A cruise can be a dream vacation. But things can go wrong, too — from missing the boat to picking up a bug to breaking your foot at a port of call.
Thankfully, cruise insurance can reimburse you for many prepaid and non-refundable expenses.
CNBC Select analyzed 20 cruise insurance companies and selected the best ones, based on cost, coverage, customer service and more.(Seeour methodologyfor more on how we made our selections.)
Best for affordability: AXA
AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance
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Policy highlights
Silver, Gold and Platinum plans with add-ons including a collision damage waiver (for Gold and Platinum), lostski days or golf rounds and CFAR insurance (for Platinum plan)
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Add-on with Platinum plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if you purchase within 14 days of booking ($50,000 maximum).
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with Gold and Platinum plans if purchased within 14 days of trip deposit.
Pros
- Up to $3,000 for lost baggage with AXA’s Platinum plan
- Up to $1,500 per person for missed connections on cruises/tours
- Pre-existing conditions waiver available for Gold and Platinum plans
Cons
- No add-ons available with Silver plan.
- Cancel for Any Reason coverage only available with Platinum plan
Who’s this for? AXA Assistance USA is a standout for budget-conscious cruisers with the lowest rates of all the travel insurance companies we reviewed
Standout benefit: AXA’s Silver Plan can reimburse travel costs if you lose your job. The Platinum plan comes with coverage of up to $3,000 per person for baggage loss.
[ Click here for more on AXA Travel Insurance ]
Best for seniors: TravelSafe Insurance
TravelSafe Insurance
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Policy highlights
Basic and Classic plans, with add-ons including rental car damage, CFAR insurance, extended personal protection and flight-onlydeath and dismemberment coverage
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Add-on with Classic plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if you purchase within 21 days of booking
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with any plan if purchased within 21 days of trip deposit.
Pros
- Up to $2,500 per person for missed connections lasting at least three hours
- Pre-existing condition waiver available for any plan within 21 days of deposit
- CFAR coverage is available within 21 days of first deposit
- Up to $300 in points or miles returned on eligible flights that are changed or canceled.
Cons
- Limited number of add-ons available
- Plans more expensive than many competitors
Best for pre-existing conditions: Seven Corners
Seven Corners Travel Insurance
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Policy highlights
Seven Corners offers single-trip, annual and student plans and travel medical insurance. Optional add-ons include Cancel For Any Reason and Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) coverage and protection for rental cars, sports equipment and event tickets.
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Reimburses up to 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 21 days of booking.
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with Trip Protection Choice plan if bought within 20 days of initial deposit
Pros
- $2,000 limit for trip delay
- $1 million coverage for medical evacuation
- Interruption for Any Reason coverage available
- Coverage available up to age 99 on most plans
Cons
- Coverage for delayed baggage requires 12-hour delay
Who’s this for? Seven Corners is for travelers concerned about health issues. The lookback period for the Trip Protection Elite plan’s pre-existing conditions waiver is only 60 days, compared to 120 (or even 180) for other providers.
Standout benefit: The pre-existing conditions waiver applies to plans purchased within 20 days of your initial deposit, more generous than many competitors.
[ Click here for more on Seven Corners ]
Best for families: Travel Guard
AIG Travel Guard® Travel Insurance
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Policy highlights
AIG Travel Guard offers Essential, Preferred and Deluxe plans, as well as an annual plan and Pack N’ Go plan for same-day travel. Add-ons include coverage for rental vehicles, pets, adventure sports and wedding cancellations
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Add-on to Preferred and Deluxe plans reimbursing 50% of trip costs if purchased within 15 days of initial deposit.
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with any plan purchased within 15 days of initial trip deposit
Pros
- Adult policies include coverage for one child under 17
- Travel delay benefit of $1,000 is available after five-hour delay.
- Medical care and evacuation limits can be doubled
Cons
- Cancel For Any Reason policies only reimburse up to 50%
- Standard medical coverage limit lower than some competitors
- Not all products are available for purchase online
Best for missed connections: Nationwide
Nationwide Travel Insurance
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Policy highlights
Single- and multi-trip plans and cruise insurance, plus add-ons like CFAR and rental car coverage.
