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Hey cruisers! I’m going on my first big cruise next year and I’m on the fence about buying cruise insurance. It adds a few hundred dollars to the total cost, and I’m wondering if it’s really worth it. Have you ever been really glad you had it, or do you think it’s mostly an unnecessary expense? Trying to decide if I should shell out the extra cash. What’s your experience?
I always buy cruise insurance because the one time I didn’t on a $3000 trip, I had to cancel last minute due to illness and lost the entire amount. The $200 I now spend on insurance for similar trips feels like a small price to pay for that peace of mind, especially knowing that medical issues on board can easily cost over $400 for a simple doctor’s visit.
I had to use my Allianz annual policy last year when I severely injured myself and had to cancel a trip. The claims process was quick, mostly online, and after just one phone call, I got my money reimbursed within a week. My annual policy costs me around $500, and it covers up to $5,000 annually for trip cancellation, plus significant medical and evacuation benefits. For the three to four international trips I take each year, this is more cost-effective than buying individual policies.
I personally don’t worry too much about losing the $2000 I spent on my last cruise if I had to cancel, but the thought of a medical emergency is what makes me buy insurance. A friend’s daughter had an allergic reaction in Europe and the transfer back to the US cost tens of thousands of dollars. My Allianz policy gives me $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage and maybe $50,000 for medical claims, which is crucial because my regular health insurance might not fully cover me overseas.
I rely on the travel insurance benefits that come with my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. The annual fee is $550, but after the $300 travel credit, it’s like paying $250 for pretty comprehensive coverage, including trip cancellation, interruption, and medical emergencies. Plus, I earn 3x points on travel purchases, which I can redeem for future trips, effectively offsetting some of the cost.
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