Travel insurance is important especially for cruisers because cruises are unique compared to other types of vacations.

Unlike a road trip or a resort stay, a cruise often involves multiple destinations, international waters, and strict cancellation policies.

Here are the top reasons why travel insurance is a wise investment for cruisers:

1. Trip Cancellations & Interruptions

Cruises often require full payment months in advance, and most cruise lines have strict cancellation policies. If you need to cancel due to illness, a family emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances, travel insurance can help reimburse non-refundable expenses.

2. Medical Emergencies & Evacuations

Your health insurance may not cover you outside your home country. If you get sick or injured while at sea or in a foreign port, medical costs can be significant.

Worse, if you need emergency evacuation from the ship to a hospital, through MedEvac, it can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance helps cover these expenses.

I've personally been on several cruises where a fellow passenger encountered a catastrophic medical situation that required diversion and emergency disembarkation at a foreign port of call.

3. Missed Connections & Delays

If a flight delay causes you to miss your cruise departure, you could be responsible for catching up with the ship at the next port, at your own expense. Travel insurance can cover missed connections, allowing you to rejoin your cruise without hefty out-of-pocket costs.

4. Lost, Delayed, or Stolen Luggage

Cruises require multiple transitions (flights, transfers, and embarkation) that increase the chances of lost or delayed luggage. Travel insurance can help cover essentials if your bags are delayed and reimburse you if they are lost or stolen.

5. Weather-Related Disruptions

Hurricanes and severe weather can lead to cruise delays, cancellations, or altered itineraries. Travel insurance can cover these disruptions, helping with rebooking costs or refunds.

The decision between an annual travel insurance plan and individual trip coverage depends on how often you travel and the types of coverage you need.

An annual policy may be best if:

• You take multiple trips per year, including cruises, flights, or road trips.

• You want one policy that covers every trip, including domestic and international travel.

• You value convenience and don’t want to remember to purchase a new policy every trip.

• You’re looking for better value over time, since annual plans are typically more cost-effective for frequent travelers.

• You want to cover things like trip delay, cancellation, medical emergencies, and rental car insurance in one bundled plan.

• You want coverage for your family. The Allianz annual plan covers everyone in your household.
  
  

An individual trip policy may be best if:

• You only travel once or twice a year.

• Your trips vary widely in cost or type, and you prefer tailoring coverage to each one.

• You’re booking a very expensive or complex trip, like a bucket-list cruise or international itinerary, and want high-limit or customizable coverage.

If you're still unsure, I suggest calculating your total estimated travel costs for the year and comparing the annual premium vs. the cost of individual trip policies.

If the math tips toward the annual plan, and you take more than 2-3 trips a year, it’s probably the best choice.