TOP Tips
- Do you have an existing medical condition? Insurance that won't cover you is no better than having no travel insurance at all. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) advises you fully disclose any pre-existing medical conditions to the insurer and, if in doubt, contact the insurer to discuss your needs.
- Even if you book a cruise in Australian waters, CLIA says you'll probably still need travel insurance as shipboard medical expenses mightn't be covered by Medicare. Check that your travel insurance does cover medical costs – you may need international or cruise-specific insurance. Domestic travel or health insurance won't cut it.
- Some insurance policies cover pregnancy up to 32 weeks, but most cruise lines don't allow women onboard who are more than 24 weeks pregnant.
- Several policies exclude cover for civil unrest, which could leave you out of pocket for onshore excursions that are cancelled due to a dicey political situation.
- Some policies cover you up to the age of 100 but others only up to 69 or even 45.
Imalia's travel policy provides comprehensive cover for you and your family when travelling overseas. It is available for singles or families and provides generous sums insured and worldwide 24 hour protection. There are 2 levels of cover available to suit your needs. Read more about our travel policy here.
When to buy travel insurance for a cruise
Cruises are often booked well ahead of time so you could be forgiven for forgetting or delaying travel insurance. But if your cruise is cancelled ahead of time and you don't yet have cover, you could lose your money. The premium is based on the duration of your trip, so insurance will cost the same whether you buy a year in advance or the day before you leave. The earlier you buy the policy, the better.
My cruise isn't leaving Australian waters. Why do I need travel insurance?
Nicolaas asks: "Our travel agent informed us after we fully paid for our cruise that the operator, CMV Cruises, have the right to refuse us getting on board unless we have insurance cover. We were told that it must be international insurance even though the cruise is from Adelaide to Port Lincoln and return via Kangaroo Island. Can CMV stop us from boarding?"
Doctors working on cruise ships don't need Medicare provider numbers. So if they treat you, you can't claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even though you've never left Australian waters. This can leave you seriously out of pocket if you fall ill. CMV's Terms and Conditions state:
'5.2. All Passengers are required to have appropriate travel insurance prior to embarking on the Cruise or they will not be permitted to embark on the Cruise. All travel insurance policies must include cover for cancellation charges and the costs of assistance, including repatriation, in an emergency and for all conditions including those which are pre-existing.'
So yes, CMV can stop you from boarding if you don't have appropriate travel insurance. Domestic travel insurance doesn't cover medical costs, so you'd need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or some insurers provide 'domestic cruise' policies.
Read more: Expert travel tips for every leg of your next holiday
Kerry asks: "I took out an annual travel policy with Southern Cross. One of my trips was a cruise from Fremantle, WA, back to Fremantle – a three-night cruise with no port stops. Due to gastroenteritis I was unable to take the trip. I duly lodged a claim which was refused because the ship did not dock at an overseas port. It makes you wonder what is the purpose of taking out an annual policy. This is really quite unfair as various sites clearly state that one is not covered by Medicare or health insurance once you leave a port. So why doesn't the insurance policy therefore kick in?"
Unfortunately Southern Cross Travel Insurance doesn't cover people who aren't travelling to a destination outside Australia. Next time check with your insurer or use CHOICE's independent travel insurance reviews to check if your international travel insurance covers domestic cruises.
At Imalia we develop our policies to suit your needs, and our Personal Travel Insurance covers cruises within and outside of Australia. Enquire about a policy with our online form.
If you are inspired and would like to join the revolutionary movement that Imalia is creating, you can request to join our Facebook group The Wolfpack, to share ideas and learn from other like-minded women.
This is an edited version of a story that first appeared on Choice.