Princess Cruise Insurance: How Much Does it Cost and Is it Worth It?
Key Takeaways
- Princess Cruises offers a standalone cancellation fee waiver and a comprehensive Vacation Protection plan that reimburses 100% of your cruise costs for any cancellation reason, along with other cruise mishaps, like lost luggage, illnesses, and injuries.
- Princess Cruises used to offer 2 tiers of Vacation Protection, Standard and Platinum, but as of 2026, it eliminated the Standard tier and replaced it with a (pricey) standalone cancellation policy.
- Princess charges a fixed premium for both policies, ranging from 8% to 12% of your total cruise cost, which is very high compared to third-party cruise insurance policies, which range between 4%-10%.
- In most cases, Princess cruise travel insurance is not worth its high cost due to significant coverage gaps. Its Emergency Medical limits are far below our recommended levels, and the Medical Evacuation coverage is insufficient for parties of two or more.
- Consider third-party cruise insurance plans on Squaremouth to make sure you’re getting the best coverage for your cruise.
What Is Princess Vacation Protection?
Princess Vacation Protection is an optional cruise insurance plan that you can purchase after paying your cruise deposit. It allows you to cancel your cruise for any reason for a full refund, and it also covers accidents and illnesses on your cruise, and other common disruptions like lost and delayed luggage.
How Has Princess Cruises’ Insurance Changed Since 2025?
Princess Cruises eliminated its Standard Vacation Protection plan at the end of 2025, leaving only the pricier Platinum plan, and it added a standalone cancellation fee waiver that you can purchase separately from its travel insurance.
Since the Standard plan no longer exists, elite loyalty program members no longer have the option to purchase it for a lower price to get a free upgrade to the Platinum plan. Along with the changes to its Vacation Protection, Princess also instituted a fee for refundable deposits.
Princess Vacation Protection isn’t available for purchase until you’ve paid the initial deposit on your cruise. Be sure not to confuse it with the refundable deposit and cancellation protection options (the two checkboxes on the cruise summary page). These are separate benefits.
What Does Princess Cruise Insurance Cover?
Princess’s cancellation protection covers just your cancellation fees, while its Platinum Vacation Protection Plan offers a broad set of protections for common cruise disruptions, including cancellations, accidents, and illnesses.
You’re covered for:
- Trip cancellations: You can get a refund for your non-refundable cruise costs if you cancel your trip for a covered reason, including sickness, illness, or injury of yourself, a traveling companion, or your immediate family members.
- Trip interruptions: Princess Cruises can reimburse your remaining trip costs plus your return ticket home if you need to interrupt your trip due to injury, illness, or the death of you, a family member, your traveling companion, or a business partner.
- Trip delays: You will be covered for up to $500 toward the cost of catching up to your cruise in case a qualifying delay over 3 hours causes you to miss your departure. You will also be covered for up to $1,500 to cover your transportation home.
- Lost bags: Princess Cruises offers up to $3,000 reimbursement for personal belongings that are lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed during your trip.
- Delayed bags: Princess Cruises will reimburse you up to $500 toward the cost of essential items if your luggage is delayed more than 24 hours en route to your cruise.
- Flights, hotels & tours booked through Princess: You’re also covered for flights, hotels, and excursions booked through Princess Cruises in case of a cancellation or trip interruption.
- Accidents and illnesses on your trip: You’ll get up to $20,000 in medical expenses for accidents during your cruise and another $20,000 toward illnesses.
- Emergency evacuations: Princess Cruises offers up to $100,000 for your transport to a nearby medical facility or to a medical facility near your home when necessary, and for the repatriation of your remains.
- Cancellations for any reason: If you need to cancel for any reason that isn’t covered under Princess’s cancellation policy, Princess can reimburse up to 100% of your non-refundable costs in the form of a credit toward a future cruise.
Princess Vacation Protection vs. Other Travel Insurance
Princess Cruises Vacation Protection Platinum plan offers very strong trip cancellation protection compared to third-party travel insurance but falls short of comprehensive trip insurance in many other areas. Its medical coverage is particularly weak compared to standard travel insurance.
