tui travel insurance for cruises

Unfortunately, we can only offer quotations for customers up to the age of 65 or under for our annual multi-trip cover or 85 or under for our single trip cover. You may be able to obtain an alternative travel insurance policy by contacting The British Insurance Brokers Association otherwise known as BIBA. The British Insurance Brokers Association is the UK’s leading general insurance intermediary organisation. For further details please call: 0370 950 1790 or visit their website on https://www.biba.org.uk/

ARRANGE INSURANCE IN JUST A FEW CLICKS!

We’ve partnered with one of the UK’s leading travel insurers, to provide you with comprehensive travel insurance designed to meet the needs of most travellers.

PROTECTION WHETHER YOU’RE TRAVELLING ALONE OR WITH FRIENDS.

• Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

Evidence of Cruise Insurance

By Delbankin , August 20, 2022 in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

Recommended Posts

We are insured through bank insurance underwritten by one of the major insurance companies and despite phoning and being told cruises are covered, and being sent copies of policies and underwriters cover statement there is no mention of cruises being covered in their literature.

How closely do Tui scrutinise documents prior to boarding?.  We are reluctant to take out cruise specific insurance but will have to if this is insisted upon. We cruised recently with Azamara and they didn’t look at our insurance information.

Does anyone have experience of insurance being checked before boarding or anyone being refused boarding because their insurance didn’t specifically mention cruising?.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Pre covid my wife used the standard Lloyds bank travel insurance for years, Since

covid Marella have inserted into their terms that you must have Comprehensive cruise cover with covid cover specifically included. For the last couple of cruises that we have done recently  I have bundled my wife’s travel insurance with mine which already included cruise cover, I don’t really know what comprehensive cover means. 🤷‍♂️   Just before we joined the ships at the port check in they did look at insurance docs along with vaccination proof etc.

Hope this helps.

Perhaps tell us which bank do you have the account with, then someone with a similar account may help.

There is a long thread on cruise insurance on the P&O board if you can find it, which covered lots of providers, but it was several months ago.

I seem to recall that policies underwritten by AXA and Allianz were the most comprehensive, but relatives who have Coop Bank cover told me that policies today are not as comprehensive as the ones they have, as they have had an account with Coop for several years

Ours is via M&S underwritten by Axa however I’m not sure what relevance P&O insurance posts would have to Tui because as I say Azamara didn’t even look at ours so companies probably have different approaches hence my query. I do appreciate people taking time to reply and hopefully others can give examples of their direct experience. We are reluctant to take out additional insurance however if it is essential to get on board with Tui then we will have to. Some might say it is something the cruise companies and insurers have come together on to make more money out of customers.

I bought a TUI single trip policy for my next cruise at a TUI travel agents which is actually an Axa insurance. I just checked the Axa policy wording and cruises are not mentioned. Panic? Maybe not, the insurance certificate printed by the TA mentions cruises in the section on Covid cover specifically what you are covered for if on a cruise.

I hope to have several cruises next year so will be looking for annual cover starting early January next year so it applies to my Explorer Xmas/New year cruise and the other 3 cruises for next year

Rebel Rouser

After being on 5 cruises over the last 12 months. They do indeed check the insurance docs with all the other documents that are needed on a cruise.

Lucky enough, My bank cover us for Insurance (Barclays) £12 PM for £144 PA, it's worth checking your bank to see if they can cover you? Also get Car breakdown cover within that as well.

markmichelle87

We have a Lloyds Bank Premiere account that covers us for cruises even though it does not specifically state this but have checked with Allianz the insurance provider.

You can add extra specific cruise cover for missed port and itinerary change an few other things for an additional charge too top up your existing cover.

We are going in February 2023 and will check nearer to the cruise for the cost.

Pensioncruiser

13 hours ago, Rebel Rouser said: Lucky enough, My bank cover us for Insurance (Barclays) £12 PM for £144 PA, it's worth checking your bank to see if they can cover you? Also get Car breakdown cover within that as well.

Can't fault the cover we had through our bank, Nationwide,  but it did become expensive when we reached the age limit as all the declared heath issues, understandably, attracted a large premium. Just make certain you declare all medical issues. 

15 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said: Can't fault the cover we had through our bank, Nationwide,  but it did become expensive when we reached the age limit as all the declared heath issues, understandably, attracted a large premium. Just make certain you declare all medical issues. 

