Cruise travel insurance
How to find affordable travel insurance for cruises
Specialist cruise insurance is designed to cover risks that standard travel insurance doesn't. This guide explains what cruise insurance is, how it differs from regular travel insurance, and how to compare policies to find cover that’s affordable and right for your trip.
First, a quick overview of cruise insurance...
Cruise insurance protects you against specific cruise-related risks, such as cabin confinement and itinerary changes. Here's what you need to know:
Buy cruise cover ASAB – As Soon As you've Booked. This protects you should something happen before your departure.
You HAVE to have cruise insurance on certain cruise lines. These include Cunard, P&O and Royal Caribbean, so check your operator's requirements and get adequate cover.
Compare cruise insurance policies before you buy. Use comparison sites and our travel insurance tool to find the right cruise cover.
In the right place?
- Just want standard cover? See our Cheap travel insurance guide.
- Over 65 and want standard cover? See Over-65s' travel insurance.
- Got a medical condition and want standard cover? See Pre-existing conditions cover.
- Staycation planned? See UK travel insurance.
What is cruise insurance?
Cruise insurance is a type of travel insurance providing financial protection for cruise trips. This can include cover if your itinerary changes due to bad weather, you're confined to your cabin due to illness, or you have to cut your cruise short and return home early, among other cruise-specific risks.
If you've already got a standard travel insurance policy, you can often buy cruise cover as an add-on to that, or you can buy cruise insurance separately, on its own.
Providers generally offer both single-trip and annual cruise insurance policies, so whether you're taking one cruise or planning several sailings over the year, you can choose cover that suits how often you travel.
Does standard travel insurance cover cruises?
Many standard travel insurance policies DON'T automatically protect you against some of the risks that are uniquely specific to cruises, but if yours doesn't, you may be able to include cruise cover as an add-on. If not, you could look at getting a specific cruise insurance policy separately.
Follow our full step-by-step process when getting yourself cruise cover.
What does cruise insurance cover?
A typical cruise insurance policy covers risks that are specific to cruise travel. Here's a full breakdown...
What you typically CAN claim for | What you typically CAN'T claim for |
|---|---|
Cabin confinement. If you're ordered to stay in your cabin due to injury or illness, you may receive compensation for each full day confined. | Visiting countries with a Foreign Office travel warning. Most insurers won't pay out if you travel to a country the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against visiting. |
Trip cancellation and curtailment. This means you won't be left out of pocket if you need to cancel your cruise or leave it early. | Undeclared or excluded pre-existing medical conditions. Claims linked to conditions you didn't declare (or that were excluded) won't be paid out. |
Itinerary changes and unused excursions. If a significant part of what was promised isn't delivered (as defined by your policy), you may be entitled to compensation. | Minor itinerary changes. Small schedule changes or unscheduled alternative ports usually don't trigger a payout. |
Missed port departure. This helps pay for accommodation and travel costs if you miss the start of your cruise and need to catch it at another port – for example, due to unexpected travel delays. | Known events when you booked. You're unlikely to be covered for disruption that was already public knowledge when you booked, such as planned strikes. |
Cruise interruption. If you need to leave the ship for medical treatment, this cover helps pay for medical expenses and the cost of rejoining. | Illegal or reckless acts. Claims linked to illegal or reckless behaviour won't be accepted. |
Medical expenses. If you fall ill or are injured during a cruise and need medical treatment, including treatment on board the ship. | Treatment for illnesses where you didn't have the recommended vaccinations. Some insurers may reject claims if you become ill with a disease you could reasonably have protected yourself against. |
Money and belongings. Most cruise insurance policies cover lost, stolen or delayed baggage, as well as travel money that's lost or stolen. It's generally safer to carry less cash. Also make sure you use a top card for travelling abroad. | Claims after being under the influence. While moderate drinking shouldn't affect your policy, insurers may reject claims arising from excessive alcohol consumption. |
Do I need cruise travel insurance?
In most cases, yes. Some cruise lines – including Cunard, P&O and Royal Caribbean – say you HAVE to have a specific cruise travel insurance policy in place before you're allowed to sail with them. Each operator will have its own particular requirements, too, and stipulate that you're covered up to certain limits, so always check before buying cover and make sure that your policy matches up.
