USA, Canada and the Caribbean
These countries aren't always included as standard because of their high medical costs.
Cruise travel insurance
Compare cheap cruise insurance.
Quotes from £15.48
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Compare holiday insurance quotes from 59^ 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. This kind of travel needs specialised cover because it comes with different risks compared with other types of holiday.
Cruise cover protects you from the financial impact of things like:
missing your 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
Do I need cruise insurance?
🚩 Several cruise companies will not let you board without insurance in place
Even cruise operators that do not require cruise insurance strongly recommend it.
You can sometimes add cruise cover to your regular travel insurance for an extra fee. Or you can take out a special policy just for cruises.
Your cruise insurance must cover you for all ports the ship will visit, even if you do not plan to get off the ship. That's because you'd still be subject to that country's medical and legal systems if something happened.
How much does cruise insurance cost?
£58
.93^
This is the average price paid by MoneySuperMarket customers for travel insurance with cruise cover.
Case study
You fall ill while on board the ship and are confined to your cabin to stop contagion. 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 a hospital for treatment. This carries a huge cost.
What does cruise holiday insurance cover?
Policies vary from provider to provider, but cruise cover typically includes:
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Cancellation or curtailment
Provides cancellation cover for reasons beyond your control, such as illness, injury or a medical emergency.
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Missed departure
Protection if you miss your cruise’s departure due to events like train cancellations, strikes, traffic accidents or vehicle breakdowns.
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Cruise interruption
Protection if you need hospital treatment on land, covering the cost of re-joining your cruise once you’ve recovered.
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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.
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Cabin confinement
Protection if you become ill on board and must stay in your cabin to prevent spreading infection to other passengers.
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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 extra cover can I add to my cruise insurance?
A standard cruise insurance policy might not include all destinations, items and activities.
To be fully covered, upgrade or take out specialist policies.
-
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Long-stay cover
Most travel insurance policies have a maximum duration of 30-60 days. If you will be at sea for several months, you'll need long-stay cover.
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High-value items
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Adventurous activities
Cover for any higher-risk activities you plan to do, such as scuba diving 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 run into millions.
That’s why many major cruise lines, including P&O Cruises and Cunard, now insist you have suitable travel insurance before you’re allowed to board. Some cruise companies also apply this rule to particular routes. For example, sailings that visit remote destinations without immediate medical facilities, such as transatlantic crossings or cruises to the Norwegian fjords.
Cruise cover can cost from as little as £2.87
^ and can save you from serious financial stress if something goes wrong.
Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert
Can I get cruise cover with medical conditions?
Yes. Cruise cover is like standard travel insurance when it comes to pre-existing medical conditions. As long as you disclose the details of your conditions you can usually find cover - even if you have severe health problems.
There are also 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 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.
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 | £25.33^ |
60s | £38.89^ |
70s | £59.59^ |
80s | £75.53^ |
Why should I compare cruise insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
-
We're trusted
All our 59
^ travel insurers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) -
Rated 4.7/5 on Feefo
We're also the UK's most recommended price comparison website
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Earn rewards
Buy through us and get up to £5
^ , plus other SuperSaveClub rewards -
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Save £££ by shopping around. Plus, we price match and will give you £20 if you find a cheaper deal
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^ . -
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When should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?
As soon as your holiday is booked. If your trip gets cancelled because of external factors beyond your control, you will not be covered and will not receive any compensation. Sometimes, if you book your policy at least two weeks in advance, you also qualify for bonus cover.
Why is cruise insurance more expensive?
A cruise carries additional, sometimes unique risks compared with more mainstream travel arrangements, particularly when it comes to needing medical attention offshore rather than on land. The more expensive the risks involved, the more expensive a policy becomes.
Can I get cruise cover if I have a pre-existing condition?
Yes, you can get cruise cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition. But your premiums will probably be more expensive and it’s important to pay attention to inclusions and exclusions in your policy.
Who can I get covered on a cruise insurance policy?
You can get cruise cover for yourself if you need a single travel policy. You can also get cruise cover for a couple or your whole family. Some policies include cover for children for free or at a discounted price.
Does cruise insurance cover Covid-19?
The cruise industry was battered by Covid-19 and cruise lines may still require insurance that specifically covers Covid-19 related issues. Check for policies that include cancellation if you or a close relative gets Covid-19 just before your trip, early returns if a family member becomes seriously ill or passes away from the virus, and medical costs if you need treatment for Covid-19 while away.
Does cruise insurance cover emergency evacuation?
Many policies do, but always double check. Look for policies that cover medical treatment on board, emergency evacuation and repatriation where necessary as part of their emergency medical cover. Also check the total value of that cover because medical evacuations requiring specialist equipment and teams can run to hundreds of thousands of pounds, especially if patients are out at sea.
Can I get annual cruise insurance?
Yes, like standard travel insurance, there are single trip and annual cruise policies out there. In fact, if you plan on taking more than two cruises a year an annual policy may work out cheaper than two single trip policies, depending on things like your destinations while on board.
Can I get cruise insurance after booking?
The best time to take out insurance for a cruise is right after you've booked your trip because your insurance could cover you if something happens that forces you to cancel your trip or change your plans, such as a bereavement or an injury.
You can buy travel insurance for your cruise until your departure date, but if you’re already onboard without insurance, you may not be able to get cover. Many providers won't sell travel insurance for a trip after you've departed.
Do I need travel insurance for a UK cruise?
That depends. Some cruise lines might require passengers to have travel insurance, even for domestic cruises within the UK. Check with your cruise operator.
Travel insurance can offer additional benefits like cover for medical emergencies that require specific treatments not available on the ship, or transportation to a hospital as well as other issues like trip cancellation, lost luggage, or delays.
Does cruise insurance cover sailing?
Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover sailing activities. Even if they do, they'll often limit the distance you can sail from shore and the areas you can sail in. You'll have to add specific water sports or sailing cover to your policy if you plan to sail while on your cruise.
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Every page on our website goes through a careful editorial process before it is published. It’s written or reviewed by one of our experienced experts, checked for accuracy, and updated regularly to reflect the latest information.
We do use AI tools to support our research and drafting, but a human editor is always in the loop to review, fact-check and approve everything before it’s published, so you can trust that what you’re reading is both reliable and up to date.
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Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
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 £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025 by
Data based on the 10th percentile price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with cruise cover in December 2025.
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with cruise cover in October 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 55-59 in December 2025.
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 65-69 in December 2025.
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 75-79 in December 2025.
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for age 85+ in December 2025.
The number of providers for travel insurance in December 2025
Selected providers. SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
T&Cs apply to SuperSaveClub and Price Promise.
Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)
T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information
Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket with cruise cover in December 2025.
T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information
T&Cs apply, click here for more information