What Is Cruise Travel Insurance?
Cruise holidays are a unique way to explore multiple destinations in one trip — but they also come with risks that standard travel insurance may not fully protect you against. Cruise Cover is designed to provide additional protection for cruise-specific situations, including missed port departures, cabin confinement, medical emergencies and itinerary disruptions.
If you’re booking a cruise holiday, adding Cruise Cover to your travel insurance can help provide valuable peace of mind before and during your trip.
Cruise Travel Insurance for Different Types of Cruises
Ocean Cruises
Whether you’re exploring the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Northern Europe, Cruise Cover can help provide protection throughout your voyage.
River Cruises
River cruises remain popular throughout Europe, offering a relaxed way to visit multiple destinations during a single trip. Cruise Cover can help provide protection if your itinerary is affected by low or high water levels.
World Cruises
World cruises often involve multiple destinations and extended periods away from home, making comprehensive travel insurance particularly important.
Expedition Cruises
Cruises to destinations such as Alaska, Antarctica and the Arctic may involve more adventurous itineraries and specialist travel considerations.
Luxury Cruises
Many luxury cruise holidays involve significant upfront costs, making cancellation cover an important consideration when choosing travel insurance.
Cruise Travel Insurance with Medical Conditions
Many cruise travellers live with one or more medical conditions. Following medical screening, cover may be available for a wide range of declared medical conditions.
Commonly declared conditions include:
- Diabetes
- Heart Conditions
- High Blood Pressure
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Arthritis
Medical screening can be completed online or over the phone before you travel.
Every traveller’s circumstances are different and all declared medical conditions are assessed individually.
Related: Travel Insurance for Medical Conditions
Cruise Travel Insurance for Over 65s
Many cruise holidays are enjoyed by travellers aged 65 and over. Covered2Go offers Single Trip cover up to age 99 and Annual Multi Trip cover up to age 85, with medical screening available for many declared conditions.
Related: Over 65 Travel Insurance
Do I Need Cruise Cover?
Yes — if you’re going on a cruise, Cruise Cover is highly recommended. Unlike standard travel insurance, it provides benefits created specifically for cruise holidays, such as:
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Missed port departure
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Skipped ports due to weather or timetable changes
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Cabin confinement due to illness
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Protection for formal cruise attire
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Shore excursion cover
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Cruise interruption
Cruises involve long periods at sea and multiple port stops, which means the risks differ from typical land-based holidays.
Compare Our Cruise Cover Levels
Cruise Cover is available as an optional upgrade on our Silver, Gold and Platinum travel insurance policies. Compare the key cruise-specific benefits available across each cover level below.
| Cruise Cover Benefit | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missed Port Departure | £750 | £1,000 | £1,500 |
| Skipped Port Benefit | £35 per port £500 max |
£50 per port £750 max |
£75 per port £1,000 max |
| Cabin Confinement | £35 per 24hrs £500 max |
£50 per 24hrs £500 max |
£75 per 24hrs £750 max |
| Cruise Attire Lost or Damaged | £1,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Single Item Limit | £300 | £300 | £300 |
| Unreceipted Items | £50 per item £150 max |
£50 per item £150 max |
£50 per item £150 max |
| Cruise Attire Delayed (24+ Hours) | £50 per 24hrs £250 max |
£50 per 24hrs £250 max |
£50 per 24hrs £250 max |
| Shore Excursions | £1,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Cruise Interruption | £1,500 | £1,500 | £1,500 |
| Low / High Water Cover | £100 per occurrence £2,000 max |
£100 per occurrence £2,000 max |
£100 per occurrence £2,000 max |
| Denied Boarding – Additional Expenses | £250 | £250 | £250 |
Cruise Cover is an optional upgrade available on Covered2Go Silver, Gold and Platinum policies. Benefits, limits, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please refer to the Policy Wording and Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) for full details.
What Does Cruise Cover Include?
When you add Cruise Cover, you unlock several cruise-specific protections. Cover limits vary by policy level.
- Missed Port Departure — up to £1,500
Covers additional travel costs required to reach the next port if you miss your ship because:
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Your vehicle broke down or was involved in an accident
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Public transport was delayed
- Skipped Port Benefit — up to £1,000
If your cruise operator cancels a scheduled port due to:
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Bad weather
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Operational restrictions
You can receive a benefit for each missed stop.
- Cabin Confinement — up to £750
Provides compensation if illness or injury requires you to remain in your cabin or stay in hospital as an in-patient.
- Cruise Attire Cover — up to £1,000
Protects your formal cruise clothing if it is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed (excluding hired or loaned attire).
- Delayed Cruise Attire — up to £250
Covers emergency replacement clothing if your formal attire is delayed for 24+ hours on your outward journey.
