Taking a cruise remains one of the most popular vacation options for travelers around the world. This is highlighted by a recent from the Cruise Line Industry Association shows two-thirds of all travelers would consider taking a cruise in the near future. Cruise insurance policies sold on Squaremouth also saw a 35% spike in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Given the amount of options available on the market, finding the best cruise insurance policy for your next high seas adventure can be overwhelming. Luckily, the cruise insurance experts at Squaremouth have ranked the best travel insurance companies for cruises based on several factors, including popularity, price, and customer satisfaction.
Cruise insurance is a specialized type of travel insurance designed to provide coverage for travelers going on a cruise vacation. It offers travel protection against various risks and potential issues that are specific to cruise vacations, such as emergency evacuations from a ship and coverage if you miss your cruise’s departure.
The majority of cruisers purchase comprehensive coverage. This refers to policies that include extensive coverage for last-minute cancellations and a wide-range of other unexpected cruise-related travel disruptions.
Due to the growing demand, many reputable travel insurance providers now offer plans specifically for cruises. These policies are often less expensive and offer greater coverage than policies offered by major cruise lines.
Follow along as we highlight a few of the top third-party travel insurance companies for cruises in 2025.
Year over year, Trawick International plans continually rank among the most popular cruise insurance plans. With an average premium of around $285, many of their plans offer generous coverage limits such as 100% Trip Cancellation coverage and Trip Delay benefits that kick in if your trip is delayed at least six hours. Early purchase benefits include Pre-Existing Condition Waivers and Travel Provider Financial Default.
One of the reasons Tin Leg ranks high among the best travel insurance for cruises is because of the medical insurance coverage it provides, offering high reimbursement limits for unforeseen injuries, illnesses, and medical evacuations while at sea. Some plans also include the Cancel for Work Reasons benefit, which can reimburse your travel expenses if you are forced to cancel due to revoked vacation time.
With multiple add-ons and policy upgrades available, cruisers rank Seven Corners highly for the customization they provide. Alongside Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage, travelers can add CFAR and Trip Interruption for Any Reason benefits to their policy. These options can help travelers recover a part of their non-refundable trip costs if they decide not to travel or wish to return home early for reasons not already covered by their policy.
With an average premium around $114, Global Underwriters offers some of the most affordable cruise travel insurance plans on the market. Their policies are designed to cover U.S. residents heading abroad, with up to $50,000 of Emergency Medical coverage and optional Home Country Coverage. Travel delays are also covered under this plan, making it a top choice for cruisers looking for peace of mind that doesn’t break the bank.
GeoBlue remains one of the best cruise insurance plans for travelers who are primarily concerned about overseas medical care expenses. At an average premium of $176, GeoBlue plans offer up to $1 million in Emergency Medical coverage, with deductibles as low as $100. Most plans also include up to $500,000 in Emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. Unlike most providers in this price point, GeoBlue also offers benefits for Trip Interruption, Baggage Delay, and Baggage Loss.
Travel Insured International ranks on our list of best travel insurance for cruises with full-service benefits at a lower price. At the average premium of $328, this provider has the most affordable comprehensive cruise insurance plan. Travelers who purchase their plan within 14 days of their first deposit can also qualify for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition Waiver and additional cancellation benefits.
Not only does Seven Corners offer some of the most flexible travel insurance plans for cruises, but they also have some of the best benefits specifically built for the open seas. The Round Trip Economy and Round Trip Elite plans offer an air only change fee benefit, covering up to $75 if you are forced to switch flights for your trip, while the Round Trip Choice plan offers limited coverage for cancellations and interruptions.
Itinerary changes can happen on any trip for any reason, ranging from inclement weather to an unexpected mechanical breakdown. TravelSafe has specific benefits for those unforeseen circumstances, ranking them highly among cruisers. The Classic and Classic Plus plans offer up to $250 in itinerary change coverage, allowing travelers to recover some of their prepaid activity costs if a travel supplier disruption forces them to miss a scheduled event.
