TRAVEL INSURANCE

You’re likely considering a cruise holiday because you need a true time-out. No cooking, cleaning, or driving – just unpacking once and letting your floating hotel transport you from A to B to Z. But it’s tough to enjoy that if you’re worried about bad weather, illness, cancellations or delays. That’s why smooth sailing starts with smart planning, and that includes considering whether you have appropriate travel insurance with cruise cover for your holiday.

To provide you with added peace of mind on your cruise holiday, Cruiseabout has partnered with Europ Assistance – a global insurance and assistance operator – to offer you a range of travel insurance policies that provide cover from the moment you book your cruise, until you’re safely back home.

This handy travel insurance guide will help you choose the Europ Assistance travel insurance coverage that’s right for you, so that when you set sail on your dream cruise, you understand the level of protection you have for your well-earned holiday.

Call and speak with a Cruise Travel Insurance expert today.

A cruise holiday is a voyage into the unknown, filled with breathtaking destinations and unforgettable experiences. But even the most meticulously planned journeys can encounter unforeseen curveballs, and that’s why you should consider travel insurance that offers cover for cruises. Yes, it may be an extra expense, but if things go awry, travel insurance can potentially protect you from huge costs in the future, if you need to claim. This includes the cost of cancelling your cruise for reasons yet unknown; the cost of emergency medical care when you’re overseas or even a medical evacuation from the ship to a hospital; or the cost of replacing your possessions if your baggage is delayed or lost. We don’t like to think about what could go wrong, but unfortunately, they can – and do.

We offer travel insurance policies with plans that allow you to add on cruise coverage. Whether you’re cruising close to home, or venturing overseas; sailing solo, going on a family cruise, or combining sea and land travel; you can choose the travel insurance policy that covers the things that are most important to you whilst travelling.

Call and speak with a Cruise Travel Insurance expert today.

Choosing your travel insurance policy is as important as choosing what ship you’re going to cruise on, or where you might be cruising to. Our travel insurance policies have three levels for you to choose from, however cover for your cruising holiday can only be added on to the Gold and Platinum plans. Cruise cover is an optional add-on and will need to be selected to have cover for cruises. Consider the Combined FSG/PDS and TMD to consider what cover is best for you and your particular travel needs.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing your travel insurance policy:

• Are you cruising domestically or internationally?
• Do you have multiple trips planned or just one?
• Are you travelling solo or with family?
• What is included that is unique to cruising – for example, a missed cruise departure
• Are any pre-existing medical conditions included, or do you need to apply for additional cover?
• Do you plan on doing any adventure activities or sports? Are any of these automatically included or will you need to add them on?

Your answers to these questions – and more – will help you determine which travel insurance policy will offer you the best protection for your cruise holiday. Our Cruise Travel Advisors can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for travel insurance cover to give you that added peace of mind on your trip.

Just as important as knowing what your insurance covers, is knowing what it doesn’t. Some policies only cover unforeseen medical expenses, and you may need to apply for additional cover for any pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies cover lost luggage, travel delays or missed departures, whilst others may not.

And it’s worth noting that while some things – like adventure sports – may be included in your cover, there may be exclusions or limitations that apply. It’s important that you read the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for specifics on what is – and is not – included in your coverage prior to purchasing your travel insurance.

There is no other holiday like a cruise holiday, and a travel insurance policy that includes cruise cover will have additional inclusions that are unique to cruising. That’s why we offer our customers travel insurance policies that can be tailored for cruising.

Here are a few instances where cruise travel insurance can be a holiday-saver:

Last-minute cancellations

“Hello cruise line, yes, I need to cancel my holiday please, I’ve had a family emergency and can no longer go. And yes, a full refund would be good, thank you!”

Unfortunately, that conversation is unlikely to go like that. You may be lucky to get a partial refund but even that may depend on how far out you cancel your trip. But, with a cruise travel insurance policy, you can choose a cancellation cover amount that suits your needs to help protect your investment should you need to cancel before you set sail. There are different levels of cover available for cancellation in our travel insurance, and coverage depends on the specific circumstances, so it’s important you check this in the Product Disclosure Statement.

