travel insurance may not protect you from government border closures, general lockdowns or quarantine requirements in your destination country, the key is to book only with providers that allow you flexibility should things change.

  • Check the rules for travelling to your destination. For example, are there any entry requirements? What are the vaccination requirements? And what type of travel insurance do you need?
  • Read the terms and conditions of your airline, accommodation and travel tours before you book. Will they refund you if you can’t travel due to COVID-19? If they only offer a reschedule or a credit, will you be in a position to redeem the credit in future?
  • You can book flexible tickets for flights but be aware you usually have to pay the difference between the prices for the tickets you bought and the new tickets. So changing your flight dates at short notice can be very expensive.
  • If you book through a travel agent or booking site, what are their terms and conditions? Will they refund you or provide a credit? Are there cancellation fees?
  • If you pay by credit or debit card (and you selected ‘credit’ when you paid), you may have access to credit card chargebacks if something goes wrong.
  • Keep on top of the latest travel advice and requirements at smartraveller.gov.au . Travel restrictions can change at short notice.
  • If you do have to cancel, your travel insurer will ask you to claim what you can back from travel providers first. Read the CHOICE advice on how to get your money back on travel cancellations and ask your travel insurer if you can get a refund or partial refund of your travel insurance premium.

You can buy travel insurance from a travel insurer, travel agent, insurance broker, credit card provider, or even from your health, home or car insurer.

You can buy travel insurance online (direct from the insurer’s website, from a comparison site or through an airline booking site), over the counter or over the phone.

Buy travel insurance as soon as you know your travel dates. That way you’re covered if your trip is cancelled before you even leave or if you’re unable to travel at all.

You can certainly buy travel insurance quicker than it will take you to read this guide, but do you know what you’ll be covered for? Will you be covered if you trip over after having a drink? If you crash your scooter in Thailand? If you lose your wallet during a stopover? If you need to isolate because you contract COVID-19?

There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ to consider, depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing, so it’s worth reading the product disclosure statement (PDS) first to make sure you’ll be covered.

Will you use it? Hopefully not, but research by Smartraveller found that one in 4 Australian travellers experienced an insurable event on their last overseas trip. Most common insurable events Flight or tour cancelled Flight delayed more than 12 hours Received medical treatment Lost, damaged or stolen luggage Missed a connecting flight Lost, damaged or stolen cash or personal items Forced to cancel trip before departure What if the insurers don’t pay out? Australian travellers lodged almost 300,000 insurance claims in 2018–19, the last financial year before COVID-19 travel bans. Almost 90% of those were paid out. Top four reasons for declined claims Due to policy exclusions, or not included in the policy conditions Claim amount was below the excess Claim was due to a pre-existing medical condition Claim was for an item that was stolen while it was unattended

1. Where are you going?

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The level of cover and the cost of travel insurance can vary depending on the region you’re travelling to, and some risks may be of greater concern than others. Not all travel insurance policies cover COVID-19 and other pandemics or epidemics such as SARS. And not all policies cover you for changing your plans due to a riot or civil commotion, for example. Travel insurance also may not be available for countries with travel alerts.

  • Look up your destination on smartraveller.gov.au and make sure you’re aware of any risks or safety advice.
  • Buy a policy that covers you for every country you’re travelling to or transiting through. If you’re going to Europe via a one-night stopover in the US, then get cover for the US and Europe. Usually a worldwide policy will cover this.
86% of travellers say they’re more cautious after the COVID-19 pandemic about travelling to places where it could prove harder to return home in a crisis.

You need different cover for different regions

Insurers sometimes apply policies to regions rather than having a policy for each destination.

Asia Pacific: Destinations such as New Zealand, Bali, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Asia: Destinations such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Europe: Destinations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Western Europe.

Worldwide: All of the above as well as regions such as North America, South America, Japan and Africa.

These definitions differ for each insurer. For example, several insurers cover travel to Bali under their Pacific policy, while some will only cover travel to Bali under their Asian region policy.

2. How long are you going for?

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Just a quick trip? Simply buy a standalone travel insurance policy for a set number of days.

Travel often? Consider an annual multi-trip policy or a credit card with complimentary travel insurance, but make sure it gives you the cover you need.

Tip: Annual multi-trip policies and credit card policies can restrict the length of each trip you take – anywhere from 15 to 365 days depending on your policy. Some allow you to pay for extra days.

3. What are you going to do there?

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Cruising the open road on a moped? Carving up the ski slopes? Partying at a wedding? These things aren’t necessarily included in a travel insurance policy.

Scan the insurer’s list of included activities and those that you’ll have to pay extra for. And take it easy on the grog – if your alcohol or drug intake is the cause of an adverse event, it won’t be covered by your policy.

4. Are you taking any valuable items?

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Do you need cover for a digital SLR camera or an expensive tablet or laptop? Cover for such valuables can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands, and higher cover will often mean a higher premium.

Consider adding cover for portable valuables to your home insurance policy instead, but check on the excess and if the policy will cover you worldwide and not just in Australia.

Policies also vary when it comes to how they cover valuable items. Valuables in your check-in luggage often aren’t covered, while cover for baggage stored in your hire car is inconsistent. And baggage left unattended is never covered, which can include a bag that is stolen from the seat beside you in a restaurant while you’re looking the other way.

Make sure you have receipts for your valuables as travel insurance will not pay if you can’t prove you own them.

5.   Do you have any medical conditions?

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If you have a medical condition that existed before you bought your policy, it may not be covered. This can range from something as common as allergies or asthma through to diabetes, heart conditions and knee replacements.

If you’re not sure, the best thing to do is contact the insurer to ask whether they’ll cover your condition automatically or whether you need to do an assessment.

The Massoud family* was holidaying in Singapore when 13-year-old Nazreen had a recurrence of severe bronchitis, which had affected her in Australia before their trip. The family’s travel insurer refused to pay any hospital bills as Nazreen’s bronchitis was a pre-existing medical condition. As a result, the Massouds had to ask their friends to transfer the $17,000 they needed to cover Nazreen’s hospital expenses, additional accommodation and the cost of changing flights. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

It’s important to compare policies for cost and cover. Some travel insurance premiums increased by as much as 30% between March and June 2022.

Three-quarters (77%) of travellers are willing to pay more for insurance that covers pandemic-related claims.

The further out from your departure date that you buy travel insurance, the more you’re likely to pay for it, but you’ll be covered from the moment you buy your policy. For example, if you buy insurance 2 months before you fly, you effectively have cheap cover for any events that affect your travel plans in those 2 months.

If you pay for your trip in full 6 months in advance, but you only buy an insurance policy 2 weeks before you depart, you may not be covered for any cancellation costs if you contract COVID-19.

Left it until the last minute, or even later? Only a few insurers let you buy insurance once you’re already overseas (look for the ‘Have you already left Australia?’ checkbox when viewing policy options).

While not all policies offer online discounts, plenty do. Make sure you understand the policy and what it covers. Sometimes (but not always) a reduced price may mean reduced cover.

Tip: Check asic.gov.au/afslicensing to find out whether the agent has an Australian financial services (AFS) licence or is an authorised representative of a licence holder. Take the usual precautions when giving your credit card and other details over the internet.

Member discounts

Does your health, car or home insurance provider also sell travel insurance? Some companies give 10–15% discounts to existing members.

Shop around

Trying to negotiate with a website will probably get you nowhere, but if you’re buying over the phone or through a travel agent, give it a go. Travel agents pocket a commission when they sell you insurance, so if you find a better deal elsewhere, ask them if they can beat it.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of overseas travellers who buy insurance do so on or before the day of booking travel.

Use your credit card

Some credit cards come with ‘free’ travel insurance when you use them to buy a ticket, pay for other travel expenses or otherwise activate it (we say ‘free’ because you’ll pay a premium in fees for the card itself).

This type of insurance can sometimes be a money-saver, and the level of cover can be just as good or even better than standard insurance, but make sure it gives you the cover you need.

Compromise on cover

While good medical cover is always essential, you could save money on your premium by choosing a policy with lower or variable cover for cancellation, delays and lost baggage, especially if you aren’t spending big on your holiday or taking expensive items with you.

Have you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)? According to research conducted in 2022, of those who bought travel insurance: 45% have skim-read the PDS 43% have read the PDS in detail 8% have left the PDS to another person on the policy to read 2% have not and will not read the PDS 2% don’t know

About that fine print

You’re about to click ‘buy’, so you may as well just tick this ‘I acknowledge I’ve read the product disclosure statement’ checkbox and bon voyage…

But wait – have you checked the fine print? In the insurance world, that ‘fine print’ is contained in the product disclosure statement, or PDS (that thing you said you’d read).

How to read the PDS

There are hundreds of policies out there and if you tried to read all the paperwork that comes with each policy, you’d have to extend your holiday just to recover.

If you don’t have time to read the whole PDS cover to cover, at least look for the following.

  • The table of benefits is an overall summary of your cover.
  • The policy cover section is essential reading and is generally split into ‘what we will pay for’ and ‘what we won’t pay for’.
  • General exclusions are also essential reading – these are events that aren’t covered by any section of the policy.
  • Pre-existing conditions can remind you of forgotten ailments and are essential reading for anyone with any kind of medical condition, no matter how mild.
  • The word definition table might contain a few surprises – it’s a good place to check on the definition of a ‘relative’ or a ‘moped’, for example.
  • The claims section lists some further pointers to be aware of (e.g. it’s a good idea not to admit fault or liability in the case of an accident) and the paperwork you may need to collect while you’re away if you need to make a claim, such as police reports.
  • COVID-19 cover section – many policies have a special section listing medical, cancellation and other cover available for COVID-19.
  • The 24-hour emergency assistance contact number (write it down and keep it handy).
The Weaver* family was relieved to have travel insurance when they needed to cancel their holiday. The family wanted to go skiing in New Zealand, but a few days before they were due to depart, 12-year-old Ruby had cold symptoms. A COVID-19 test showed she was positive. Ruby and her whole family had to isolate and their travel insurance paid their cancellation costs. *This is a fictitious but realistic example

The list of travel insurance disputes taken to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) reveals a battlefield of unread or misinterpreted terms and conditions. Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, AFCA received more than 2,000 travel insurance complaints related to COVID-19.

Not all travel insurance policies are the same, and the wrong policy can be almost as bad as none at all.

Peter* and his business partner had booked a business trip to South Korea and Japan from 21 February 2020 to 2 March 2020. On 20 February, Peter cancelled the trip on advice of his GP who said that due to the uncertainty of the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak, he should postpone the trip until it is safe to travel. Peter’s travel insurer denied his claim, saying the policy does not provide cover for cancellation due to medical advice. Peter made a complaint and AFCA ruled in his favour as COVID-19 had been publicly announced as an epidemic prior to Peter cancelling the trip and the doctor’s advice not to travel was prudent and reasonable. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details
Checklist – Are you covered for COVID-19? Are your medical costs covered if you contract COVID-19? Are your extra expenses such as accommodation covered if you can’t travel or your stay gets extended because you or your travelling companion tests positive to COVID-19? What happens if you were going to stay with someone but they’ve contracted COVID-19? Or your accommodation or tour company gets closed down because of COVID-19? Are your additional expenses covered? If the Smartraveller alert level is raised to ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ due to a COVID-19 outbreak at your destination after you took out travel insurance, are you covered if you cancel your trip? Are your cancellation costs covered if you can’t travel or can’t return on your booked flights because you or your travelling companion contracted COVID-19? Are you covered for cancellation costs if your business partner or a relative back home gets sick with COVID-19 and you need to return earlier than planned? If you’re planning to go on a cruise, be extra careful. Some travel insurers may not offer COVID-19 cover for multi-night cruises. Are you covered for claims caused by government travel bans, border closures, or mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements at your destination?

And what are the catches?

Cancellations, baggage and personal items, sports and activities.

This is the number one reason to buy international travel insurance. Look for the insurer’s benefits table, usually on the quotes screen online or near the front of their PDS, for a quick overview of what they’re offering. Most policies have an ‘unlimited’ sum insured.

Pre-existing conditions

Some insurers don’t cover pre-existing conditions at all. Some will only cover pre-existing conditions with an extra fee and sometimes a medical assessment. Some automatically cover pre-existing conditions listed in their PDS, although few will cover mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety.

Insurers exclude cover for certain pre-existing medical conditions and generally don’t provide cover for any illnesses or incidents that arise from these. This includes terminal illness or any illness that shortens your life expectancy as well as organ transplants.

Minor pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, osteopenia and more are usually covered if:

the condition has been stable for more than 12 months

there is no planned surgery

you have not received treatment in the past 12 months.

Pre-existing condition spoiling your holiday plans? findaninsurer.com.au lists insurers that may provide cover for pre-existing conditions. Still having trouble finding cover? Enlist the help of an insurance broker.

