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I used to always buy the insurance offered by the cruise line, but I learned it often doesn’t cover flights booked separately and might only give you a partial refund or future cruise credit if you cancel. Now, I prefer third-party insurers like Allianz or AIG Travel Guard, which often have more comprehensive coverage and can be cheaper. For my last $4500 trip, I got a Travel Insured policy for just $144, which included a million dollars worth of medical evacuation coverage.
After decades of cruising, I’ve never had to make a claim, so for me, the $100-$200 I’d spend on insurance for a $1500 cruise seems like money I could save. I understand the risks, but I consider my vacations a luxury, and while losing the money wouldn’t be ideal, it wouldn’t cause a major financial loss for me. However, I do acknowledge that medical evacuation costs, which can easily reach $15,000 or more, are a significant risk.
I had to cancel a $6000 cruise three days before sailing due to a positive COVID test, and thankfully, the $199 I spent on insurance gave me a 100% refund. Without it, I would have been out thousands of dollars. Considering the unpredictable nature of travel, especially with potential health issues or flight cancellations, that small insurance cost provided invaluable protection.
As an older cruiser, unexpected health events are a bigger concern for me. For my last cruise, the insurance was less than $100, and it covered things like medical emergencies and trip interruptions. Seeing stories of people being airlifted off ships with bills upwards of $40,000 makes me realize that the cost of insurance is minimal compared to that potential financial burden.
I always use insuremytrip.com to compare different policies, and for a recent $2200 cruise, I found a policy for about $150. It’s important to read the fine print, though, because cheaper “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policies often have many loopholes. Make sure the policy covers what’s important to you, whether it’s medical, evacuation, or cancellation.
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