Yes I always do declare Ailments etc..not that there is a lot at the moment..touch wood? main one was TKN 7 years back

I used my Lloyds bank (Allianz) cover last week, they spent a couple of seconds reading the certificate of insurance we'd printed out and found no problems with it.

15 minutes ago, Sicknote said: I used my Lloyds bank (Allianz) cover last week, they spent a couple of seconds reading the certificate of insurance we'd printed out and found no problems with it.

Sorry but I had to laugh. Re you and the Cruise insurance and you being Sicknote  😂

So you didn’t get the extra cover then ? Sicknote

8 minutes ago, markmichelle87 said: So you didn’t get the extra cover then ? Sicknote

Nope, just the standard one you get with a Lloyds platinum account. The Allianz website lists a few different upgrades that can be added but none relate to cruises.

The only time I think it would need upgrading for a cruise is if you're travelling for more than 31 days.

I also have travel insurance with my Lloyds bank account.   I rang Lloyds and they were happy to send me a letter confirming that cruise cover was included.  They also did the same for another family member who cruised earlier this year. 

Barclays wording

Jim The Scot

Similar to  chris although our worldwide travel insurance is with Nationwide through our flex plus account

Had a letter from Nationwide with policy number,name of insurance company and confirming cruise cover and nothing more.This was given a fleeting glimpse at the port

My take on Marella insisting on “comprehensive”cruise cover is an attempt to direct customers to take out the policy they promote on their website.Comprehensive is a play on words for me

We had what Nationwide call basic cruise cover which was more than enough.They do have an option to upgrade cruise cover at a cost of £40 which covers you for missed ports,confined to cabin etc,an option we have never taken up 

Regret it now as we would have been entitled to £600 from our cruise but no doubt there would have many hoops to jump through to get it.

Hindsight  is a wonderful thing

32 minutes ago, Rebel Rouser said: Barclays wording

what does “whilst onboard a uk cruise” mean.?

Thanks everyone for replies. I can see it has generated some other exchanges as well which is always good. We did contact Axa via M&S after I posted the message (but without much hope really) and they have very quickly provided a copy letter which is general in content but does have virtually the same wording as the Barclays policy (thanks Rebel Rouser) so I think we will take our chances that cruise cover is included. If all else fails, we can always take out a policy online when we are in the cruise terminal!.

1 hour ago, Brummijam said: Hi RR. what does “whilst onboard a uk cruise” mean.?

Probably UK cruise as in TUI Marella are UK based.

2 hours ago, Brummijam said: Hi RR. what does “whilst onboard a uk cruise” mean.?

I take this to mean the policy also covers you for a cruise from the UK that only visits UK ports or no ports at all like the one i did to the Scottish isles last summer. The insurance companies had to amend their policies. there was considerable discussion on the P&O forum. For example you might not visit a foreign port but you might be evacuated from the ship in  UK waters to a foreign country, for example France or Ireland. Originally the insurance companies did not want to provide cover as you were not going abroad and the NHS would provide cover.

10 hours ago, Rebel Rouser said: Probably UK cruise as in TUI Marella are UK based.

Think that would bother me.  Does this mean that a cruise on RCI or P+O would not be covered?

13 hours ago, Rebel Rouser said: Barclays wording

Also read include anywhere in the world, including cruises outside the UK up to £10,000,00 per insure person.

Some people read into it too much and worry themselves.

In general I am a pretty laid back person but because it’s me with the potentially serious ailments I have to double check belt and braces that everything is in place and correct should anything happen when we are away. My OH would crumble in a crisis guaranteed.

The way I see it is it’s easier to sort it and check it’s all in order at my lesuire rather to leave it to a panicking spouse if something went wrong over there. Once it’s done ….Relax. 😉 😂 Keep well.

23 hours ago, Sicknote said:   Nope, just the standard one you get with a Lloyds platinum account. The Allianz website lists a few different upgrades that can be added but none relate to cruises.   The only time I think it would need upgrading for a cruise is if you're travelling for more than 31 days.

I did find on the Allianz site a page that said you can add cruise cover that was a top up on the normal insurance.

• Missed port departure : If you miss the ship beacuse of public transport delays or your vehicle breaking down on your way to the port, we’ll pay for transport costs so you can catch it at the next port.
• Cruise interruption : If you fall ill and need to be hospitalised ashore, we’ll pay for the travel expenses so you can re-join the cruise when you’re feeling better.
• Cabin confinement : We’ll pay up to your claim limit if you’re ill and the doctor confines you to your cabin. This also applies if there’s a medical situation on board that means you have to stay in your cabin.
• Cruise itinerary changes : If there’s bad weather or a reason why your ship can’t make a scheduled stop, we’ll pay up to the limit shown on your policy.
• Unused excursions cover : If you can’t make a trip or excursion due to injury, illness or the ship not being able to stop as scheduled, we’ll cover you for the unused cost.

That upgrade option doesn't appear with one of the Lloyds account coverages, assume it's for a standard Allianz one?

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com Summer 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!
• How To: Follow Topics & Forums (Get Notifications)

97 What Kind of Cruise Ship Decor Do You Like Best?

1. what kind of cruise ship decor do you like best.

• Colorful and wacky! It sets the vibe for fun.
• Serene and soothing! Greige helps me relax.
• Arty and sophisticated! Whimsical pieces make me smile.
• Nautical and classic! I want to feel like I'm on a ship.
• Mod and shiny! Give me all the glass and chrome.
• Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Write An Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started Thursday at 09:01 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:28 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 12:56 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 11:40 AM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 06:45 AM

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

While smooth sailing will always be the aim, cruising today is often about expecting the unexpected. You can prepare yourself by taking out an insurance policy that can compensate you when your vacation at sea does not go as planned.

Need to cancel your trip last minute due to an accident or illness? Did your bags get delayed or lost? Do you need to exit the sailing early to take care of an emergency back home? Was there a mechanical issue with the ship that required a change of itinerary, causing you to miss your flight home?

All of these contingencies and more can be covered; it's just a matter of finding the best insurance policy for you. Here's how to evaluate which plan is the right choice for you, as well as five of the best cruise travel insurance plans available.

The best cruise travel insurance plan will always be a 3rd-party option

No plan will meet the needs of all cruise travelers, so there is little benefit to booking the one insurance option recommended by your cruise line during the booking process other than convenience.

You'll often find more affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and favorable terms utilizing third-party insurance companies. You'll have a wide choice of plans, so you can pick the one that works the best for your situation.

If you're wondering where the best place is to purchase third-party insurance, "No one comparison site is getting preferential deals," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "Insurance carriers' rates are the same anywhere." However, these insurance comparison sites can help you directly compare the pricing and coverage of multiple policies by a range of preferred providers.

Look for the following coverage options and compare coverage amounts to determine which third-party plan is the best cruise insurance option for your upcoming trip.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Trip cancellation

You'll want to be reimbursed if an unexpected event forces you to cancel your cruise. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, detailing which specific reasons for canceling your trip are covered and not covered.

Trip interruption and travel delays

You'll also want to be covered if issues occur after travel begins. It's important to find "a plan that offers trip interruption if something does happen during your trip, along with a plan that offers emergency medical evacuation, coverage for travel delays and missed connection benefits," adds insurance expert Meghan Walch from InsureMyTrip .

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise

COVID-19 contingencies

Walch advises all travelers booking a cruise to consider a plan that includes cancellation coverage for COVID-19. Note that you'll need more than a home test to file a claim. According to Walch, "You'll need a doctor saying that you have been diagnosed with COVID and specify that you are unable to travel."

In addition, look for coverage if you get sick and need to isolate away from home. "Some plans offer additional trip delay coverage, put in place as a result of needing additional or higher limits for instances that might include if the policyholder gets quarantined in a location," Sandberg adds.

Cancel for any reason

A cancel-for-any-reason optional upgrade offers the most flexibility. You can get a refund of up to 75% if you cancel your voyage for reasons not usually covered by travel insurance. However, it adds about 40% to your premium and can only be purchased within a limited window of time after your cruise purchase.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Lost or delayed baggage

Baggage loss insurance covers your luggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. In the case that you make it on the cruise and your bags do not, the insurance agency can assist with locating and redirecting the bags to your next port, reimbursing you for items you may need to purchase to get you through your travels while you are without your belongings and covering your losses in the case that the bag is actually gone for good.

Note that certain high-cost items such as electronics, luxury watches and fine jewelry are not always covered by baggage loss insurance. Consider purchasing additional coverage for such items or — better yet — keep those items with you at all times.

