Cruises offer a unique travel experience, but they also come with distinct and higher risks that travel insurance included with credit cards may not fully cover. Travel advisors must guide clients in selecting proper cruise-specific travel insurance to ensure they have the right amount and type of coverage.
Here are ten essential aspects to consider:
1. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage Reasons
Cruise fares often have strict cancellation policies with high penalties for last-minute changes. Advisors should ensure clients have coverage that includes cruise-specific cancellation reasons, such as a delayed flight causing a missed departure or illness before the trip.
2. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Limits
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage provided by credit cards is often limited to $3,000–$5,000 for trip interruption and $1,000–$2,000 for trip cancellation. Since cruise vacation packages can be significantly more expensive, these limits are often insufficient. Clients should consider additional travel insurance to ensure adequate coverage.
3. Missed Connection and Delayed Embarkation
If a client’s flight is delayed or canceled, causing them to miss their ship's departure, missed connection coverage can reimburse rebooking costs or accommodations needed to catch up with the cruise at the next port. This is particularly important for cruises with tight boarding schedules.
4. Coverage for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
If a passenger falls seriously ill, they may require evacuation to the nearest hospital or even back home. Helicopter or boat evacuations from a cruise ship can cost tens of thousands of dollars, making comprehensive medical evacuation coverage essential.
5. Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Many travelers have pre-existing medical conditions, especially senior travelers who frequently purchase cruise packages. Advisors should inform clients that travel insurance provided by credit cards typically excludes pre-existing conditions, meaning any medical emergencies related to these conditions will not be covered.
6. Travel Medical Insurance coverage for Seniors
Cruises are one of the most popular ways for seniors to travel due to their convenience and comfort. However, additional insurance risks exist, as travel insurance provided by credit cards often does not cover seniors or has age-based restrictions that significantly reduce coverage - e.g., from 20 days down to just 3 days.
This is why it’s crucial to highlight these limitations to clients and explain the benefits of proper travel insurance coverage.
7. Baggage & Personal Belongings Protection
Cruise passengers often carry expensive clothing, electronics, and documents. Advisors should ensure the policy covers lost, stolen, or delayed luggage, items misplaced onboard the cruise or at port, and essential purchases if luggage is delayed (e.g., formal wear for a cruise event). Credit card travel insurance coverage, such as for delayed luggage, typically provides only a few hundred dollars in protection.
8. Itinerary Changes and Cruise Line Bankruptcy Protection
Cruise lines can change itineraries due to weather, mechanical issues, or geopolitical concerns. It is important to ensure that travel insurance covers:
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Port cancellations that impact planned activities
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Cruise line bankruptcy or financial default, protecting prepaid expenses
9. Quarantine Coverage
After the pandemic, quarantine-related risks remain a concern, especially for cruises with strict health protocols. Clients should have a policy that covers:
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Trip cancellation due to a positive test before departure
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Medical treatment & quarantine costs onboard
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Expenses if denied boarding due to symptoms
Travel insurance provided by credit cards does not always cover all three scenarios.
10. Cancel for Any Reason Upgrades
Cruise travelers often book months or even years in advance, making “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage valuable. It allows passengers to cancel their trip for any reason, typically reimbursing 50–75% of costs. Travel insurance provided by credit cards does not offer this protection, so advisors should highlight this additional coverage for greater peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Travel insurance for cruise-bound clients should include additional features and coverage that credit card travel insurance often lacks. It’s essential to highlight these gaps to clients.
TravelAndCards.com helps travel advisors do just that by analyzing the travel insurance coverage of every credit card, assessing clients’ upcoming trips, and identifying coverage gaps that advisor-sold policies can fill.
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