If cruise insurance is offered by my cruise line, should I buy that?

When you book your cruise, your cruise provider may offer you an opportunity to add cruise insurance at that time. It is important to consider protecting not just the investment of your cruise, though. Also think about all of the other components of your cruise travel vacation. The travel insurance offered by the cruise line may only provide coverage for the cruise itself, and not for any non-refundable prepaid flights and hotel accommodations you booked separately. Be sure to compare your coverage options.

Do all World Nomads plans include cruise insurance benefits?

Yes, all single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents include benefits for cruises and may cover a variety of unplanned situations such as trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, and more. Coverage and maximum limits vary by plan, and if you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact us.

Can I get ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance for a cruise?

Yes, but the ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance coverage isn’t automatically included. It’s an optional add-on you can select if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within 15 days of paying the first deposit on your trip. With ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, benefits may be paid for up to 50% of prepaid, non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your cancelled trip (up to policy limits), as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure date listed on your policy certificate. While trip cancellation benefits are included in all World Nomads single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents, you’ll only be able to make a claim if you cancel your cruise for covered reasons. Cancel for Any Reason covers any reason, even just changing your mind.

What is the best travel insurance plan for cruises?

Only you can decide what the best travel insurance plan is for your particular needs. When you get a quote for travel insurance, you can compare plans side by side. Consider how much money you’ve spent on your cruise, as well as the activities you’ll be participating in on the ship and shore excursions. You can then review all of the plans to determine which is the best for you. If you have questions about anything, you’re welcome to contact us and we can help explain the plans.

Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?

Trip cancellation coverage is offered by all single and annual multi-trip plans offered by World Nomads, and you could be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, non-refundable expenses like flights, cruises, and shore excursions if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason (up to maximum benefits as shown in your policy documents). The ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance coverage allows you to cancel for any reason, even just changing your mind, but it isn’t automatically included. It’s an optional add-on you can select if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within 15 days of paying the first deposit on your trip. With this coverage, benefits may be paid for up to 50% of prepaid, non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your cancelled trip, as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure date listed on your policy certificate.

Can I buy cruise insurance when I’m already on my cruise?

Yes, most ships have Wi-Fi available, and you just need a good internet connection to purchase cruise insurance after you’ve already set sail. Just head to our website to get a quote. Answer a few simple questions about your trip and follow the prompts that outline the coverage and benefits available. Make sure to read and accept the terms and conditions, including information on waiting periods, conditions and restrictions that may apply, pay for your insurance, and you’re done.

Are cruises to Antarctica covered by travel insurance?

World Nomads offers single and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents that include travel insurance benefits for cruises to Antarctica. Since that’s a large investment, pay attention to the length of your cruise, as the Annual plan has a per-trip limit of 14 days, and the levels of coverage available on each plan when you get a quote.

What happens if my cruise doesn’t stop at all of the places on my itinerary?

If your cruise does not stop at a scheduled port of call due to inclement weather, a terrorist incident, a medical incident involving another passenger on the ship, or a natural disaster, you may receive a one-time payment for one occurrence of each unforeseen event, up to maximum benefits shown in your policy documents. The trip inconvenience travel insurance benefit may also help if you are confined for more than 24 hours on the cruise ship operating without power, food, water, and or restroom facilities.

Photo © Getty Images / David C Tomlinson

Travel Insurance for Cruises

Travel insurance may help Canadians protect their cruise vacations to destinations like the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Antarctica and more

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At a glance

Cruise with confidence: All World Nomads Travel Insurance plans cover cruises, with some plans that offer more benefits and higher limits of coverage
From tropical waters to polar seas: Coverage may apply to cruises visiting a variety of locations – including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and even Antarctica
Adventure onboard and ashore: You may be covered for more than 250+ activities that you participate in onboard your ship or during shore excursions
Well-rounded cruise protection: Benefits may include trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, baggage protection and more
Extra protection when plans change: You may have access to additional benefits if your cruise doesn’t stop at a scheduled port of call for a covered reason (available on the Epic, Explorer, and Annual Multi-Trip plans)

Why should you consider travel insurance for cruises?
What’s Covered for Cruises
Exclusions
Maximum Limits
Cruising Tips
FAQs

Why should you consider travel insurance for cruises?

There are plenty of exciting opportunities for Canadian residents hoping to vacation on the high seas. According to recent data, Caribbean cruises are the most popular, making up 43% of all cruise passengers. However, you could also take a river cruise through the wine regions in France or cruise to remote destinations like Antarctica.

