Travel Insurance for Cruises: Why It's a Must-Have Not a Maybe

Find out why you might consider purchasing travel insurance ahead of your next cruise

By Adam Palasciano

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated Oct. 1, 2024

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Are you tired of run-of-the-mill vacations? Step up your travel game and book a cruise.

A cruise can be a wonderful combination of relaxation and adventure. But too many people overlook a potential drawback of a cruise that can be costly.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

A costly cruise drawback

Once you have made a final payment on a cruise, you typically cannot change or cancel the booking.

Carnival Cruise Line's brand ambassador John Heald recently sounded the alarm about this truth on his Facebook page.

He highlighted real-life scenarios where passengers faced heartbreaking challenges — from illnesses to family emergencies — that prevented them from embarking on the cruise they booked.

When that happens, there often is no way for these passengers to claim a refund. Instead, those who have to cancel cruises are simply out of luck and have to take the financial loss.

However, Heald suggested one potential way to avoid the financial setback that can come with a canceled cruise: purchase travel insurance.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a safeguard against unexpected events. Coverage varies from policy to policy, but typically it can help reimburse losses associated with:

Trip cancellation or interruption
Baggage and personal effects damages or loss
Damage to rental property or a rental car coverage
Medical costs
Accidental death

That means many policies include comprehensive protection for unforeseen circumstances. If you suddenly have to cancel a cruise because of something unexpected, travel insurance might make you whole.

In that light, purchasing travel insurance for cruises should not be viewed merely as an added expense. Instead, it's a proactive measure that ensures financial security and peace of mind.

How to purchase travel insurance

Fortunately, buying travel insurance for a cruise should not be difficult.

Cruise lines such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer insurance as an add-on during the booking process. The insurance might cover things such as a death in the family, bad weather that prevents you from getting to the ship in time, and more.

It's crucial to carefully review policy details and make sure they align with your specific needs and concerns.

You can also purchase travel insurance for your cruise through insurers such as Allianz, Berkshire Hathaway, World Nomads and more. These companies typically provide coverage for things such as missed cruises due to delayed flights, trip cancellations, and medical emergencies onboard.

Travel agents can also guide you through insurance options. They will offer insights and suggest coverage that meets your specific needs.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Bottom line

As you plan your next cruise, don’t overlook the importance of travel insurance. Life is filled with uncertainties, and unforeseen events can disrupt even the most carefully laid plans.

Being unprepared for the unexpected can lead to significant financial losses. On the other hand, looking for the right travel insurance policy can help prevent a canceled cruise from ruining your financial fitness.

More from FinanceBuzz:

Benefits

Card Details

$0 annual fee
Simple, flat-rate rewards
Flexible redemption options
Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
Apply Now

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card

4.1

Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

Why we like it