Examples of conditions that usually need to be assessed before getting cover are coronary problems, lung disease, epilepsy, stroke or any surgeries in the last 2 years.

If in doubt, declare your condition to your insurer.

A disability shouldn’t prevent you from buying travel insurance, but it might make finding a good policy trickier and more expensive.

Is a disability a pre-existing condition?

It depends on the disability and the insurer. Many insurers will automatically cover travellers with limited mobility, cognitive impairments or vision/hearing impairments. But in some cases, this cover may come at an extra cost.

Check with the insurer, as some conditions will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Having trouble getting cover?

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, insurers must assess the actual risks, rather than make assumptions about disabilities. If you’re having trouble getting insurance, a letter from a medical professional might help, particularly if they can state that you’re not likely to need medical or hospital treatment while on your trip.

Cover for your equipment

If you’re travelling with a wheelchair, mobility aid or hearing aid, you’ll need to insure that as well. Check single item limits, which are usually between $750 and $1,000 per item. If you have a piece of medical equipment that exceeds this, you’ll need to specify it and insure it separately.

Many insurance policies exclude hearing aids, so check the fine print and take out extra insurance if necessary.

Cover for your carer

If you’re travelling with a carer, it’s a good idea to be on the same policy in case travel plans change for either of you – that way you’re both covered. If you have a paid carer, ask your insurer whether they’ll cover the cost of a replacement carer should yours be unable to travel.

Babymooning

If you’re travelling while pregnant, be sure to check the following.

  • Are you covered for pregnancy complications? Some insurers don’t cover pregnancy at all.
  • Up until which stage of pregnancy? Pregnancy complications are usually only covered up until a certain stage (often between 23 and 32 weeks, depending on the insurer).
  • Childbirth: Not all insurers will cover childbirth. A premature birth in the US with intensive care and treatment could end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • IVF: Not all insurers will cover IVF pregnancies.
  • Do you have to pay extra to be covered?
  • Do you need medical approval to be covered?

Mental health

Many travel insurers won’t provide cover of any kind for hospitalisation, medication or missed travel caused by a mental health condition, whether that’s depression, anxiety or a psychotic episode.

Others will provide cover if you declare mental illness as a pre-existing condition and pay a higher premium. Check the PDS carefully; insurers may use different terms to describe the same mental health conditions, giving them wriggle room to deny a claim.

Insurers are highly unlikely to pay a mental health-related claim if they discover it was a pre-existing condition that you didn’t declare. The trouble is, an insurer might view a single visit to a therapist many years ago because of work stress, for example, as a pre-existing mental health condition.

Mental health and travel insurance have been a contentious issue for consumer rights groups including CHOICE – and it’s one that’s still evolving from a legal standpoint.

To find out if a travel insurance product includes mental health cover, check choice.com.au/travelinsurance , filtering for ‘mental illness related claims’. Then put the PDS under the microscope.

A woman in Victoria won a court case against her insurer after they declined her claim for the cancellation of an overseas trip due to depression. ‘We took out the travel insurance well in advance of the travel, and well before my depression. I was certainly under the impression that I was covered,’ she told CHOICE. ‘They just sent back a letter that said no.’ But her win (the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal awarded her $4,292 for economic loss and a further $15,000 for non-economic loss) was an isolated ruling. It’s still being debated whether or not a general exclusion for mental health claims is legal.

Most policies have an age limit, ranging right up to the 100-year-old seasoned adventurer. There are quite a few catches for older travellers, though.

  • Higher premiums: Insurers often charge older travellers more, and in some cases ‘older’ can be as young as 50. 
  • Higher excess: Travellers as young as 60 but more commonly over 80 may be subject to a higher excess because of their age. The normal excess of around $100 to $200 is often increased to an excess of $2,000 to $3,000 for travellers 80 years and over for claims that relate to injury or illness.
  • Restricted conditions: Subject to medical assessment’, ‘reduced medical cover limits’, ‘reduced travel time’, ‘policy to be purchased 6 months in advance’ – all of these conditions can apply to travellers over a certain age.

You’ll probably want to be covered if your travel plans are cancelled for any reason, but be aware that insurers will come up with plenty of excuses to avoid paying up.

  • Terrorism: Most insurers cover medical expenses but very few cover cancellation expenses in the event of terrorism.
  • Pandemic or epidemic: Commonly excluded.
  • Military action: Commonly excluded.
  • Natural disaster: Covered more often than not.
  • Travel provider/agent insolvency: Commonly excluded.
  • Cancellation due to travel provider’s fault: Insurers commonly exclude cover for delays or rescheduling caused by the transport provider.
John* and his partner’s scheduled train service was delayed, seriously diverted, then terminated, which meant they missed their flight home by several hours. Re-booking fees, emergency accommodation and related fees cost them between $1,000 and $1,500, but the insurer wouldn’t pay the claim as it wasn’t in the policy. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

‘Unforeseen’

When an insurer refers to cover for ‘unforeseen circumstances’, it means something that wasn’t publicised in the media or official government websites when you bought the policy. Check the Smartraveller travel advice when you buy your travel insurance. If it became known before you bought the policy, you’re not covered. So the earlier you buy travel insurance, the more likely you are to be covered for the unexpected.

Exclusions and inclusions

When the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) looks at a complaint about an insurer, they expect you to prove the claim is covered by the policy, while the insurer must prove the claim is excluded by the policy. Specifically, AFCA expects you to ‘establish on the balance of probabilities that you suffered a loss caused by an event to which the policy responds’. That is, do you have a valid claim?

This means that you need to understand if your claim is covered under the listed events of the policy, or that it is not specifically excluded by the policy.

If, for example, you have cover for COVID-19, you aren’t covered for every event caused by the pandemic, but just by what is specifically stated in the PDS.

Margaret and Peter* booked a cruise departing from Darwin in March 2021. Shortly before departure, the Northern Territory Government issued a directive no longer allowing cruises to depart from the NT. Margaret and Peter’s cruise company arranged for the cruise to depart from Broome and flew the passengers to Broome for a cost of $300 per person. As Margaret had bought a policy that included some cover for COVID-19, she made a claim for $600. But this was denied by her travel insurer and her subsequent complaint to AFCA was unsuccessful. AFCA said, ‘The cause of the loss was a government directive to not permit the cruise to operate through the NT port. The insurer’s policy provides no cover for these circumstances. It also excludes losses arising from government intervention, prohibition or regulation.’ *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details
Travel insurance and Smartraveller advice Smartraveller, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), assigns an overall advice level to more than 175 destinations. This advice level can affect your travel insurance cover. The advice levels are: Level 1  – Exercise normal safety precautions. COVERED. Level 2  – Exercise a high degree of caution. COVERED. Level 3  – Reconsider your need to travel. CHECK. Level 4  – Do not travel. USUALLY NOT COVERED. Travel warnings can work in your favour. If an insurer excludes cover for an event, they may still cover you to change your plans in response to updated advice from Smartraveller. But beware when travelling to a destination that has a ‘Do not travel’ warning. Most standard policies won’t cover you for ‘Do not travel’ destinations, including for COVID-19. A week after a volcanic eruption made world news, Sameer* booked a trip to Bali. He assumed the emergency would be over by the time he was due to fly a month later. Unfortunately, the volcano continued to erupt and Sameer’s flight was cancelled. His insurer declined his claim because he’d bought the flight and insurance after Smartraveller issued a travel alert about the volcanic eruption, and after it had been in the news. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Delays can be expensive, particularly if you have to pay for alternative transport or accommodation. And those extra expenses won’t always be covered.

  • Transport delay is only covered after a certain number of hours, usually 6, but you may have to wait as long as 12 hours before your cover kicks in.
  • Cover limits for transport delays are typically lower than other cover limits and are often limited per 24-hour period.
  • Insurers often exclude cover for rescheduling caused by the transport provider but some may cover additional accommodation and travel expenses in this scenario for travellers who are en route.

Baggage cover varies widely, with travel insurance policies ranging from $0 to $30,000. So, if you’re not carrying expensive items, you may be able to save on your premium by selecting a policy that provides lower coverage.

  • Individual items are subject to sub-limits that range from around $250 to as much as $5,000.
  • Higher item limits usually apply for electronic items like laptops, cameras, smartphones and tablets.
  • You can pay extra to specify items you want extra cover for (insurers are always happy for you to pay extra).
  • Valuables locked in a car or checked in on an airline, train or bus may not be covered.
  • Generally, any items left unattended may be excluded from cover, so keep your belongings close.
Jing* sat down to try on a pair of shoes in a busy London shoe shop, placing her handbag next to her on the seat. When she stood up to leave, she discovered her bag was gone. Her insurer refused to pay up because she had left her bag unattended in a public place. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Lost luggage

If an airline loses your luggage temporarily and doesn’t compensate you for that loss, you may be able to claim expenses for clothing, toiletries and other necessities, depending on your policy.

  • Cover usually only applies to luggage lost for more than 12 hours, though the minimum time limit varies per insurer, as does the level of cover.
  • If your policy has an excess (a fee that’s deductible from your payout), remember that this applies once per claimed event, and items below the excess level can’t be claimed.
Angelo and Diane* tried to claim $112 for meals and drinks when their connecting flight to Hawaii was delayed by 8 hours. Although their policy technically covered them for the cost, they were liable for an excess of $250, so their claim was denied. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

If you don’t feel like paying the ‘extra insurance’ the car hire company charges, then use the collision damage excess cover in your travel insurance.

Tip: Stick with recognised car rental companies in this case since this cover only applies if the car hire company already has its own comprehensive insurance.

Do you have the right licence?

Some countries require you to have an international driving permit. If you have an accident while driving on the wrong licence (or breaking that country’s law in any other way), you may not be covered.

Cruise-specific insurance

Cruises aren’t automatically included in all travel insurance policies. If you’re going on a cruise, make sure you have the right cover.

The Department of Health says: ‘Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other non-essential activities and transport modes. COVID-19, influenza and other infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.’

Check travel insurance policies to make sure medical cover for COVID-19 is included, as some policies exclude this cover. Erica* stumbled and broke her femur during stormy seas while on a cruise. Her insurer covered the cost of evacuation and a partial hip replacement at a hospital in Noumea. They also organised and paid for her son to fly to Noumea to help her recover and return home to Australia. Five months later, the well-travelled 82-year-old was boarding a plane to Croatia for her next (fully insured) adventure. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Not leaving Australian waters?

You still need insurance. Doctors working on cruise ships don’t need Medicare provider numbers, so if they treat you, you can’t claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even if you’re still in Australian waters.

Domestic travel insurance doesn’t cover medical costs, so you need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or a domestic cruise policy.

Kerry* thought she’d done the right thing buying an annual multi-trip international travel insurance policy for a number of upcoming holidays, one of which was a round-trip cruise departing from and returning to Fremantle, Western Australia, with no port stops. When she had to cancel due to ill health, she discovered her policy wouldn’t cover her because the trip wasn’t considered an international one. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

When CHOICE compares travel insurers, we look at who covers which sports and adventure activities, such as skiing, ballooning, bungee jumping and scuba diving, to name a few.

But as always with insurance, the PDS may include some surprises. For example, several insurers we’ve reviewed will cover canyoning but they won’t cover abseiling, often a necessity in canyoning. Other policies in our comparison will cover abseiling, but not into a canyon.

If you’re planning on doing anything adventurous, check to make sure you’re covered. It’s not enough to simply look for the tick next to your chosen activity – you also need to check the definitions in the PDS.

Motorcycles and mopeds

Hiring a motorcycle or moped? Depending on which country you’re in, you might need a local or international motorcycle licence. You probably won’t be covered if you aren’t obeying the local law. And even if you are doing the right thing under local law, some policies still won’t cover you unless you have a motorcycle licence.

Are you wearing a helmet? Most countries say you need one by law, but that doesn’t mean it will be included in your hire. No helmet means no cover (in more ways than one).

Nhung* was injured after she rented a moped in Thailand only to find out the engine size was not covered by her insurance policy. Most insurers adopt the national standard for the definition of a moped – an engine capacity under 50cc. If the engine is bigger than that, it’s a motorcycle and you’ll need an Australian motorcycle licence. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Skiing and snowboarding

Some insurers cover skiing, often for an extra premium, but not so many cover skiing off-piste (away from the groomed runs). So, if you’re tempted to slide off the beaten path next time you hit the slopes, make sure you have a policy that covers off-piste ski runs (or pay for the optional extra cover).

Otherwise, if you run into a tree and have to be evacuated from the mountains, you may need to  think about selling your home to pay for it.

It’s worth remembering that travel insurance only covers overseas costs. So if you break a leg while you’re abroad, your insurer will likely pay your hospital fees, but they won’t cover your ongoing physiotherapy once you’re back home.

