Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
The Best Cruise Insurance Plans for 2026
To determine the best cruise insurance options for our review, we collected several sample quotes, carefully examined policy and coverage details, and evaluated providers with specialized cruising plans. Our thorough research found that the following travel insurance companies provide the best cruise insurance plans in the industry.
Here are our top picks for the best cruise insurance companies:
- Nationwide Travel Insurance: Our top pick
- Allianz Global Assistance: Best for concierge services
- AIG Travel Guard: Best for families
- Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for luxury travelers
- Travelex Insurance: Best for budget travelers
- Trawick International: Best for student travel insurance
To recommend the best providers to our readers, we looked for the following factors when evaluating coverage options for cruise insurance:
- Cruise-specific plan options: Our team sought out travel insurance providers that offer cruise-specific plans with coverages not found on standard policies, such as shipboard service disruption coverage, prepaid excursion reimbursement and more.
- Medical coverage: This protection helps pay for medical care at a local facility if you’re injured on your cruise. Companies with more generous medical coverage limits ranked higher in our roundup.
- Medical evacuation: We prioritized companies offering higher medical evacuation coverage, which can benefit you depending on how long and far you are from a port while on the cruise ship.
- Coverage maximums: We considered whether a provider offered higher-value coverage options for travelers planning longer trips or opting for an all-inclusive luxury package.
- Cost: We requested sample quotes from dozens of travel insurance providers and compared price and coverage options to determine the insurer offering the best values.
After earning 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, we chose Nationwide as one of the best cruise insurance options for these reasons:
- Nationwide offers plans specifically for cruises with benefits such as shipboard service disruption, prepaid excursion reimbursement and missed connection benefits.
- Cruise-specific policies include medical and non-medical evacuation coverage.
- Nationwide covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for a covered cancellation and up to 150% of your total costs for trip interruption.
Offers multiple plans specifically for cruising
Provides coverage for cancelation for work on all plan types
Gives travelers 10 days to request a refund
CFAR coverage is not available as an add-on with the Basic Cruise plan
Medical coverage is secondary to your primary health insurance plan
Allianz earned 4.1 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, and we chose it as one of the best cruise insurance options for these reasons:
- Allianz extends free coverage for children 17 and under when you choose the OneTrip Prime plan, which can be ideal for families cruising together.
- Epidemic coverage includes trip cancellation, interruption, travel delays, emergency medical care and emergency transportation.
- Trip change protector coverage can reimburse you the fees or extra expenses incurred if you need to change your cruise itinerary for a reason listed in your policy.
Coverage limits are per insured, not in total
Offers CFAR and rental car protection upgrades
Free coverage for children 17 and under with the OneTrip Prime plan
Limits emergency medical coverage to $50,000 per insured
Coverage is pricier than our other recommended plans, according to our research
AIG Travel Guard earned 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, and we chose it as one of the best cruise insurance options for these reasons:
- If you or your traveling companion lose your life or limbs during your cruise, AIG Travel Guard offers non-flight accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
- AIG’s Preferred Plan includes one free child aged 17 and under with each paying adult on your policy.
- You’ll find an array of policy add-ons with AIG such as CFAR coverage, adventure sports coverage, pet coverage and more that can offer you additional protection.
Travel inconvenience benefits reimburse you for cruise diversions
Includes coverage for one child 17 and under with each paying adult
Offers non-flight AD&D coverage
Limits travel medical coverage to $50,000
Optional coverages don’t apply to free coverage for children
Berkshire Hathaway earned 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology, landing a spot on our best cruise insurance due to the following:
- WaveCare® covers up to 100% of your total trip costs for covered cancellations and 150% of your total trip costs for covered interruptions.
- Berkshire Hathaway’s cruise-specific plan offers coverage beyond the norm, including cruise disablement, cruise diversion and river cruise diversion coverage.
- WaveCare® provides coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $750,000.
Covers cruise-specific events such as ship disablement and cruise diversion
Provides 24/7 access to emergency assistance services
Provides 15 days since purchase for full refund on policy
Offers affordable coverage compared to other providers on our list
Caps medical expense coverage at $75,000
No CFAR coverage add-on available with WaveCare®
Travelex earned 4.9 out of 5 stars when rated using our travel insurance methodology — the highest score out of all providers we’ve reviewed. It landed a spot on our best cruise insurance list for the following reasons:
- Travelex offers some of the most affordable plans of the providers on our list, and allows parents to extend coverage to their children for a slightly higher rate.
