Norwegian Cruise Line Travel Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Setting Sail

Last Updated: November 4, 2024 — 5 min read

Are you planning a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)? How exciting! From exploring breathtaking fjords to enjoying the entertainment onboard, your vacation promises to be memorable. But before you set sail, there’s one crucial thing to consider: travel insurance.

Particularly cruise insurance with Norwegian. While Norwegian Cruise Line offers insurance options, like Booksafe Travel Protection Plan, buying third-party travel insurance could provide more comprehensive coverage tailored to your needs.

This guide will explain the benefits of Norwegian Cruise Line travel insurance so you can make an informed decision and ensure you have the best protection for your journey.

Why You Need Travel Insurance for Your NCL

When booking a cruise ship trip, you’re likely investing significant time, energy, and money into your experience. Cruise-specific risks, such as trip delays, emergency medical transportation, baggage delays, and weather disruptions, can arise, potentially derailing your dream vacation. A comprehensive travel insurance plan ensures peace of mind, covering unexpected events and safeguarding your investment, giving you the confidence to enjoy your journey fully.

Anticipating Potential Risks on Your Cruise:

Trip Cancellations or Interruptions: A cruise cancellation can cost thousands, whether due to illness, severe weather, or other unexpected life events. While Norwegian offers some coverage, third-party insurance often provides more flexibility for cancellation reasons and trip interruptions, reassuring you that you’re in control of your travel plans.
Medical Insurance Coverage: International travel means you could be far from your primary healthcare providers. Norwegian’s medical coverage may have limitations, especially for travelers requiring specialized care or transportation. With comprehensive travel insurance, you can get extensive coverage for medical evacuations or emergencies and care beyond what’s provided onboard, ensuring you’re well-protected no matter where you are.
Lost or Delayed Luggage: Picture this: you arrive at your port, but your luggage still needs to come. Delayed or lost luggage can dampen your vacation spirits. Third-party insurance can offer additional coverage for personal belongings compared to Norwegian’s policy.
Travel Delays: Cruises often involve multiple connections, from flights to transfers, that can impact your arrival time at the port. Suppose a delayed flight or other travel interruption causes you to miss your cruise departure. In that case, third-party travel insurance can reimburse expenses like rebooking fees, accommodations, and meals as you catch up to the ship.
Missed Connections: Missing a connection, especially when traveling internationally to reach your departure port, can disrupt your entire itinerary. Travel insurance with missed connection coverage helps cover unexpected costs, such as last-minute flights or hotel stays, to get you back on the water so you can catch your cruise at the nearest port.

Norwegian Cruise Line Insurance vs. Third-Party Travel Insurance

The best way to determine if a cruise travel insurance plan with Norwegian Cruise Line is a smart choice for your trip is to compare its protections with other providers. Consider the following:

Norwegian Cruise Line Insurance Benefits:

Coverage for Trip Cancellation or Interruption: You’ll receive reimbursement for cancellations for covered reasons, including illness, family emergencies, or work obligations.
Medical Coverage: Norwegian offers up to $20,000 in basic medical expense coverage, often limited to onboard incidents
Baggage Protection: Covers lost, damaged, or delayed luggage, though limits may apply
Travel Delays: This benefit helps reimburse expenses for meals, accommodations, and transportation if your travel is significantly delayed for covered reasons.
Missed Connections: Unless a connecting flight to your cruise is missed because of your error, Norwegian Cruise Line will help you; just call their emergency number, and they’ll work with the airline to get you on the next possible flight.

Third-Party Travel Insurance Benefits:

Broader Cancellation Coverage: Many third-party insurers offer Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) options, providing more flexibility if travel plans change, including cruise fare.
Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Some plans may include emergency medical evacuations, hospitalizations, and treatments that Norwegian’s plan might not cover.
Additional Coverage for Luggage and Personal Effects: Offers higher limits and covers a broader range of incidents than cruise-specific insurance.

What Should You Look for in a Travel Insurance Plan?

To combat the common cruise risks, focus on finding a plan that provides the following:

Trip Cancellation and Interruption: Read the fine print and ensure you know all the reasons for the interruption or cancellation. Make sure it covers not only medical reasons but also job loss, travel advisories, and even personal emergencies like a wedding cancellation or family illness.
Travel Delays: Travel Delay, or Trip Delay, is a typical travel insurance benefit that reimburses costs like meals, accommodations, and transportation if your trip is unexpectedly delayed. Most policies include this coverage at no extra charge, though limits, exclusions, and eligibility requirements vary by plan, and it kicks in after a 3-6 hour delay.
Missed Connections: Most providers often provide this benefit as standard protection. It kicks in if you miss a flight because of a significant delay (3 to 6 hours) and helps reimburse for indirect flights to your final destination.
Medical and Evacuation Coverage: Choose a plan with at least $100,000 in medical coverage and $250,000 in emergency evacuation benefits to cover potential emergencies while traveling internationally.
Baggage Protection: To avoid unnecessary expenses, look for plans that reimburse lost, stolen, or delayed baggage.
Cruise-Specific Benefits: Some travel insurance plans are designed specifically for cruises. These can cover shore excursions, missed connections, weather-related cancellations, or common itinerary changes on cruises.

When Should You Buy Travel Insurance for Your Norwegian Cruise?

Buying travel insurance as soon as you book your cruise is best. This way, you can maximize cancellation coverage from unforeseen events and qualify for time-sensitive benefits, such as the “cancel for any reason” upgrade.

Remember that some insurers require you to purchase coverage within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment to qualify for certain benefits. Planning is the best way to get the most out of your insurance investment.

How Much Does Travel Insurance for a Norwegian Cruise Cost?

The cost of travel insurance for your Norwegian cruise depends on a few details, regardless of provider and policy:

Age of Travelers: Older travelers tend to pay more for travel insurance, particularly medical coverage.
Length of Cruise: Longer cruises typically require higher premiums due to the extended coverage period.
Total Trip Cost: The more you’ve invested in your trip, the more coverage you’ll need, which will impact the price.

Best Travel Insurance Options for Norwegian Cruises

On average, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can cover 5-10% of your total trip cost. Here are a few third-party travel insurance providers that offer excellent plans for Norwegian Cruise travelers:

Tin Leg: Known for high medical coverage limits, add-ons for pre-existing medical conditions, and flexibility in cancellation reasons.
IMG: Offers excellent medical and evacuation benefits, plus cruise-specific plans that cater to itineraries and shipboard emergencies.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Travel Insurance: Offers cruise-specific plans that cater to every budget and offer unique benefits like adventure sports coverage.

Each provider has options tailored to cruise travelers, offering enhanced benefits beyond what Norwegian’s insurance may cover.

Bottom Line: While Norwegian Cruise Line’s travel insurance may offer adequate coverage for some travelers, we always recommend comparing your options to explore comprehensive protection, especially regarding medical emergencies and trip cancellations. By comparing both options, you can select the plan that best meets your needs and ensures your dream cruise is smooth sailing, no matter what comes your way.