Health coverage

Medical coverage is another consideration. "Most domestic health coverage [including Medicare] does not cover travel abroad, so it is important to look at a travel insurance policy that offers medical coverage during your trip, just in case anything happens," says Walch. "If you fall ill or are injured during the trip, it can be pretty expensive – even when going to the ship's onboard medical facility."

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Hurricane coverage

Extreme weather and hurricanes are typically not covered if the cruise commences as scheduled, though you might be eligible for trip interruption coverage if weather cancels the cruise or cuts the itinerary short. There are also insurance plans that offer trip reimbursement if a destination on your itinerary is under a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued hurricane alert or warning.

How much will cruise travel insurance cost?

Insurance pricing is dependent on the trip cost and the age of the insured travelers. Sandberg estimates that "travelers in their 30s or 40s can ballpark insurance coverage somewhere around 5% to 7% of the trip costs, with rates that can get lower depending on the extent of coverage."

Insurance is a tiered product that gets more expensive as you age. "As you get older, that range can expand to 10% of trip costs," notes Sandberg. "Adding bells and whistles, like 'cancel for any reason' [coverage], rates can rise to 11% to 12% of the cost of your trip."

Related: How cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Following extensive research scouring the fine print, we've selected five of the best cruise insurance plans that will appeal to a variety of seagoing travelers.

All five plans provide coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellation and interruption.

For the leisure cruiser: TravelSafe Classic Plan

TravelSafe's Classic Plan is the best value all-around for the average cruiser, with superior coverage limits at a fair rate.

This plan's coverage includes an impressive $1 million per person for medical evacuation and a high $2,500 coverage limit for bag loss. You have extra time – 21 days – from your initial deposit to add a cancel-for-any-reason upgrade to your plan. The accident and sickness medical coverage is primary, with coverage up to $100,000.

The policy's $750-maximum trip delay coverage begins after a six-hour delay and includes kennel fees for up to $100 per day, along with coverage for additional meal and accommodation expenses.

For the budget conscious: AXA's Silver Plan

AXA's Silver Plan is the company's entry-level offering, with more value added than most budget insurance options — most notably the company's concierge service. Coverage under this plan includes robust trip cancellation and interruption coverage, both at 100% of the costs, along with $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.

The plan also offers identity theft assistance in case your wallet or passport gets stolen while traveling, assisting with filing and obtaining police and credit reports, taking inventory of lost or stolen items, and even wiring emergency funds to you when you're really in a bind.

You won't have the option to purchase a cancel-for-any-reason add-on or opt in for a collision damage waiver on this lowest-tier plan.

For the luxury cruise traveler: John Hancock's Gold Plan

John Hancock's Gold Plan offers robust medical evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $1 million per person, ideal for those luxury cruises that rove to the farthest reaches of the globe. The plan has excellent baggage loss coverage at up to $2,500 per person, along with a low three-hour minimum travel delay ($1,000 per person, $200 daily limit) benefit.

Preexisting medical conditions are covered by this policy, though you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your trip deposit.

For increased medical coverage: Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan

Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan offers primary medical coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses up to $500,000, while many other plans only offer secondary coverage. The plan's medical evacuation coverage is high at $1 million, and preexisting conditions are covered with a few conditions that apply, namely that you purchase the policy within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The policy also offers detailed, robust COVID-19 coverage, including reimbursement for medical care if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Its coverage also includes meals, local transportation and lodging if you're delayed six or more consecutive hours due to quarantining with COVID-19.

Coverage options on the plan may vary slightly depending on which U.S. state you claim as your residence.

For the adventurous cruiser: World Nomads' Explorer Plan

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover more than 200 adventure activities on your travels, including scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping. The coverage for the long list of activities includes emergency medical expenses while outside the U.S., medical evacuation and repatriation, along with trip interruption.

World Nomads' Explorer Plan also offers $25,000 in coverage for nonmedical emergency evacuation for covered events, such as a natural disaster or political or security situations.

Travelers 70 and older are required to add a "Silver Nomads" policy, offered through TripAssure.

Bottom line

Cruising isn't always a blissful week spent relaxing on the pool deck or snorkeling among multicolored reefs. Mishaps occur, whether it's losing luggage, missing a flight or falling ill.

The best cruise insurance policies are the ones that won't let you sail without a safety net, charging a fraction of your trip expenses in exchange for the peace of mind that there's a plan in place should something go wrong. With a range of pricing and coverage options available, you can feel confident that you can find a policy to suit your travel needs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin