Cruise & Maritime Travel Insurance

Cruising offers one of the most effortless ways to explore the world — but it also carries unique risks that traditional travel insurance doesn’t always cover. Whether you’re sailing the Caribbean, gliding down the Danube, or joining a private charter through the South Pacific, cruise travel insurance helps protect your investment
and peace of mind.

Cruise-specific coverage goes beyond standard trip protection to account for missed ports, medical treatment at sea, and itinerary changes. The right plan ensures that if things don’t go as planned, your vacation stays on course.

Why Cruise Trips Require Specialized Insurance

Cruises are different from typical hotel-and-flight vacations. Your itinerary may include:

  • Multiple international ports, each with unique entry rules

  • Strict boarding times and transfer connections

  • Limited onboard medical facilities

  • Non-refundable deposits for cabins and excursions

  • Delays caused by weather or mechanical issues

Because of these complexities, cruise insurance includes tailored protections such as missed port, shipboard confinement, and quarantine benefits, in addition to standard trip cancellation and medical coverage.

Optional add-ons like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) or Pre-Existing Condition Waivers can further expand your coverage flexibility.

Key Benefits of Cruise Travel Insurance

When shopping for cruise insurance, don’t just look at price — focus on the benefits. Here are six critical coverage areas to consider:

Trip Cancellation & Interruption

Covers prepaid cruise fares, flights, and excursions if you must cancel or cut your trip short due to covered events such as illness, injury, family emergencies, or severe weather.

Emergency Medical Care at Sea

Onboard medical treatment can be expensive and limited. Cruise insurance ensures coverage for international medical care, emergency evacuation, and repatriation when far from shore.

Missed Port or Departure

If you miss embarkation due to flight delays or need to rejoin the cruise mid-itinerary, this benefit can reimburse hotels, meals, and onward travel to the next port.

Baggage Protection

Protection for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage — especially important when connecting directly to a ship. Many policies include extra allowances for essential items during baggage delays.

Shipboard Confinement and Quarantine

Provides reimbursement for days spent in isolation due to illness, including COVID-19, and covers additional quarantine-related expenses.

24/7 Global Assistance

Access around-the-clock emergency help, medical coordination, translation, and support services anywhere your ship sails.

Who Should Consider Cruise Travel Insurance

Cruise coverage is ideal for:

  • First-Time Cruisers who want reliable backup for delays and medical care

  • Families and groups sharing cabins, excursions, or large deposits

  • Senior travelers who need higher medical or evacuation benefits

  • Adventure and charter guests where itineraries may change unexpectedly

  • River cruise travelers in Europe or Asia, where conditions can affect navigation

  • Luxury and expedition cruisers with non-refundable, high-value bookings

Deposits for cruise trips are often paid months in advance. Cruise insurance protects that investment if plans change before or during your voyage.

Cruise Coverage by Insurer

At STI Surf Travel Insurance, we provide access to cruise coverage from multiple licensed insurers for both U.S. and international travelers:

  • Generali U.S. Branch – Comprehensive U.S. cruise coverage with shipboard and cancellation benefits.
  • IMG Global – Flexible plans for U.S. and non-U.S. travelers, including multi-trip options for frequent cruisers.
  • Auras – Cruise and adventure-ready plans with adjustable medical and evacuation limits.
  • Travelex – Strong cruise protection with optional upgrades for families and group travelers.
  • Globelink International – Cruise coverage for UK and EU residents, ideal for European river or ocean voyages.
  • Global Rescue – Optional membership for enhanced evacuation and field rescue during overseas or expedition cruises.

Our system automatically filters eligible plans by country of residence, destination, and cruise type, ensuring every traveler sees accurate options.

What to Check Before You Buy

Cruise insurance isn’t automatically included in all travel plans — review your policy carefully to confirm:

  • Cruise travel is listed as a covered trip type

  • Medical care and emergency evacuation at sea are included

  • Coverage for missed connections and ports is available

  • COVID-19 disruptions or quarantines are covered

  • Optional pre-existing condition waivers or CFAR add-ons can be added if needed

Ready to Find the Right Plan?

Use our travel insurance quote tool to enter your; country of residence, destination country, type of travel and traveler name.

Compare Plans Now

Main Plan Comparison

You’ll instantly see plans that match your profile — filtered by eligibility, insurer, and activity type. Compare benefits at a glance, then proceed securely to complete your purchase directly with the insurer.

Have questions or a complex itinerary? Contact our team at [email protected] — we’re happy to help you find the best coverage for your journey.