No
matter how much care cruise lines put into planning their itineraries – or how
much time we put into planning our cruise vacations – there are things outside
our control that can disrupt a cruise that we can still plan for. These include
weather, illness, airline delays and more.
Fortunately,
some peace of mind is available in the form of travel insurance. Purchasing
insurance for your next cruise can’t prevent disruptions, but it can protect
your vacation investment if problems arise. While the cost of travel insurance
for a cruise varies according to cruise length, destination and how many people
are being covered, it’s always just a fraction of your investment in your cruise
vacation.
Here’s
a quick look at what travel insurance for a cruise customarily covers. Of
course, when you’re ready to purchase, review the policy carefully so that you
understand the specific details of your coverage.
·
Trip
interruption: This type of coverage is useful, for example, when a ship
develops mechanical problems during a cruise and can’t proceed. In this type of
situation, the cruise line usually compensates passengers, but insurance will
give you extra protection, such as covering the cost of your airfare changes.
·
Trip
cancellation: This protects your investment when an unexpected event – such as
a serious illness, a death in the family or a job loss – makes it impossible
for you to take your scheduled cruise.
·
Trip
delay/missed connection: This covers you if travel delays cause you to miss
your flight to the port of departure, or if your flight doesn’t arrive in time
for you to get to the ship.
·
Baggage
delay or loss: This provides some necessities (such as clothing and toiletries)
when you arrive the port of departure, but your luggage goes somewhere else.
·
Medical
expenses: Your ship will have a medical bay, but your existing health insurance
plan may not cover treatment there (be sure to check your existing policy to
see if it covers you during international travel). Travel insurance that
includes medical benefits can pay for treatment on the ship or in a port of
call; it may even include coverage for emergency medical transport if you need
to return home for treatment.
· Financial default by a travel provider: It’s rare, but it can happen.
There’s
more to know, including what insurance usually does not cover (cloudy weather,
itinerary changes) and options you might choose to add on for an additional
cost. Talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor about travel insurance
options for your next cruise.
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