Article at a glance:
- TID cruise cover is automatically included in all policies, no extra premiums required.
- TID travel insurance may help Australians avoid huge overseas medical bills with overseas emergency medical cover, medical evacuation support, and cover for trip cancellations or deferring your holiday due to sudden illness or injury after purchase.
- 24/7 emergency assistance for urgent help while cruising.
- Travel insurance claims can be submitted online anywhere, anytime.
- Travel insurance cover includes cruising automatically, even for short or overnight cruise adventures.
- Always include all destinations or regions visited when purchasing your travel insurance for a cruise.
- Always make sure you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Consider the limits, terms, conditions and exclusions.
Travel insurance for Australian cruise holidays
Whether you're sailing the South Pacific, exploring the Mediterranean, or cruising Australian waters, you should consider travel insurance for your next cruise. At Travel Insurance Direct (TID), our plans automatically include cover for cruises – no extra premiums, just smooth sailing.
Why should I consider travel insurance for a cruise?
Every year Aussies board vessels - big and small - bound for dream destinations like Fiji, Canada, The Caribbean, or to cruise Australian waters.
While cruising is often a relaxed adventure, unexpected hiccups like illness, delays, or cancellations can quickly turn your dream trip into a costly nightmare.
Without cruise travel insurance, you could be left footing the bill for:
- Medical treatment onboard or overseas.
- Emergency evacuation from the ship.
- Trip cancellations due to severe weather.
- Lost or stolen luggage.
What's included in TID's travel insurance plans for cruising?
✔ Overseas medical expenses: Cover for overseas medical emergencieslike sudden illness or severe injury you suffer whilst cruising overseas. Available only on international plans, as Australian waters are not classified as domestic.
✔ Medical evacuation and repatriation: Assistance may be provided for necessary additional travel and accommodation to the nearest suitable medical facility. We’ll pay transport and accommodation expenses which we believe are reasonable and necessary to bring you back to your home in Australia, or to another destination of our choice.
✔ Cancellation or holiday deferment costs: Coverage for trip cancellations due to unforeseen illness or injury (refer to your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) as terms and conditions apply).
✔ Luggage and personal effects: Cover for when your bags are lost, stolen or damaged. Travel insurance may cover accidental loss, theft, or damage, with certain terms and benefit limits (see luggage section of the PDS).
✔ Personal liability: TID may provide coverage for damages and compensation due to your negligence causing injury or property damage – excluding injuries to yourself or your group, or damage to property owned by you or your group.
This is a summary only. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the PDS. Consider the PDS and TMD before purchasing.
Learn more and get an instant travel insurance quote for your next cruise today.
What if I get sick on my cruise?
You’ve been eagerly awaiting this cruise; the last thing you want is to spend it stuck in your cabin sick. Keep in mind that close quarters means germs are easily spread, and gastro, or a cold and flu virus, can run rampant on cruises.
If you do get sick or injured while on your cruise you may be covered for reasonable and necessary emergency medical, dental, hospital and ambulance expenses. Learn more about how you can be covered by going to our overseas medical expenses page.
If it’s a serious emergency, you may be covered for medical evacuation and repatriation back to Australia. Note: we will not cover a loss arising from your evacuation or repatriation that is not medically necessary or that is undertaken without our consent.
Your health is number one – if you’re considering packing travel insurance with those port maps, sunnies, and sunscreen, grab a travel insurance quote here. Plus, TID offers cover for some existing medical conditions, read our coverage article to find out how the cover works.
The features and benefits described are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions outlined in the PDS.
What's not covered when on a cruise
- Reckless behaviour: If you intentionally place yourself in circumstances, or activities, which pose a risk to their personal safety (except in an attempt to save a human life), it may affect your cover.
- Intoxication: Drinking and then partaking in other activities can be risky… if you’re intoxicated by alcohol, any events that arise due to intoxication will not be covered.
- You travel when there are ‘Do Not Travel (DNT)’ warnings in place: TID travel insurance won’t cover you for losses that arise from an event if you:
- plan to travel to; or
- travel to; or
- remain in;
- a region the Australian Government has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning.
- Luggage and personal effects: If you leave items unattended in a public area and they get stolen, you may not be covered.
- High-risk activities: We’re talking things like sitting on a railing high above a drop to a deep gorge for a selfie, or diving into the shallow end of the pool just because you can.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.
Tips for first-time cruise travellers
Before you go
- Check the itinerary: Learn about your cruise stops and plan day trips in advance.