Trawick International consistently ranks among the best travel insurance for cruises for their dedication to the traveler. In addition to all of their other coverage options, the Safe Travels Annual Deluxe and Safe Travels Annual Executive also offer an itinerary change benefit. If a travel provider makes a shift which forces a cruiser to miss a prepaid activity or shore excursion and does not reschedule it for later, these plans may offer up to $300 in coverage per trip. To qualify, the cruise line or travel supplier must provide verification.
Health concerns can affect older travelers at any time, which is why Trawick International ranks as one of the best cruise travel insurance options for seniors. Missed Connection coverage begins after a three hour delay, which may help cruisers if they don’t get to their departure port in time. If a doctor orders a medical evacuation, Trawick International plans offer Medical Evacuation & Repatriation coverage starting at up to $500,000. Cancel for Medical Reasons is listed as a covered reason under both Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption, allowing seniors to recover non-refundable costs if an unexpected medical issue forces their travel plans to change.
Seven Corners is among the best cruise travel insurance for seniors because of the many add-on options available. Early purchase benefits include Cancel for Any Reason or Interruption for Any Reason options. In addition, Cancel for Medical Reasons is covered by both Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption. If a senior needs to be airlifted from their cruise due to an emergency illness or injury, Seven Corners plans offer Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage starting at up to $250,000.
Tin Leg is popular among senior cruisers due to the number of plans available that feature strong benefits. Medical Evacuation & Repatriation benefits start at $250,000, and Pre-Existing Condition Waivers are available on most plans as an early purchase benefit. And if you’re unsure about taking that trip, CFAR coverage can be added to most plans for extra cancellation flexibility and peace of mind.
When it comes to family cruises, Trawick International is a solid choice for travel protection. In addition to Emergency Medical coverage starting at $150,000 maximum per person, families can add additional coverages for their extended vacation. Options include Rental Car Damage coverage and CFAR. Plan benefits may also be extended until everyone is able to return home, making it easier to keep the family together.
Because family travel is often unpredictable, Travel Insured International offers a wide range of benefits, making them one of the best travel insurance options for those taking a cruise with little ones. All plans include Primary Medical Coverage for everyone on the policy, with Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption also covering medical-related cancellations. Pre-Existing Condition Waivers are also available as an early purchase benefit.
Tin Leg plans rank in the best cruise insurance for families because of their wide range of plans. No matter which plan your family chooses, Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage begins at a maximum of $250,000. Cancel for Medical Reasons is also seen as a covered reason under most Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits.
In 2025, the average cost of a cruise insurance policy is roughly $710.
The cost of cruise insurance can vary depending on several factors, including your age, cruise length, destination, coverage limits, and the type of coverage you choose.
On average, comprehensive cruise insurance typically ranges from 5% to 10% of your total trip cost. However, you can opt to forego cancellation coverage in exchange for cheaper premiums.
The average premium for medical-only cruise insurance plans in 2025 cost roughly $150.
Every traveler’s insurance needs are different. Because cruises embark to remote places, travelers aboard face the potential for higher-than-normal expenses. That’s why it’s important to understand how travel insurance covers you away from home.
If you’re buying travel insurance for a cruise outside the USA, we recommend finding a policy that includes the following benefits:
The best time to purchase travel insurance for a cruise is right after making your initial trip deposit. For most travelers, this will likely be a flight ticket, cruise booking, or hotel reservation.
Purchasing a policy directly after booking guarantees you the longest coverage period, and can help you qualify for time-sensitive travel insurance benefits your provider may offer.
In short, yes. Some travel credit cards can provide financial protection for cruise bookings made using the card in question. In addition, credit cards that offer trip insurance benefits may also cover delays, personal items, and missed connections.
With that in mind, credit card travel protection is not a substitute for travel insurance. This is mostly due to the fact that the majority of travel credit cards do not cover medical emergencies or evacuations.
Due to the importance of medical coverage while cruising, it’s strongly recommended to travel insurance even if you have existing perks through a credit card.
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