Marianna* fractured her leg in 3 places while skiing with her partner and children in Japan. Because the family had bought additional cover for winter sports, they were reimbursed $35,466 for medical expenses, additional transport and accommodation, the cost of a nanny to look after the children, and business class flights back to Australia. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Alcohol and drugs

Overdoing it on vodka and float-tubing down a river isn’t likely to be covered by any policy. Insurers simply won’t pay for costs arising from you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (except where taken under the advice of a doctor).

Even one or 2 drinks could be enough of an excuse for insurers to get out of paying.

Relatives can be relative Many policies cover the costs to travel home if one of your relatives dies or becomes sick. Bear in mind: an insurer’s definition of a ‘relative’ may differ from yours cover is usually dependent on the age of that relative, so the death of your 84-year-old grandma may not be covered your relatives are subject to the same pre-existing condition exclusions as you, so if your 84-year-old grandma died from a known heart condition, you may not be covered. you may be able to apply for your relative’s pre-existing condition to be assessed before you buy the policy. cover is limited to relatives that live in Australia, or in some cases New Zealand. So if your 84-year-old grandma is in China, you won’t be covered to fly there for her funeral. Amanda* and her husband had booked an overseas diving trip, but shortly before the trip Amanda’s mum passed away from pneumonia. They cancelled their trip and incurred cancellation costs and lost deposits of nearly $13,000. As the death of a parent was covered in their policy, Amanda made a claim. Their insurer denied the claim as Amanda’s mum lived in the United States and was undergoing treatment for lung cancer, so the insurer concluded that her death was caused by a pre-existing condition. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

So you’ve booked and paid for your holiday through a travel agent, but then the travel agent goes broke. You’ll get your money back, right? Not necessarily.

Only a few insurers will cover you for the insolvency of a travel provider, and that includes hotels, airlines and other transport companies that might go broke overnight (remember Ansett?). But there are a few ways to safeguard your hard-earned holiday.

  • Check whether your insurer covers you for insolvency.
  • Check whether your travel agent has insolvency insurance (this isn’t compulsory, so only some will have it).
  • Pay with your credit card. Some banks allow a chargeback if you pay for something on your credit card and don’t end up actually getting it.

Tip: Don’t accept any dodgy contract terms that require you to give up your chargeback rights.

2 out of 3 travellers assume their travel insurance will cover insolvency, but in 2017 less than a third of insurers actually provided this cover.

Credit card travel insurance

Some credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance. They’ll cover you for all the usual things like medical emergencies, cancellation and protection for baggage and items. But they do differ from standalone policies, so it’s essential you check the fine print.

  • Fees: You’ll pay a premium for these credit cards, usually between $100 and $450 per year.
  • Excess: The excess on credit card policies tends to be fixed at a higher rate (usually around $250), whereas it’s more variable on standalone policies.
  • Age limits: Some credit card policies have no age limit, which can be handy for older travellers.
  • Regions: Credit card travel insurance is not based on location, which means you can travel from Europe to the US without having to worry if your policy covers both areas. Bear in mind though that some regions (such as countries under United Nations embargo) may be excluded, and sometimes with US underwriters, travel to Cuba is excluded.
  • Baggage cover: Credit card insurance often offers higher coverage for baggage loss and damage.
  • Trip duration: Credit card insurance policies vary in how many days of coverage they’ll give you per trip – anywhere from a few weeks to 365 days – so check your limit if you’re going on a long holiday.
  • Pre-existing conditions: Chances are your credit card insurance won’t automatically cover your pre-existing condition. You’ll need to call your insurer and see if you need to pay an extra fee or premium.
  • Domestic travel: Credit card insurance doesn’t apply to domestic travel, although some cards will reimburse expenses associated with domestic flight delays and missed connections to international flights.
  • Making a claim: You may not be able to claim reimbursement unless you pay for purchases (such as emergency items after a baggage delay) with the same credit card.
27% of travellers who plan to buy travel insurance will get it through their credit card.

Is it activated?

Credit card insurance usually activates when you buy your air tickets (or sometimes other transport or accommodation expenses) using your card.

  • Policies require a minimum spend to activate – usually around $500. So if you scored your tickets on sale for $499, you won’t be covered.
  • If you want cover for your spouse or dependants, you must also buy their tickets on your card.
  • Some policies only activate if you book a return ticket. A one-way flight, or even 2 one-way flights, will leave you uninsured.
  • Some banks require you to notify them in order to get full coverage for each trip. While base coverage will still give you emergency medical treatment, you might not get coverage for property damage or luggage delays. Check whether you need to do anything to activate any extra features.
  • Some cards will cover you if you use rewards points to buy your tickets. Others won’t.

Is it worth it?

If you already have a credit card and use it regularly, the free comprehensive travel insurance on your card can save you money. And if you’re a regular traveller without a credit card, it’s worth considering if you travel at least once a year or every second year internationally.

David* booked a trip to North America for himself and his family, including his 11-year-old daughter Petra. The trip was cancelled because Petra got pneumonia. Unfortunately, David only activated his credit card travel insurance about an hour before the family was scheduled to fly out of Australia. The travel insurer denied his claim for cancellation costs because he knew about his daughter’s illness when he activated the policy. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Have you been knocked back on an insurance claim and want to dispute it?

Internal dispute resolution

Complain to the insurer first. They’ll usually keep you up to date about the progress of your complaint every 10 business days.

Once you’ve lodged your case and all the supporting information and documents, the insurer has 45 days to complete its internal dispute resolution process.

External dispute resolution

If you aren’t happy with the insurer’s decision, you can take your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaint Authority (AFCA). They’ll handle your case for free.

  • The AFCA will mediate between you and the insurer to find a resolution.
  • If mediation is unsuccessful, they may make a preliminary assessment or give a determination straight away on your dispute.
  • A determination is legally binding on the insurer but not on you.
  • There’s no appeal process with AFCA.
  • For more information, visit afca.org.au .

Legal action

If you’re unhappy with the AFCA determination, you might want to consider taking legal action against the insurance company.

Keep your travel insurance details with you at all times while on your trip and share them with family or friends before you leave.

Related content

No matter who you are, where you're going and what you're doing, get travel insurance. Learn how to choose a policy that's right for you.

This page provides mature travellers with information to prepare for a hassle-free journey. Properly preparing before you travel will help you have a safe trip.

Browse our general advice pages on a range of travel topics, to learn what you need to know before you go.

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cruise and covid travel insurance australia

COVID-19 benefits with Travel Insurance

Benefits with cover for covid-19.

  • Cancellation if you or your travel companion are positively diagnosed with COVID-19 during your period of cover 1,2
  • Additional Expenses 1,3 related to changing your travel arrangements while travelling
  • Overseas Medical and Hospital Expenses 1,4
  • Overseas Emergency Assistance available 24 hours a day, with access to Registered Nurses and Doctors 1,4

What COVID-19 benefits our plans offer

Swipe to view more

Comprehensive

Why choose us, thousands of satisfied customers, network of medical experts, emergency assistance available, we’re an established insurer, flexible covid-19 policy cancellation options.

We offer the flexibility to cancel your Allianz Travel Insurance policy at any time if your plans need to change due to COVID-19, provided you haven't made or intend to make a claim or exercise any other right under your policy. 1

You may be entitled to receive a full or partial premium refund if you can’t travel or need to change your journey because of COVID-19 border closures or mandatory quarantine periods. This applies when travelling both domestically and internationally. 1

If you haven’t started your journey, we’ll provide a full premium refund. If you’ve started your journey, we’ll provide a partial premium refund, based on a pro-rata basis from the date you returned home from your journey until the end date of your policy listed on your Certificate of Insurance. Eligibility criteria applies, refer to the PDS for full details.

If you need to cancel your policy due to COVID-19, contact us on 1800 440 806 or email our Travel Helpdesk .

Ready to get started?

Frequently asked questions.

Yes, you can apply to buy a policy even if you haven’t received the recommended vaccinations against COVID-19. The section headed ‘Who is eligible to purchase this product’ in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) contains important information about who is eligible to buy a policy, age limits and cover types.

You may not be covered if you don’t follow any advice or warnings by the Australian government or that were published in a reliable mass media source.

Refer to Smartraveller and the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for the most up to date travel advice.

Make sure you’re aware of what is required, including any proof of vaccination, before you travel.

If you select Comprehensive , Multi-Trip, or Domestic Travel Insurance, which include the cancellation benefit cover when you buy your policy, you may be able to make a claim if you:

  • are subsequently positively diagnosed with COVID-19, which prevents you from travelling and
  • need to cancel, reschedule, or shorten your trip as a result. 1

The Cancellation benefit is designed to cover the non-refundable costs, up to the amount chosen, associated with cancelling, rescheduling or shortening the paid and unused portions of your journey. 2

If you’re positively diagnosed with COVID-19, we’ll reimburse your reasonable additional travel and accommodation expenses 3 up to the limit shown in the Table of Benefits for the Plan you have selected, if you meet each of the following three conditions:

  • You have bought a Comprehensive, Domestic, or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance plan
  • You can’t continue your journey or your journey is disrupted because you or your travel companion are positively diagnosed with COVID-19
  • You need immediate and continued treatment from a medical adviser

Call emergency services in your location if your condition is life threatening.

If you’ve contracted COVID-19 overseas and need emergency assistance, contact our Emergency Assistance team on +61 7 3305 7499 . Call charges may apply.

We're here to help

Give us a call, or send us a message, follow us on, *conditions apply.

  • Policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and sub-limits apply to particular types of losses, premium refunds (full or partial) or claims. This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic. However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see which benefits offer cover if you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.
  • Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Cancellation cover is only available on Comprehensive, Domestic and Multi-Trip Plans. Refer to ‘Cancellation’ and ‘General Exclusions’ sections of the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
  • Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Refer to ‘Additional Expenses’ and ‘General Exclusions’ sections of the PDS for full details.
  • Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. For full details and before making a decision, consider the relevant PDS.
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Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website.

Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFS Licence No. 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) as agent of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). Travel Insurance is underwritten by the insurer Allianz. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.

We don’t provide advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement available on this website. If you purchase this insurance, AGA will receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services on this product.

MAPFRE

Australia’s travel insurance specialist

Click here for our travel alert about the Israel – Gaza conflict. Due to the current conflict in Ukraine, our policies exclude coverage for any trips to Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. Check out latest travel alerts here before buying a policy.

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Trip Details

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Please, note we are currently not offering Annual Multi-trip or Backpacker policies. Check the website regularly for further updates

Travellers age ( 10 travellers max.) ?

A single return journey, from 3 to 365 days, that starts in Australia.

Domestic One-Trip Travel Insurance does not cover any medical and evacuation expenses incurred in Australia or whilst travelling on a cruise domestically or internationally. Therefore, if you are going on a cruise and would like to be covered for onboard medical expenses and evacuation then you must choose either our Cruise Travel Insurance or our Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance.

Please note we are currently not offering Annual Multi-Trip Policies

A single return journey, from 3-365 days that starts in Australia and where the trip also includes travel on ships or other sea vessels.

Cruise option covers you for the land, air AND CRUISE part of your journey so you don’t need a single trip and a cruise policy if your whole trip or part of your trip involves any travel by cruise ship.

A 365 day policy that provides cover for multiple trips starting in Australia.

There are 3 options for maximum duration per trip, 30,45 and 60.

Backpackers

One trip departing from and returning to Australia, for up to a maximum of 540 days.

If you are taking a gap year, an adventure holiday or a round the world trip you may find our Backpacker product is more tailored for your needs.

Destination Information

Excluded destinations:

InsureandGo will NOT cover any loss, injury, damage or legal liability arising directly or indirectly from travel in, to or through Afghanistan, Belarus, Crimea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Sudan, Syria, Chad, East Timor, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Included destinations:

The South Pacific: Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia (including Tahiti), Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, New Zealand)

Worldwide exc USA:

If your destination is "Worldwide exc USA" you are covered Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Mexico, Central & South America and Antarctica.

Worldwide inc USA:

If your destination is "Worldwide inc USA" you are covered Worldwide including USA, Canada, Mexico, Central & South America and Antarctica.

South Asia: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Maldivas

South East Asia: Birmania, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia (Including Bali and Lombok), Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

East Asia: China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan

Domestic: Australia, Norfolk Island

Cruise Specific Destinations

Domestic Cruise:

Domestic cruises within Australian Territorial waters, or international waters, providing you do not stop at any international port. If you want to travel around Australia before your cruise departs, you will need to buy two separate policies, a Domestic single trip policy for the duration of your trip before boarding and a cruise trip policy for your cruise. (If you select the Domestic cruise policy your baggage will only by covered for a maximum of 72 hours before boarding)

(The Domestic cruise policy also provides cover for stopovers in Australian ports up to 48 hours)

Domestic, NZ and Pacific Cruise:

Cruises that include any Pacific destination and docks at any Australian port after departure (Including final port).

