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Why Cruisers Love Compare Travel Insurance

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.

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.

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.

Ships ahoy! We compare cruise policies for all types of travellers from Australia’s reputable travel insurers, including 1Cover, Fast Cover, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Zoom Travel Insurance and more!

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.

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.

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

A common misconception is that Medicare covers cruisers in domestic water. When in fact Medicare coverage is restricted to around 20km from Australian ports, which means that once you’re out on the water; you’re on your own in terms of healthcare.

You are just as likely to fall ill, get injured or run into delays while cruising domestically as you are when travelling overseas. While cruise ships do have doctors on call, this doesn’t undermine the need for travel insurance. Infirmary bills can be as much as $5,000 per day and consultations and medications are usually charged at private, costly rates. In an emergency the facilities on board may not cut it, forcing you to evacuate to the nearest hospital. Without travel insurance, any medical fees and emergency transport expenses would be at your own cost.

If you consider the astronomical risks, cruise insurance is a no-brainer!

What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?

Still not convinced you need cruise cover? Read on to find out why it’s your ticket to ‘sea’ the world!

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.

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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 be covered on land and sea. If you click ‘more info’ within the quote results, we tell you if the policy covers cruises automatically. Alternatively, when you are directed to your chosen insurer’s 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 you’re 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 destinations 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 medical 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 or false teeth (or any other high-value item) are worth more than this, you’ll need to tell your insurer so they can make sure you are properly insured.