What is cruise travel insurance, and do you need it?
Cruise travel insurance is designed to cover the extra risks that come with holidays at sea. It covers things like missed port stops, medical treatment on board and cabin confinement if you fall ill. Cruises can be brilliant, but if something goes wrong, help isn’t always just around the corner.
With 2.3 million people from Ireland and the UK taking cruises last year (a record high), more of us are heading off to sea. If you’re planning a cruise, having the right cover matters. With cruise travel insurance, you are protected in the event of:
- Missed port departure. Did you know that around 5% of all cruise passengers will miss their boat at least once in their lifetime? If you miss a port departure, cruise cover can help with extra travel or costs to catch you up with your trip.
- Cabin confinement. Falling ill on a cruise is never ideal, but being stuck in your cabin and losing out on pre-paid trips or activities makes it worse. With cruise cover, you can claim for the time you’re confined to your cabin, plus any prepaid activities or shore excursions you weren’t able to take part in.
- Cruise interruption. Sometimes ships change course, skip ports, or alter itineraries because of bad weather, mechanical issues, or safety concerns. If that happens, cruise cover can help with additional travel or accommodation needed to catch up with your original itinerary.
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Onboard medical care can get expensive without the right cover, especially if you require medical repatriation back to Ireland. For example, an air ambulance from the UK to Ireland can cost upwards of £3,500. Cruise insurance covers these costs, as long as you declare your pre-existing conditions beforehand.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also recommends buying travel and medical insurance to save you a lot of money if something goes wrong.
And today, many cruise operators now insist you have cruise insurance before you board. That’s why having the right cover matters. If you're heading on a cruise, it’s essential to add cruise cover to make sure you're fully protected from start to finish.
If you already have a different type of cover, don’t worry. You can add cruise cover onto your current policy.
What does JustCover’s cruise travel insurance cover?
Cruise travel insurance covers you for everything a standard policy covers, as well as cruise-specific instances. A more detailed breakdown can be found below:
What's covered
Medical expenses and repatriation - We cover a wide range of medical conditions and can arrange to fly you home if medically necessary.
Cruise cancellation or curtailment - If your cruise is cancelled or cut short unexpectedly, you’ll be covered.
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage - Protection for your belongings, whether lost in transit or damaged on board.
Missed port departure - Covers travel and accommodation costs to rejoin your cruise at the next port if you miss the ship’s departure.
Itinerary changes - If your cruise changes ports due to bad weather or mechanical issues, we’ll help cover related losses.
Cabin confinement - If you’re asked to stay in your cabin by the ship’s doctor, we’ll provide compensation.
Unused excursions - If illness or injury stops you from going on a prepaid shore trip, we’ll help cover the cost.
Travel companion support - We cover the cost for a friend or relative to stay with you or travel out to support you while receiving treatment.
What's not covered
Claims below your excess - If the value of your claim is less than your policy excess, it won’t be covered.
Out-of-region trips - You won’t be covered for cruises outside your selected region.
Known events - Claims related to events or issues that were known to you when you bought your policy or booked your cruise won’t be covered.
Any medical conditions not declared - You must declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions, or you risk not being covered for medical treatment abroad.
Not sure if you’re covered for something? Be sure to check our Policy Wording for more information.
Choose the right level of cover
We offer different levels of cover to make your Travel Insurance as cost-effective as possible.
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Find the best travel insurance for cruises
Cruises come with a few extra things to think about when it comes to insurance. The best travel insurance for cruises will be a policy that covers you for specific risks that come with life at sea. From missed port stops to onboard medical care.
Annual multi-trip travel insurance
If you’re planning more than one trip this year, whether by land, sea or air, annual multi-trip cover could be a smart choice. Plus, it’ll likely save you both time and money.
Single trip travel insurance
Only going on one holiday? A single trip policy can cover your cruise from the day you leave home to the day you’re back. It’s simple, flexible, and easy to tailor to your destination and trip length.
Why choose JustCover for your cruise travel insurance?
At JustCover, we understand the nuances of sea travel and offer insurance that's designed to keep things straightforward and help you set sail the smart way.
