Wave Season is Here—Five Reasons to Set Sail With Cruise Travel Insurance

Last Updated: December 3, 2024December 3, 2024 — 7 min read

Ah, Wave Season—the magical time of year (January to March) when cruise lines roll out their best deals. If you dream of setting sail on a sun-soaked adventure or exploring icy fjords, there’s no better time to book. But while those discounted rates and perks are hard to resist, there’s one thing you shouldn’t overlook: cruise travel insurance.

Cruise insurance is more than just a safety net. It’s your partner in ensuring a smooth and stress-free vacation, no matter what surprises come your way. 

In this article, we’ll share the most important reasons to get cruise insurance, explain how it can protect your travel investment, and provide insider tips to help you choose the right policy. Plus, we’ll highlight the top cruise insurance plans available through Squaremouth to make your decision even easier.

Why Buying Travel Protection During Wave Season is Wise

There are no trips like a cruise vacation. From the unique excursions and once-in-a-lifetime performances to the endless Chef-prepared meals, a cruise vacation is unlike any other. But that also means additional layers of complexity—think pre-paid excursions, medical care at sea, and non-refundable deposits.

Here are the top reasons you should buy cruise insurance, especially when booking during Wave Season.

1. You Earned This Vacation — Protect Your Trip Costs

Wave Season deals often require significant upfront costs, from nonrefundable deposits to complete payment for cabin upgrades, drink packages, and excursions. But what happens if your plans change unexpectedly?

Many cruise insurance policies provide Trip Cancellation coverage, reimbursing you for nonrefundable expenses if unforeseen circumstances arise, such as:

• Personal Illness or Injury: Insurance ensures you’re not out of pocket, whether it’s a last-minute flu or an unexpected accident.
• Family Emergencies: Coverage extends to issues like a family member’s hospitalization or passing.
• Inclement Weather Events: If a hurricane prevents you from reaching your port of departure, you’re covered.

Insider Insight: Consider adding “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage to your policy for the ultimate flexibility. This add-on lets you cancel your trip for reasons not typically covered by standard insurance benefits and receive partial trip cost reimbursement.

2. Medical Insurance Doesn’t Usually Travel

Your cruise ship may feel like a floating city, but it’s not equipped with full-service hospitals, or at least ones that wouldn’t cost more than your total trip cost because, typically, domestic health insurance doesn’t travel very well. In other words, your regular health insurance likely doesn’t cover medical emergencies over international waters.

Cruise insurance ensures you’re prepared for the unexpected by covering:

• Emergency Medical Treatment: Medical expenses are covered — from injuries while out on an excursion to food poisoning.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Needing to be airlifted from a cruise is not cheap — think upwards of $100,000. But, with a travel insurance policy, you’re protected if you need to be transported to the nearest hospital.
• Repatriation: Should the worst happen, repatriation ensures your return home, including airfare and assistance services, is taken care of.

Insider Insight: If you need insurance coverage for a pre-existing medical condition, check out our list of recommended providers.

3. Surviving Missed Connections or Trip Delays

Traveling to the port of call often involves flights, connections, and tight schedules. Unfortunately, delays happen. Cruise insurance can provide financial support to help you catch up to your cruise if you miss its departure.

Most cruise insurance plans include coverage for the following disruptions:

• Flight Delays or Cancellations: Cover hotels, meals, and transportation if you need to catch up with the ship at its next port.
• Missed Departure: Some policies even reimburse you for missed excursions or unused days of your trip so you can put that money toward your next cruise.

4. Protection for Your Belongings

From the Caribbean to Europe, cruises offer so much adventure and luxury. Whether excursions with wild animals or shopping for the next best jewel, cruises offer everything a city does, which means you need the closet for it, too. 

But what happens when you experience a baggage delay and can’t go aboard? Or what if your luggage goes missing altogether? That’s when travel insurance plans come in. 

Cruise insurance offers:

• Lost or Stolen Baggage Coverage: Reimbursement for the value of your items.
• Delayed Luggage Coverage: Compensation to purchase essentials until your bags arrive.

Insider Insight: Many travel insurance companies will work directly with the airline or cruise line to track and expedite your lost luggage.

