Cruise travel insurance protects against trip cancellations, medical emergencies at sea, and cruise-specific disruptions. Plans cost $91 to $659 for a seven-day cruise based on trip cost and age.
Best Travel Insurance for Cruises
Compare cruise travel insurance plans from 13 providers. BHTP WaveCare starts at $91 for a $2,500 cruise with $750,000 evacuation coverage.
Find the best cruise insurance for seniors and families.
Updated: May 11, 2026
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Key Takeaways
BHTP WaveCare offers the most affordable cruise coverage at $91 for a seven-day, $2,500 cruise (age 30), including $750,000 medical evacuation and $500 cruise disruption benefits.
Seniors pay 49% to 107% more than younger travelers for identical cruise insurance coverage, with age 65 premiums ranging from $148 to $217 for a $2,500 cruise.
Dedicated cruise policies provide essential protections standard travel insurance excludes, including cruise disablement coverage, itinerary change reimbursement and medical evacuation limits up to $1 million.
Best Cruise Travel Insurance: Companies and Plans
BHTP WaveCare leads with a 92 out of 100 overall score, pairing low costs with strong medical evacuation benefits. Nationwide Luxury Cruise ranks second, earning a 98 medical score and offering $1 million evacuation protection. Seven Corners Cruise takes third place with a 92 cruise coverage score for protections designed around cruise travel.
1 | WaveCare | 92 | 95 | 88 | 94 | Budget travelers | |
2 | Luxury | 89 | 78 | 95 | 98 | Premium protection | |
3 | Cruise | 88 | 82 | 92 | 95 | Medical coverage | |
4 | Cruise | 86 | 86 | 85 | 87 | Mid-range value | |
5 | Choice | 85 | 88 | 84 | 88 | Enhanced benefits |
Scores range from 0-100. Overall score weighs cost (40%), cruise coverage (30%), medical protection (25%) and stability (5%).
Rankings based on MoneyGeek's analysis of 13 providers across cost (40%), cruise-specific coverage (30%), medical protection (25%), and financial stability (5%). Full methodology below.
Best for Budget-Conscious Cruisers
BHTP
Budget-conscious cruisers get comprehensive protection for $91 (age 30, $2,500 cruise). BHTP WaveCare includes $75,000 medical coverage, $750,000 evacuation protection, and $500 cruise disruption benefits. The plan covers 100% trip cancellation and 150% trip interruption with pre-existing condition coverage when purchased within 15 days of deposit. BHTP earned a 92 overall score, ranking first for value at $391 for a $10,000 cruise compared to $450 to $659 from competitors.
Best for Premium Protection
Nationwide
The industry's highest evacuation limit comes with Nationwide Luxury Cruise: $1 million in coverage plus $250,000 secondary medical protection for $124 (age 30, $2,500 cruise). The plan includes $250 itinerary change coverage, $1,000 trip delay reimbursement, and $2,500 baggage protection with 150% trip interruption. Pre-existing conditions receive coverage when purchased within 14 days of deposit. Nationwide earned an 89 overall score with evacuation protection essential for Alaska, South Pacific, or Northern Europe cruises where distances exceed 500 miles.
Best for Medical Coverage
Seven Corners
Primary medical coverage of $250,000 means Seven Corners Cruise pays claims first without requiring coordination with domestic health insurance. The plan costs $136 (age 30, $2,500 cruise) and includes $500,000 evacuation protection, cruise disablement coverage, and $500 missed port reimbursement. The medical limit covers hospital stays, emergency surgeries, ambulance transport, and emergency dental care up to $1,000. Seven Corners earned an 88 overall score with a 92 cruise coverage score.
Best for Mid-Range Coverage
Tin Leg
At $117 for a $2,500 cruise (age 30), Tin Leg Cruise delivers $100,000 primary medical coverage and $250,000 evacuation protection with no medical deductible. The plan covers 100% trip cancellation, 150% trip interruption, and $2,000 trip delay reimbursement after six-hour delays. Pre-existing condition coverage requires purchase within 14 days of deposit. Tin Leg earned an 86 overall score, offering competitive pricing at $384 for a $10,000 cruise with simplified claims through primary medical coverage.
Cruise Travel Insurance Cost Comparison
Cruise insurance premiums scale with trip investment. A $10,000 cruise costs $391 with BHTP WaveCare compared to $91 for a $2,500 cruise because trip cancellation and interruption coverage increases with higher trip costs. Premium plans cost 25% to 35% more than budget options but provide substantially higher medical and evacuation limits.