Asia and Domestic

Cruises that include any Asia destination and docks at any Australian port after departure (Including final port).

Please note:

  • If you have a multiple destination itinerary, you should select the travel plan for the destination where you will spend the majority of your trip overseas except where you will spend more than 48 hours of your trip in the continents of North America, South America or Antarctica.
  • If you will spend more than 48 hours of your trip in the continents of North America, South America or Antarctica, then you should select the Worldwide Including Travel Plan.
  • If you select the Domestic Cruise, Pacific and Domestic or the Asia and Domestic travel destination we will cover Medical and Evacuation expenses. With Medical expenses we mean expenses incurred on board relating to medical illness or injury assistance. We will also cover the repatriation or evacuation expenses if the medical practitioner has stated in writing that you are unfit to continue your trip due to medical illness or injury. This benefit does not apply to any medical treatment provided on Australian inland or whilst the ship is tied up in an Australian port. All other benefits included in your policy provide cover whilst your ship is docked in an Australian port for a maximum of 48 hours.
  • If you select a cruise option, there is no cover for Section L (Rental Vehicle Excess Waiver) whilst your ship is in an Australian port.

Group types

Policy Types

You have the option to select:

This option provides cover for one adult who is 18 years of age or older and their accompanying dependent children.

This option provides cover for two adults who are in a Partner relationship.

This option provides cover for two adults who are in a Partner relationship and their accompanying dependent children.

We are referring to the traveller’s age when you are buying this policy (Not when travelling). Please note all policy options are available between 50-100. Maximum trip durations vary depending on your age.

Sorry we can't give you quote online if one of the travellers is aged over 100

First traveller has to be aged over 18

Please indicate traveller's ages

Trip type information

If you're taking a single trip this year, which does not include any travel by cruise, the one-trip cover is for you. But if you are travelling more than once you may be better off with an Annual multi-trip policy.

For Annual multi-trip policies the maximum trip duration covered is restricted by the policy option selected and will be either 30, 45 or 60 days, after which you must return to Australia before commencing a new trip.

If your trip includes any travel by cruise ship, then select the cruise option to be covered for the land, air AND CRUISE part of your journey. However, if you only want to be covered for the land and air part, then choose One Trip. By cruise we refer to any travel on sea, ocean or river by any commercially operated ship, boat or other sea vessel for longer than two hours.

InsureandGo Australia

With our tailored Cruise Travel Insurance, cruisers get all the benefits of the Single Trip policy ^ , plus additional inclusions that are unique to cruising, such as reimbursements for certain necessary additional expenses due to a cruise delay.

Our cruise insurance policy ^  is available in three levels of cover; Bare Essentials, Silver and Gold, so you can choose coverage that suits your needs. All levels of cover provide you with access to an expansive global 24/7 emergency assistance network, with over 31,000 points of assistance across all continents, and an easy online claims process .

Why Travel With Us for a Cruise Trip?

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Missed cruise departure

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

14 day cooling off period

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Cabin confinement for medical reasons (with med cert.)

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Missed port cover for Silver and Gold levels of cover

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Cruise delays

Cruise travel insurance benefits:.

  • Trip Cancelation Before Departure: If it is necessary and unavoidable to cancel your cruise, we will pay certain unrecoverable travel costs and expenses. This is available in our Cruise Silver and Gold levels of cover, and you should consider purchasing cover as soon as you book your cruise, in case of cancellation.
  • Missed Cruise Departure: Should you miss the scheduled departure of your pre-booked cruise from Australia due to certain events, we will cover you for certain reasonable and necessary additional travelling expenses to continue with your original itinerary.
  • Medical Expenses: We offer unlimited cover for necessary and reasonable medical expenses on board and onshore (outside of Australia) such as medical, surgical, hospital treatment and ambulance.
  • Missed Port Cover: If your cruise never docks at a port during a trip due to adverse weather restrictions or mechanical breakdown, we will pay for each scheduled missed port. This is available in the Cruise Silver and Gold policies.
  • Personal Belongings & Baggage: We provide coverage if your personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during your cruise, or up to 72-hours prior to your cruise departure in Australia. Sublimits apply.
  • Reimbursements for Shore Excursions: If it is necessary and unavoidable for your cruise to be cancelled or cut short, you may be covered for certain costs, subject to the level of cover selected.
  • Cabin Confinement: If you are confined to your cabin due to medical reasons as advised by a ship medical officer, InsureandGo will pay $75 for every 24 hours a passenger is confined up to the defined amount outlined in table of benefits in our Silver and Gold cruise policies.
  • Cruise Delays: We will reimburse the cost of your necessary additional meals and accommodation expenses, if during a trip your departure by sea vessel is delayed for more than 12 hours. This cover is available in our Silver and Gold cruise policy and you will be reimbursed for each complete 12-hour period you are delayed. Limits and sublimits pay apply.
  • Emergency Medical Transportation: We provide certain cover (outlined in the policy wording) for passengers, if they require urgent transportation to a medical facility or need to return home for emergency treatment.

These benefits are a summary, so please see our PDS for full terms & conditions.

Which destination to select for your cruise journey :

Please note: Our policies do not cover claims arising directly or indirectly from travel in, to or through Afghanistan, Belarus, Chad, Crimea, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Timor, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

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Cruise travel insurance: Advice from an expert

Travel insurance for multi-day cruises. Is it possible? Why yes. It is.

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What happens if a war ruins my cruise?

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People have discovered the ‘Maldives of Europe’

People have discovered the ‘Maldives of Europe’

We have booked a cruise from Rome to Athens and have had no luck finding travel insurance that covers multi-night cruises. Can you suggest any providers that do?

"Absolutely!" says Escape's Doc Holiday Dilvin Yasa. "Before I embarked on a multi-night cruise around Europe I bought a policy with Travel Insurance Saver , which is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services."

Unlike some other policies, cruise is included as a standard on all single and multi-trip policies. This means you don't have to buy a cruise add-on, saving you some extra cash. Just remember to add the different countries your cruise stops at into destinations so you're completely covered.

If you are travelling locally, there's the option to add 'Cruising - Australian Waters', too.

"Admittedly, solid insurance products for multi-night cruises is hardly what you’d call a crowded market," says Yasa. "But Travel Insurance Saver is not alone in offering cruise enthusiasts peace of mind."

Other insurance providers that cover multi-night cruises include:

  • Travel Insurance Direct : Automatically provides cover on overseas cruises
  • Southern Cross Travel Insurance : Automatically provides cover on overseas cruises
  • Fast Cover: Providers cruise-specific add-on-packs
  • Cover More : Provides cruise-specific add-on-packs
  • Boomers Travel Insurance : Provides cruise-specific add-on packs.

"It’s worth pointing out that Boomers does not have capped age limits on its Comprehensive (or Domestic) plans, making it a suitable plan for seniors as well as for those with pre-existing conditions," says Yasa.

See also:  10 fabulous river cruises around the world

Cruising into Kotor, Montenegro.

Cruise travel insurance with Covid-19 cover

Many policies offer cover for medical expenses related to Covid-19. Depending on your insurer, this may be included as a standard or be added on for a fee.

Travel Insurance Saver for example has benefits that can cover medical and travel costs as a result from contracting COVID-19.

  • Coronavirus Travel Costs:  This can cover the costs of events related to coronavirus, including quarantine expenses and trip cancellation costs due to contracting the virus, or being denied boarding due to suspected infection. This is only available on Comprehensive and Annual Multi-Trip policies.
  • COVID-19 Overseas Medical Costs:  Unlimited cover for reasonable medical costs incurred from contracting COVID-19 while overseas. This is available on all policies.

Cover More offers several Covid-related benefits across its domestic and international plans, even at the Basic level of cover.

  • COVID-19 Overseas Medical Costs:  Unlimited cover on International Basic, International Comprehensive and International Comprehensive plans.
  • COVID-19 Travel Costs: Amendment or cancellation costs. Only available on select plans and under certain circumstances.
  • COVID-19-related Additional Expenses:  This can cover the cost of additional transport or accommodation expenses incurred while away. Available on all plans.

Regardless of which policy you go with, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully. If you have any questions it's a good idea to call the provider for clarification.

"Where possible, ask to get the information in writing," advises Yasa. "In a world where everyone’s looking to cover their tails, why shouldn’t you?"

Stephanie Yip is Escape's Ecommerce Travel Writer and loves to stretch her dollars when travelling. She was previously the Travel and Shopping Editor at Finder and has been featured in Travel Weekly, KarryOn and The Guardian. Stephanie can't resist a good flight sale, loves to travel as light as possible (sorry books, hello Kindle) and is currently navigating  how to travel with a toddler.

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Cruises are officially back on the cards and people are queuing up to get on board. here's how to make sure you're covered..

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Need to know

  • Most travel insurers cover cruises but there are some exclusions and fine print to be aware of
  • For example, you won't be able to claim for events that occur because you've had too much to drink
  • You need to make sure you declare your pre-existing medical conditions

With the restrictions on cruises finally lifted post-pandemic, the industry has bounced back in a big way this year and is more popular than ever.

But some people lost thousands of dollars on cancelled cruises during the COVID-19 travel bans and some cruise lines might not even let you on board without travel insurance.

So if you're planning a cruise, read on to discover how to choose the travel insurance policy that's best for you.

On this page:

Travel insurance for overseas cruises

Which travel insurers cover international cruises, what cruise travel insurance won't cover, do i need insurance for australian cruises, when to buy travel insurance for a cruise.

Most travel insurers cover international cruises that start and end in Australia, usually as an optional extra (we haven't looked at cover for cruises that start and/or end overseas). 

Some providers also offer tailored cruise travel insurance, which can give you access to additional inclusions that are unique to cruising and that may not be covered in standard policies, such as cover for missed ports, missed departures, or cabin confinement due to illness.

When choosing a policy, it's important to make sure the region you're visiting is covered and that it suits your needs and itinerary.

Check the policy age limit, as some policies cover you up to the age of 100 but others only cover you up to 69. 

It's also worth noting that if you want cancellation coverage in case a relative in Australia becomes ill or dies, the relative will also need to meet the age limit on the policy and satisfy the existing medical condition requirements.

Australian authorities no longer require people to prove they've had a COVID-19 vaccination in order to board, but it may be required for some destinations such as New Caledonia, and cruise ships are still a higher risk setting for diseases like gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, including influenza (flu) and COVID-19. So check if you have medical and cancellation cover for COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Existing medical conditions and pregnancy

As with other types of travel insurance, some pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered, and others will need to be disclosed in order to be covered. If in doubt, contact the insurer to discuss your needs.

It's also worth noting that pregnancy is considered an existing medical condition. Some insurance policies cover pregnancy up to 30 weeks, but most cruise lines won't allow you on board if you're more than 24 weeks pregnant.

Travel insurance and alcohol

Some people liken cruises to a floating RSL club, but the combination of alcohol and a seagoing vessel can cause accidents. 

In an Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) case, Phil* fell down a flight of stairs on a cruise ship and suffered a moderate brain injury, skull fracture and right lung contusion.

All travel insurers have a clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol

Phil said the area was not well lit and the steps would have been slippery, while his wife said he was walking steadily. He was taken to a hospital in Austria and a test showed that he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.198%.

The insurer had an exclusion for "any conduct engaged in whilst under the influence or effect of alcohol or drugs", and AFCA sided with the insurer, determining that Phil's claim for expenses should be denied.

All travel insurers have a similar clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol.

* Not their real name. Policyholder names are not disclosed in AFCA case records.

Even if you book a cruise that won't be leaving Australian waters, you may still need travel insurance as shipboard medical expenses might not be covered by Medicare. Check that your travel insurance does cover medical costs – you may need international or cruise-specific insurance. Domestic travel or health insurance won't cut it.

Doctors working on cruise ships don't need Medicare provider numbers, so check with your cruise line if they have a Medicare doctor on board. If they don't, and they treat you, you can't claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even though you never left Australia. 

Domestic travel insurance doesn't cover medical costs, so you'd need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or special 'domestic cruise' insurance, which is available from a few select insurers.

Cruises are often booked well ahead of time, so you could be forgiven for forgetting or delaying the purchase of your travel insurance. But if your cruise is cancelled ahead of time and you don't yet have cover, you could lose your money. The earlier you buy the policy, the better.

On the flip side, there aren't many insurers that cover you more than a year out from starting your trip. If you book your trip more than a year out, shop around for a policy that will cover you.

