Following two years of warnings about the danger of contracting COVID-19 while onboard a cruise, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lifted its risk advisory for cruise ship travel, leaving it up to the vacationers to decide whether they feel safe going on a trip.
“While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers will make their own risk assessment when choosing to travel on a cruise ship, much like they do in all other travel settings,” the agency said in a statement.
The move, which came at a time when people were thinking about their summer vacation plans, was welcomed by cruise ship operators across the country.
In a separate statement, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry’s largest trade association, said that the agency’s decision to remove its health warning “recognizes the effective public health measures in place on cruise ships and begins to level the playing field between cruise and similarly situated venues on land.”
The CDC, however, still expressed reservations about cruising and reminded travelers to ensure that their COVID-19 vaccines are up to date before taking a cruise and to always follow the ship’s requirements and recommendations against the coronavirus.
This comes as industry experts anticipate cruise lovers to return to the high seas in droves, especially with the COVID-19 risk warning removed. Despite this, many industry insiders believe that the pandemic will continue to reshape how people travel, giving rise to new challenges. So, this begs the question, should travelers take out cruise insurance?
Just like other types of policies, cruise travel insurance provides financial protection in the event something goes wrong. Coverage details vary from policy to policy, this is why experts advise travelers to review the fine print carefully before purchasing. The table below shows what’s typically covered in a cruise travel insurance plan.
|
Coverage |
What it pays for |
|---|---|
|
Trip cancellation |
Non-refundable costs already paid if the policyholder needs to cancel the trip due to reason covered by the policy
Also allows vacationers to reschedule the cruise |
|
Trip interruption |
Any unused, non-refundable cruise costs the policyholder has already paid for, including shore excursions they never got to take
May also pay for a return flight home |
|
Medical emergencies |
Medical expenses incurred because of injuries and illnesses to the policyholder while on the trip |
|
Medical evacuation |
Costs to get the policyholder to the nearest adequate medical facility or back home if it is medically required |
|
Lost luggage |
Replacement clothing, toiletries, and luggage |
|
Lost passport |
Travel assistance to help cruise ship travelers connect with their embassy or consulate to get a replacement passport |
|
Trip delay |
Extra expenses, including rebooking fees, meals, accommodations, and cruise catch-up, resulting from travel delay |
|
Pre-existing conditions |
Medical expenses related to a pre-existing condition that flare up during the trip
*Most cruise insurance policies offer a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver if the plan was purchased within two to three weeks after the initial trip payment. |
|
Cruise-ship disablement |
Fixed payment for inconveniences caused if the cruise ship becomes disabled
May also provide travel assistance to help arrange transportation back home for the policyholder and their traveling companions |
|
Cancel for any reason (CFAR) |
50% to 75% reimbursement of non-refundable costs if the policyholder cancels a trip for reasons that are not included in the policy |
Read more: Cancel for any reason travel insurance – is it worth having?
Cruise travel insurance, however, rarely covers financial losses due to harsh weather – for example, the vacationer fails to participate in a shore excursion because of a downpour – and itinerary changes – if the vacationer misses a port or is taken to a different port because of changes to the itinerary. Many policies also do not provide coverage for dental care.
Most insurance policies cost between 5% and 10% of the total cruise expenses, according to the travel insurance comparison website Squaremouth.
“The premium varies by policy and provider, depending on three primary factors: total trip cost, age of travelers, and length of travel,” Jenna Hummer, former director of public relations for Squaremouth, told a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler. “Older travelers taking long, expensive cruises will most likely be paying more for the same policy as a younger traveler taking a cheaper trip.”
Read more: Travel insurance tips for storm season
Adding CFAR coverage, meanwhile, typically raises a policy’s premium between 40% and 60% of the cost of the travel policy.
Forbes Advisor recently launched a list of carriers offering the “best cruise insurance plans.” To find out which travel insurers in the US provide the top cruise cover, the personal finance website evaluated the policies of several carriers with at least $150,000 in medical coverage, COVID-19-related protection, pre-existing conditions coverage, and CFAR option. It also considered other factors, including premium prices, trip and baggage delay time requirements, baggage loss reimbursement, and missed connection coverage. These are the ones that came out on top. The list is up to date as of April 2022.
|
Insurer/Policy |
Forbes Advisor rating |
Key coverage features |
|---|---|---|
|
AXA Assistance USA Platinum |
5 stars |
|
|
Seven Corners RoundTrip Choice |
5 stars |
|
|
Trawick International Safe Travels First Class |
5 stars |
|
|
HTH Worldwide TripProtector Preferred |
4.5 stars |
|
|
John Hancock Gold |
4.5 stars |
|
|
Nationwide Prime |
4.5 stars |
|
|
USI Affinity Diamond |
4 stars |
|
|
Cat 70 Travel Plan |
4 stars |
|
|
Tin Leg Gold Plan |
4 stars |
|
According to industry experts, a cruise is too much of an expensive investment not to insure, especially with the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this day and age, travel insurance is an essential purchase for any cruiser,” noted industry information site Cruise Radio on its website. “While it might not seem necessary for cheaper, shorter voyages, it’s still a worthwhile investment for peace of mind. Not only could it save you thousands of dollars, but it could also end up saving your life.”
“A cruise vacation has so many moving parts, including the sheer number of destinations you visit, flights, and hotels bookings,” Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of cruise review and community website Cruise Critic, told Condé Nast Traveler. “Things can go wrong after you’ve made that final deposit, and without travel insurance, you’d likely lose that payment.”
