Planning a cruise vacation involves numerous considerations, and one crucial decision is whether to purchase travel insurance. While cruise lines offer their own insurance options, experts suggest exploring third-party providers for potentially more comprehensive coverage. Let’s delve into the details.
Philip Perrey’s experience highlights the complexities of cruise line travel insurance. After a flight delay to Miami, he successfully used a third-party policy to get reimbursed. However, his in-laws, who purchased insurance through the cruise line, faced difficulties obtaining reimbursement due to stringent documentation requirements.
“It left a really bad taste in my mouth on that policy,” Perrey said, expressing his intention to explore alternative insurance options for future cruises.
The Convenience vs. Coverage Trade-off
Purchasing travel insurance directly through a cruise line is undeniably convenient. It’s often a simple add-on during the booking process. However, this ease of purchase might come at the cost of comprehensive coverage.
Suzanne Morrow, senior vice president of InsureMyTrip, points out that cruise lines sometimes employ “scare tactics” to encourage insurance purchases. While convenient, these policies might not offer the same level of protection as those from independent providers.
Cruise Credit vs. Cash Refund
One key difference lies in the type of reimbursement offered. Cruise line insurance often provides cruise credits for future voyages rather than cash refunds. This might not be ideal if you prefer the flexibility of a cash refund.
Moreover, cruise line policies can be “a lot thinner,” covering fewer reasons for cancellation compared to third-party options, according to Morrow.
Maurice Smith, a luxury travel advisor, emphasizes that third-party policies generally have higher limits for health coverage, which is especially important given that many health insurance plans don’t cover medical expenses incurred at sea or in foreign countries.
Cruise ship logo
The Rising Concerns of Onboard Illness
With increasing reports of illnesses like Norovirus on cruise ships, such as the Ruby Princess cruise ship incident where over 300 people fell ill, having adequate medical coverage is paramount. While cruise lines have medical facilities, they may not accept insurance directly.
Cost Considerations
Cruise line insurance rates are typically a percentage of the trip cost. In contrast, third-party policy prices are based on various factors, including age and destination.
Morrow suggests that exploring beyond the cruise line’s offerings can often lead to better coverage at a lower price. “There’s so many more factors that go into the calculation of the cost, that a lot of times you can pay less and get more coverage,” she notes.
Smith agrees, advising travelers to “shop around” to find the best rates and coverage options.
Finding the Right Cruise Insurance
To make an informed decision, Smith recommends carefully comparing the pros and cons of cruise line policies against third-party options. Details of coverage can be found on the cruise line and insurance providers’ websites.
Websites like InsureMyTrip and Squaremouth allow travelers to compare policies from multiple providers. Many insurance companies also offer customer service agents who can provide personalized guidance.
Morrow concludes that choosing the right cruise insurance depends on individual concerns and the desire for peace of mind.
Ultimately, deciding “Should You Buy Travel Insurance For A Cruise” requires careful consideration of your individual needs, risk tolerance, and budget. While cruise line insurance offers convenience, exploring third-party options can potentially provide more comprehensive coverage and better value.
