What Is Cruise Travel Insurance
And Why Is It Essential?
Cruise travel insurance is a type of travel insurance tailored for cruise holidays. It offers all the standard protections
— like medical cover, cancellations, and lost luggage — but also includes extras specific to life at sea, like missed
port departures, cabin confinement, and emergency evacuations.
It’s essential because standard policies often don’t include these cruise-specific risks. In addition, if you need
medical treatment while at sea, the costs can be eye-watering. Many cruise lines also require proof of adequate
cover before you board.
Enjoying a cruise is one of the most exciting ways to travel but doing so without reliable cruise travel insurance can
be a risky choice.
What Counts As a ‘Cruise’ Policy?
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If your trip includes travel on a passenger carrier
liner on a cruiser with accommodation for two nights
or more you should consider buying Cruise Travel
Insurance, whether it’s island-hopping around
gorgeous Mediterranean hotspots or a round-the-
world voyage, you’ll likely need cruise travel
insurance.
Even river cruises and no-fly UK cruises can come
with insurance requirements. It is always a good
idea to check with your operator before booking.
Why You Need Cruise-Specific Cover
Many cruise lines won’t let you board without proof of adequate medical and repatriation cover, so having
cruise travel insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s often essential.
Here’s why cruise travel insurance goes much
further than a standard travel policy:
- Missed port departures – covers costs if you miss the
ship due to delays - Cabin confinement – compensation if you're confined
to your room due to illness - On-board medical care – ships often charge private
healthcare rates - Emergency evacuation – helicopter or sea rescue can
cost tens of thousands - Missed excursions – cover if you're too ill to join a pre-
booked activity
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How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?
Premiums vary depending on destination, length of cruise, your age, and any pre-existing
conditions but here's a rough guide:
| Destination | Typical range (7 day cruise for a 46-year-old traveller) |
|---|---|
| UK coastal / River cruise | £11 per traveller |
| Europe / Mediterranean | £23 per traveller |
| Worldwide (excl. USA) | £38 per traveller |
| Worldwide (incl. USA) | £57 per traveller |
| UK coastal / River cruise |
|---|
|
Typical range:
£11 per traveller
(7 day cruise for
a 46-year-old traveller) |
| Europe / Mediterranean |
|---|
|
Typical range:
£23 per traveller
(7 day cruise for
a 46-year-old traveller)
|
| Worldwide (excl. USA) |
|---|
|
Typical range:
£23 per traveller
(7 day cruise for
a 46-year-old traveller)
|
| Worldwide (incl. USA) |
|---|
|
Typical range:
£57 per traveller
(7 day cruise for a 46-year-old traveller)
|
| Annual Multi-Trip |
|---|
|
Trip pattern:
Multiple holidays per year
|
|
Sample premium:
£40–£90
(Europe-wide) |
Prices based on no pre-existing conditions; including cruise add-on. Always compare policies
before booking so you can ensure that your policy covers you for what you really need.
What Impacts Your Cruise Insurance Premium?
There are a lot of factors that have a direct impact on your cruise travel insurance premium,
including the following:
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- Your destination and route
- Trip length
- Age and number of travellers
- Any pre-existing medical conditions
- Level of cover and add-ons
- Cruise line requirements (some specify minimum
cover)
What’s Covered – And What’s Not
Included
Emergency medical care (on-board & ashore)
Trip cancellation & curtailment
Lost or delayed baggage
Missed ports / excursions
Cabin confinement
Emergency evacuation (air/sea rescue)
Not Covered Unless Added
Undeclared pre-existing conditions
Adventure activities without upgrade
Missed departure due to personal error
Travelling against medical advice
Excessive alcohol or drug-related incidents
Cruises booked after travel warning issued
Do I Need Cruise Insurance If I Have GHIC/EHIC?
Yes. Your GHIC (or old EHIC) only covers state healthcare in participating countries. This is certainly useful to have but it won’t help with:
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Here’s why:
- Private on-board medical treatment
- Emergency air or sea evacuation
- Repatriation back to the UK
- Cruise-specific losses like missed ports or excursions
Every traveller needs their own GHIC. But it’s not a substitute for travel insurance, especially
on a cruise. It’s never pleasant to imagine all the health-related issues that may arise when
you’re enjoying a cruise, but they do happen. Having reliable cruise travel insurance means
that should these issues arise; you can focus on your health without worrying about the
associated costs. A gorgeous cruise is even better with peace of mind.