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CRUISE Insurance Quotes

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Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

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Travel agents and airlines charge huge commissions. We don’t! Our cruise insurance comparison is free.  You'll be directed to the insurer's website to buy cruise insurance without sneaky charges.

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On-Board Medical Cover

Oh buoy, whether it’s a bout of food poisoning or a slip on the deck that sends you to the on-board doctor. you can rest assured your cruise policy will cover your expensive out-at-sea medical bills.

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When You Go Off Course

Don’t fret if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather and you miss your boat setting sail – your cruise insurance will cover you for any pre-paid expenses you incur.

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Product Choice

Ships ahoy! We compare cruise policies for all types of travellers from Australia’s reputable travel insurers. Compare  25+ brands  including 1Cover, Amex, Budget Direct, Zoom Travel Insurance and more!

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Cruisey Convenience

Don’t waste time visiting 10 websites separately. Using our cruise comparison will put you nautical miles ahead of the pack. Save yourself time and money by comparing your cruise insurance today.

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Your Belongings

Aye aye captain! Most people pack a schmick camera on the boat to take pics of all those amazing views. Be confident all your valuables are covered with the right cruise cover.

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Travel Insurance Extraordinarie At Your Service

Don’t rock the boat baby! Eugene has the answers to all sorts of travel insurance queries . Use our quick search below to makes sure you’re covered from ship to shore. Aye aye captain!

cruisING insurance  explained

Setting sail? You're not alone. Cruising is one of the fastest-growing holiday types amongst Aussie travellers. Whether you're cruising internationally or in domestic waters, medi-evacuations costing around $10,000 are just one reason you shouldn't leave home without cruise travel insurance.

With some brands, cruising is automatically covered in their comprehensive policy, while other insurers offer it as an optional add-on. We've taken the hunting around and guesswork out of it - simply enter your trip details with Cruise selected, and compare cruise travel insurance quotes from more than 25 of the top travel insurers. Remember to include the country of every port you are visiting, or regions like 'Pacific' or ' Europe' when entering your quote.

Why might you need cruise coverage? If you fall ill before you travel, you may have provision to claim back any lost deposits. If 20,000 leagues of sea get between you and your wallet, a comprehensive policy may cover lost cash, cards and replacing your all-important passport. And perhaps most importantly, when you're off exploring the world, it's important to know that you've got medical coverage should something unexpected happen.

Medicare myth stings Aussies at sea

What does cruise insurance cover.

  • Medical costs onboard: It's an unpleasant reality but we all fall ill and get injured, even while taking the dream cruise of a lifetime. Cruise travel insurance would provide cover for medical, surgical, hospital treatment and ambulance services. Your pre-existing conditions may also be covered, provided you cleared them with your insurer beforehand.  
  • Emergency evacuations : In the event that you fall ill or are injured and require emergency medical attention on land, cruise cover will pay for your emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital. Such costs can be exorbitant and far beyond the reach of most travel budgets so this benefit can’t be overlooked.  
  • Luggage and personal belongings: Lost, stolen or damaged belongings can put a huge dampener on your experience at sea. Provided you were taking reasonable care of your possessions, they’d be covered up to a set limit, depending on your cover level. Your policy may provide additional cover for valuables which is worth noting when travelling with high value items.  
  • Cancellations: Life sometimes gets in the way of your holiday plans.  If you were to fall ill or were unable to board your cruise due to an unforeseen reason, travel insurance may cover your non-refundable cruise costs. Depending on your level of cover, you may be eligible to claim back all your lost costs. Cancellation cover kicks in as soon as you purchase your policy so it’s best to buy cover as soon as possible.   
  • Cabin confinement : Cabin confinement is a necessary evil when it comes to containing the spread of disease on board a cruise ship. It’s to everyone’s benefit that patients are quarantined to avoid contagion but it’s no picnic for the poor passengers forced to stay holed up in their cabins. Thankfully travel insurance can ease the pain by reimbursing you for each day you are confined up to the maximum amount outlined in your policy.  
  •   Formal wear : Getting dressed up to the nines is part of the fun of cruising. But your black-tie and glam evening attire is probably on the pricier side, which can make it risky to take-on board. Some cruise policies cover your formal wear in the event of theft or damage, along with your other high-value belongings (i.e., phones, cameras and laptops). Check your policy to know your cover limits.  
  • Missed departure : Running late is never a nice feeling but missing your cruise departure date is especially unpleasant. Should you miss your cruise departure due to an accident, bad weather or mechanical breakdown, travel insurance will cover any additional travel and accommodation expenses you require before getting back on board.  
  • Pre-existing conditions : Having an illness or injury doesn't rule out your ability to get cover. Your pre-existing condition may be covered automatically or granted by application. It’s worth shopping around when comparing cruise policies as some insurers will cover a wider range of conditions, albeit at a premium.  
  • Missed port cover : While not all cruise policies feature this benefit, missed port cover reimburses passengers in the event that bad weather or mechanical breakdowns cause them to miss their port stop. This benefit can be hugely helpful in mitigating the disappointment of a missed port stop.

Trending cruise   Tips 

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Cruise travel insurance guide

Like any holiday, there are risks. With so much time spent on the water, and so much of your journey dependent on various port authorities, the only way to truly relax is to know you’re covered should something go wrong.

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What does cruise insurance cover?

What many people don't realise is that even if you're cruising Australian waters, once your cruise ship has left port, you are no longer covered for medical expenses by Medicare or your usual private health care provider.

pre-existing-medical-conditions

Pre-existing medical conditions

Having pre-existing medical conditions doesn't mean you can't get cover or that it has to be expensive. It simply means that you need to dig a little deeper when doing your research.

Cruise Insurance FAQs

Am i covered automatically for going on a cruise.

It depends! Some insurers cover you for cruising automatically, others require you to purchase their cruise pack in order to covered on land and sea. If you click 'more info' within the quote results, we tell you if the policy covers for cruises automatically. Alternatively, when you are directed to your chosen insurers site to buy, they will ask you if you want to add extras like cruise, activities, high value items and more. Make sure you select YES at this point if you are taking a cruise.

Do I need cruise insurance for domestic cruises?

Yes, you are required to purchase cover for cruising even when your just sailing in domestic waters to be covered for any medical treatment you receive on board and for helicopter evacuation. You should select 'Pacific' in the quote process even if you're only cruising around Australia.

How much does it cost to visit the on-board doctor?

Even a quick trip to the on-board doctor can set you back a few bob! Consultations and medications on board are charged at private rates. These can amount to $250 for just a quick 10-minute appointment - so make sure you buy cruise insurance to cover you for any medical treatment you may require at sea.

Do I need to list every port we are visiting?

Yes, please include all destinatioins in your quote. If it's easier, you can opt to select a region. For example, if you are visiting Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Instead of adding all destinations separately you can just select 'Pacific'.

What age can I buy travel insurance until?

Although you can compare seniors quotes up to the age 120 on Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, some insurers do have age limits you should be aware of. Our handy guide provides more details on seniors travel insurance age limits. 

What pre-existing illnesses does seniors travel insurance cover?

Most insurers have a list of pre-existing medical conditions that are automatically covered for free like asthma, cataracts, some types of diabetes, hypertension which do not require an assessment or declaration form to be submitted. If you have a pre-existing medial condition not listed, you may be able to get cover for an additional fee. Depending upon the seriousness and recency of the condition, your application may require further assessment. See more about pre-existing conditions and medical assessments here.

Are golf clubs covered?

Not all travel insurance policies cover your golf clubs as standard, or luggage limits may apply. Make sure you do your research to make sure you are covered for clubs that are damaged in transit whilst in the hold. Or for damage to clubs whilst in use. See more information about who offers golf cover here. 

Does seniors travel insurance cover hearing aids or false teeth?

Mid-range and Comprehensive policies provide cover for your items - but single item limits apply. Usually you will be covered for around $750 per item. If your hearing aids of false teeth (or any other high velue item) is worth more than this, you'll need to tell your insurer so they can make sure you are properly insured.  

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Choosing the best cruise travel insurance for you and your needs can be tricky - but our delightful customers are here to help. Thousands of Aussie travellers have reviewed their travel insurer so you can have the inside story on the policy, the customer service and the claims process before you buy.

Do you want to help your fellow travellers? Whether you're in love with your insurer or would rather leave them, review and rate them now.

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Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is Australia’s leading comparison site solely focused on travel insurance.

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

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For further information view our FSG and Terms of Use . Contact us by calling 1300 659 411.

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Cruise travel insurance

Cruises provide a relaxed and unique holiday experience but there is nothing more stressful than being unprepared for an unexpected event. Bask in the sun and enjoy added confidence on your holiday with cruise insurance.

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Why should you get travel insurance when taking a cruise?

If you're going on a cruise, even just around Australia, it's wise to consider travel insurance. Why? Because unexpected events can occur, and Medicare may not cover you onboard.

Any traveller who is planning to take a cruise should consider purchasing travel insurance, including those travelling with family, friends, or alone. It’s also important to consider how long your cruise is planned to be. A longer trip (over 7 days) provides a greater likelihood of encountering unexpected contingencies during the journey.

Travel insurance for cruises can come in handy in various scenarios, including lost or stolen luggage and belongings, cancelling a pre-booked cruise due to unforeseen circumstances, and accidents at sea.

What if I need medical assistance during the cruise?

Cruise ships, whether they are navigating domestic or international waters, are equipped with medical facilities and staff. However, it's important to note that the role of these onboard medical professionals is mainly to provide initial stabilisation in case of health emergencies.

In situations where a passenger requires urgent and extensive medical care while on a cruise, the response may involve a medical evacuation. This process involves transporting the individual from the ship to the nearest hospital for comprehensive treatment. The cost of such evacuations can vary greatly and often depends on the cruise's location in the world at the time of the emergency. This is a significant consideration, especially in remote or international waters, where evacuation logistics can be complex and expensive.

Does Medicare cover me while I’m on a cruise?

As with all other types of holidays, the unexpected can happen, and you may not be eligible for Medicare once your ship leaves port.

For cruises within Australian waters, it might be a good idea to have travel insurance as claims on Medicare or private health insurance may not be applicable, even on a domestic cruise. Check in advance whether the cruise ship provides access to a Medicare-registered doctor to ensure you have appropriate medical coverage during your journey.

Additionally, cruises travelling between an Australian port and a foreign port are not eligible for Medicare benefits, regardless of the practitioner, and the same goes for journeys between two foreign ports.

Does travel insurance cover existing medical conditions?

Typically, travel insurance policies may include automatic coverage for a range of pre-existing medical conditions. However, it's important to note that not all conditions fall under this automatic coverage . For those that don't, a medical assessment is required to confirm if coverage is available for an additional cost.

During this assessment, the insurer evaluates the risk associated with the specific medical condition and decides whether it can be covered under the policy. This process helps tailor the insurance to your individual health needs, for more comprehensive protection.

It's important to disclose all existing medical conditions and undergo any recommended assessments to secure the most appropriate and extensive coverage for your travel insurance policy.

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Why should I get Australia Post’s cruise travel insurance?

While many cruise lines offer their own travel protection plans, these may only provide basic essentials or secondary cover, which might not be as comprehensive as standalone policies.

It may be a good idea to consider a policy backed by a global insurer, Zurich, through the travel insurance provided by Australia Post.

For journeys beyond Australian shores, consider our international travel insurance options.

Our policy includes emergency medical assistance, providing cover for both overseas medical and hospital expenses.

Before finalising any policy, thoroughly review its terms and conditions to clearly understand the coverage scope.

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Get a travel insurance online quote now.

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Limits, sub-limits, conditions, exclusions and fees apply. Policies may not be available to all travellers. Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No 338646) is the distributor of Australia Post Travel Insurance and is an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340 AFSL 457551). Travel insurance products are underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Consider your financial situation, needs and objectives and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before deciding to buy this insurance. For more information on these products, please contact us on 1300 728 015 or email [email protected]

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

AusPost Travel Team

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Australia Post acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live and gather as employees, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

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Where are you going?

Enter the destination(s) you plan to visit or select them from the list of countries and regions in the dropdown.

Planning a stopover? If you’re in a country for less than 72 hours, you do not need to list it as a destination.

Don’t currently know all the countries you’ll be visiting? You can select a region to obtain cover for all countries within that region, or you can select “Anywhere in the world”. Important: If selecting “Anywhere in the world”, your policy will not provide cover for claims arising in countries that are subject to sanctions. Your safety is paramount, so please read and familiarise yourself with the “ Standing Travel Alert for High Risk and Sanctioned Countries ” when undertaking worldwide travel – and before making any side trips to neighbouring countries – to ensure you have adequate cover.