Hopefully your cruise will be smooth sailing, but there’s always the possibility of unexpected surprises that you can’t plan for. What if there’s an unexpected hurricane that prevents your ship from sailing? Nobody wants to think about getting hurt or sick while on a cruise, but that happens, too. Because of the unanticipated situations that can arise when cruising, you may want to get a quote for travel insurance that includes cruises

What’s Covered for Cruises

Unexpected Medical Emergencies
Trip Cancellation
Trip Delay
Trip Interruption
Natural Disasters
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
Lost, Stolen or Delayed Baggage
250+ Adventure Sports and Activities
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Cruise Diversion and Disablement (included in the Explorer, Epic, and Annual Multi-Trip plans)

Exclusions

Losing track of time while at a port of call and missing your boat
Participation in activities that aren’t covered in your plan
Injuries that happen while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Pre-existing medical conditions that are excluded in the policy
Situations outside of the limits, terms, and conditions of coverage stated in your policy documents

Maximum Limits

Standard Plan	Explorer Plan	Epic Plan	Annual Plan
Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $1,500,000 CAD Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $250,000 Trip Cancellation: Up to $2,500 Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Not Available Get a quote	Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $500,000 Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Up to $500 ($250 per unforeseen event) Get a quote	Emergency Medical: Up to $10,000,000 Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $750,000 Trip Cancellation: Up to $15,000 Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Up to $750 ($250 per unforeseen event) Get a quote	Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $500,000 Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Up to $500 ($250 per unforeseen event) Get a quote

Standard Plan

Explorer Plan

Epic Plan

Annual Plan

Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $1,500,000 CAD

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $250,000

Trip Cancellation: Up to $2,500

Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Not Available

Get a quote

Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $500,000

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000

Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Up to $500 ($250 per unforeseen event)

Get a quote

Emergency Medical: Up to $10,000,000

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $750,000

Trip Cancellation: Up to $15,000

Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Up to $750 ($250 per unforeseen event)

Get a quote

Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $500,000

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000

Travel Inconvenience (Including Cruise Diversion or Disablement): Up to $500 ($250 per unforeseen event)

Get a quote

Compare all benefits and plans

Cruising Tips

As cruise travellers ourselves, we’ve learned a few things along the way during our time on the open seas. Before you set sail, we encourage you to get a quote for cruise travel insurance coverage. We also want to share a few of our other tips for having a great cruise.

Arrive at your departure city at least a day before your cruise sets sail. While cruise travel insurance benefits could help with cancelled or delayed flights on your way to your departure port, your ship isn’t going to wait on you if you’re running behind. To avoid the possibility of your ship sailing away without you, try to arrive in your departure city with plenty of time to spare. You may even find some fun things to do there before your cruise.
Book excursions before you leave home. If there’s a shore excursion that you have your heart set on, make sure you book it early. If you’ve been dreaming of whale watching in Juneau and wait too long to book it, you may be super bummed if you miss out. Excursions can sell out quickly and there may be limited options once you’re onboard.
Take a carry-on bag. You’ll be boarding the ship before your luggage reaches your cabin, so take along a small bag that includes medication, phone chargers, and anything else you may need. If you’re planning to head straight to the pool, go ahead and throw your swimsuit and some sunscreen in your bag as well.
Don’t assume that everything is included in the price of your cruise. Before your trip, review exactly what is included in your cruise package. Some cruises are all-inclusive, but many have drink packages or certain onboard activities that may cost extra. It’s best to know beforehand so you’re not surprised once you get onboard. Sometimes you can also save money if you purchase those packages ahead of time.
Save the phone number and plan number for your travel insurance plan in your phone. It’s not a bad idea to have a printed copy of this in your cabin as well, but we know our phones rarely leave us. If something happens on the ship or at one of your ports of call, you’ll be able to easily contact us.

World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents that may include travel insurance for cruises to Antarctica. Cheaper isn’t always the best option, though, so do your research and pick the plan that is best for you. If you have any questions about what is covered, don’t hesitate to contact us.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for cruises. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

If cruise insurance is offered by my cruise line, should I buy that?
When you book your cruise, your cruise provider may offer you an opportunity to add cruise insurance at that time. It is important to consider protecting not just the investment of your cruise, though. Also think about all of the other components of your cruise travel vacation. The travel insurance offered by the cruise line may only provide coverage for the cruise itself, and not for any non-refundable prepaid flights and hotel accommodations you booked separately. Be sure to compare your coverage options.

Do all World Nomads plans include cruise insurance benefits?
Yes, all single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents include benefits for cruises and may cover a variety of unplanned situations such as trip cancellation, emergency medical expenses, and more. Coverage and maximum limits vary by plan, and if you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact us.