Here are just a few reasons to choose us to cover your cruise:
- Over 20 years of experience finding the right cover for our customers
- Up to unlimited cover for medical expenses and repatriation
- 98% of customers would recommend us to family and friends1
- Cancellation cover up to €10,0002
- 24/7 emergency medical assistance
Specialist travel insurance for cruises
Looking to add an additional policy to your cruise cover? We offer a choice of policies to suit your cruising needs.
Seniors travel insurance
Taking a post-retirement cruise? Our senior policies cover any age, with the option to include pre-existing medical conditions.
Travel insurance with medical conditions
Travelling with a medical condition? We offer unlimited cover for medical expenses and repatriation back to Ireland.
Family travel insurance
Cruises are a popular choice for families. So if you’re cruising with kids or grandkids, a family policy can keep everyone covered under one plan.
Couples travel insurance
Cruising as a couple? Couples travel insurance keeps things simple, with shared cover for both of you on one plan.
Travel insurance for different types of cruises
We provide travel insurance for:
- Ocean cruises. From the Caribbean to the Canaries, get cover for large ship voyages across international waters.
- River cruises. Explore Europe or beyond with cover tailored for inland journeys and frequent stops.
- Luxury cruises. High-end holidays deserve the right protection. We cover high-value trips, with optional extras if needed.
- Budget cruises. Whether it’s a romantic sunset sailing along Spain’s coast or an island-hopping escape around Cyprus, budget cruises still deserve quality cover. Our policies give you great value without cutting corners.
- Themed cruises. Whether it’s food, music, or a hobby cruise, you’ll still get the same reliable protection for your trip.
With several different policy types to choose from, we’ve got your back, wherever your cruise takes you.
Destinations covered by cruise travel insurance
Cruises can take you across continents, and your cruise cover should keep up. With JustCover, you can choose cruise travel insurance for trips around Europe or worldwide, depending on where you’re headed.
Europe
From the Norwegian fjords to the Greek islands, we’ve got you covered. European cruise cover includes popular ports in Spain, Italy, France and more, whether you're on an ocean voyage or a river cruise.
Worldwide
If your itinerary takes you beyond Europe, our worldwide cruise insurance offers flexible protection for long-haul destinations. That includes trips to places like Thailand, the Caribbean, Australia and more.
Cruise travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
At JustCover, we believe that health shouldn’t hold you back from cruising the world. That’s why we offer medical cover for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions. You’ll get unlimited medical expenses, 24/7 emergency assistance, and support if you need treatment while at sea or abroad.
We keep things simple, clear and tailored to you, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
Common conditions we cover include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes (types 1 and 2)
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- High cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Heart conditions
- Cancer (in remission or ongoing)
- Respiratory conditions (like COPD)
- Circulatory conditions (like stroke)
All you need to do is declare your conditions when getting a quote.
Cruise travel insurance tips and things to know
When buying cruise travel insurance, it’s important to check that it includes everything you need to get you sailing smoothly. Be sure to:
- Make sure all the countries and ports you’ll visit are included in your policy. Some policies only cover certain destinations, so always double-check.
- Check the policy wording for any conditions or exclusions, especially around cruises. Not all travel insurance automatically covers cruises, so read the policy wording carefully to be sure.
- Taking more than one cruise this year? Check if an annual policy with cruise cover would be better value for money.
- Some cruises last longer than some policies allow, so double-check that your trip length is covered!
- Travelling as a family? It’s typically cheaper to cover everyone under one family policy.
- Declare any pre-existing conditions when buying. That way, you know you’re covered for any medical care on board.
- Make sure any activities, like kayaking, snorkelling or deep-sea diving, are covered.
If you have any questions about what’s covered in your policy, please check our Policy Wording or speak to our team for more information.
A simple 3-step process to book your cruise travel insurance
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You will only need to tell us some information about yourself and your holiday plans
Select and tailor your cover
Now all you need to do is to choose the level of cover that best suits your needs
Buy your cover and relax
Purchase your cover and you’re ready to go – we’ll take care of the rest!
Expert travel insurance recommendations from our team
"If you have questions and are worried about getting the right cruise cover just give our experts a call. We can make sure you’re covered for missed departures and cabin confinement and other issues unique to a cruise"
Peter Clark - JustCover Director
What our customers say
“Easy to book travel insurance, which includes cruise cover. Very easy to book online and a good competitive price for annual cover. Wanted to renew early, so I made a call and left my number. Not too long waiting, got a call back from a lovely lady who sorted my question. Been with JustCover a few years now and very happy”
see full reviewFrequently asked questions about cruise travel insurance
Do you need special travel insurance for a cruise?
