Cruise Insurance: What You Need to Know

Imagine the peace of mind knowing that if you’re forced to cancel a luxury cruise plan due to a covered reason, you’re financially protected. Cruise insurance covers issues that could occur before or during your trip, such as trip cancellation, flight delays, trip interruptions and lost baggage.

Cruise insurance may also cover some of the costs of medical care or provide emergency medical evacuation if you become ill or injured while on your trip. Learn more about cruise insurance and how it works below so you can decide if it’s worth it when choosing your next cruise.

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Cruise insurance is a type of travel insurance built for cruise-specific risks, like missed port departures, onboard medical care, emergency evacuation at sea and your cruise line going out of business before you sail. It also helps protect cruise passengers if they have to cancel their cruise due to an unforeseen event.

Policies vary, so it’s important to read the fine print before you buy insurance. Cruise insurance purchased through the cruise line generally covers the cost of your cruise if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Meanwhile, third-party cruise travel insurance plans typically cover the cost of the cruise as well as airfare and other travel expenses if the trip is canceled for a covered reason.

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Cruise insurance runs on a reimbursement model, so the order in which you buy your policy and pay for a covered issue matters just as much as the coverage itself. If you wait to buy a policy until after something goes wrong, you won’t be covered.

Buy a policy before you sail, ideally soon after you book a cruise and make a deposit.
Pay a premium based on your trip cost and cruise length. Longer, pricier cruises cost more to insure.
Pay for a covered event out of pocket first — a missed connection, an onboard doctor’s visit, a canceled sailing — then file a claim with your documentation.
Get reimbursed for eligible costs once your claim is approved.

Keep an eye on the phrase “covered reasons” as you read policies. Standard cruise insurance only reimburses you if your situation matches one of those listed reasons, like illness or severe weather. Cancel Anytime coverage is more flexible; it lets you cancel for any reason and still get partial reimbursement, though it usually costs more.

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Most travelers pay roughly 4 to 10 percent of their total trip cost. For a $2,000, 7-day cruise, that works out to about $80 to $200, depending on your age and the coverage level you choose.

Three factors drive that number:

If you want a quote for your specific trip, AAA Travel offers cruise insurance through Allianz Travel Insurance, a AAA travel partner.

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Cruise insurance typically covers six core categories:

When shopping for cruise insurance, be sure to read through your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered. For medical insurance, you’ll want to ensure that you’re covered up to $100,000. For evacuation coverage, the number should be around $250,000.

Consider purchasing trip interruption insurance, which will reimburse you for non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your cruise due to a covered emergency. You can also consult your AAA Travel Agent to find a policy with the coverage you want.

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Buying cruise insurance through AAA is straightforward. You begin by getting a quote online or work with a AAA Travel Agent, then choose the policy that fits your trip.

Here's how to buy through AAA:

1. Go to AAA Travel and select Travel Insurance or call to speak with a AAA Travel Agent in your area.

2. Have your date of birth, departure and return dates and port of departure ready.

3. Compare quotes across coverage levels.

4. Choose the policy that fits your trip and your budget.

Before you buy, check what you already have. Credit card travel protections and existing travel insurance policies sometimes cover lost luggage or emergency medical expenses, so check your current coverage first to avoid paying for the same protection twice.

Learning about cruise insurance can be a big task, so we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions below.

Yes, cruise insurance is worth it for many cruisers. Most domestic health plans and Medicare don’t cover you at sea or abroad, so a medical emergency or evacuation could otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. If you’re budget-conscious or traveling with family, cruise insurance protects your prepaid trip cost, too.

For a typical $2,000, 7-day cruise, expect to pay roughly $80 to $200 for comprehensive coverage, depending on your age and the coverage level you choose.

Yes, if you cancel for a covered reason listed in your policy, such as illness, injury or severe weather. If you want the flexibility to cancel for any reason, look for a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade, which typically reimburses up to 75% of your fare.

Standard policies generally exclude pre-existing medical conditions (unless you buy a waiver), simply changing your mind about the trip (unless you add Cancel For Any Reason) and events you already knew about before you purchased the policy.

Explore hundreds of luxury cruise options with AAA Vacations. You can filter results based on your timeline, destination, the length of your cruise and more with help from Trip Canvas. From Europe and the Americas to Africa and the Arctic, your options are limitless when AAA travels with you.

Whichever cruise you choose, knowing how cruise insurance works means you can book it with confidence. Ready to protect your trip? Get a cruise insurance quote through AAA Travel or explore AAA Membership for more travel perks on your next cruise.