Can I get ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance for a cruise?
Yes, but the ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance coverage isn’t automatically included. It’s an optional add-on you can select if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within 15 days of paying the first deposit on your trip. With ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, benefits may be paid for up to 50% of prepaid, non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your cancelled trip (up to policy limits), as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure date listed on your policy certificate (up to maximum benefits as shown in your policy documents).

While trip cancellation benefits are included in all World Nomads single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents, you’ll only be able to make a claim if you cancel your cruise for covered reasons. Cancel for Any Reason covers any reason – even just changing your mind.

What is the best travel insurance plan for cruises?
Only you can decide what the best travel insurance plan is for your particular needs. When you get a quote for travel insurance, you can compare our plans side by side. Consider how much money you’ve spent on your cruise, as well as the activities you’ll be participating in on the ship and shore excursions. You can then review all of the plans to determine which is the best for you. If you have questions about anything, you’re welcome to contact us and we can help explain the plans.

Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?
The ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance coverage allows you to cancel for any reason (even just changing your mind), but it isn’t automatically included. It’s an optional add-on you can select if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within 15 days of paying the first deposit on your trip. With ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, benefits may be paid for up to 50% of prepaid, non-refundable deposits and payments you made towards your cancelled trip, as long as you cancel your trip at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure date listed on your policy certificate (up to maximum benefits as shown in your policy documents).

Can I buy cruise insurance when I’m already on my cruise?
Yes, most ships have Wi-Fi available, and you just need a good internet connection to purchase cruise insurance after you’ve already set sail. Just head to our website to get a quote.  Answer a few simple questions about your trip and follow the prompts that will outline the coverage and benefits we offer for the single trip and annual multi-trip plans that we offer. Make sure to read and accept the terms and conditions (including information on waiting periods, conditions and restrictions that may apply), pay for your insurance, and you’re done. It’s a simple process to buy travel insurance while already travelling, and within just a few minutes you’ll be back to lounging on the pool deck.

Are cruises to Antarctica covered by travel insurance?
World Nomads offers single and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents that include travel insurance benefits for cruises to Antarctica. Since that’s a large investment, pay attention to the length of your cruise (since the Annual plan has a per-trip limit of 14 days), and the levels of coverage available on each plan when you get a quote for travel insurance for your Antarctica cruise. If you have any questions about what is covered, don’t hesitate to contact us.

What happens if my cruise doesn’t stop at all of the places on my itinerary?
If your cruise does not stop at a scheduled port of call due to inclement weather, a terrorist incident, a medical incident involving another passenger on the ship, or a natural disaster, you may receive a one-time payment for one occurrence of each unforeseen event (up to maximum benefits shown in your policy documents).

The trip inconvenience travel insurance benefit may also help if you are confined for more than 24 hours on the cruise ship operating without power, food, water, and/or restroom facilities.

This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.

Standard Plan: $2,500
Explorer Plan: $10,000
Epic Plan: $15,000
AMT Plan: $10,000

Trip Protection

Unexpectedly hospitalized?
Travel buddy unfit to travel?
Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Help take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Standard Plan: $1,500,000
Explorer Plan: $5,000,000
Epic Plan: $10,000,000
Annual Plan: $5,000,000

Emergency Medical Insurance

Need meds quick?
Accidentally injured?
Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

Standard Plan: $250,000
Explorer Plan: $500,000
Epic Plan: $750,000
Annual Plan: $500,000

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

Banged up abroad?
Need a hospital urgently?
Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Gear & Baggage Protection

Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

Standard Plan: $1,000
Explorer Plan: $2,000
Epic Plan: $5,000
Annual Plan: $2,000

Protect your gear

Passport or tech stolen?
Airline lost your gear?
Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

Protect your health

Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
Emergency Professional Services
Return of Remains
Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children

Protect your trip

Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Trip Delay
Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)

Protect your stuff

Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
Travel Documents Theft or Damage
Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy

Assistance Services

24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
Worldwide Travel Assistance
Personal Security Assistance
Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
Bag Trak

This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

This information is for Canadian residents only. All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans. Coverage may not be available in all provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a described full description of coverage. In the event of a conflict between the information on this website and the Insurance Policy, the Insurance Policy shall govern in all circumstances. World Nomads is supported by different insurers from around the world, with variations in coverage and terms depending on your country of residence, the plan you buy and what’s happened to you. The insurance products described are available for Canadian residents through World Nomads (Canada) Ltd (“World Nomads”) are underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch).