Travel Insurance For Cruises

Cruise cover extends the benefits of our normal policies which provide cover for air and land trips, to include cover while you are on a cruise ship. This means that a cruise travel insurance policy can provide cover for the land, sea and air portions of your trip. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

Travel insurance for cruising is different to a holiday where you're flying, taking the train or bus to your destination, simply because you're on the sea or ocean! If a serious emergency occurs, the ship's medical facilities may not be equipped to treat you adequately, and you may need to be evacuated off the ship and taken to a hospital on land. 

That's why it is important to consider travel insurance for cruising. And that's also why a cruise travel insurance policy may cost a little more, as it provides you with certain cover for evacuation off the ship to an overseas hospital, or repatriation back to Australia for treatment. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

The benefits that are frequently looked for in cruise travel insurance, for example, often include cover for: 

• Cancellation costs if you have to unexpectedly cancel your trip due to reasons covered under the policy for example unexpected sickness or injury, 
• Evacuation and repatriation if you are unexpectedly seriously sick or injured on your cruise, 
• Disruptions to your trip including natural disasters and severe weather, and 
• Lost or damaged luggage. 

You should also consider the type of trip you're taking, and your particular situation, including: 

• If you're pregnant and considering going on a babymoon cruise, you should check our Pregnancy Travel Insurance Guide to see if you can be covered for the stage of pregnancy you're in. 
• If you're intending to do adventure activities such as snorkelling, diving or fishing you should check to see if the activity is covered or if you need to add the Adventure Pack to your policy for the activity to be covered. 

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. 

Consider the PDS and TMD at Fastcover.com.au prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you, as policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply.

We consider a ‘cruise ship’ to be a commercially operated ocean-going vessel that is licensed to carry paying passengers, has on-board accommodation and a trained medical practitioner or staff trained and accredited in advanced first aid (or the equivalent level in the country that you are travelling in).  

You must specify Cruise cover at time of purchase if you will be travelling on a cruise ship and you are cruising in:  

• Australian waters, the New Zealand or the South Pacific Region for 1 night or more, or 
• Asia, Europe or Worldwide Regions for 4 nights or more. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

Customers will need to specify ‘cruise’ during their application, if the cruise ship that they are going on, satisfies our: 

1. Definition of a cruise ship: a commercially operated ocean-going vessel that is licensed to carry paying passengers, has on-board accommodation and a trained medical practitioner or staff trained and accredited in advanced first aid (or the equivalent level in the country that you are travelling in). 
2. Requirements regarding the number of nights you will be sleeping on the cruise ship. 

For travel in Australia (Domestic), New Zealand and the South Pacific Regions: 

• If you are sleeping on the cruise ship for one or more nights, you will need to purchase Cruise cover.  

For travel in the Asia, Europe or Worldwide Regions: 

• If travelling in the Asia, Europe or Worldwide Regions and you are sleeping on the cruise ship for four or more nights, you will need to purchase the Cruise cover. 

Example 1: if you will be cruising for 7 days around the Greek Islands, Croatia or Halong Bay, you must answer 'Yes' to Cruise and pay the additional premium to have cover for this type of cruise. 

Example 2: If you will only be cruising around the Greek Islands, Croatia or Halong Bay for 3 nights or less, you should answer 'No' to the cruise question, as this is covered under our non-cruise policies. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs. 

Cruise cover is not needed for the following types of cruises or trips. You can answer 'No' when asked if you are going on a cruise for the following types of cruising: 

• Day trip on a cruise ship and you are not sleeping on the ship. For example, a short day cruise on a bay, such as Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. 
• Taking a river cruise along a river such as the Danube or Seine  
• Two separate 3 day cruises in the Asia, Europe or Worldwide regions (unless the cruises are back to back in which case you will need to choose cruise cover). 
• Sailing on a yacht (see the Sailing FAQ for further terms and conditions that apply). 
• Catching a ferry between islands and you are not sleeping on the ferry. For example, island hopping on a small boat that is not a cruise ship or taking a short one-hour ferry ride to an island. 
• Cruising on a cargo ship. 
• Cruising on a house-boat. Deep sea fishing where the boat that you are on does not satisfy our definition of a cruise ship (see the Sailing FAQ for further terms and conditions that apply). 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

Only our Frequent Traveller Saver policies automatically include cover for cruising. 

Note: It is not possible to remove cruise cover from your Frequent Traveller Saver policy. 

If you are not taking out a Frequent Traveller Saver policy, you must answer 'Yes' when asked if you are going on a cruise when you get your quote, otherwise you will not have cover under any benefits for events related to your cruise. 

Important note: You will not need to add ‘cruise cover’ to your policy if you are cruising within Australian waters, the New Zealand or the South Pacific Region for a day trip, within Asia, Europe or Worldwide Regions for less than 4 nights or travelling on a river cruise. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

If you don’t have a cruise travel insurance policy, and you decide to go on a cruise – you can contact us to add cruise cover to your policy for an additional premium. Please note that for your cruise cover to be valid, you must add cruise cover to your policy BEFORE you board your cruise. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

You will need to take out Cruise cover if you will be sleeping on the cruise ship for one night or more.  Even though your cruise may never leave Australian waters, or even the coastline, a cruise travel insurance policy may prove invaluable if something does go wrong on your cruise.  This can include cover for trip cancellation expenses where you may need to cancel your Australian cruise before departure due to an unexpected illness or injury, cover for certain medical expenses incurred whilst on-board the cruise ship if you are injured or become sick (that are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance), cover for emergency medical evacuation if you are seriously sick or injured on your cruise, and stolen luggage.    