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Add-on to Prime plan that reimburses 75% of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 21 days of booking (Not available in New York or Washington state)
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with single-trip plan purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit (14 days for cruise insurance)
Pros
- Cruise insurance available
- Frequent travelers can save with annual plan
- 10-day review period (not available in New York or Washington)
Cons
- Limited number of add-ons available
- Baggage delay reimbursement requires a 12-hour delay
- Severe weather coverage requires a 24-hour delay
Who’s this for? Nationwide’s Universal Cruise plan offers up to $2,500 per person to help you catch up to your ship if you miss a connection or are delayed getting to your departure port.
Standout benefit: The lookback period for Nationwide’s pre-existing condition waiver is only 60 days, half of what many other carriers require.
[ Click here for more on Nationwide ]
Best for luxury cruises: Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
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Policy highlights
Basic, mid-level and top-tier plans, plus policies just for flights, cruises and adventure travel. There are no add-ons but the LuxuryCare plan includes an option to upgrade to CFAR coverage.
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Add-on to LuxuryCare plan that reimburses 50% of nonrefundable trip costs if purchased within 15 days of booking
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with any plan purchased within 14 days of trip deposit.
Pros
- Speedy claims resolution including same-day compensation
- All plans include rental car collision coverage
- Pre-existing coverage waiver available with all plan
Cons
- CFAR policy only reimburses 50% of prepaid trip costs
- No add-ons available
Best for adventure travelers: World Nomads
World Nomads Travel Insurance
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Policy highlights
Standard, Explorer, Epic single-trip plans and annual/multi-trip plan, with CFAR available for top-tier policies
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Cancel For Any Reason coverage
Add-on for Explorer and Epic plans that covers 75% of nonrefundable costs if purchased seven days before initial deposit.(Not available in New York.)
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Pre-existing condition waiver
Available with Explorer and Epic plans purchased seven days before first deposit.
Pros
- Affordable rates
- Coverage can be extended mid-trip
- Covers 200+ adventure activities like scuba diving and bungee jumping
Cons
- Lower trip cancellation limits than other companies
- CFAR add-on must be bought within seven days of booking
- Only issues policies to travelers 69 and younger.
Who’s this for? World Nomads caters to thrill seekers, with coverage for over 200 activities — including surfing, sailing and safaris.
Standout benefit: In addition to baggage, the Explorer Plan reimburses stolen, lost or damaged sporting equipment at up to $1,500 per item or $3,000 total.
[ Click here for more on World Nomads ]
What is cruise insurance?
Cruise insurance is a specific type oftravel insurancethat covers trip cancellations and delays, medical emergencies, lost baggage and other eventualities, including the ship becoming disabled.
Many basictravel insurance policiescover cruises or you can often purchase cruise insurance directly from the cruise line when you book. But there are also standalone cruise-specific policies designed to deal with the many moving parts involved.
What does cruise insurance cover?
Cruise insurance plans offer a range of coverage options, including:
- Trip interruptions or cancellations
- Trip delays
- Delayed or lost baggage
- Travel to and from the cruise
- Pre-existing conditions
- Medical evacuation
- Emergency medical care
- Missed connections
- Job loss cancellation
- Ship disablement
There are coverage limits,deductiblesand exceptions, however. Many plans won’t cover pre-existing medical problems unless the company has a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.
Travel Insured International’s Trip Protector Plus plans have a generous waiver that only requires you to buy a policy within 21 days of booking the trip.
How much does cruise insurance cost?
Cruise insurance normally costs 3% to 10% of the full cost of the cruise, but it can be much higher depending on your age, the length of the trip and if you get add-ons like CFAR coverage.
Shop around to ensure you’re getting the best price for the coverage and limits you need. Before you purchase a separate cruise travel insurance plan, see if your trip is already covered by yourcredit cardor any other travel insurance policy.