- Add-on coverages available through the Advantage plan include rental car damage coverage and accidental death for air travel.
- The Advantage policy has no deductible for emergency medical expenses and is considered a primary coverage plan.
Plans include 24/7 travel assistance
Offers a 21-day money-back period after purchasing a policy
Provides the most affordable plan in our review
No CFAR add-on coverage available with Advantage plan
Additional medical coverage not available for Advantage plan
Trawick International
Trawick International Travel Insurance ReviewWe awarded AXA Assistance USA a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. We’ve included it on our list of the best cruise insurance providers for these reasons:
- The Safe Travels Voyager plan, marketed as Trawick’s most popular cruise insurance coverage, includes 30 covered reasons for trip cancellation.
- Trawick offers various optional add-on benefits, such as CFAR coverage, 24-hour AD&D, trip interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage and more.
- Trawick provides a stipend for a hospital companion to evacuate with you during a medical emergency.
Provides $1 million in medical evacuation coverage with the Safe Travels Voyager plan
Covers the emergency evacuation of a hospital companion
Offers optional CFAR coverage of up to 75% of your trip costs
Some plans only available to U.S. citizens and residents
Caps evacuation coverage for your hospital companion at $1,000
What To Look For in Cruise Insurance
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2023 State of the Cruise Industry Report, cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of tourism, with a projected 36 million people choosing a cruise vacation in 2024. While purchasing travel insurance to cover your cruise vacation is a personal decision, there are some coverages to look for that can enhance your policy.
- Travel medical insurance: If you’re worried about illnesses or potential injuries during your cruise, travel medical insurance covers medical expenses up to a maximum amount.
- Emergency medical evacuation coverage: If you suffer a medical emergency and require transport to a hospital while at sea, emergency medical evacuation coverage can help cover expenses associated with transport.
- Trip cancelation insurance: If you’d like to recoup any prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel your trip, trip cancelation insurance can reimburse you if the event is covered under policy terms.
- Trip interruption insurance: If your trip is cut short for a reason covered with your travel insurance policy, trip interruption coverage can provide reimbursement for any unused travel expenses.
- Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage: If you’re concerned about canceling your trip for a reason not listed under a policy’s coverage terms, consider cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which allows you to cancel your trip for virtually any reason.
Travel medical insurance is especially worth considering if you’re cruising abroad, as domestic healthcare may provide limited to no coverage out of the country.
If you’re looking at plans explicitly marketed for cruises, you may find unique benefits like cruise diversion, disablement and prepaid excursion reimbursement. Other benefits to look for with a cruise insurance policy include travel delay coverage, baggage insurance and missed connection coverage. If you’re worried about coverage for pre-existing conditions or COVID-19, check if a plan offers these protections as you shop around.
Compare The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
See the table below for a direct comparison of our picks for the top cruise insurance plans, including average costs, our recommended plan and CFAR coverage amounts.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
| Company | Cost* | Recommended Plan | CFAR Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$208
|
Luxury Cruise
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$219
|
OneTrip Prime
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$197
|
Preferred Plan
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$163
|
WaveCare®
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$134
|
Advantage
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$204
|
Safe Travels Voyager
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
| Company | Cost* | Recommended Plan | CFAR Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$208
|
Luxury Cruise
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$219
|
OneTrip Prime
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$197
|
Preferred Plan
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$163
|
WaveCare®
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$134
|
Advantage
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
||
|
$204
|
Safe Travels Voyager
|
Yes, up to 75%
|
What Is Cruise Insurance and How Does It Work?
Cruise insurance is synonymous with travel insurance, and it can be any policy that offers the coverage you’re looking for to protect your trip expenses. While some providers offer plans marketed toward cruisegoers, many standard, comprehensive travel insurance policies provide coverages worth considering for cruise protection.
A cruise insurance policy works just like travel insurance. Your policy will cover you for the duration of your cruise and can cover a single person or a whole family. When a covered event occurs, you’ll file a claim with your chosen provider for reimbursement of expenses or financial losses. Note that all cruise insurance policies have exclusions, so read the fine print of your plan before you purchase it.