5. Weather Happens

Wave Season coincides with the year’s busiest storm seasons, especially in tropical cruise destinations. Weather disruptions can derail your plans, but cruise insurance ensures you’re not left high and dry.

Coverage includes:

• Cancellations Due to Weather: You’re reimbursed if a storm prevents your departure or alters your itinerary.
• Additional Costs for Itinerary Changes: Missed excursions or changes to pre-paid plans are covered.

Insider Insight: Some policies also cover port closures or government travel advisories, giving you even more comprehensive protection.

6. Peace of Mind for Adventure-Seekers

Cruise excursions include adventurous activities like zip-lining, scuba diving, or hiking. These activities have risks, and standard travel insurance may not cover them, so review the fine print to ensure coverage for your specific adventures (yes, they really get this specific!) 

Cruise insurance often includes:

• Coverage for Excursion-Related Injuries: You’re covered whether you sprain an ankle on a hike or need stitches after snorkeling.
• Evacuation from Remote Locations: Insurance ensures you return safely if your adventure takes you off the beaten path.

Insider Insight: Some policies cover rental gear damage, which is particularly handy for skiers, divers, and other adventure enthusiasts.

How to Choose the Right Cruise Insurance

When shopping for cruise insurance, look for plans that offer:

1. Comprehensive Cancellation and Interruption Coverage: Find policies that offer reimbursement if unforeseen events keep you from cruising as planned. 
   
2. Robust Medical and Evacuation Coverage: Ensure high coverage limits for medical emergencies and emergency evacuations at sea.
   
3. Baggage and Personal Belongings Coverage: Look for plans with generous reimbursement limits for the items you pack for your cruise.
   
4. Customizable Add-Ons: Some plans allow you to tailor coverage for unique needs, such as adventure sports or car rentals.

Recap: What Does Cruise Travel Insurance Cover?

Picture this: You’re lounging on a sun-drenched deck with a fruity drink, ready to dive into adventure. Suddenly, a storm rolls in; your luggage is nowhere to be found, or that shrimp cocktail doesn’t agree with you. Cue cruise travel insurance—the unsung hero of smooth sailing! 

Here’s a breakdown of what it covers (and why you’ll thank yourself for buying it).

1. Trip Cancellation and Interruption
   Sometimes life happens. Whether it’s a family emergency, sudden illness, or work crisis, cruise insurance has your back by reimbursing nonrefundable costs like your cabin, pre-booked excursions, or even that fancy beverage package. Think of it as a life preserver for your wallet when the unexpected strikes.
   
2. Medical Emergencies at Sea
   Did you know your health insurance might not work in international waters? Cruise insurance steps up with emergency medical coverage. Whether it’s seasickness gone rogue or a slip on deck, you’ll have access to care without racking up Titanic-sized bills. Bonus: It also covers pricey medical evacuations because getting airlifted from the middle of the ocean isn’t cheap.
   
3. Lost, Stolen, or Delayed Luggage
   Your suitcase decides to vacation in the Bahamas while you’re heading to Alaska. No worries—cruise insurance covers delayed or lost baggage. It even helps you replace essentials, so you’re not stuck wearing souvenir T-shirts to formal night.
   
4. Travel Delays and Missed Connections
   If your flight gets delayed and you miss the ship, cruise insurance helps cover hotel stays, meals, and transportation to the next port. Nothing says “stress” like chasing a cruise liner from port to port.
   
5. Adventure Gone Awry
   Planning a scuba dive or zip-line adventure? Cruise insurance services cover injuries during excursions, so you can explore without holding back (or holding your breath about the “what ifs”).

Top 5 Cruise Insurance Plans on Squaremouth

Squaremouth offers a range of cruise insurance plans tailored to different travelers’ needs. Here are our top picks:

Bottom Line: Sail Away with Peace of Mind

Cruise insurance isn’t just a luxury—it’s necessary for any traveler booking during Wave Season. Whether you’re concerned about cancellations, medical emergencies, or luggage issues, the right policy ensures your vacation is smooth sailing from start to finish.

Ready to protect your cruise? Compare and purchase the best plans today on our Cruise Insurance page.