Is cruise insurance worth it?
Compared to other vacations, cruises are relatively long and expensive and involve many more moving parts — from getting to the departure point to your stay onboard to visiting multiple ports of call (often in foreign countries).
With that many opportunities for things to go sideways, getting cruise insurance can be a smart choice.
More on the best cruise insurance plans
AXA Silver Plan
The AXA Silver Plan is the company’s most affordable option. The Gold Plan has higher reimbursement limits, while the Platinum Plan adds CFAR insurance, $50,000 in rental car insurance and coverage for sports equipment. We’ve also named AXA one of the best overall travel insurance providers.
Trip cancellation and interruption
The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions.
Trip delay
For trips delayed more than 12 hours, you’re eligible for up to $100 in expenses per day, with a $500 maximum.
Lost/delayed baggage
If your bags are delayed at least 24 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $200 for expenses. Lost baggage has a maximum benefit of $750.
Medical coverage
- $25,000 in medical expense coverage
- $100,000 in evacuation/repatriation coverage
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing coverage waiver is available for medical conditions that existed at least 60 days before purchasing a policy. Coverage must be bought within 14 days of your initial trip deposit.
TravelSafe Classic Plan
TravelSafe’s Classic Plan is the pricier of the company’s two options but it includes up to $100,000 for accident, sickness, medical or dental expenses and up to $250 for delayed luggage. It’s also the only option with Cancel For Any Reason coverage. Policies are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Cancellation up to 100% of nonrefundable trip costs, interruption to 150%.
Trip delay
Up to $150 per person per day after a delay of six hours, up to a maximum of $2,000
Lost/delayed baggage
Up to $250 for delay and up to $2,500 for lost baggage
Medical coverage
Up to $100,000 in medical coverage and $1 million for medical evacuation.
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing coverage waiver is available for medical conditions that existed at least 60 days before purchasing a policy. Coverage must be bought within 21 days of your initial trip deposit.
Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite
Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Elite plan has generous coverage limits and can be bought for groups of 10 or more travelers. Add-ons include Cancel for Any Reason coverage and a pre-existing condition waiver and cruise and tour plans have a missed connection benefit of $150 per day after a 3-hour delay, with a $1,500 maximum.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost and interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost.
Trip delay
After a delay of six hours, you’re eligible for up to $300 per day. There is a $1,500 maximum.
Delayed/lost baggage
If your bags are delayed more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $100 per day with a $600 maximum. Lost baggage has a maximum payout of $2,500 per person.
Medical coverage
- $250,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
- $1,000,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
- $750 in emergency dental coverage
Pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions are covered if you purchase coverage within 20 days of making your initial trip deposit. If you don’t qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver, there is no emergency medical coverage for conditions existing within 60 days of your policy’s start date.
Travel Guard Preferred plan
Backed by insurance giant AIG, Travel Guard CARBON ID offers three tiers: Its preferred plan, the middle tier, can cover both missed connections and high limits, making it ideal for cruise travelers.
Trip cancellation and interruption
The full trip cost is covered for both cancellations, and 150% of the trip is covered for interruptions
Trip delay
Delays of at least five hours (or at least three hours for a missed connection) are eligible for reimbursement up to $500.
Baggage delay and loss
If your bags are delayed more than eight hours, you can be reimbursed for $250 in expenses. Lost baggage has a maximum benefit of $1,500.
Medical coverage
- $50,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
- $500,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
- $500 in emergency dental treatment coverage
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing conditions waiver applies when you purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip deposit.
Nationwide Universal Cruise plan
Nationwide’s Universal Cruise Plan is the company’s standard policy, but it allows you to cancel because of work-related issues or the extension of the school year. The delayed baggage benefit kicks in after just eight hours, much sooner than many competitors.
Trip cancellation and interruption
The full trip cost is covered for both cancellations and interruptions
Trip delay
Delays of at least six hours are eligible for reimbursement up to $200 per day, up to $800.
