Cruising is the type of travel that allows you to explore new horizons and destinations with minimal planning and unpacking, giving you more time to enjoy your time on the high seas.
Whether domestically or for overseas travel, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones with a travel insurance policy while on your cruise.
While some policies might automatically offer cover for cruises, in most cases cruise cover must be applied as an add-on to travel insurance policies. Here are some things that may be useful to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance for your cruise.
N.B. Insurance policies may not cover all of the above, so remember to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you purchase to know exactly what you’re covered for and what sub-limits apply.
Whether you’re cruising around a small part of Australian waters or setting sail on a river cruise around Europe, international travel insurance could help cover your onshore and offshore medical expenses. That’s because you’ll no longer be covered by Medicare or your private health fund the moment your ship leaves an Australian port, even if you’re not visiting any international ports.
Most doctors on cruise ships are private practitioners, which means that consultations, medical treatments and medications are charged at private rates. It’s important to consider travel insurance should you need any medical attention or repatriation at sea.
Most cruise operators will suggest that passengers take out international travel insurance that includes cover for overseas medical expenses, regardless of whether your cruise is sailing around Australia or departing for international ports.
Having travel insurance can give you peace of mind that you’ll be financially assisted if things don’t go as planned. Travel insurance for a cruises can provide cover for:
Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Be sure to check your policy’s PDS.
It’s important to remember travel insurance policies come with general exclusions. Travel insurance may not cover loss or injury due to:
However, keep in mind that some of the exclusions above, like pre-existing medical conditions and adventure activities, can be covered for an additional cost depending on the insurer. To understand exactly what you’re covered for, you should always read the PDS before purchasing a policy.
There’s a lot to consider before you think about booking your sea adventure. First, choose which destinations you want to visit and what type of cruise experience you’d like. There are cruises for every age group and interest, like singles or solo cruises, luxury cruises, family cruises and more.
So, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your significant other, you might not want to be around families with children. You should also research different cruise lines, ship sizes and the best times of the year to go on a cruise.
You also don’t want to walk off the ship without a plan. Before you arrive at each destination, do a bit of research on all your ports of call, shore excursions, any on-land activities you can take part in and what each destination has to offer.
When working out what to pack in your suitcase, remember that ‘less is more’. Cabins on cruise ships can be quite compact, so you don’t want to overpack and trip over suitcases every time you need to go to the bathroom.
Before you leave, plan out what you’re going to wear each day and for special occasions, and organise your clothes that way. Also, think about warm and water-resistant clothing.
Pack all your essentials and important items like passports, travel documents and prescription medications in your carry-on, in case your luggage doesn’t get delivered to your room straight away.
Nothing will dampen your cruise experience like getting seasick. So, before you head off, you should stock up on motion sickness medication. If you wait until you’re on board to buy medicine, you risk paying an inflated price. Antiemetics (anti-nausea medication) are readily available over the counter, but you can also ask your doctor for something stronger if you’re prone to severe seasickness.
As the General Manager of General Insurance, Stephen Zeller is our resident expert in travel insurance. He believes in educating customers so they can make the most of their cruises without worrying about mishaps and financial losses. Whether your cruise is a few days or a few months long, Stephen’s expertise in insurance is top tier.
Stephen has over 30 years of experience in financial services and he’s also an allied member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF). Stephen is passionate about helping customers prepare for their trip.
Looking for travel insurance to protect you on your oceanic odyssey? Our free online comparison tool can help you compare travel insurance plans from leading Australian brands. You can filter your level of cover, policy benefits and excess amount to find a policy in just minutes!
Going on a different kind of holiday? Find travel insurance based on what kind of traveller you are.
N.B. Read through any PDS carefully before signing up to a travel insurance policy to find out exactly what you’re covered for.
