Frequently Asked Questions

Travelers who want to insure the cost of a river cruise should look for Trip Cancellation style policies. Those who are only concerned with medical coverage can save money by not insuring a trip cost, and rather looking for a policies with only Medical, Medical Evacuation and other benefits. Travelers who are concerned about both should look for a comprehensive policy.

You do not need to buy a special kind of policy for a cruise, but there are certain benefits cruisers should look for when comparing policies.

Pre-Existing Condition coverage is a time-sensitive benefit that is available on some policies within 14-30 days of your initial booking date.

Squaremouth recommends a policy with $100,000 per person in Emergency Medical coverage for travelers going on a cruise.

Squaremouth recommends a policy with $250,000 per person in Medical Evacuation coverage for travelers going on a cruise.

Travel insurance is designed to cover travel to multiple destinations worldwide, although some policies may exclude coverage in certain destinations.

You have the option to insure all, some, or none of your expenses on a standard Trip Cancellation policy. This can include your cruise expenses, including excursions, as well as trip expenses outside your cruise, like any related flight and hotel costs.

Standard Trip Cancellation policies can be purchased up until the day before you leave home for your cruise. However, some cancellation and medical benefits are time-sensitive and are only available within a specified period after your first booking date, typically 14 - 30 days from the initial booking.

Hurricanes and inclement weather that impact your cruise can be covered reasons to cancel your trip.

Concern over the Zika virus is not a covered reason to cancel your cruise on standard Trip Cancellation policies.

If your bags are delayed by a specified period of time on the way to the port, you can be covered to buy clothing, toiletries, and other essential items.

If your common carrier is delayed and you miss your cruise departure, you can be reimbursed for meals and accommodations during the delay, as well as additional costs to catch up to your cruise. If your delay meets the requirements under the Trip Cancellation benefit, you may also be covered to cancel your trip altogether and be reimbursed 100% of your prepaid and nonrefundable trip cost.

Trip Cancellation coverage begins the day after a policy is purchased. Other benefits, like Travel Delay and Missed Connection, also begin before departure. Emergency Medical, Medical Evacuation, and other benefits are designed to begin when you leave home for your trip.

Travel insurance purchased outside of your cruise line does not provide coverage in the event the cruise line changes your itinerary.

If your cruise ship returns early, you may be covered by the Trip Interruption benefit.

The Medical Evacuation benefit covers the transportation costs if you require evacuation from a cruise ship. This evacuation must be recommended by the physician on board and should be coordinated with the travel insurance provider.

If you get sick during your cruise, you should see the shipboard physician who will be able to recommend treatment, or order your disembarkment. Covered illnesses or injuries can be reimbursed under the Emergency Medical benefit.

Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation benefits are the most popular amongst travelers looking for coverage on a cruise. Other benefits, like Trip Interruption and Missed Connection are also available.