What Does Cruise Insurance Cover?
Depending on your choice of plan, cruise insurance can provide the following coverages:
Travel medical insurance can cover your medical bills if you get ill or injured on your cruise and need medical attention.
Emergency medical evacuation coverage can provide transportation or evacuation to a medical facility from your cruise ship.
Trip cancellation coverage can compensate you for non-refundable expenses if you cancel your trip for a reason covered by your policy.
If you need to cut your cruise short, trip interruption coverage can provide reimbursement for any unused, non-refundable expenses.
If your travel carrier delays your trip, you can receive reimbursement up to a set amount as outlined in your policy.
If your baggage is damaged, stolen, missing or delayed during your trip, baggage loss and delay coverage can reimburse you for the items you packed in your luggage.
In addition, some cruise insurance plans offer coverages exclusively tailored to cruisegoers, such as cruise disablement coverage, prepaid excursion reimbursement, missed connection benefits and non-medical evacuation coverage.
According to our research, you’ll also likely have access to a 24/7 hotline for travel emergencies — we’ve found this is a standard provision among travel insurance companies. If you’re looking for pre-existing condition coverage, many providers offer a waiver if you buy your coverage within a specific time frame from your initial trip deposit.
Is Cruise Insurance Required?
While cruise insurance isn’t typically legally required, it can be worth considering if you don’t want to risk your investment in your cruise booking. However, it’s best practice to check with your specific cruise line about any outstanding requirements around travel insurance. Even if travel insurance isn’t required, having coverages such as travel medical, trip interruption and trip cancellation cruise insurance can give you the peace of mind to enjoy your cruise fully.
When You Should Buy Cruise Insurance
If you plan on purchasing cruise insurance, it’s worth considering as soon as possible. For example, if you’d like emergency medical coverage through your cruise insurance policy to cover any pre-existing conditions, most travel insurance providers require you to purchase a policy within a certain number of days from when you make your first payment toward the cruise. You may not qualify for this waiver if you wait until the last minute to purchase your plan.
If your cruise is fast approaching and you’d still like to buy a policy, our research has found that some providers offer plans that can be purchased as late as 24 hours before your trip.
How Much Does Cruise Insurance Cost?
According to our analysis, the average cost of cruise insurance is $242. However, we found that the cost ranges from $81 to $500 and heavily depends on the total trip cost and age of the traveler.
The cost of cruise insurance can vary between customers. Your age, trip length, trip cost, plan type, number of travelers and destination all impact the overall premium you will pay. According to our research, trip cost, and age impact cost the most, with older travelers typically paying much more than younger travelers for the same trip.
The best way to determine what you will pay for your coverage is to get a quote. According to data from Berkshire Hathaway, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your total cruise vacation price for insurance.
To help you get a better idea of what you might pay for cruise insurance, we requested multiple quotes from the providers in our review using various sample traveler profiles. The table below summarizes our findings:
| Company | Best Plan for Cruises | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Luxury Cruise | $253 |
| Faye | Travel Protection Plan | $256 |
| Berkshire Hathaway | WaveCare | $224 |
| Travelex | Advantage | $169 |
| AXA | Gold Plan | $217 |
| Trawick | Safe Travels Voyager | $250 |
| Seven Corners | Trip Protection Choice | $251 |
| Allianz | Prime | $268 |
| AIG Travel Guard | Preferred | $248 |
| TravelSafe Insurance | Classic | $262 |
| Generali Global | Premium | $249 |
| John Hancock | Gold | $271 |
| Travel Insured International | Worldwide Trip Protector | $229 |
| AEGIS | Cruise | $242 |
To calculate costs, we collected quotes for each of the following trips and traveler profiles:
- 70-year-old couple taking a $3,000, seven-day cruise in Mexico
- 65-year-old taking a $1,200, five-day cruise in the Bahamas
- 34-year-old couple taking a $6,000, seven-day cruise in Greece
- 21-year-old taking a $900, five-day cruise in the Caribbean
How To Buy Cruise Insurance
You can purchase cruise insurance online and at your convenience. If you’d like to speak with a customer service representative about any questions or concerns about a policy, most travel insurance companies provide a phone number and contact information at the top of their website.