Seven-Day Cruise, $2,500 Trip Cost, Age 30:
WaveCare | $91 | $75,000 | $750,000 | |
Universal | $99 | $75,000 | $250,000 | |
Choice | $108 | $100,000 | $500,000 | |
Cruise | $117 | $100,000 | $250,000 | |
Luxury | $124 | $250,000 | $1 million | |
Cruise | $136 | $250,000 | $500,000 |
BHTP WaveCare offers the lowest premium with $750,000 evacuation coverage. Seven Corners Cruise costs $45 more but provides $250,000 medical coverage.
One thing most travelers don't know: cruise ships charge medical bills to your onboard account in real time, not through insurance first. A $5,000 medical visit can appear on your statement before your insurer is even notified. Travel insurance reimburses you after the fact; it does not prevent the initial charge. Bring a credit card with sufficient available credit as a practical buffer for the billing gap.
Seven-Day Cruise, $10,000 Trip Cost, Age 30:
Cruise | $384 | $100,000 | $250,000 | |
WaveCare | $391 | $75,000 | $750,000 | |
Cruise | $454 | $250,000 | $500,000 | |
Choice | $538 | $100,000 | $500,000 | |
Luxury | $659 | $250,000 | $1 million |
Tin Leg Cruise becomes most affordable at $384 for $10,000 cruises. Nationwide Luxury costs $268 more than BHTP but provides $1 million evacuation coverage for remote destinations. Trip length affects premiums less than trip cost, with a 14-day cruise costing 10% to 15% more than seven days at identical trip values.
Cruise Travel Insurance for Seniors
Seniors pay more for cruise insurance than standard travel policies because health emergencies become riskier on ships where medical care is limited.
Seven-Day Cruise, $2,500 Trip Cost:
WaveCare | $91 | $188 | 107% | |
Universal | $99 | $148 | 49% | |
Choice | $108 | $171 | 58% | |
Cruise | $117 | $196 | 68% | |
Luxury | $124 | $196 | 58% | |
Cruise | $136 | $217 | 60% |
BHTP WaveCare shows the largest age-based increase at 107% but maintains the lowest absolute cost at $188 for 65-year-old travelers. Compare more options with the cheapest travel insurance for seniors.
Nationwide Universal's 49% age-based increase is half of BHTP's 107% jump. For seniors over 65 booking a $2,500 cruise, Nationwide Luxury matches Tin Leg's $196 price while offering $1 million evacuation vs. $250,000. The case for Nationwide Luxury strengthens as itinerary remoteness increases.
Essential Cruise-Specific Coverage
Standard travel insurance doesn't cover disruptions unique to sailing. Dedicated cruise policies include protections for risks you'll only encounter at sea.
Missed Port Reimbursement
Prepaid shore excursions get reimbursed when your ship misses scheduled ports due to weather or mechanical issues. Nationwide plans provide $100 to $250 per occurrence, BHTP WaveCare offers $500, and Seven Corners covers up to $500.
Cruise Disablement Protection
Ships without power, food, water, or restrooms for over 24 hours trigger disablement coverage. Seven Corners and Nationwide include this protection in cruise-specific plans. Missouri residents can't purchase this coverage.
Medical Evacuation Coverage
Helicopter evacuations from ships to shore hospitals exceed $100,000, which is why medical evacuation coverage requires higher limits for cruises than land travel. BHTP WaveCare provides $750,000, Nationwide Luxury offers $1 million, and Seven Corners includes $500,000. Standard travel policies usually cap evacuation at $50,000 to $100,000.
To put the coverage limits in context: a Caribbean cruise stroke requiring ship-to-shore transport to a Florida hospital averages $20,000. A helicopter rescue in remote Alaska or South Pacific waters runs $50,000 to $150,000, before treatment. These figures come from Allianz's published evacuation cost data and Yonder Travel Insurance's 2026 cruise medical cost analysis. This is why BHTP WaveCare's $750,000 evacuation limit at $91 outperforms competitors offering $250,000 at similar price points.
Trip Interruption at 150%
Lost prepaid expenses plus additional transportation costs to catch your cruise at the next port or return home fall under enhanced trip interruption coverage. All cruise-specific plans provide this 150% coverage level.