Baggage delay and loss
If your bags are delayed more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed for $250 per day in expenses up to $300. Lost baggage has a maximum benefit of $1,500.
Medical coverage
- $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
- $250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
- $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage
Pre-existing conditions
No coverage for pre-existing conditions within 60 days of your policy’s start date.
World Nomads Explorer Plan
World Nomad’s Explorer Plan includes $35,000 in rental car insurance, an $10,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit and coverage for adventure sports. World Nomad policies are underwritten by Nationwide.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Covered up to the trip cost with a $10,000 maximum.
Trip delay
Up to $250 per day after a delay of six hours, with a $3,000 maximum
Baggage delay and loss
If your bags are delayed more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed for up to $150 a day with a $750 maximum. Lost baggage has a maximum benefit of $3,000.
Medical coverage
- $100,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
- $500,000 in evacuation/ repatriation coverage
- $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage
Pre-existing conditions
No coverage waiver for pre-existing conditions that fall within the company’s 90-day lookback period.
AIG Travel Guard Preferred
AIG Travel Guard Preferred has a higher payout limit for lost or stolen baggage than many competitors, as well as optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage. If you miss a connection, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for unused prepaid or nonrefundable travel and for transportation expenses to rejoin your trip.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost (up to a max of $150,000) and trip interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost (up to a max of $225,000).
Trip delay
Travelers are eligible for up to $200 per day for expenses if a trip is delayed at least five hours, with a $800 maximum.
Delayed/lost baggage
If your bags are delayed more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $300 for expenses. Lost baggage has a maximum benefit of $1,000 per person.
Medical coverage
- $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
- $500,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
- $500 in emergency dental coverage
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing conditions waiver applies when you purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip deposit.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel ProtectionLuxuryCare®
LuxuryCare includes more approved reasons for trip cancellation and coverage for more expensive trips, as well as higher limits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation. There is also an optional Cancel for Any Reason upgrade.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost (up to $100,000) and trip interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost (up to $150,000).
Trip delay
Trip delays of five hours or more qualify for reimbursement of up to $200 per day, with a $2,000 maximum.
Delayed/lost baggage
For baggage delays of more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $500 for expenses. Lost baggage has a maximum benefit of $2,500 per person.
Medical coverage
- $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
- $1 million in evacuation/repatriation coverage
Pre-existing conditions
Plans include a pre-existing medical conditions waiver if you purchase the policy within 15 days of your initial trip deposit.
When should I buy insurance for a cruise?
You can purchase a policy up to 24 hours before your departure, but sooner is better. Some benefits, like a pre-existing condition waiver, have a smaller window in which you can buy coverage.
What is a pre-existing condition waiver?
Travel insurance typically won’t cover a medical condition that has been diagnosed, worsened or changed during the policy’s look-back period, which is usually 60 to 180 days. A pre-existing condition waiver allows you to be covered but you must typically buy the policy within a few weeks of your first trip deposit.
Does cruise insurance cover missed ports?
Cruise insurance may cover missed connections, but each policy has different limits on how much you’ll be reimbursed and what exactly you’ll be reimbursed for. Read your policy before you purchase it.
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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every cruise insurancereview is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insuranceproducts.While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Our methodology
To determine the best cruise insurance plans,CNBC Selectanalyzed 20 travel insurance companies that offer cruise-specific plans. We focused on rates, types of coverage, coverage limits and optional add-ons.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Sample rates assumed that payments were made on the date of the quote. Rates were based on a cruise with the following details (when applicable):
- 40-year-old male
- Living in New York, New York
- Sailing for seven days in April
- Total trip cost: $2,800
- Destination: Mexico
- Flying to the port of departure
Based on these criteria, our picks for best cruise insurance are:
- Best for affordability: AXA
- Best for seniors: TravelSafe Insurance
- Best for pre-existing conditions: Seven Corners
- Best for families: Travel Guard
- Best for missed connections: Nationwide
- Best for luxury cruises: Berkshire Hathaway
- Best for adventure travelers: World Nomads
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.