Even where cruise holiday insurance isn't mandatory, it's worth having because of the specific cruise-related risks that standard travel insurance policies may not cover.
Does my GHIC/EHIC cover me for medical treatment on board?
No – these cards likely won't cover you for treatment on a cruise ship. The free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and its replacement the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) entitle you to state-provided healthcare in the EU at the same cost as a local resident.
But as cruise ship medical facilities are often privately operated, your EHIC or GHIC is unlikely to be accepted. Still make sure you have it with you, though, in case you need it while on land, but having cruise insurance is the best way to make sure you're fully covered.
See more in our EHIC/GHIC guide.
How much does cruise insurance cost?
The cost of cruise insurance can differ wildly depending on a number of factors, such as your age, medical history, where you're travelling to and how long you're going for.
To give you a rough idea of cruise insurance costs, we ran some quotes for three different age groups, for both single-trip and annual cover. We kept all the other variables the same for consistency, including the destination, duration, medical history and cover levels.
Here are the full results...
For a 25-year-old... | |
Single trip | £30.61 |
Annual | £43.25 |
For a 60-year-old... | |
Single trip | £40.10 |
Annual | £68.10 |
For a 70-year-old... | |
Single trip | £92.58 |
Annual | £150.76 |
Prices are averages based on quotes from February 2026 for a 10-night Mediterranean cruise costing £2,000, with no medical conditions and standard cover limits.
Do note that your price is likely to differ from those above. What you actually pay will depend on your circumstances and the trip(s) you're doing. For example, having existing medical conditions is likely to increase your costs.
Which cruise insurance is right for me?
It's important to make sure you have cruise insurance that suits YOUR needs. Factors such as your age, medical history, trip length and how often you travel can all affect what type of cruise insurance is right for you. See more info...
If you're a senior. Cruises are popular with older travellers, but it's important to check age limits, trip duration caps and medical cover levels. Some insurers restrict how long you can travel for in one go, and premiums tend to rise as you get older. Declaring all medical conditions is essential to avoid claims being rejected.
Check out Travel insurance for over-65s for more info on general cover.If you have pre-existing medical conditions. Many cruise insurance providers will consider pre-existing medical conditions, but only if you declare them when you apply. You may need to complete a medical screening, which can affect the price, the policy may come with exclusions, or you may require a specialist provider. But failing to declare a condition is one of the most common reasons claims are refused.
For more on this, see Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.If you're going on a single cruise or multiple. If you're only taking one cruise, a single-trip policy is likely enough.
But if you cruise several times a year, an annual multi-trip policy can make more sense – just be aware these usually limit how long each individual trip can last (often around 35 to 50 days). Limits can vary by age and are often shorter for older travellers, with longer cruises sometimes requiring an upgrade. Always check the maximum trip length before buying.If you're going on a world cruise. Longer or round-the-world cruises can push up the cost of insurance and may exceed standard trip-length limits. Check both the maximum number of days you're covered for and whether your destinations are included, especially if you're travelling outside Europe.
If you're going as a family. Family policies can be convenient and often work out cheaper per person, with cover limits usually applying individually rather than being shared. If medical histories differ though, it may be worth getting individual policies that can be tailored entirely to your own circumstances.
When should I buy cruise insurance?
The best time to buy any travel insurance is ASAB – As Soon As you've Booked. While you can buy cover right up until you travel, leaving it this late means missing out on important protection.
Buying insurance straightaway covers you if something goes wrong BEFORE you travel, such as cancellation, illness or anything else that may stop you travelling. It's also often cheaper, with more choice. So whatever policy you go for, buy it ASAB.
MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains why you should be getting travel insurance ASAB...
"Each year, heartbreakingly, without fail, in the run-up to summer, someone who's been diagnosed with cancer or another serious condition that needs long-term treatment tells me they won't be able to go on their holiday, but the airline/hotel won't refund them (which is within their rights as the ticket is not faulty).
"I say 'that's what travel insurance is for'... yet they then tell me they haven't got round to getting it yet. My heart sinks.
"Half the point of the cover is to protect you if things happen before then that stop you going, so please get it ASAB (As Soon As you've Booked)."