To start gathering quotes, head online to the quote portal of the company of your choice. For this example, we’ll walk you through getting a quote with Nationwide, our top pick for cruise insurance. We were asked to provide some trip details and personal information right away, such as our cruise line, destination, travel dates, total trip costs and more.
Once you’ve provided the information needed, you’ll be taken to your plan choices and their associated costs. Like many other cruise insurers, Nationwide offers a sample plan contract for you to read through, as well as coverage details to help you fully understand what’s covered or excluded with your policy.
After making your plan choice, you’ll need to provide more information on you and your traveling companions. From there, you’ll be able to finalize your purchase and be ready to cruise with protections in place that can help you navigate unexpected situations. While every cruise insurer’s purchasing process won’t look exactly the same, most follow the same format and will require the same information to purchase a policy.
Can You Buy Cancel For Any Reason Insurance for Cruises?
In short, yes, you can purchase travel insurance with cancel for any reason (CFAR) add-ons for a variety of travel insurance companies and plans. Cancel for any reason, coverage often time won’t cover the full value or price of your trip, but if you need to cancel for whatever reason, it is better to have some degree of coverage and get a partial refund than have to lose out on a trip and the monetary value behind it. Below is a list of CFAR coverage amounts for our recommended cruise travel insurance providers.
| Company | CFAR Coverage % |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | Yes, up to 75% |
| Faye Travel Insurance | Yes, up to 75% |
| Berkshire Hathaway | Yes, up to 50% |
| Travelex Insurance | Yes, up to 75% |
| AXA Assistance USA | Yes, up to 75% |
| Trawick International | Yes, up to 75% |
Is Cruise Insurance Worth It?
Determining whether cruise insurance is worth it is a personal decision. Cruises can get expensive quickly, so if you’re embarking on a 14-day international cruise that you’ve spent months saving up for, you may prefer to protect your investment. Spending a fraction of your total cruise expenses on insurance can help prevent you from forfeiting the entire cost of a non-refundable trip should the worst happen.
According to our 2024 travel insurance survey, of the 165 respondents who bought a policy for an upcoming cruise, 97% claim that travel insurance is worth it, with the majority citing peace of mind as the reason.
Angela Borden, a product marketing specialist at Seven Corners, noted that “When you’ve made a financial investment in your trip or need to protect your health when you travel, travel insurance is 100% worth it.” She also pointed out that coverage can help you recoup your expenses if the unexpected happens.
“Travel insurance can also reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them during your trip,” she added. “Again, that’s a financial savings you would have missed out on if you didn’t have travel insurance.”
If you are unsure whether cruise insurance is worth it, we recommend getting a quote from our highlighted insurance providers before you set sail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Insurance
Cruise insurance should provide you with 100% coverage for trip cancellation and at least 100% trip interruption coverage. Your policy should also include baggage loss, trip delay coverage, medical care and emergency evacuations.
While your trip insurance cost might not increase if you buy a policy at the last minute, it’s best to buy coverage as soon as you make your initial trip deposit. Most insurance companies only allow you to add CFAR coverage a few days after you make your first trip payment. If you’re considering this insurance add-on, buy coverage as soon as possible.
Whether you need travel insurance specifically for cruises depends on the provider. While some travel insurance companies specify that policies provide coverage even if you’re on a cruise, others may exclude cruises from standard travel plans. For this reason, it’s best to check the terms of your coverage before purchasing a policy.
Some companies, like Nationwide and Berkshire Hathaway, offer cruise-specific protection plans in addition to standalone travel insurance policies.
There are multiple benefits to investing in a cruise insurance policy. Cruise insurance provides you with money back for nonrefundable trip expenses, which can help you recoup a portion of your costs if you need to cancel at the last minute. Cruise insurance also provides protection when you’re on a boat and visiting international ports of call, with medical insurance coverage and compensation for travel expenses if you’re forced to evacuate during your vacation.
Travel insurance policy purchases have spiked since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most travel policies consider COVID-19 the same as any other illness, which means you may be entitled to use your insurance benefits if you’re hospitalized or cannot travel due to COVID-19. However, this also means that the fear of catching a new COVID strain will not entitle you to use your cruise insurance.
If you’re concerned about the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on your vacation plan, consider upgrading to CFAR coverage.
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*Data accurate at time of publication
