Cruises are an exciting adventure that allows for travelers to relax and enjoy themselves, all while seeing the world.
Going on a cruise is especially ideal for senior travelers, as it provides an all-inclusive experience, optimal accessibility, and a variety of activities to take part in for all ages.
While taking a cruise can bring excitement and adventure, it is crucial for seniors to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey by protecting themselves on the seas with cruise insurance.
What Is Cruise Insurance for Seniors?
Cruise insurance for seniors is a form of travel insurance that can provide coverage for travel-related incidents and emergency medical situations.
It can offer important benefits that can prove to be extremely helpful in unforeseen situations while going on a cruise, particularly for older travelers.
What Does Cruise Insurance for Seniors Cover?
Cruise insurance covers a variety of travel mishaps and also offers important medical coverage for emergency treatment.
Cruise insurance can cover:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Trip delay
- Missed connections
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Accident and sickness
- Repatriation of remains
- Lost luggage
Is Cruise Insurance Necessary for Seniors?
There are several reasons why cruise insurance is highly recommended, especially for senior travelers.
Most importantly, Medicare or other US domestic health insurance plans may not offer coverage for emergency medical events during a cruise. With cruise insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will have coverage if you become ill or are injured during your trip.
Emergency medical evacuation is another crucial benefit for seniors. If you are seriously injured or sick during your cruise and need to be airlifted or transported off of the ship to a medical facility that can handle your treatment, this benefit can provide coverage for this instance.
The trip-related benefits of cruise insurance are also crucial, as they can cover the cost of your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses for cancellations or disruptions for certain covered reasons.
How Much Does Senior Cruise Insurance Cost?
The cost of senior cruise travel insurance will greatly depend on the cost of your trip. The cost of cruise travel insurance typically runs between 5-10% of your total prepaid and nonrefundable trip expenses.
Does My Health Insurance Cover Me on a Cruise?
Depending on your health insurance, you may not be covered while on a cruise. There may be certain stipulations to this, such as where your cruise destination is or at what point you are injured or become ill during your trip.
One important thing to note is that most US domestic health insurance plans do not offer medical coverage abroad.
Does Medicare Cover Me on a Cruise?
In most cases, Medicare does not offer coverage for medical care outside of the United States. This includes the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
However, there are certain instances in which you could possibly be covered under Medicare for emergency healthcare on a cruise ship.
You may be covered under Medicare for emergency medical situations if:
- The attending doctor on the cruise is allowed by law to provide medical services on the cruise ship
- The ship is in a U.S. port or no more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port when you need medical attention
Medicare doesn’t cover medical expenses when the ship is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.
When Should I Buy Cruise Insurance for Seniors?
It is best to purchase your senior cruise insurance policy as soon as you make your initial deposit for your trip.
This will ensure that you purchase your insurance while your trip is still fresh in mind, rather than waiting until the last minute and forgetting to secure coverage.
Purchasing soon after your initial deposit for your trip may also qualify you for some bonus coverages, such as the Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) add-on benefit or a pre-existing condition waiver.
Be sure to purchase at least 24 hours before your cruise to ensure that your coverage is active when you depart.
What Is the Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors?
SafeCruise is a travel protection insurance plan that is a great option for seniors looking for cruise insurance.
It offers a variety of key benefits for senior travelers taking a cruise, including emergency medical evacuation coverage, repatriation of remains, and accidental death and dismemberment.
What to Look for in Cruise Insurance for Seniors
When deciding on a senior cruise insurance plan, you may want to shop around to find a policy that best fits your needs.
Key benefits to look for in a cruise insurance plan are:
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Coverage for emergency medical care
- Trip protection for unexpected cancellations and delays
- Repatriation of remains
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Pre-existing condition coverage waiver
Where Can I Buy Senior Cruise Insurance?
Senior cruise insurance can be purchased through VisitorsCoverage in just a matter of minutes.
You just need some key identification information, details about your travels, and the amount of your prepaid nonrefundable trip expenses.
Secure Cruise Insurance With VisitorsCoverage
Ready to get protected for your upcoming cruise? Compare cruise insurance plans or contact our Customer Success Team for further assistance. Safe travels!