Going on a cruise? If your cruise is in inland Australia (e.g. on the Murray River) or in Australian coastal water (e.g. the Kimberley), enter or select “Australia”. If your cruise embarks and disembarks from Australia ports only without any stopover at a port outside of Australia (e.g. a “Sampler Cruise” or cruise from Sydney to Brisbane), enter or select “Domestic Cruise”. If your cruise is overseas (e.g. a European river cruise, a Caribbean cruise, or a cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong), enter or select the country or region you will spend the most time in during your trip.

Want to come to Australia on our Inbound Plan? Select “Australia Inbound”.

When do you depart?

Enter the date you will leave your home to start your trip.

When do you return?

Enter the date you will arrive home based on AEST (considering any time differences/zones and travel times).

Duration of each trip?

Select the maximum trip duration that best suits your needs.

The maximum trip duration you select will apply to each separate trip you take during the 12-month period of your policy.

For cover to apply, you cannot take trips that exceed this maximum duration. If you make a claim related to a trip that exceeds this maximum duration, it may be declined.

The maximum trip duration you select will be shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

Age of each traveller?

Enter the age (as of today) of each adult and child to be included on the policy.

FAQs: Cruise Travel Insurance Benefits

Young woman of cruise ship

Protect your cruise holiday from medical expenses and more

Cruises are a popular holiday option for many Australians both domestically and aboard. But did you know that even if you don't leave Australian waters, you'll still need specific cruise cover included in your Cover-More travel insurance policy?

To help you plan - and protect - your cruise, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions about our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits.

For more helpful information about our cruise travel insurance benefits and how to purchase a policy with cruise benefits included, visit our cruise travel insurance benefits page.

Skip to read:

Will Medicare cover me for a domestic cruise in Australia?

Do i need to buy cover-more cruise insurance benefits separately, when’s the best time to purchase cover-more's cruise insurance benefits, can i buy cover-more cruise insurance benefits once i’m on my cruise, what cover-more policy do i need if my cruise stops in multiple destinations.

  • When don’t I need to add Cover-More's Cruise Cover to my policy?
  • Am I covered if I get sick on the cruise?
  • Am I covered if I need to be medically evacuated?
  • Am I covered if I become ill with COVID-19 while on a cruise?
  • Does Cover-More cover for pre-existing medical conditions on a cruise?

Does Cover-More travel insurance cover me if I – or my luggage – miss the boat?

  • Does Cover-More cover non-refundable expenses?
  • Does Cover-More cover if I my ship misses a stop?

Not all domestic cruise ships have access to a Medicare-accessible doctor on board. If you need to see a GP while on a domestic cruise, the cost won’t be covered by Medicare in these cases and – you may have to pay for it yourself in full.

At Cover-More, we can provide cover for these expenses when you tell us you are travelling on a sea or ocean cruise for two or more nights. An additional premium will need to be paid and cruise cover benefits will then be available on your policy. You don’t need to inform us if you are going on a river cruise, not travelling on a cruise ship, not travelling on a cruise ship for more than one night, if you are only taking a ferry, if the trip is on an inland river cruise in Australia, or if you are sailing. (Note: sailing is not covered in international waters). 

When generating a Cover-More travel insurance quote – the first step in buying our cover – you will be asked if you are travelling on a sea or ocean cruise for two or more nights (This is not required for river cruises in Australia or international destinations). An additional premium will be applied to your policy and the Cruise Cover benefits will be available once the premium is paid and the Certificate of Insurance issued.

To buy cover for a domestic cruise in Australia, select “Domestic Cruise” as the destination in the quote box, and answer the cruise question when prompted.

To buy cover for an international cruise, select the country or region or “Anywhere in the World” as your destination, and answer the cruise question when prompted.

Before protecting your trip with our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits, please read the PDS to ensure our product is right for you.

At Cover-More, we recommend you purchase travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip to help protect against incidents before you even leave home.

If you include a level of cancellation cover on your policy and have told us you are going on a sea or ocean-going cruise for two or more nights, and have paid the additional premium, the cancellation benefits will apply to your cruise as well.

For information on our optional cancellation cover, please read the PDS .

You can also get a quote online now.

No. For cruise benefits to apply, your travel insurance policy must include our Cruise Cover and must be purchased before you leave home. This also includes before you catch any flights or transportation required to get to your departing port.

To find out how much it costs to include our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits in your travel insurance policy, get a quote online now.

When generating your Cover-More travel insurance quote , you can select multiple destinations under “Where are you going?”. You can also select a region – such as “All of Africa” or “All of Europe” – or “Anywhere in the World” for cover in multiple destinations.

Then, when prompted, you must answer yes to the question around travelling on a sea or ocean-going cruise for two or more nights, and pay the additional premium, for the cruise cover benefits to be applied to your policy for cover while you’re on board a cruise.

If you need further assistance with protecting your multi-country cruise, call us on 1300 72 88 22.

When don’t I need to add Cover-More's Cruise Cover?

There are some scenarios when you don’t need to tell us you are going on a cruise of two or more nights. If you are:

  • not travelling on a cruise ship on the sea or ocean
  • on a cruise for only one night
  • only taking a ferry trip
  • only cruising in Australian or international rivers (e.g. on the Murray River, the Rhine or the Danube River)
  • sailing (note: sailing is not covered in international waters)

…then our Cruise Cover is not required.

Do Cover-More cruise insurance benefits cover me if I get sick on board the cruise?

Cruise ships do offer medical assistance, but the medics are only there to stabilise your condition.

If you require urgent medical attention, you may need to be evacuated from your cruise and taken to the hospital.

Our Cruise Cover benefits offer onboard medical and emergency dental cover, and ship to shore medical cover. This means if you get sick or injured, we can help.

Contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible if you are hospitalised while on a cruise.

Do Cover-More cruise insurance benefits cover me if I need to be medically evacuated?

Cruise ships are only equipped with basic medical assistance. If you require medical attention to prevent long-term medical illnesses or death, you will need to be evacuated from the ship.

Our Cruise Cover benefits can protect you from the expenses of being medically evacuated, which is often a costly exercise.

One of our Cover-More customers fractured their leg onboard a cruise ship and had to be evacuated via an air ambulance back to Australia for surgery. The total claim cost was $90,000.

If you don’t want to be out-of-pocket for unexpected cruise holiday expenses, consider protecting your trip with Cover-More. You can read the PDS to understand if the product is suitable for you before getting a quote online .

Do Cover-More cruise insurance benefits cover me if I become ill with COVID-19 while on a cruise?

Our Cruise Cover benefit includes cover for onboard emergency medical and dental expenses and ship-to-shore medical expenses incurred by travellers on multi-night cruises. If you fall ill with COVID-19 while on board a cruise, we can help you financially and provide emergency assistance support if required.

For more information on what is and isn’t covered regarding COVID-19 while you’re on a multi-night cruise, please read the PDS . For example, it’s important to know there is no cover for any cabin confinement claims related to COVID-19 – even if Cruise Cover is included in your policy.

Does Cover-More cover pre-existing medical conditions on a cruise?

Yes, we can. When you generate a quote, you will go through the same medical assessment process that exists for non-cruising travellers.

If your online medical assessment is approved, and you pay any extra premium to us as part of your policy cost, we will be able to offer you cover for your pre-existing medical condition/s.

If you choose to declare some medical conditions and not others, you run the risk of a claim being denied.

Visit our existing medical conditions page to view a comprehensive list of conditions included in our plans, and quote online to complete our online medical assessment for conditions we can cover for an extra cost.

Please note: if you are not approved for your existing medical conditions, we can still provide cover for other travel insurance benefits, such as lost luggage and travel documents, and any illness or injury not relating to your existing medical condition.

If you miss the boat because of a delayed connection, our Cruise Cover option may be able to set you on your way again.

A group of our Cover-More customers missed their cruise because of a delayed flight. To add to their worries, their luggage still hadn’t arrived by the time they landed in Auckland. By the time they reached the cruise terminal (without their luggage), it was too late to board their cruise. Missing the first segment of their trip, they opted to fly to Vanuatu, where they were able to meet their cruise. Cover-More settled their claim for extra travel costs of $1,560.

If the cruise ship takes off without your bags and your Cover-More policy includes our Cruise Cover option, our delayed luggage cover can reimburse you for any reasonable expenses incurred to replace delayed items.

Travelling with expensive items? Additional cover may be required if you want those high-priced items insured. This extra level of cover can be added to your policy when you purchase it.

For more information regarding our delayed luggage cover and benefit limits, read the Product Disclosure Statement .

Does Cover-More travel insurance cover non-refundable expenses?

If sudden illness, injury, or an unexpected weather event prevents you from experiencing your cruise, our Cover-More travel insurance with Cruise Cover benefits can help. This includes providing cover for non-refundable, unused, prepaid expenses such as deposits or onshore bookings up to the level of cancellation cover you have added to your policy.

One of our Cover-More customers was about to embark on a cruise to Sydney for their 50th birthday. Sadly, a few months before their trip, they were diagnosed with leukaemia. Advised against long-distance travel while undergoing chemotherapy, they cancelled their cruise immediately. As they purchased their policy with the Cruise Cover option and cancellation cover included – plus they had declared all existing medical conditions – Cover-More reimbursed the lost expenses of $1,500.

Note: the benefit limit for cruise cancellation depends on the cover chosen when buying your policy. Please read the PDS for details.

Do Cover-More cruise insurance benefits cover me if my ship misses a stop?

Unfortunately, we do not cover claims resulting from lack of enjoyment. If your ship is unable to visit a port, we will not be able to compensate you for loss of enjoyment.

Depending on the cover purchased and the circumstances of a claim, we may be able to cover cancellation of non-refundable, prepaid onshore tours.

Ready to book your cruise?

Find out how Cover-More cruise insurance benefits can protect your holiday.

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The Best Travel Insurance for Australia in 2024

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Travelex Insurance Services »

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Allianz Travel Insurance »

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Generali Global Assistance »

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

GeoBlue »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance for Australia.

Table of Contents

  • Travelex Insurance Services
  • Allianz Travel Insurance

Most travelers heading "Down Under" need to make quite the trek, and that's especially true for those planning a trip to Australia from the United States. Flying from Los Angeles to Sydney takes around 15 hours, and even more travel time is required to get to Melbourne and other destinations that require a layover on the way.

Plenty can go wrong in route to Australia as well as once you get there, and the potential for financial losses can be great if you're not careful. Not only can traveling long distances increase the risk of travel delays, but you also face the risk of flight cancellations, baggage delays, lost baggage and missed connections.

These are just some of the reasons why it makes sense to have a robust travel insurance plan in place before you fly overseas for a vacation in Australia. While any reputable travel insurance provider can provide you with protection for emergency medical expenses, your bags, travel delays and other various travel mishaps, we curated this list of top travel insurance plans for a trip to Australia specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel to Australia requires a huge commitment in terms of travel time and cost, which is why you'll want to make sure you have coverage that can reimburse you if something goes wrong. If your flight is delayed or canceled , your bags are lost in transit, or a missed connection leaves you stuck in another country for several days, having travel insurance means you can get reimbursement for unexpected hotel stays, meals you have to pay for and various incidental expenses.

Having travel insurance for Australia that includes medical coverage is also crucial since coverage provided in U.S. health plans will not apply.

Some travel credit cards offer coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions, travel delays, and lost or delayed baggage. However, credit cards are a poor source for coverage that protects against emergency medical expenses. Most credit cards do not offer coverage for emergency medical expenses or emergency medical evacuation at all, and those that do (such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve ) have insufficient coverage limits.

