USA, Canada and the Caribbean
These destinations aren't always included as standard because of their high medical costs. You might need worldwide cover.
Cruise travel insurance
Compare cheap cruise insurance.
Quotes from £5.88
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Compare holiday insurance quotes from 57^ trusted UK providers
Find tailored travel cover at the right price by comparing deals from the UK’s leading travel insurers.
What is cruise insurance?
Cruise insurance is a type of travel insurance tailored to cruise trips. It can protect you from the financial impact of specific cruise-related risks, such as:
Missing your cruise ship's departure
Needing to get to a hospital if you get sick while at sea
Being unable to get off the boat at planned stops
Changes to your cruise itinerary due to bad weather
💡 Top tip: You can sometimes add cruise cover to your regular travel insurance for an extra fee. Or you can take out a separate policy just for cruises.
Do I need cruise insurance?
Yes, cruise insurance is often a requirement for you to board a cruise ship, and even cruise operators that don’t require it, strongly recommend it.
Your cruise insurance must cover:
The full length of your trip
All of your destinations - even if you don’t leave the ship
💡 Top tip: Cunard, P&O and Royal Caribbean all require cruise insurance. There can also be required minimum cover amounts too.
How much does cruise insurance cost?
£7
.27^
This is the average price paid by MoneySuperMarket customers for travel insurance with cruise cover.
Consider this scenario
You fall ill while on board the ship and you have to stay in your cabin to stop the illness spreading. You miss several prepaid excursions.
If your condition becomes serious enough, you will need to be evacuated from a ship in the middle of an ocean to get hospital treatment. This carries a huge cost unless you have cruise insurance.
🚩 Cunard, P&O and Royal Caribbean all require cruise insurance, and there can be set cover amounts too.
What does cruise holiday insurance cover me for?
Policies vary from provider to provider, but cruise cover typically includes:
-
Cancellation or curtailment
Provides cancellation cover for reasons beyond your control, such as illness, injury or a medical emergency.
-
Missed departure
Protection if you miss your cruise’s departure due to events like train cancellations, strikes, traffic accidents or vehicle breakdowns.
-
Cruise interruption
Protection if you need hospital treatment on land, covering the cost of re-joining your cruise once you’ve recovered.
-
Missed ports
Protection if your ship can’t dock at a planned destination due to unexpected disruption, such as bad weather or mechanical issues.
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Unused excursions
Protection if you can’t take part in a pre-booked excursion because of illness, injury or an accident during your trip.
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Lost or stolen items
Baggage protection covers the cost of your items if lost, stolen or damaged. Valuable items such as jewellery or expensive evening wear may need extra cover.
-
Cabin confinement
Protection if you become ill on board and must stay in your cabin to prevent spreading infection to other passengers.
-
Repatriation
Protection if you need to be brought back to the UK for medical treatment following a serious illness or injury while abroad.
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Death while abroad
Protection if you or a travelling companion dies during your trip, covering the costs of returning the body to the UK.
What doesn’t cruise holiday insurance cover me for?
Like standard travel insurance, cruise holiday insurance doesn’t usually cover:
-
Choosing not to travel
You can’t claim simply because you no longer want to go on a cruise. You need to cancel for an insured reason.
-
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
You won’t get treatment for medical conditions you didn't declare when you took out your insurance.
-
Alcohol and drug related incidents
If you have an accident or an incident during your cruise while you are under the influence.
-
Travelling against government advice
If the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advised against travel to that country.
-
High-risk sports
If you want to take part in extreme sports such as skiing, hiking and diving during your cruise holiday you’ll need to add specialist cover.
What extra cover can I add to my cruise insurance?
A standard cruise insurance policy might not include all destinations, items and activities. But you can upgrade or take out specialist policies.
-
-
Long-stay cover
Travel insurance policies often have a maximum duration of 31-59 days. If you will be at sea for several months, you'll need long-stay cover.
-
High-value items
-
Sports and activities
Cover for sports like golf and any higher-risk activities you plan to do, such as scuba diving,hiking or winter sports.
Our expert says…
Going on a cruise is a fantastic way to explore the world, but if you have a medical emergency at sea the cost of treatment or evacuation could cost thousands.
That’s why many major cruise lines, including P&O Cruises and Cunard, insist you have suitable travel insurance before you’re allowed to board. Some cruise companies also apply this rule to particular routes.
Cruise cover can cost from as little as £1.23
^ and can save you from serious financial stress if something goes wrong.”
Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert
Can I get cruise cover if I have a medical condition?
Yes, you can get cruise cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes or cancer, but you may pay more for cover. You must tell your insurer about a pre-existing medical condition otherwise you risk invalidating your policy.
If you’re struggling to get standard travel insurance, there are specialist insurers who offer medical travel insurance. The MoneyHelper website provides a list of these insurers, or you can call the British Insurance Brokers’ Association on 0370 950 1790.