Yes, standard travel insurance doesn’t usually include cover for cruise-specific issues like missed port stops, cabin confinement or emergency evacuation from the ship. Most cruise lines also ask for proof of cruise insurance before you step aboard.
You can add cruise cover to any JustCover policy.
Do you need cruise insurance for a river cruise?
Yes, cruise cover isn’t just for ocean liners. If you’re heading off on a river cruise, you’ll still need cruise insurance to protect against interruptions, illness, or itinerary changes
Can I book cruise insurance if I’ve already booked my cruise?
Absolutely. You can add cruise cover to your policy any time before departure. This includes annual, single and family cover. If you already have annual cover, just give us a call to add the cruise upgrade.
Do I need cruise insurance if I have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
Yes, you do. This is because your EHIC only covers basic medical care in certain European countries. It won’t help with cruise delays, cabin confinement, private care, or emergency evacuation. It’s best to use an EHIC alongside your cruise travel insurance, not instead of it.
Does cruise travel insurance cover land holidays too?
Yes. Our cruise cover is an add-on to your standard travel insurance, so you’ll be covered for both the sea and land parts of your trip.
Does cruise insurance include cover for pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes, once you declare your conditions when buying the policy, you’ll be covered. You can also update us later if anything changes, just contact us.
Can I cover a group under one cruise policy?
Of course! We offer group policies so you can add your travel companions, friends or family to your plan. However, everyone needs to be named on the policy before departure to be covered.
Why is cruise insurance more expensive?
Mainly because medical care at sea can cost more, especially if it involves helicopter evacuation or repatriation back to Ireland. That’s why cruise insurance tends to be slightly more expensive than standard cover.
Without the right cover, the out-of-pocket costs could be far higher than the price of travel insurance itself.
Can I add cruise insurance to an existing policy?
Yes. If you have an annual JustCover policy and later decide to go on a cruise, you can upgrade your cover anytime before departure. Just make sure to check your Policy Wording to confirm your cover.
Am I covered if I have a medical emergency on the cruise?
Yes, so as long as you’ve declared your medical conditions and your policy includes cruise cover. We can cover you for your medical emergencies at sea, including repatriation if needed. Check our medical travel insurance page for more info.
What happens if a port visit is cancelled due to bad weather?
Don’t worry, we offer compensation if your planned ports are cancelled due to bad weather. It’s one of the cruise-specific scenarios that regular travel insurance doesn’t usually cover.
Do you need cruise travel insurance for a domestic cruise?
Yes, you do. Even if your cruise is around Ireland or the UK, you’ll still need cruise-specific cover for incidents like missed departures, onboard illnesses or itinerary changes.
How much does cruise travel insurance cost?
It depends on factors like your age, trip duration, destination, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Adding cruise cover typically makes your policy a little more expensive than standard travel insurance, but we will work with you to find a policy that suits your needs and budget.
What happens if your cruise is cancelled?
If your cruise is cancelled for an insured reason (like illness or serious injury), you can claim back the cost of your trip, including flights and accommodation, if they were part of your booking. However, if the cruise line cancels for operational reasons, you’ll need to check their refund policy first. We may be able to cover additional travel or accommodation costs, depending on your policy.
Do you need separate travel insurance for a cruise?
You won’t need a whole new policy, but you do need to make sure cruise cover is included in your travel insurance. Without it, you won’t be covered for cruise-specific issues like missed departures, cabin confinement, or port cancellations.
Can you buy cruise travel insurance after booking your cruise?
You can buy cruise insurance any time before you travel. And the earlier you book, the better. especially if you want cancellation cover to start right away. If you already have a policy, you can add cruise cover to it. To do this, please get in touch with our team.
Is there an age limit for cruise travel insurance?
Our cruise cover is designed to support travellers of all ages, including those planning post-retirement getaways or travelling with family. You’ll just need to complete a quick medical declaration when getting a quote.
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2. Covers cancellation for certain reasons outside of your control and detailed in our Policy Wording. Amount of cover depends on the policy level you have purchased.