Cruise Insurance vs. Cruise Line Plans
Cruise lines sell protection plans, but third-party travel insurance provides broader coverage.
Covers airfare and hotels | No | Yes |
Covers pre-cruise expenses | No | Yes |
Protects if cruise line goes bankrupt | No | Yes |
Cancel for any reason available | Rarely | Yes (75% reimbursement) |
Purchase window for CFAR | N/A | 7-21 days after deposit |
Full trip investment protection | Cruise costs only | Complete trip |
Third-party policies cover your complete trip investment and protect against cruise line financial default. See what travel insurance covers for complete policy details.
When to Buy Cruise Travel Insurance
Buy cruise insurance if your cruise costs exceed $2,000 per person, you're traveling during hurricane season (June through November), you booked more than six months ahead, you have pre-existing medical conditions, or you're over 60. Medical facilities aboard ships provide only basic emergency care.
Skip cruise insurance only if your cruise line offers free cancellation, your health insurance covers international medical evacuation, and you can afford to lose your trip investment. Flexible booking policies rarely cover medical emergencies or cruise-specific disruptions. Learn more about travel insurance costs.
To compare complete plan details for all 13 cruise insurance providers MoneyGeek evaluated, see the guide to best travel insurance plans.
How to Choose Cruise Travel Insurance
- 1
Match evacuation limits to your itinerary.
Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises need $250,000 minimum. European, Asian and South Pacific cruises require $500,000 to $1 million because of longer distances to medical facilities.
- 2
Consider pre-existing condition waivers if you have chronic health issues.
Nationwide cruise plans, BHTP WaveCare, Seven Corners Cruise, and Tin Leg Cruise include pre-existing coverage when purchased within 14 to 15 days of initial deposit. This eliminates the lookback period that would otherwise exclude claims for conditions treated before purchasing insurance.
- 3
Evaluate cruise-specific benefits based on your sailing style.
Shore excursion enthusiasts need itinerary change coverage. First-time cruisers should prioritize medical benefits. Budget travelers might accept lower medical limits for stronger trip cancellation protection. Compare options at best travel insurance providers.
For most cruisers, BHTP WaveCare is the right starting point, the lowest cost paired with $750,000 evacuation. Move to Nationwide Luxury if your itinerary includes Alaska, Northern Europe, or South Pacific routes, where distance to medical facilities makes the $1 million limit meaningful. If you have pre-existing conditions, confirm purchase within 14 to 15 days of initial deposit to activate the waiver.
Best Travel Insurance for Cruises: FAQ
Does cruise insurance cover seasickness?
Cruise insurance doesn't cover seasickness treatment unless it requires medical evacuation. Emergency care for severe dehydration or complications falls under emergency medical benefits, but routine seasickness treatment isn't covered.
Can I buy cruise insurance after booking?
You can purchase cruise insurance before departure, but buying within 14 to 21 days of your initial deposit unlocks pre-existing condition waivers and cancel for any reason options.
Does Medicare cover cruise medical emergencies?
Medicare provides no coverage outside the U.S., including aboard ships in international waters. You need cruise travel insurance with international medical coverage like Seven Corners Cruise, which offers $250,000 medical protection plus evacuation benefits.
How We Chose the Best Travel Insurance for Cruises
MoneyGeek evaluated cruise insurance plans from 13 providers using a weighted scoring system. We collected pricing for multiple scenarios, including trip costs ($2,500 to $10,000), trip lengths (seven to 14 days), traveler ages (30 and 65), and destinations.
Each plan received a score from 0 to 100 across four categories:
- Cost (40%): Lower premiums scored higher when coverage remained comparable across trip costs and traveler ages.
- Cruise-Specific Coverage (30%): Dedicated cruise plans outscored adapted general travel policies. We analyzed cruise disruption benefits, itinerary change reimbursement, disablement protection, missed port compensation and trip interruption limits.
- Medical Protection (25%): Evacuation coverage received heavy weighting because helicopter evacuations from cruise ships routinely exceed $100,000. Emergency medical limits, pre-existing condition waivers, and purchase windows also factored into ratings.
- Financial Stability (5%): Companies with A+ AM Best ratings received maximum points.
Plans with comprehensive cruise-specific protections at competitive prices ranked highest. We prioritized evacuation limits exceeding $500,000 due to the unique challenges of medical evacuations from ships at sea.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!