Are there age limits on cruise travel insurance?
Yes, it's not uncommon for cruise travel insurance policies to have age limits. These are usually between 75 and 85 years old. Some insurers also restrict cover for things like winter sports if you are an older traveller.
You can still find travel insurance for over 70s and travel insurance for over 80s, but you are likely to have fewer options and pay higher costs. Travel insurance age-limits vary by provider. Some insurers do not set a limit so it’s worth shopping around.
If you have health issues, or have been refused cover elsewhere, you may need a policy from an insurer that specialises in covering medical conditions.
Age | Average cost of travel insurance |
|---|---|
50s | £25.29 |
60s | £32.83 |
70s | £44.02 |
80s | £69.51 |
Why should I compare cruise insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
-
We're trusted
All our 57
^ travel insurers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) -
Earn rewards
Buy through us and get up to £5
^ , plus other SuperSaveClub rewards -
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We’ll reward you every time you make a purchase. Exchange your earnings for a gift card for Amazon.co.uk
^ , Sainsbury’s & more -
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^ . -
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Refer a friend
You and your friends each get up to £20 when they join the Club and make a qualifying purchase. Win-Win!
When should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?
You should buy travel insurance for a cruise as soon as you book it. That means you are covered for unexpected cancellation or illness before your ship’s departure date.
You can still buy travel insurance for your cruise until your departure date, but if you’re already onboard without insurance, you won’t be able to get cover.
Why is cruise insurance more expensive?
A cruise carries additional, sometimes unique, risks compared with other types of travel. For example, you might need medical attention on board the ship rather than on land. The more expensive the risks involved, the more expensive a policy becomes.
How can I get cheaper cruise insurance?
Here are some tips that could help you get cheaper cruise insurance:
Compare policies: Don’t automatically opt for the cruise insurance offered by your cruise liner or the travel company you booked your cruise with, shop around and compare quotes instead
Consider annual multi-trip cover: If you plan to take more than one cruise a year look at multi-trip cover not just single trip insurance
Limit add-ons: Make sure you only add on what you need for your cruise
Increase your voluntary excess: Increasing how much you contribute should you need to make a claim is usually an easy way to lower the cost of your insurance but make sure your excess is still at a level you can afford to pay
Who is covered by a cruise insurance policy?
You can get cruise insurance for:
Solo travel if you’re going alone
Your family
Some policies include cover for children for free or at a discounted price.
Does cruise insurance cover Covid-19?
Yes, cruise insurance often includes cover for Covid-19 but you should check your policy documents to be sure and follow any rules about vaccinations.
Typically, a policy should protect you if you test positive for Covid-19 before your departure date and are unable to travel or if you contract it during your cruise and are confined to your cabin or need emergency medical treatment.
Does cruise insurance cover emergency evacuation?
Yes, cruise insurance should cover emergency evacuation for medical treatment. It should also cover repatriation if you need tobe brought back to the UK for treatment. Double-check your policy documents to be sure these are included and check the cover limit, particularly as some cruise operators require certain amounts. For example, for P&O you need medical and repatriation cover of at least £2 million.
Can I use a GHIC card on a cruise ship?
No, you can’t use a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on board a cruise ship to cover the cost of medical treatment, even if your ship is docked.
However, if you’re taken to a hospital on land for state-funded treatment in one of the countries that the GHIC covered you may be able to use your card so it’s a good idea to carry it with you during your cruise.
Can I get annual multi-trip insurance for a cruise?
Yes, you can get annual multi-trip insurance for a cruise, and if you plan to take more than one cruise holiday a year this could work out cheaper than single-trip cover, depending on things like your destinations
Do I need travel insurance for a UK cruise?
Yes, even for domestic cruises within the UK your cruise operator may require you to have travel insurance. If it’s not a requirement, it can still be worth taking out insurance to cover issues like trip cancellation, lost luggage, or delays, as well as specific cruise risks such as medical emergencies that require treatment not available on the ship.
Does cruise insurance cover sailing activities?
No, cruise insurance doesn’t typically include sailing activities. You'll usually have to add specific water sports or sailing cover to your policy if you plan to sail while on your cruise.
Do I need special travel insurance for a river cruise?
No, you might not need to take out special travel insurance for a river cruise, depending on your insurance provider. For example, Admiral’s standard travel insurance includes a river cruise (but if you’re going on a sea cruise you’ll need to add on cover). Check your policy documents or speak to your insurer to be sure. Even if it is included, check exactly what is covered, including cover limits, and make sure it meets any requirements your river cruise operator has.
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Is travel insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £5
^ , which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.ukFree Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions (you must download our app to get this)
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is travel insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, travel insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £5
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 6 Aug 2026 by