  • Travelex Insurance Services: Best for Families
  • Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Flexible Cancellations
  • Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
  • World Nomads Travel Insurance: Best for Adventure Travel
  • GeoBlue: Best for Travel Health Insurance

Kids ages 17 and younger are covered automatically with Travel Select plan

Primary coverage with no deductibles

Lower limits for medical expenses than some providers

  • 100% trip cancellation coverage worth up to $50,000
  • 150% trip interruption coverage worth up to $75,000
  • Trip delay coverage worth up to $2,000 for delays of five hours or longer ($200 daily limit applies)
  • Missed connection coverage worth up to $750 for delays of three hours or longer
  • Up to $50,000 in protection for emergency medical expenses (dental sublimit of $500)
  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Up to $1,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
  • Up to $200 in coverage for baggage delays of 12 hours or longer
  • Up to $200 in coverage for sporting equipment delays of 24 hours or longer
  • $25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)

Optional CFAR coverage reimburses at 80%

Numerous plans to choose from

Lower coverage limits for medical expenses than some providers

  • Up to $100,000 per traveler in coverage for trip cancellations
  • Up to $150,000 per traveler in coverage for trip interruptions
  • Up to $500 per traveler in Trip Change Protector coverage
  • Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage per traveler
  • Up to $500,000 for emergency medical transportation per traveler
  • Up to $1,000 toward baggage loss or damage per traveler
  • Up to $300 per traveler in coverage for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
  • Up to $800 in protection for travel delays per traveler (daily limit of $200 applies)
  • $100 per insured person per day in SmartBenefits coverage for eligible delays
  • 24-hour hotline assistance
  • Concierge services

Tailor medical coverage to your needs

Generous limits for emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions only available with Premium plan

Optional CFAR coverage with Premium plan only reimburses at 60%

  • Trip cancellation coverage up to 100% of the trip cost
  • Trip interruption coverage up to 175% of the trip cost
  • Travel delay coverage up to $1,000 per traveler ($300 daily limit)
  • Up to $2,000 per person in baggage protection; $500 for delays
  • Up to $2,000 per person in coverage for sporting equipment; $500 for delays
  • Up to $1,000 per person in missed connection coverage
  • Up to $250,000 per person in coverage for emergency medical and dental procedures
  • Up to $1 million in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation ($10,000 limit for companion hospitality expenses)
  • Up to $25,000 per person in rental car coverage
  • Accidental death and dismemberment coverage

Coverage for more than 200 sports and activities

24-hour travel assistance services included

Low coverage limits within standard plans

No coverage for most preexisting conditions

  • Up to $10,000 in coverage for trip cancellations
  • Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
  • Up to $500,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation
  • Up to $3,000 in protection for damage or theft to your bags or gear

Offers travel health insurance for lengthy trips abroad

Deductibles can apply

Some plans require a primary U.S. health insurance plan

  • Up to $1,000,000 medical maximum per insured person
  • Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation per trip
  • Up to $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment
  • Up to $2,500 in coverage for emergency family travel arrangements
  • Up to $25,000 in medical coverage for hazardous activities like skiing and diving
  • Up to $500 per trip in lost baggage and personal effects coverage ($100 limit per bag)
  • Up to $1,000 per trip period in post-departure trip interruption transportation
  • Up to $50 per day in post-departure trip interruption quarantine coverage (in the case of COVID-19)
  • Up to $25,000 in protection for repatriation of remains

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning writer who has been covering topics like family travel, cruises, all-inclusive resorts and travel insurance for well over a decade. Johnson has researched and purchased travel insurance plans for her own trips, and she has successfully filed claims and received reimbursement more than once over the years. Currently, Johnson uses an annual travel insurance policy from Allianz to cover her family's many trips overseas each year. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg – who sells travel insurance for trips all over the world – in their family media business. Johnson also co-owns the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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Fast Cover Announces Flexible Travel Insurance for Modern Australian Travelers

As international borders reopens and travel restrictions ease, Australians are once again embracing their love for travel.

New South Wales, Australia - March 12, 2024 —

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Fast Cover , a popular Australian travel insurance provider, has committed itself to meeting this resurgence in customer demand. With its award-winning services and customer-focused products, Fast Cover is committed to revolutionizing the way Australians think about and purchase travel insurance.

Established with the intent to simplify the often-complex travel insurance process, Fast Cover has developed a range of policies that can cater to the needs of a wide range of traveler types, from the adventure-seekers to those looking for a relaxed family holiday. Recognizing the evolving nature of travel, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fast Cover has introduced flexible policy options that offer coverage for certain expenses that may incur when COVID-19 impacts travel.

Fast Cover's intuitive online interface allows customers to obtain quotes and eligible travelers from Australia to purchase insurance in just a few steps - a streamlined process that acknowledges the modern traveler’s desire for efficiency and speed. Their approach to online travel insurance as a coverholder at Lloyd’s is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and customer service excellence.

As the travel industry navigates post-pandemic recovery, Fast Cover's agility and adaptability position it well to address the changing insurance needs. Their insurance products which can be customised by the customer depending on the customers individual travel needs, demonstrate an understanding that the landscape of travel has changed, with more Australians seeking domestic travel options.

By offering competitive domestic travel insurance, Fast Cover meets this demand head-on, providing a variety of Benefits with possible coverage for car rental excess, luggage, personal effects, and trip cancellation fees and more.

With the industry on the cusp of a major comeback, Fast Cover's approach to travel insurance signifies a broader shift in the sector towards greater flexibility and customer-centricity. As travel habits continue to evolve, Fast Cover is not just keeping pace but focused on setting the trend for what travel insurance should look like in the 21st century.

For Australians at home or abroad, taking to the skies or cruising the seas, Fast Cover's message is clear: “Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team is ready and waiting to help our policy holders when they need us most.”

If getting a quote, customers should consider their Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination on their website as any advice provided is general advice only and may not be suitable for the customer.

For more information on Fast Cover’s travel insurance policies which are underwritten by Lloyd’s and to obtain a quote, visit their website  https://fastcover.com.au .

About the company: Fast Cover Pty Ltd ABN 98 143 196 098, AFS Licence 538708 (Fast Cover). Insurance policies are arranged, administered and varied in accordance with the binder issued to Fast Cover by the underwriters and are underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd's. Any advice provided is general only and insurance coverage is subject to underwriting eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, limits, sub limits and exclusions. Fast Cover's compensation is included in the total amount you pay. Fast Cover receives a portion of the insurer's premium for promoting Fast Cover Travel Insurance policies. Consider the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) which are available at fastcover.com.au before deciding whether this product is right for you.

Contact Info: Name: Craig Morison Email: Send Email Organization: fastcover Address: PO Box R1384, Royal Exchange, NSW 1225, Australia Phone: 1300 409 322 Website: https://fastcover.com.au/

Release ID: 89123902

In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected]. Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.

  • Travel Insurance

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Our Guide To The Best Family Travel Insurance For Australians

Updated: Mar 13, 2024, 12:31pm

Table of Contents

What is family travel insurance, should i take out family travel insurance, what types of family travel insurance are there, what does family travel insurance cover, what does family travel insurance exclude, how much does family travel insurance cost, frequently asked questions (faqs).

A family holiday can be the experience of a lifetime, often jam-packed with day trips and activities for both the adults and kids to enjoy.

However, travelling in numbers, following complex itineraries and taking long trips to other continents, as many Australians do, can provide plenty of opportunity for something to go wrong and potentially ruin the getaway.

Family travel insurance can cover you losing your luggage en route to Bali, the little one breaking an arm on a waterslide, and even needing to cancel the holiday due to the whole family falling ill. We explain how it works below.

Related: Our Pick of the Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance for Australians

Featured Partners

Cover-More Travel Insurance

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On Cover-more’s secure website

Medical cover

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Cancellations

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

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Medical Cover

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit on dental

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

WAS Insurance

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Medical Cover & Support

Unlimited* + 24/7 Support

Cancellation AND Disruption

Up to $40,000*

You can take out separate cover for each person in a party, but many providers also offer the option to cover a family in one go, on one policy. To be considered a family, you and your partner must be travelling with children, who are your dependents, are not in full-time work and depending on the provider, are aged under 18 to 25. Often providers will accept parents, step-parents or legal guardians going on holiday with their children, or step-children and grandparents travelling with their grandchildren.

When running quotes for travel insurance online you may come across the option for family cover. Either way, you’ll be required to state the number of people travelling and their ages, which will enable you to view quotes for policies suitable for families.

Travellers may choose family travel insurance over purchasing individual policies for each family member for the following reasons:

  • Lower costs: Family cover can be the cheaper option, but not always so it’s best to compare individual policies too.
  • Less paperwork: You and the rest of your family will all be on the same policy, and typically will have the same cover levels, so you won’t have tonnes of form-filling.
  • Shorter application process: You’ll be able to take out cover for all family members at the same time, rather than going through the application process multiple times.

To be considered a family, you and your partner must be travelling with children, who are your dependents, are not in full-time work and depending on the provider, are aged under 18 to 25.

Family travel insurance may not be the best option if you are:

  • Travelling with a mature relative: travel insurance tends to rise in cost the older you are, owing to the increased risk of falling ill while away. As mature relatives can bump up the cost of a policy, it may be worth insuring them separately.
  • Travelling with someone who has a medical condition: Insurers refer to medical conditions travellers had before taking out cover as ‘pre-existing’, and some don’t cover these conditions. Those that do may charge extra, which can raise the overall cost of a family policy. Taking out separate cover for relatives with pre-existing conditions can sometimes work out cheaper.

As with other forms of travel insurance, there are three main options when taking out cover for the family:

Single trip: This type of policy covers a one-off holiday taken within the space of 12 months. Annual Multi-trip: It can be more cost-effective to opt for this type of policy if you and your family intend to take more than one holiday in the next year, and you’re able to plan your vacation well in advance. Long-stay: You’ll need this type of policy if you intend to travel for longer than 31 days, typically. Depending on the provider, cover can last for six, 12, 18 and even 24 months.

The various types of cover provided by family travel insurance is wide ranging and differs between policies. Common forms include:

  • Emergency medical expenses: Covers the cost of treatment should a member of the party fall ill or get injured while away. Comprehensive policies often offer no limit on this cover.
  • Trip cancellation: Pays out should an emergency such as illness or bereavement prevent your trip from going ahead.
  • Baggage and belongings: Covers your luggage and personal effects. Look out for a total limit on cover as well as sub-limits for individual items.
  • Passport and personal documents: Covers the cost of replacing travel documents if lost or stolen.
  • Personal liability: covers you or a family member that injures someone else or damages someone’s property.

Policies will usually protect you and your family for an array of sports and activities, but cover for winter sports, and cruise holidays often come at an additional cost through ‘add-on’ packs.

Looking through the product disclosure statement (PDS) of a travel insurance policy is a crucial prerequisite to purchasing cover, as it will list exactly what the policy covers but also any restrictions and exclusions and sub limits that apply. While these all can differ between policies, generally you can expect most insures to not accept claims that are the result of:

  • Intoxication and disorderly behaviour: an insurer is unlikely to pay out if your claim resulted from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or reckless behaviour.
  • A pre-existing condition you didn’t declare: some travel insurance providers do not cover pre-existing medical conditions. If they do, you’ll need to declare these conditions during the medical screening section of the application to make a related claim in the future.
  • Injury caused when not wearing safety gear: Insurers often refuse injury claims caused by taking part in a sport or activity, where the traveller did not wear the appropriate safety gear, such as a helmet, harness or knee pads.
  • Travelling against official advice: All travellers should make sure to regularly refer to the government’s Smart Traveller updates on the status of their holiday destination. Travelling to a destination on the Smart Traveller’s “do not travel” list, such as Iran or Yemen, can invalidate your policy.

The cost of family travel insurance varies between providers, but they tend to consider holiday destination and length, the age of all members of the party and whether anyone has any pre-existing conditions among other factors when determining price.

To provide an idea of how much a comprehensive policy can cost we ran quotes for a family spending 13 to 26 May in Bali, on the website of the top five insurers we consider to offer the best travel insurance. You can view our full ranking to see how our top 10 picks compare.

We used the profile of a family of four, aged 42, 40, 14, and 12, all without pre-existing conditions, though all five providers cover pre-existing conditions. Note: that quotes will likely be higher for this form of protection. You can find the quotes below, including the maximum number of dependents that can be covered by the insurer:

Each also offers an unlimited amount of emergency medical cover, while the policies from Travel Insurance Direct, Bupa Travel Insurance and insure4less additionally include cover for unexpected dental issues. All policies also cover travel delay, baggage and belongings, travel documents and passports, accidental death and permanent disability should you or another member of the family suffer life changing injury. For a full breakdown of the full range of cover a policy offers, you can read its PDS.

When considering the cost of a policy, it’s also important to weigh it up against the excess it levies. This is the set portion of each claim amount you’ll be expected to pay, subject to certain exclusions as detailed in the PDS. Allianz and insure4less levies a standard excess of $200 on its policy. Bupa charges $250 in excess and InsureandGo, $100. Travel Insurance Direct does not readily state the excess amount payable on its policy online. Allianz and Bupa levies excess per incident, while insure4less applies it per person per incident. InsureandGo expects an excess payment per person, per incident, per section of the policy you are claiming under.

All providers offer more basic policies with lower levels of cover for a lower premium, and some also allow you to choose the excess level. Generally, opting to pay less in excess will raise the policy price, while paying more will lower it.

Can I buy travel insurance after arrival?

While you can buy travel insurance while away, it’s best to take out cover as soon as you book your trip. This will provide you with immediate protection should you have to cancel your holiday due to an emergency. Also, if you take out cover during your holiday, you may be subjected to a waiting period of three days or so before you can claim on your policy.

Does travel insurance cover the whole family?

Travel insurers set their own limits on the number of dependents they cover on their family travel insurance policies. Usually, they will insure up to six or eight children and two adults. Certain policies may offer cover for an unlimited number of dependents.

Do I need travel insurance for my child?