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

If you will be cruising in Australian waters or coastline, choose ‘Australia’ or ‘Australia (domestic)’ and select 'Yes' when asked if you are going on a cruise. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

You will need to list all the countries you are travelling to, or alternatively, choose one of the regions that includes the countries you are travelling to. Check our travel insurance guide on regions for the further information including a list of countries covered in each region. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

The level of cover that you have depends on the type of cruise ship you are going on, and the policy you have chosen for your trip, and can include cover for:  

• Cancellation expenses due to unexpected and unforeseen circumstances  
• Onboard medical expenses (for Australian cruises with a medical practitioner and medical facility onboard that is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance)  
• Transfer to medical transport to convey you to a hospital  
• Lost, stolen or accidentally damaged luggage  
• Travel delay expenses  
• Special event transport expenses  
• Theft of cash from your person while you are on the cruise ship itself. There is no cover for cash not on your person at the time they were stolen and not locked secured in a safe.   

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.   

As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.

Depending on the type of domestic cruise you are going on, you may be able to purchase our Basics travel insurance policy which provides you with certain medical, evacuation and repatriation cover. 

If you have a medical condition, check out our Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your existing medical and pregnancy conditions including information about the General Exclusions that may apply.  

However, if your cruise trip involves you paying a large deposit a few months in advance of your cruise trip, flights, on-shore excursions or a land tour, you may consider looking into our other policies, which can provide you with additional benefits including cover in case you need to unexpectedly cancel your trip due to illness, your luggage being stolen, or your flights being delayed due to severe weather. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.  

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. 

The cost of a cruise travel insurance policy depends on the type of cruise trip that you will be taking amongst other factors. 

There are many considerations in the cost of travel insurance for cruising, including but not limited to: 

• The number of travellers, 
• The ages of the travellers, 
• Where the cruise is going to, 
• The duration of the whole trip, 
• The other types of activities that you may be planning to do: riding a motorcycle, moped or scooter, adventure sports, whether you'll be hiring a rental vehicle or bringing your bike with you, 
• If you would like to increase the cover for your valuable items, and 
• The type of policy you choose for your trip. 

To find out how much it would cost for a travel insurance policy for your cruise holiday, get a quote and see the options available to you. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.  

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.

For cruise ships with an on-board doctor:   

Many Australian travellers mistakenly believe that they’re automatically covered by Medicare if they’re cruising in Australian waters.   

However, Medicare card benefits may not apply on your cruise even if in domestic Australian waters unless there’s a Medicare registered doctor on-board the cruise ship, which is unlikely, as the large cruise lines aren’t usually owned by an Australian company.   

So, if a sickness or injury occurs on the cruise ship and requires medical attention, many people are surprised to find they could be charged at private rates. That’s why when taking a cruise which has a doctor on-board, you’ll find that many travellers arrange cruise travel insurance so that cover is available for their on-board medical expenses, the cost of emergency medical evacuation from the cruise ship by helicopter to the mainland and when overseas, their medical expenses.   

For cruises without an on-board doctor:   

Cruises along the Australian coast give you the advantage over an overseas cruise, as you'll be able to access Australian medical facilities. If you become seriously sick or injured during your cruise and medical treatment is not available on-board the cruise ship, cover is extended to allow for you to be evacuated to a location where Australian emergency services (including an ambulance or Royal Flying Doctor Service) can pick you up and transfer you to an Australian medical facility for treatment if you are injured or become sick. In circumstances such as these you may be able to use your Medicare card and your private health insurance to cover the medical expenses from the time you’re transferred to the ambulance or Royal Flying Doctor Service.    

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.   

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. As each individual’s circumstances are different, we will assess each claim on a case by case basis and in accordance with your specific circumstances, policy terms and Certificate of Insurance.  

If you have a Comprehensive, Snow Sports Plus, Domestic Plus or Frequent Traveller Saver policy, you may be able to claim for:  

• Special event transport expenses to get you to the cruise on time. 
• Travel delay expenses up to $200 for each traveller (excluding dependants) if the delay is for at least 6 hours from the time the carrier was scheduled to depart. 
• Trip disruption expenses for any additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses you incur to get to your cruise and is covered under the policy; 

If you have a Standard Saver policy, you may be able to claim for: 

• Trip disruption expenses for any additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses you incur to get to your cruise and is covered under the policy. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.  

If you make a claim, we will fully assess it in accordance with your policy and certificate of insurance. As everyone's circumstances, are different and we will assess each claim on a case by case basis.

If you’re combining a land tour or side trip with your cruise, our travel insurance for cruises can provide certain cover for that part of your trip too! For example, if you go on a cruise trip, take an onshore excursion and then a 3 day train journey, we can provide you with cover for both the land and sea portions of your trip on the one cruise travel insurance policy.  

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.

If you’re taking multiple cruise holidays, you may have the option of purchasing a Frequent Traveller Saver travel insurance policy. This policy automatically includes cover for cruises, and you can go on as many cruise trips as you like within a 12 month period up to a specified number of days for each trip (ranging from 15, 25, 50 or 63 days) based on the options available under the policy at the time of purchase. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.