- Shore Excursion Cover — up to £1,000
Covers pre-paid excursions if:
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A medical practitioner advises you not to go due to illness/injury (including COVID-19), or
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Your ship cannot dock at the scheduled port
- Cruise Interruption — up to £1,500
Covers additional travel expenses to re-join your cruise at the next port if you require treatment on land.
- Low / High Water Cover (River Cruises) — up to £2,000
Covers disruption if your river cruise itinerary changes because:
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Only land-based accommodation is provided, or
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You need to switch ships
- Denied Boarding — up to £250
If you are denied boarding due to suspected contagious illness (including pandemic diseases), you’ll be covered for:
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Food and refreshments
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Communication costs
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Additional travel expenses
👉 For full terms and exclusions, please refer to the Policy Wording.
Popular Cruise Destinations
Cruise holidays offer the opportunity to visit multiple destinations during a single trip, whether you’re exploring the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Norwegian Fjords or beyond.
Mediterranean Cruises
Mediterranean cruises remain one of the most popular choices for UK travellers, visiting destinations such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia.
Caribbean Cruises
Caribbean cruises offer sunshine, island-hopping adventures and tropical destinations throughout the year.
Norwegian Fjords Cruises
Norwegian Fjords cruises are famous for dramatic scenery, waterfalls and picturesque coastal villages.
Canary Islands Cruises
The Canary Islands remain a popular choice for winter sunshine cruises departing from the UK and Europe.
Alaska Cruises
Alaska cruises offer unforgettable wildlife encounters, glaciers and breathtaking natural landscapes.
Baltic Cruises
Baltic itineraries often include destinations such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn.
Do I Still Need Cruise Cover If I Have an EHIC or GHIC?
Yes — EHICs and GHICs do not cover cruise-specific risks and do not replace travel insurance.
They:
❌ Do not cover onboard medical treatment
❌ Do not cover repatriation
❌ Do not cover missed ports or cruise itinerary changes
❌ Only apply on land within participating European countries
Cruise Cover includes all of this — plus additional benefits tailored for cruise travellers.
Do Cruise Destinations Affect the Cost of My Travel Insurance?
Yes — your itinerary can influence your premium.
Higher private healthcare costs in destinations such as:
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North America
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Central America
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China & Hong Kong
…can increase the price of your policy.
A single hospital stay and repatriation from the USA can reach £100,000+, which is why adequate medical cover is essential for cruise holidays.
Do I Need to Declare Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
Yes — always declare pre-existing medical conditions during your quote.
If a medical emergency occurs and it relates to a condition you didn’t declare, your claim may be declined.
Examples of conditions to declare include:
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High blood pressure
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Diabetes
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Heart conditions
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Respiratory issues
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Cancer
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Recent medical treatment or surgeries
👉 For more details, see our page on Travel Insurance for Medical Conditions.
Top Tips When Choosing Cruise Cover
✔ Select cancellation cover that matches the full cost of your cruise
Cruise holidays are often more expensive than standard trips — choose a cancellation limit that covers everything you’ve paid for.
✔ Check medical cover limits
General guidance:
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Europe: £1 million minimum
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Worldwide: £2 million minimum
Covered2Go policies include £5–£10 million as standard.
✔ Declare all medical conditions
This ensures you’re properly protected during your cruise.
✔ Consider itinerary risks
Look for cover that includes missed ports, delays, itinerary changes and cruise interruption.
Why Choose Covered2Go?
We’ve helped thousands of travellers protect their holidays with award-winning travel insurance designed to provide confidence before and during their trip.
- Cruise Cover Available as an Optional Upgrade
- Medical Screening Available Online
- Which? Best Buy Recognised Policies
- Excellent Trustpilot Rating
- FCA Regulated UK Travel Insurance Provider
- UK-Based Customer Support
Related Travel Insurance Options
If you’re comparing different types of cover for your trip, you may also find the following options helpful:
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Ideal if you’re taking one holiday or cruise and want cover for that specific trip.
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Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
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Perfect for frequent travellers who take several holidays throughout the year, including cruises.
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Medical Conditions Travel Insurance
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Specialist cover for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions who need tailored protection.
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Designed for senior travellers looking for flexible cover, with the option to add Cruise Cover.
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If your holiday includes skiing or snowboarding alongside your cruise, this additional cover can be added to your policy.
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Essential Travel Resources for UK Holidaymakers Booking a Cruise Holiday
Travel Advice & Requirements
- UK Foreign Travel Advice – Get up-to-date information on visa requirements, travel restrictions, and safety tips for your destination.
- NHS Fit for Travel – Find health advice, vaccinations, and travel health recommendations.
- U.S. ESTA Application – If travelling to the USA, apply for your ESTA visa waiver online.
Cover limits, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the Policy Wording carefully to ensure the cover meets your needs.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Reviewed by the Covered2Go Travel Insurance Team