Compare cruise insurance quotes to find the best policy
To find the right cruise insurance policy for you, compare quotes carefully. We've a three-step process to help...
Step 1. Use comparison sites to gather quotes quickly
Start with specialist comparison site Compare Your Cruise Insurance*, which lets you add specific details about your cruise, including the operator, ship and sailing month.
Then, if you have time, try the following general comparison sites: MoneySupermarket*, Confused.com*, Gocompare and Compare The Market. With these comparisons you'll need to make sure you select the option to add cruise cover as part of the question set, and do note that they may suggest insurers that we wouldn't.
Step 2. Use our dedicated tool to find cheap cover
It's also worth comparing to see whether any of the top-pick policies listed in our Cheap Travel Insurance Finder tool work out cheaper.
The prices listed don't automatically include full cruise cover – so you'll need to get an online quote directly – but the tool does list policies that DO meet our .
Already have travel insurance?
Contact your insurer and get a quote to add on cruise cover. While you're at it, ask for the cancellation fee, so you know how much it would cost to cancel the existing policy and switch, if you find cheaper cover elsewhere. A separate cruise insurance policy would also provide general travel insurance cover, so it wouldn't be worth having two different policies live at the same time.
Step 3. Compare the quotes
Look at the quotes you've gathered and work out which one best suits your needs and budget. While you might want to go with the absolute cheapest, do make sure that the cover is right for you and your trip(s), and check the cruise-specific benefits and limits carefully.
If you already had an existing policy and your current provider's quote is cheapest, you could go with that one, as long as it gives you enough cover.
Once you've decided on a policy, do double-check the details closely, including the excess, and make sure it matches your requirements, and those of the cruise operator(s), before you buy.
Cruise insurance FAQs
Does cruise insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
Many providers offer cover for declared pre-existing conditions, but premiums can be higher and terms vary – always declare conditions to avoid your claim being rejected.
See our Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions guide for more info.
Can I get cheap cruise insurance?
Yes, it's possible to get cheap cruise insurance – but the price depends on your circumstances.
The cost will vary due to factors such as your age, destination, trip length and any pre-existing medical conditions. Older travellers and those with medical conditions typically pay more, and worldwide cruises tend to cost more than Europe-only trips.
The key is to compare quotes and to ensure that the insurance meets your needs before you buy. Don't cut back on essential cover just to get the lowest price.
Do cruise lines require passengers to have cruise insurance?
Some cruise operators, including P&O, Cunard and Royal Caribbean, require you to have specific cruise cover before boarding. Their requirements vary, so check the individual company's terms before you travel.
Does cruise insurance cover Covid and other infectious diseases?
Many cruise insurance policies include cover for Covid‑19 and other unexpected infectious illnesses you could catch during your trip. This can include medical treatment on board or ashore, and sometimes cancellation if you test positive before departure.
However, Covid cover is not automatic with every policy. Some insurers include it, while others may limit or exclude claims if you travel against official advice or haven't followed vaccination or entry requirements for your destination.
Always check the wording of your policy to confirm exactly what is covered before you travel.
What are typical cruise insurance limits and excesses?
The insurance limit is the maximum amount an insurer will pay out for a claim. Many cruise lines require minimum levels of cover in certain areas – for instance, medical cover – so do check you're buying enough cover for your cruise.
Cruise insurance limits and excesses vary by insurer and policy, but here's what you'll commonly see:
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Medical cover. Usually between £2 million and £10 million, with many mid to higher-tier policies offering £5 million or more. Some premium policies provide unlimited cover.
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Cabin confinement. Commonly between £50 and £100 per full 24-hour period, often capped at between £250 and £1,000 per trip, though some specialist policies go higher.
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Cancellation cover. Often several thousand pounds per person, depending on the cost of your cruise.
-
Missed ports. Typically a fixed amount per port – often around £50 to £100.
-
Typical excess. This is the agreed amount you'll pay towards any claim. It's usually around £75 to £250 per claim, though some policies offer no excess or allow you to increase the excess to lower the premium.
Always check both the cover limits and the excess before buying – a cheaper policy may have lower caps and/or a higher excess.
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