| Benefit | Princess Vacation Protection | Princess Cancellation Protection | IMG iTravelInsured Choice Cruise | Seven Corners Cruise |
| Cost of premium | 12% of cruise | 10% of cruise cost | 4% of total trip cost | 6% of total trip cost |
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of Princess Cruises costs | N/A | 100% of trip cost | 100% of trip cost |
| Trip Interruption | 150% of Princess Cruises costs | No coverage | 150% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost |
| Trip Delay | $500 pre-cruise, $1,500 post-cruise after 3-hour delay | No coverage | $1,000/person after 6-hour delay | $1,000/person after 6-hour delay |
| Missed Connection | No coverage | No coverage | $500/person after 6-hour delay | $1,500/person after 3-hour delay |
| Baggage Loss/Damage | $3,000 | No coverage | $1,000/person | $2,000/person |
| Baggage Delay | $500 after 24-hour delay | No coverage | $300/person after 6-hour delay | $500 after 6-hour delay |
| Emergency Medical | $20,000 for accidents and $20,000 for sickness | No coverage | $100,000/person (primary) | $250,000/person (secondary) |
| Emergency Evacuation | $100,000 | No coverage | $500,000/person | $500,000/person |
| 24-Hour AD&D | No coverage | No coverage | $10,000/person | No coverage |
| Cancel For Any Reason | 100% of non-refundable cruise costs, issued as cruise credit | 100% of non-refundable cruise costs, refunded as cash | No coverage | Optional add on, covers 75% of full trip cost |
Where Princess trip insurance stands out:
- Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): Princess’s cancellation policy is the strongest of any cruise line. No matter the reason, you’re guaranteed a 100% refund for cancelling your cruise. In comparison, the top cruise plans on Squaremouth don’t offer CFAR, or only reimburse 75% of your trip costs.
- Trip delays: Princess covers trip delays of only 3 hours, versus 6 hours for the comprehensive travel insurance policies. Also, unlike these policies, Princess can reimburse your return ticket home if you’re delayed returning from your cruise.
- Baggage coverage: Princess offers much higher coverage for lost bags than the third-party plans.
- Premiums for people over 70: Since premiums aren’t based on age, Princess’s pricing can be competitive for much older travelers.
Where Princess trip insurance falls short:
- Very high premiums: Princess’s premiums are exceptionally high, even for a cruise insurance policy. It’s around twice the cost of the IMG and Seven Corners plans, with much less coverage.
- Pre-existing medical conditions: While many third-party plans offer pre-existing conditions waivers, Princess excludes pre-existing conditions treated or diagnosed within 60 days of its effective date.
- Emergency Medical: Princess has a $20,000 total limit for medical expenses. The comprehensive cruise insurance plans offer $100,000 or more per person.
- Medical Evacuation: Princess caps Medical Evacuation at $100,000 total. Our top cruise insurance plans offer $500,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage per person.
- Covering all your trip costs: Princess only covers cancellations and interruptions for travel purchased through it. The comprehensive plans cover 100% of your trip.
- Missed connection coverage: While the comprehensive plans cover missed connections, Princess does not.
- CFAR isn’t a cash refund: Princess’s reimbursement for CFAR is a credit toward a future cruise, which includes an expiration date and blackout dates. While the Seven Corners plan only reimburses 75% of your costs, it’s a cash refund that doesn’t lock you into taking another cruise.
- Covering other cruise disruptions: Unlike IMG and Seven Corners, Princess doesn’t offer any coverage for cruise-specific disruptions like itinerary changes, missed ports of call, and loss of power or water.
Medical bills can be pricey even for conditions treated onboard your cruise ship, and have to be paid up front. Former Princess passengers note having to pay thousands of dollars in expenses for treatment of things like kidney stones and COVID treatments before leaving their cruise.
How Much Does Princess Cruise Insurance Cost?
A Platinum Protection Plan costs 12% of your total fare, or a minimum of $59 per person, according to Princess Cruise’s Princess Vacation Protection page.
So, for example, a plan for a $6,000 cruise for two people would cost $720. This exceeds the cost of standard cruise insurance, which costs between 4%-10% of your total trip cost, according to our cruise insurance cost report. In fact, the average cost of cruise insurance plans on Squaremouth is about 6%, which is half the cost of a Princess cruise plan.
Even Princess’s standalone Cancellation Protection is more expensive than third-party cruise insurance. It costs 8% of your total premium and only covers your cancellation fee.
| Platinum Protection (per person) |
| 12% of total fare, minimum of $59 |
| Total fare includes cruise fare, government taxes and fees, required cruise fees and expenses, and Princess Plus Premier package (if applicable) |
How Hard Is it to File a Claim With Princess Cruise Insurance?
According to customer reviews, it can be very difficult to file a claim with Princess Cruise Insurance. The policy is administered by Aon Affinity, which has a 1.1-star rating on TrustPilot, largely due to complaints about claims filing. Common complaints include:
- Denials due to pre-existing conditions. Many reviewers complain about their claims being denied unexpectedly due to a pre-existing condition, suggesting that Aon adheres very strictly to the pre-existing condition clause in the policy.
- Delayed claims processing and unreasonable paperwork requests. Reviewers often complain about getting the “runaround” from Aon, with redundant requests to submit paperwork and overly-detailed requests for personal medical information.
- Unhelpful customer service. Reviewers complain about difficulties getting their problems resolved due to communication difficulties with staff in Aon’s overseas call center.
We offer a Zero Complaint Guarantee for policies purchased on Squaremouth. Our team of licensed claims adjusters will help mediate with the insurer if you feel that your claim was denied unfairly.
Is Princess Cruise Insurance Worth It?