When Should I Buy Cruise Cover?
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We recommend buying your cruise travel insurance
cover as soon as you book your cruise. That way,
you’re protected if you need to cancel before
departure due to illness, injury, or other covered
reasons. It also gives you time to make any changes
to your policy if need be.
Single-Trip Or Annual Cruise Insurance?
If you’re taking multiple cruises or trips in the same year, an annual multi-trip policy with a cruise
add-on may save money. Here’s a quick guide:
| Factor | Single-trip | Annual multi-trip |
|---|---|---|
| One cruise this year | Best choice | Not cost-effective |
| Two or more trips | Repetitive costs | Better value |
| Cruise + land holidays | Separate policies | One simple policy |
| Frequent traveller | Pay each time | Covers all trips (subject to policy limits) |
| Single-trip |
|---|
One cruise this year Best choice |
Two or more trips Repetitive costs |
Cruise + land holidays Separate policies |
|
Frequent traveller
Pay each time
|
| Annual multi-trip |
|---|
One cruise this year Not cost-effective |
Two or more trips Better value |
Cruise + land holidays One simple policy |
|
Frequent traveller
Covers all trips (subject to policy limits)
|
Gigasure offers both single and annual cruise policies — just tell us your plans.
Optional Add-Ons For Cruise Travellers
At Gigasure, we pride ourselves in not only offering reliable Cruise Travel Insurance, but also in our unique customisation. We believe that no two travellers are the same, and their policies should reflect that. We offer a wide range of helpful extras that mean you can tailor your policy to suit your travel needs, including:
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-
Winter sports cover – if you’re cruising to snowy
destinations -
Gadget cover – protect phones, tablets, e-readers on
board -
Car hire excess insurance (a different product) – if
your cruise includes self-drive days -
Non-Manual Business travel – for work-related
cruising
Cruise along in style with the knowledge that your policy has you covered in all the ways you
need, so you can sit back and enjoy.
Travelling With a Medical Condition?
It’s super important to declare all pre-existing medical conditions when buying cruise travel insurance.
Failing to declare could invalidate your cover may
result in part of any claim not being paidOne person’s condition may affect the overall premium
Some conditions may require specialist cover — we
can help guide you
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Travelling as a Family Or Multigenerational Group?
The UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) offers some limited reciprocal healthcare across Europe, which is helpful. However, it’s not a substitute for having insurance.
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Cruises are increasingly popular for:
- Family holidays
- Grandparent-grandchild trips
- Celebrations at sea (anniversaries, birthdays)
You can often cover the whole party under one policy —
but make sure you include all members and consider their
health status.
Gigasure offers flexible policies for single parents,
couples, and multi-generational travellers.
Gigasure App, the Fastest Way to Make a Claim
The Gigasure app takes the hassle out of submitting claims. Simply log in, select the relevant policy, and kickstart the process. The app pre-populates most of the required information available on your account, eliminating the need to search through old emails or documents. From there, just follow the remaining steps, and you can submit your claim in moments. It's a seamless, streamlined experience that gets your claim submitted quickly, saving you valuable time and frustration.
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Your Policy
Your Trip
Your Claim
Supporting Documents
Submit
Submit your claim now
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Why Cruise Travellers Choose Gigasure
Your Essential Questions,
Answered
calculated based on a 7-day cruise for a 46-year-old traveller). Adding cruise cover usually costs a little more than
standard travel insurance. The final price can also be affected by optional extras, like gadget cover, cancellation
protection, or winter sports if your cruise includes excursions. To get the best value, always compare what's
included, not just the headline price.
at sea or missed ports. Cruise travel insurance is tailored to the unique risks of sailing, such as ship-based
quarantine, evacuation by helicopter, or itinerary disruption. Without it, you could be left out of pocket for costs
your regular travel insurance won’t cover.
note. This typically pays a set daily amount to cover missed experiences. Just make sure you report the illness
promptly to the ship’s medical staff to ensure your claim is valid.
screening. If your condition is stable and well-managed, it’s often covered without too much fuss. Not declaring it
upfront, though, could invalidate your whole policy or result in only part of your claim being paid.