- Get vaccinations: Check with your doctor if you need to be vaccinated against certain diseases depending on where you are going.
- Get a health check: Get a clean bill of health in writing, especially if you have existing medical conditions. Ask your medical practitioner for a letter that confirms you are fit to travel, especially if your cruising holiday is a long one.
- Pack necessary medication: Some examples include allergy medication, Insulin, and sickness medication. Include extras in case of delays.
- Practice hygiene: Wash hands frequently to avoid the common cruise illnesses: gastroenteritis and norovirus are notorious!
Onboard tips
- Complete the carrier’s safety drill: Mandatory for all passengers.
- Keep valuables in the safe: Use the in-room safe for passports and electronics.
- Stay hydrated and sun-safe: Drink water regularly and apply sunscreen.
- Be mindful of alcohol: Drink responsibly.
Need to make a claim?
You can claim anywhere, anytime, online.
Need help?
Hit a bit of a snag and need some help? Call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team ready to support and steer you through choppy waters.
Choose a plan that suits your holiday.
Just like choosing the perfect destination for your next getaway, selecting a travel insurance plan to suit your needs may be just as important. We have four plans to choose from, each offering a different level of cover. Check out each of the plans below where you'll find loads of information about each one.
Domestic
If you're taking some time to explore your own backyard, our Domestic plan protects you for trips within Australia. It can cover you for car hire excess, lost or stolen valuables and cancelled accommodation.
The Works
Our most popular plan, The Works offers broad cover for international trips including cover for costs such as unlimited medical expenses for up to 12 months and cancellation as well as added benefits.
The Basics
Sticking to a shoestring budget? The Basics plan is designed for travellers who want coverage for all the important things, like hospital bills and stolen luggage, without breaking the bank.
Annual
Are you a frequent flyer? If you travel often for business, or have a few holidays coming up, our Annual Multi Trip plan could be for you. Made for globetrotters, your trips can be up to 35 days in duration and there is no limit to the number of trips you can take during a 12 month period.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.
Cruise travel insurance FAQs
Do I even need travel insurance if I’m going on a short cruise trip?
Just because your cruise is overnight or over a weekend it doesn’t mean your cruise experience is worth less, too. Travel insurance is for the things you can’t plan for – unexpected events such as medical emergencies, cancellation due to an insured event, and lost or stolen luggage and belongings – all of which can leave you out of pocket when you have to book new cruise trips, pay hospital bills or replace your stolen stuff.
Can I purchase travel insurance while already travelling or on a cruise?
You can buy TID travel insurance once your trip has started, but there is a 72-hour waiting period that may apply before cover for any events begins.
Can I extend my policy when already overseas?
Depending on your circumstances, if you want to change the dates of your cover, you’ll need to either extend your policy or buy a new one (for the additional days). Your best bet is to contact us and discuss your situation.
Do I need cruise travel insurance cover for Australian waters?
Medicare doesn’t apply onboard. Even cruises on Australian waters may require travel insurance for medical and emergency costs.
Can I be covered on a domestic policy if I’m only cruising in Australian waters?
For ocean cruises in Australian waters, you’ll need to select 'Australian Waters' when purchasing. If you return to port and receive medical treatment in Australia, these expenses are not covered by our policy and should be claimed through Medicare or private health insurance.
What happens if my cruise is cancelled due to weather or mechanical issues?
If severe weather or a covered natural disaster - such as a cyclone, hurricane or earthquake - leads to your cruise being cancelled or restricted by your carrier or service provider you may be covered. You must have purchased your plan prior to the natural disaster being a known event. Cover available for out-of-pocket expenses, such as pre-paid airfares and accommodation, should you have no alternative but to cancel your trip.
However, there is no cover as a result of a loss arising from the cancellation, delay or rescheduling of your cruise on the part of the carrier for operational reasons, mechanical breakdown or maintenance. See the PDS for details.
We are only going on an overnight cruise for part of our journey; do we still need cruise cover?
Cover for cruising is included in all our policies, meaning you just need to ensure you’ve included all destinations when purchasing.
My cruise stops at multiple destinations. Do I need to list them all?
You should ensure that you list all the regions you'll be visiting. E.g. you can choose "South Pacific" as a destination, which covers you for the most common cruises out of the east coast of Australia.
What if I need to get off the cruise early?
Chances are, this will only be necessary in a medical emergency. Assuming we provide cover for your condition, we can look after you (and your family, if necessary) until you’re well enough to go home, or we may decide to repatriate you home if medically necessary.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.
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