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Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

If you’re chasing travel insurance for your next cruise, compare with Savvy and get the best policy today.

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, updated on September 5th, 2023       

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Finding the best travel insurance for your next cruise holiday can give you peace of mind while you’re sailing the high seas. Whether you’re crossing Australian or international waters, Savvy can help you find a policy tailored to your next cruise.

You’ll be able to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each provider and their policies when you compare with us. This allows you to find the best travel insurance on the market, so get comparing with Savvy now.

How do I find the best travel insurance for a cruise holiday?

Finding the best travel insurance is essential if you’re sailing the high seas on your next holiday. It can give you peace of mind while you’re sunning yourself on the cruise deck that whatever happens on or off the boat, you’ll have the right protection for your plans.

Certain insurers offer cruise coverage automatically as part of their policies, while others sell it as an optional extra. If you’re looking for the best cruise travel insurance on the market, Savvy has some easy tips and tricks to help you on your search.

Consider the costs

Find a policy that best suits your travel budget. If you’re planning a relatively short and sharp cruise and are travelling light, you may only need basic coverage to cover medical costs, which will cost you considerably less than top-level cover. Get a few quotes from different providers and work out which offers you the most coverage at the best price.

Assess your travel needs

Consult your itinerary and work out what coverage you need for the trip you’re planning. The cheapest policy won’t always be the best one for your holiday, so it’s important to consider the benefits of each policy and how they tie in with your travel plans. For example, if you’re travelling to Asia to embark on a cruise but want to scuba dive or ride quad bikes, finding a policy which covers these automatically or at little cost could save you a stack of cash.

Compare policies with Savvy

You wouldn’t buy a house or car without first considering your options and travel insurance is no different. Doing a comparison of policies with Savvy allows you to look at the pros and cons of each policy to determine which provides you with the greatest bang for your buck.

Consult the fine print

Every travel insurance policy comes with a Product Disclosure Statement that lays out some of the finer details, including the inclusions and exclusions. Take time to read these thoroughly before you settle on a policy to make sure things which may affect you, such as pre-existing conditions you suffer or any other travel needs, are going to be covered.

How do I compare cruise travel insurance to lock in the best policy?

Shopping around is one of the best ways to find the right travel insurance for your next cruise. Before you adorn your flip-flops and kabana wear and board your ship, weigh up the following variables to help you find the perfect policy for your trip.

Types of cover

Travel insurance comes in a range of shapes and sizes with providers selling a variety of policies tailored to different types of travellers. These include single and multi-trip policies or even those suited to people who haven’t got a return ticket booked yet. These tend to vary between companies, so browsing the market will help you sniff out the best deal for you.

Benefits

If you’re wondering why you need travel insurance, one of the best reasons is the protection it can offer you. Inclusions and exclusions tend to vary slightly between travel insurance companies, so comparing them with Savvy will help you get one with the type of coverage you need. Some of the cruise-specific cover you can gain access to includes protection for missed ports, cabin confinement and emergency evacuations.

Costs

Getting a few travel insurance quotes and price-matching between them can be an effective way of finding the cheapest and best coverage for you. While the way premiums are calculated is similar between insurers, the actual cost can fluctuate depending on who you choose to purchase through, which is why it’s important to compare with us.

Limitations

Claims tend to come with limits, which differ depending on your travel insurer. For example, certain insurance companies will allow you to claim up to $15,000 if you lose your baggage on your cruise, while others may only enable you to claim up to $5,000. Policies also tend to come with age limits, which can make it harder or more expensive for those over 65 to take out a policy. Compare the market and make sure the limitations you choose are sufficient for you.

Extras

Insurance companies classify activities such as riding motorcycles or scuba diving as risky activities and many require you to pay an extra premium for coverage. However, there are some which automatically cover you for these activities, so it’s a good idea to shop around so you can find the cheapest and most suitable form of protection.

What are some of the best ways to save money on your cruise travel insurance?

Getting the best travel insurance comes down to not only getting the right coverage but also finding the perfect price that won’t bust your budget. Before you pack your bags and travel to Europe for that cruise along the French Riviera, let Savvy help you with some nifty tips to help you save money on your insurance:

Compare your deals

Whether you’re wanting to find the best international travel insurance for your next overseas cruise or the perfect domestic policy, comparing with us allows you to see which product offers you the right coverage at the best price.

Buy your insurance early

The two golden rules of purchasing travel insurance are to a) get in before your birthday and b) buy it early. Insurance premiums tend to increase alongside your age, so getting in before you get that extra year older may allow you to put some extra money aside for your trip. Purchasing early also maximises the cover period in case you have to cancel any of your bookings.

Choose a higher excess

Many insurance companies allow you to choose a higher excess in exchange for paying a reduced premium on your policy. This can make buying a cruise policy cheaper when you’re shopping around, but it’s important to make sure you can comfortably afford any excess you choose.

Consider how often you’re travelling

Taking out an annual travel insurance policy could save you money if you’re frequently hopping on and off cruise ships. These products allow you to travel for a certain number of days a year (usually up to 90 days) over a 12-month period. Insurance companies offer these for frequent flyers and they tend to be cheaper than taking out multiple individual policies.

Weigh up your destinations

Most insurance companies will give you the choice of insuring yourself in specific countries or choosing global coverage. Handpicking countries you’re visiting and stopping over in can be cheaper than taking out universal cover, so it’s worth considering if you want to save some money. Also, some countries are more expensive to insure than others due to often prohibitively expensive healthcare, such as the United States.

Types of travel insurance

International

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

Domestic

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

One-way

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

Cruise

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Seniors

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Ski

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Families

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

Couples

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

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Reputable insurance partners

We’re partnered with some of Australia’s most trusted travel insurance providers, enabling you to compare quality offers.
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Fast and convenient online process

You can complete the quote, comparison and purchase process online through Savvy quickly and easily.

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Competitive quote costs

Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.

Frequently asked questions about the best cruise travel insurance

How do I find the best cruise travel insurance if I’m a senior?

Comparing coverage, prices and any limitations will help you find the best seniors travel insurance if you’re a mature-aged traveller heading across the seas. When you’re shopping around, make sure you find an affordable policy that covers any pre-existing medical condition you may suffer from and has claim and age limits that are sufficient for you.

What’s the best cruise travel insurance for shore excursions?

Having the right travel insurance is vital if you’re taking part in some shore activities on your cruise holiday, whether they be snorkelling, hiking or kayaking. If you’re looking for the best coverage for these exploits, try to find a policy which automatically includes them or offers them as an extra at a reasonable price. If your cruise is within Australia, it can also pay to compare domestic travel insurance to ensure you have coverage.

Do I need to find coverage for every destination I stop in?

Certain cruise operators, even those in Australia, won’t allow you to board unless you have travel insurance and there are some countries which make coverage a condition of entry, so it’s important to take out insurance, even if you only have a brief layover for an hour or two in a country. It’s also crucial to do this so you can avoid being caught short if something does happen during a brief stopover.

Will my cruise travel insurance cover COVID-19-related costs?

Many comprehensive insurance policies provide coverage for any COVID-19-related medical expenses, such as being admitted to hospital, requiring evacuation from your ship or being confined to your cabin. However, only certain policies cover you for COVID-19-related expenses such as cancellation or delays.

Should I just use my complimentary credit card travel insurance?

It may seem convenient and easy to use the travel insurance which comes with your credit card. However, these types of offers tend to have limited coverage (sometimes three to six months), high excesses and more conditions attached. Compare your options with Savvy before settling on a deal to make sure your choice is the right one.

What’s the best cruise travel insurance for pregnant travellers?

Most travel insurance providers will offer coverage for travellers up to 30 weeks pregnant. Many will make it a requirement that you have had no prior birthing complications and are only expecting one child.

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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

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1300 974 066

Sign up to our newsletter

Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.

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