Travel insurance for cruises FAQs

What does ‘cruise cover’ cover me for?

We cover your non-refundable deposits if you’re unable to make the cruise due to an unexpected event, such as if you suddenly fell critically ill before the cruise – which we all hope won’t happen(!) but just to give you an example.

We also extend your emergency medical cover for any onboard or ‘at sea’ medical expenses. That way if you’re injured or unexpectedly ill and an emergency evacuation is required, there’s unlimited cover for whatever it takes to get you back to dry land for on shore emergency medical care. Keep in mind that even a brief appointment with a doctor on board is likely to be expensive, as you’ll be charged private rates for the privilege. The other good news is that we don’t charge an excess for medical treatment, so if it did happen to be a $180 consultation fee, you could claim every cent of it back!

The policy will also cover you for all the standard policy benefits under the Comprehensive or Essentials policy type, depending on which option you select.

Find out what “emergency medical” covers you for.

How do I get travel insurance with cruise cover?

Simple. Just select the ‘going on a cruise’ button underneath the quote for the policy type you prefer. It will show you what the extra cost will be. Then all you have to do is click “buy” and follow the step by step process to confirm and buy your policy.

What if we miss the boat from a shore excursion, do you cover us to get back on the cruise?

In that situation you would need to provide proof that the reason you were unable to join the cruise after a shore excursion was due to an unexpected event beyond your control, and that you left a reasonable amount of time to get back to the cruise as required. So don’t get too distracted by all the great shopping bargains or delectable culinary treats on offer!

What do you consider to be a “cruise” – what if it’s just an overnight trip?

If you’re staying for one night or longer, then we consider the boat trip to be a cruise. So if you’re out for a day sailing, or sightseeing on a day trip to visit islands, you don’t need cruise cover.

Whereas if you’re spending the night or longer than one night, you will need to select cruise cover to ensure your deposits are covered, and that you’re covered for medical treatment and emergency medical evacuation if something unexpected happened while you were on the cruise.

What else do I need to know if I’m going on a cruise?

If you disembark (that’s the cruise lingo for get off the boat) at any port to explore the local area, then you need to include that destination on your policy. You can do that at the start, when you first get a quote and buy.

If you already have a policy and forgot to add all the places you think you may wish to visit while cruising, then you can add them to your policy – as long as it’s before you arrive in any of those destinations. See how do I add a country to my policy for details, or just click straight through to the online form to make a change to my policy.

What age do you limit cruise travel insurance cover for seniors?

Unlike others, we don’t tell you what you can and can’t do “at your age”. As long as you’re medically fit to travel, we think you should be able to get out there and make the most of it! Anyone can apply to buy a policy online if you’re 100 years old or under, and if you’re well and over 100 years old – that’s okay too. Just email us and we’ll help you through the application process for your holiday insurance policy.

What about pre-existing conditions and cruise travel insurance?

When you apply for a policy we’ll ask you a few questions, and if you have pre-existing conditions, you will complete a quick online medical assessment. It’s easy, you just need to get a quote, choose either a comprehensive or essentials policy and select ‘going on a cruise’. Hit the big “buy” button to continue, and you can begin your application. To get to the medical assessment we need a few details about you first, so please continue through the process and complete the form, then you’ll be asked a few questions about your health.

Once you’ve completed the medical assessment, we’ll confirm if we can cover you and what the total cost will be – before you buy. So you’ll know exactly what you, and your fellow travellers will be covered for when it comes to your pre-existing conditions, and how much it will cost.

For more about pre-existing conditions, you can read these FAQs:

What is a pre-existing condition?

What pre-existing conditions do you cover?

What medical conditions do you need to know about?

Do you cover pregnant women?

How do I get medical travel insurance for a domestic cruise in Australia?

Costs for emergency medical treatment on board and medical evacuation from a cruise ship are extremely expensive, and they’re not usually covered by public health care or private health insurance – even if it’s a domestic cruise in Australian waters! So it’s worth getting good travel insurance that will cover you in case you become ill or are injured on board.

You should also know, if you’re uninsured, then you or your family will be held personally responsible for cancellation, medical and any related costs whether something happens before you depart, while you’re on board – or while you’re overseas. Medicare and your own private health insurance won’t cover you for medical evacuation costs, or any medical care you receive on board or in another country. The only exception is if the services you receive are provided by an accredited Medicare provider, and your cruise is travelling between two Australian ports, with no stops outside Australia, then Medicare benefits may be payable. So if you’re on a domestic cruise, and you think you meet this criteria, check before you go if your ship has a Medicare-accessible doctor on-board. For more information check out ‘Health at sea’ on the smartraveller.gov.au site.

It’s worth having good medical insurance, even if you just need an appointment with a doctor on board – as everything on board is charged at private rates!

If something goes wrong, you want expert help fast so you can keep travelling. That’s where we can help you.

If you’re going on a domestic cruise and looking for emergency medical cover, email us at hello@holidayrescue.com.au and we’ll let you know what you need to do.