While travel insurance isn’t usually a legal obligation for children or adults, it can offer a vital form of protection, covering large expenses, such as emergency medical costs, that often reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.

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I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.

cruise and covid travel insurance australia

Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

What does cruise travel insurance cover? And does it pay to buy cruise travel insurance?

The answer is not always clear-cut, as we'll discuss in this guide. But consider this: It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising. Even the best-laid plans for a cruise vacation can sometimes be thrown off course by an unexpected event.

You might need to cancel a cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness, such as COVID-19 or the flu. Or, maybe you fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure. Or your ship is late arriving in port at the end of a voyage, and you miss your flight home.

In all of these situations, you might benefit from having cruise travel insurance — keyword "might."

Cruise insurance policies vary widely, and not every policy covers every type of mishap. That's why it always pays to read the fine print in a travel insurance policy before you purchase it to know what you're getting in advance.

It's also why you should read this introduction to everything you need to know about cruise insurance. It has many details, but the next time something unexpected happens on your cruise vacation, you'll be glad to be educated and covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

What does travel insurance cover when you cruise?

The typical cruise insurance policy covers a wide range of circumstances that can go wrong in conjunction with a vacation at sea — both before and during the sailing.

For starters, policies often will reimburse you for the cost of canceling a cruise due to a last-minute crisis. They will also often cover costs related to an interruption of a cruise (maybe your ship breaks down, requiring you to fly home mid-voyage ). These two elements are known as trip-cancellation and trip-interruption insurance, and they are bundled into a typical travel insurance policy.

Some policies will also cover out-of-pocket costs related to a flight delay or cancellation that results in you missing your cruise departure (for instance, the cost of catching up to the ship at its next port). Expenses related to baggage delays and loss are often covered as well.

But perhaps most importantly, many travel insurance policies will cover medical expenses you incur while on a cruise. Some will even cover the cost of evacuating from a foreign destination if you are in the midst of a medical crisis.

Travel insurance giant Allianz Global Assistance reports that 53% of all cruise-related "billing reasons" for claims are because of illness for the insured person, while 14% are for an injury. Another 8% are for the illness of a family member, 4% for the death of a family member and 4% for the illness of a traveling companion, among other reasons.

Those percentages include illness and accidents that happen to cruisers just before a trip, making travel impossible. But, in many cases, such claims result from illness and injuries that occur during voyages.

"People often take risks during vacation that they might not take back home, whether riding a jet ski, zipping around on a motorized scooter in a city they don't know well or hiking unfamiliar terrain," James Page, senior vice president and chief administration officer of AIG Travel, told TPG .

Some policies also cover the financial default of a travel provider. In such cases, if your cruise line goes out of business before you sail, you could get all — or at least some — of your money back.

Cruise travel insurance policies don't cover everything. For instance, standard travel insurers generally will not reimburse you for the cost of a cruise you cancel due to worries about an outbreak of an illness. That's true even if a U.S. government agency such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a recommendation that you don't cruise due to an illness outbreak, as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic .

If you want the ultimate flexibility to cancel for such a reason or any other, you'll want to look into a more expensive cancel for any reason travel insurance upgrade.

Related: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance policies

Where to find a cruise travel insurance policy

You can buy a travel insurance policy directly from your cruise line when booking your trip or through your travel agent (if you're using one, which often is a good idea when booking a cruise). You also can go directly to a third-party travel insurance provider or a travel-insurance aggregator site, such as InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance . Your credit card might even give you some travel protections.

Here's what you need to know about each type of cruise travel insurance.

Third-party insurance companies

Third-party insurance companies that specialize in writing travel insurance include AIG Travel, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance and American Express Travel Insurance.

One reason to use a travel agent or a travel aggregator: They can help you find a policy that offers added coverage specific to cruising.

Related: The Points Guy's guide to the best travel insurance companies

"Many plans now offer benefits that will specifically appeal to cruise travelers, such as missed connection, missed port-of-call and cruise disablement coverage," Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com, said.

Missed connection coverage reimburses cruisers for a set dollar amount if they need to rebook travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed port-of-call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call due to weather, a natural disaster or a mechanical breakdown.

Cruise disablement coverage pays a benefit if the traveler is confined on a ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restrooms.

As noted, policies vary widely. It's a good idea to compare plans and make sure the one you buy has the elements that are most important to you. One size doesn't fit all.

Credit cards with travel benefits

Some premium credit cards offer valuable travel protections comparable to what you might get from a standard travel insurance plan. For example, the travel insurance provided when you pay for travel with select cards can reimburse you for expenses if your baggage is damaged, you're stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation, or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, offers trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency medical coverage and even medical evacuation coverage , among other benefits. And yes, cruise lines are considered common carriers just like airlines.

If you're planning to rely on a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express * (among others) for travel insurance, just be sure to recheck your card's benefits and limits carefully against regular travel insurance. You must pay for at least part — and sometimes all — of the trip with that credit card to take advantage of its protections.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Find out if your credit card protection includes travel accident insurance or covers preexisting medical conditions, and figure out when it will pay you back. Other questions to ask: What are the coverage limits? Will you have to pay for a foreign hospital bill upfront and then seek reimbursement later?

Cruise lines

Cruise lines often ask consumers booking a cruise to buy the line's own protection at the time of purchase. If specifics about the coverage are lacking, always ask the line for details in advance, review coverage perks and limits; then, compare those to one or two independent travel insurance policies or your credit card's insurance benefits.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Cruise line travel insurance policies sometimes have quirks. Many cruise companies will only offer a travel voucher or credit for future use in the event of a covered cancellation, not an outright refund.

Also, financial default may not be a covered event in a cruise line-sold policy, but it's typically covered with plans from third-party travel insurance companies.

Cruise line policies also can be more restrictive.

"Cruise line insurance seems to have become better and has more widespread coverage than in the past, but it typically won't cover air or pre- and post-travel [arrangements] unless those elements are purchased through [the line]," said Debra Kerper, a Cruise Planners travel adviser from Carrollton, Texas, who books travel and sells private insurance. "This is when private insurance coverage becomes so very important."

How much does cruise insurance cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 8% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for a travel insurance policy. That's a wide range, we know, but it reflects the wide range of products out there.

You'll also find some basic plans that cost even less than 4% of your trip expenses, while some super-premium plans that cover just about any conceivable issue can cost as much as 12% of your trip expenses.

Related: What's included in your cruise fare?

All reputable insurance companies will offer a "free-look period" during which you can receive a 100% refund on your premium. This allows you to review the policy you've selected and return it for any reason within the period allotted — usually for a small administration fee of less than $10.

Under normal circumstances, you don't need to purchase a so-called "cancel for any reason" add-on to your cruise travel insurance policy unless you really need the flexibility. The upgrades are significantly more expensive.

You can receive a quote and purchase a policy online in minutes with any credit card. Although you may think travel insurance should code as "travel" when paid on a credit card and thus be eligible for bonus points on certain cards, that isn't always the case. Your points earnings will depend on the individual underwriter's merchant code. When in doubt, expect the purchase to fall under the insurance category for earnings.

Should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

Whether you buy travel insurance is a personal decision that will depend on many factors. Would you be willing to absorb the loss of canceling a cruise on short notice due to an illness or accident? Could you afford an evacuation flight from a far-off port if you suddenly became seriously ill? Only you can answer those sorts of questions.

Here are some things to consider as you make that decision.

You might not be covered by regular medical insurance while cruising

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling internationally (which will be the case for most cruises), you may find that most private medical insurance plans in the U.S. won't cover you.

Additionally, Original Medicare only covers people traveling outside U.S. borders in limited circumstances.

While certain Medicare Supplement Plans do have some foreign emergency medical benefits, not all do. Be sure to talk to your Medical Supplemental Plan provider to see if you're covered, what's covered, what the limits are and how the bill is paid.

Also note that, in some countries (particularly those in Central and South America), travelers may not be discharged from a hospital until their bill is paid in full.

Related: Trip wrecked: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

Plus, if you have a medical incident overseas, you could find yourself stuck in a shared hospital room without air conditioning or a private bathroom. The level of care may not be what you expect.

"For people traveling internationally, it's crucial to know beforehand where to go for any treatment … and how they're going to pay for that treatment," Page said.

Getting evacuated for a medical condition is expensive

Most airlines won't accept seriously ill passengers, those carrying bulky medical equipment or those requiring a full medical team.

Even a low-cost weekend getaway on a cruise to the Bahamas out of Miami can turn costly if you suffer a serious accident or illness requiring medical treatment or an emergency medical evacuation.

Related: Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, medical centers or hospitals?

Being flown back to the U.S. from a far-flung overseas location in a private, medically equipped aircraft, with a professional medical team on board, can run between $70,000 and $180,000, according to Mike Hallman, president and CEO of Medjet, a medical transport membership company.

"Domestic transports, which we cover as well, can cost upwards of $30,000," Hallman said.

Without proof of medical evacuation coverage, foreign providers will also want that money upfront. Hallman said that regular travel insurance will typically get you to an acceptable overseas hospital and even to a higher-level care facility if "medically necessary." Alternatively, medical evacuation coverage means you can fly home to your own hospital, doctors and family — without claim forms, cost caps on transports or surprise bills.

The tandem approach — buying both travel insurance and a separate medevac transport membership — is a good option, Hallman said.

"We always recommend travel insurance, as it covers trip interruption, which is important, as well as medical coverage for the hospital and treatment costs," he said. "We pick up where they leave off."

You can't predict the weather

Cruising is a great way to explore multiple destinations in one trip. But it's good to remember that unexpected delays, interruptions or cancellations due to weather can happen during cruises, particularly during hurricane seasons in places such as the Caribbean and Asia (where hurricanes are called typhoons).

During a typical hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), Allianz pays about 6,000 claims from customers whose travel plans in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. are affected by the storms, according to a spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance USA.

If you're hoping to insure against a storm-related disaster, it's good to buy travel insurance as early as possible. Once a storm or hurricane is named, it's too late to buy travel insurance to cover it.

Of course, cruise lines will move ships away from a weather threat. When the port lineup is adjusted or the cruise shortened, the company will offer the guest an onboard credit, onboard gift or future cruise credit rather than any refund. It depends on the circumstances of that specific voyage. You won't be able to make a claim on your cruise travel insurance policy just for a minor itinerary change .

Related: Everything you need to know about cruising during hurricane season

Costs can mount quickly when things go wrong

Even if the cruise line does provide a full or partial refund or cruise credit for an itinerary change or some other interruption, travelers could have to swallow the cost of other travel elements not purchased through the line. That could include nonrefundable flights , prepaid resort or hotel nights, nonrefundable tour fees and more.

Travel insurance can cover those, plus help with flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss or theft.

If a winter storm causes you to miss your flight to where the ship is boarding , "travel insurance could help you get to the next port to join the cruise, so you don't miss your entire trip," Page said.

In fact, 13% of "billing reasons" for claims to Allianz are for common carrier delays (such as a flight delay), while weather and natural disaster-related claims account for about 3%.

The government probably won't bail you out

While cruise ships have medical facilities, they're usually not equipped to treat serious illnesses. If you experience a serious medical problem on a vessel, you may have to get off the ship in a foreign port to seek treatment at a hospital. In such a case, if you don't have medical evacuation insurance, you may then find yourself stranded in that port awaiting a medical evacuation.

Don't expect Uncle Sam to step in and help foot the bill.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs clearly states the importance of buying travel insurance.

"The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. citizens overseas," the bureau says on the website. "We do not pay medical bills. You should purchase insurance before you travel."

You may need more assistance than you think

If you're injured or become severely ill during a cruise, especially in a foreign country, it may be difficult to access help without the assistance of trained professionals that comes with many insurance plans.

Many travel insurance companies provide around-the-clock assistance with locating overseas clinics and pharmacies, getting to a doctor or hospital, refilling lost or depleted prescriptions, assisting with up-front payments to hospitals, and arranging flight changes so you can get home.

Travel insurance companies also can arrange for an air ambulance, a nurse escort, oxygen and a lie-flat seat on a flight home if your medical condition warrants it.

You want to be careful if you have preexisting conditions

When you cruise, it's important to be fully covered, which means having comprehensive medical coverage that includes any preexisting conditions. Otherwise, if you head into a doctor's office overseas, have any tests completed, or visit an urgent care center or emergency room, you might not be covered.

Here, timing is extremely important. Cruisers seeking coverage of preexisting conditions, as well as cancel for any reason insurance, generally must book within seven to 21 days of the first payment they make for a trip. The timing varies by insurer.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance isn't for every traveler — or even for every sailing. It's not inexpensive. However, it can bring a lot of peace of mind if you're about to head out to sea. Do your homework, compare plans and always assess the risks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • Top ways cruisers waste money
  • 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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