Princess Vacation Protection is not worth the high premiums, offering insufficient cruise protection for the price. It may make sense for certain types of cruisers. For instance, people over 70 without a pre-existing condition may find the pricing competitive to third-party insurance, because the price doesn’t increase with age. And frequent cruisers who are strictly looking for CFAR protection may find the price relatively affordable in comparison to other CFAR plans.
Most cruisers are better off purchasing a comprehensive policy from a third-party insurer. At a minimum, consider purchasing standalone travel medical insurance to ensure adequate coverage for medical emergencies during your cruise. And, we always recommend comparing cruise insurance plans before purchasing any travel insurance.
Princess Cruise Insurance Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easily add on after making your cruise deposit
- Cancel your cruise for any reason for up to 100% refund
- 150% trip interruption reimbursement
- Premiums don’t increase with age
Cons
- High premiums
- Medical and Evacuation limits are far too low
- No pre-existing condition waiver
- Cancel for any reason refund is issued as cruise credit
- Independently booked airfare and hotels aren’t covered
- Can only purchase before final payment
- Cumbersome claims process
- Unavailable in New York
Recommended Alternatives to Princess Travel Protection
The three plans below are the most popular options for cruise insurance on Squaremouth. They offer much more comprehensive coverage for your cruise, including adequate coverage for Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuations:
FAQs: Princess Cruises Travel Insurance
Does Princess Cruises Require Travel Insurance?
No, Princess Cruises doesn’t require travel insurance, but still we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance ahead of your trip. This will cover you in case you need to cancel your cruise for a covered reason and can protect you against catastrophic medical costs in case of a medical emergency on your cruise.
Does Princess Vacation Protection Cover Airfare or Hotels?
A Princess Cruises Vacation Protection plan does cover airfare and hotels purchased through Princess Cruises. However, it does not cover airfare or hotels purchased from other travel providers.
How Do You Add Princess Vacation Protection?
You can add Princess Vacation Protection after you’ve paid the deposit on your cruise. You can do so online by going to the “Manage Booking” section of your account. You can also call Princess Cruises at 1-800-774-6237 to have a customer service representative add it for you. Or, you can add through the Princess app.
Can You Add Princess Vacation Protection After Booking?
You can add Princess Vacation Protection after making your cruise deposit. However, you must add it before you’ve made the final payment on your cruise, which is due 90 days before sailing.
Does Medicare Cover Me on a Princess Cruise?
No, Medicare generally won’t cover you on a Princess Cruise. Some Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplements may cover medical emergencies on a cruise, but they may have large deductibles and strict lifetime caps for international coverage. Also, Medicare generally won’t cover Medical Evacuations at all.
When Should I Buy Princess Cruise Insurance?
If you’re purchasing Princess Vacation Protection, you must purchase it before making the final payment on your cruise, which is due 90 days in advance of your departure. If you’re purchasing insurance for your Princess Cruise from a third-party insurer, you should purchase coverage within 14 to 21 days of your initial cruise deposit to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver.
What Are the Two Tiers of Princess Vacation Protection?
Princess Cruises offers Platinum Vacation Protection and a standalone Cancellation Protection waiver. Its Platinum protection reimburses your trip cancellation costs as well as a range of other disruptions like lost luggage and medical emergencies. Its Cancellation Protection waiver only waives your cancellation fees if you need to cancel for any reason.
Does Princess Cruises Have Cancellation Insurance?
Yes, Princess Cruises offers cancellation insurance that will cover 100% of your non-refundable cruise expenses for any reason as long as you cancel at least 72 hours prior to your cruise.
Can You Get a Refund From Princess Cruises?
Princess Cruises may refund all or some of your trip cost depending on when you cancel. If you cancel less than 181 days in advance, Princess charges a cancellation fee, based on the following time frames:
- 90 to 180 days: Deposit amount (if non-refundable)
- 75 to 89 days: 25% of total cost
- 61 to 74 days: 50% of total cost
- 31 to 60 days: 75% of total cost
- 30 days or less: 100% of total cost
Why Should I Purchase Princess Vacation Protection?
While Princess Cruises recommends their vacation protection in the event of unexpected occurrences, we don’t recommend purchasing Princess Vacation Protection.You’re generally better off with third-party cruise insurance, which can cost much less and offer much better coverage than Princess Vacation Protection.
Does Princess Vacation Protection Cover Me if I’m Sick or Injured Before my Cruise?
Princess Vacation Protection will not cover medical expenses for illnesses or injuries that happen prior to your cruise. However, it will reimburse your non-refundable cruise expenses in case you need to cancel your cruise due to an illness or injury that wasn’t pre-existing when you bought the policy.
Does Princess Vacation Protection Cover Me if I’m Injured on Shore?
Yes, Princess Vacation Protection does cover you if you’re injured on shore during your cruise. However, it only covers you for $20,000 in Emergency Medical expenses, which is far below our recommended coverage of $50,000 per person.