🛳️🏝️🏨🚗 Do you need cruise and resort insurance?
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Should you get insurance? Yes. This article primarily looks at cruise insurance. But the discussion mostly applies to extended resort, hotel, and villa stays as well. Here is why.
Cruise ship insurance is reasonably-priced. Insurance typically costs between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost, or roughly $100–$400+ per person depending on the cabin price. It’s not a trivial amount. But it’s a small cost compared to the several thousands of dollars spent on the cruise, flights, and excursions.
Cruise ship insurance recommendation - Vacation Steal. I paid $149 in 2025 for Generali travel insurance on a 13 day cruise for 2 at Vacation Steal where I booked the cruise. It’s an excellent price and less then the typical retail price. Vacation Steal is known for their very low wholesale cruise and travel pricing. Another benefit is one stop shopping. I didn’t have to find and separately quote, order, and pay for third party insurance.
Cruise ship medical expenses are generally NOT covered by private insurance. The ship is considered a foreign entity in international waters, making it "out-of-network" for U.S. insurers.
Cruise ship medical expenses are generally NOT covered by Medicare. Medicare only covers services within 6 hours of a U.S. port.
Cruise ship medical expenses are expensive, especially for minor care (see bottom).
Cruise ship insurance breaks even on expected costs. I worked out the math on the insurance price vs. the expected cost if you didn’t have insurance, which considers the tiny probabilities and substantial costs of both routine and emergency medical visits. It’s about the same amount.
Cruise ship insurance makes economic sense. It’s a toss-up to cover the medical expenses alone. Based on that alone, it’s a good decision to take the insurance to avoid the large expense of even a basic emergency. Add in the other benefits listed here and it should be an easy decision.
Avoid the cruise line insurance credit scam. Cruise lines may only pay claims with a future cruise credit. That’s a bad policy. You had a cash expense that you already paid and you’re not reimbursed until sometime in the future, or never at all, if you never go on a cruise or that cruise line again? Now maybe this is viable if the insurance is priced at a huge discount or had many more benefits than other providers. But that’s not the case.
Don’t get cruise insurance from the cruise line. Insurance from a third party like Vacation Steal, Generali, Allianz, Travel Guard by AIG, and Travelex, not only avoids the cruise line scam, but it also provides more benefits at the same or less cost. The following conditions are typically covered in the insurance.
Get coverage for Trip Cancellation/Interruption. Reimburses non-refundable costs (up to 100-150% of trip cost) due to illness, injury, or family emergencies.
Get coverage for Emergency Medical & Evacuation. Covers high-cost medical care on ships or in foreign ports and, if necessary, emergency transportation ($50,000–$500,000+ limits)
Get coverage for Missed Port/Connection. Covers expenses to rejoin the ship if you miss embarkation due to flight delays or other covered reasons.
Get coverage for Baggage Loss/Delay. Reimburses for lost, stolen, or delayed luggage.
Even get coverage for Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR). Optional upgrade allowing cancellation for non-covered reasons.
Common Cruise Medical Cost Estimates
Routine Office Visit: ~$100–$165.
Cabin Visit: ~$200+.
Minor Illness (e.g., ear infection, influenza): $250–$700+.
Emergency Care (e.g., stitches, IVs): $600–$6,000+.
Key Considerations
Operating Hours: Visits outside standard hours are more expensive.
Insurance: Most, but not all, medical insurance plans (including Medicare) do not cover care on foreign-flagged ships, making travel insurance crucial.
Payment: Charges are usually added directly to your onboard account and must be paid before disembarkation.
Itemized Bill: Always request an itemized bill for reimbursement from insurance.