Medical Emergencies

When you’re enjoying a drink on the sun deck, a medical crisis is the last thing on your mind. However, unforeseen medical issues during your cruise can quickly become very costly. Hospitalisation and medical evacuation costs outside of Australian coastal waters are very expensive and are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. It’s crucial to ensure you have coverage for the destinations you visit, as well as any onshore activities and excursions you may take part in. Medical attention in a foreign country can come with exorbitant costs, with daily hospital bills costing as much as AUD5,000 per day. And in the event of a serious emergency requiring a medical evacuation, such as being airlifted to the nearest hospital, expenses can soar up to $100,000 or even more (and that’s just for the helicopter ride).

Fortunately, you can alleviate the stress of something like this happening with a comprehensive plan that offers unlimited cover on coverable medical expenses and additional expenses if an emergency were to occur.

Note: To ensure you have cover for medical expenses on board a cruise ship, you must purchase an International or Annual Multi-Trip policy – even if cruising within Australian Waters.

When You Literally Miss the Boat

Cruise ships won’t typically wait for all guests to be onboard before setting sail. They have a window of time to depart, and if you’re not on the ship before then, they’ll likely leave without you. And if you don’t have cruise-specific travel insurance, then you may find yourself up a creek without a paddle. From overnight hotel stays to transportation to meet your cruise ship at their next port of call, adding cruise cover to your travel insurance policy may help save you from having to foot the bill for this yourself. Plus, the added benefit of 24-hour emergency assistance means that you’ll also receive help trying to figure out your next steps so that you can still enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Again, it’s important to check the Product Disclosure Statement to ensure the reason you missed boarding the cruise is covered!

What does travel insurance cover?

When you buy travel insurance you can select coverage for many things that could disrupt your holiday. This includes insurance cover for trip cancellations or delays; event cancellations; lost, stolen, or delayed luggage; lost or stolen travel documents; rental car excess, personal liability; loss of income; overseas medical costs; emergency dental costs; pet care; terrorist incidents; winter sports accidents; and more. When you select a plan that allows you to add cruise cover i.e. Gold or Platinum plans, you can also expect to have additional inclusions that are unique to cruising, such as ship delays; missed departure; and cabin confinement due to medical reasons. It is important to read the PDS to note any limitations or exclusions related to your preferred policy, as well as anything that may require additional cover.

How do I purchase my travel insurance?

You can buy Cruiseabout Travel Insurance by calling us or visiting us in store today.

Call one of our Cruise Travel Advisors on 1300 052 966 today to see what insurance options suit you best.

Can I get coverage for pre-existing medical conditions?

In some cases, yes. Our travel insurance policies include many medical conditions that are automatically covered. If you have a pre-existing medical condition that is not automatically covered, options are available to complete a medical screening. This can be completed with one of our advisors, or online, in your own time after you’ve been emailed a screening link. This will determine if coverage is available for your specific pre-existing medical conditions. Some pre-existing medical conditions are only covered if they meet certain criteria. Please refer to the PDS for full details, including the definition of a pre-existing medical condition and any criteria that must be met to ensure coverage.

When should I buy travel insurance?

You are able to buy travel insurance the same day you book your trip, before your trip starts or after your trip starts, however a waiting period applies if your trip has commenced.. Purchasing in advance can provide cover for pre-trip events like flight, hotel, or cruise cancellations.

Is travel insurance refundable if I cancel my trip?

When you purchase your insurance policy, there is a 21-day cooling off period, during which a full refund may be available, provided that you have not made a claim or exercised any other rights

under the policy and your trip has not commenced. After this period, fees may be charged. Please ask your Cruise Travel Advisor for more details.

What is the difference between single-trip and multi-trip insurance?

The difference is as the name implies – single-trip travel insurance provides cover for one holiday (up to 366 days), while multi-trip travel insurance is an annual plan that provides cover for multiple trips up the maximum trip duration, making things more convenient for you if you’re a frequent traveller.

Does your cruise add-on cover me for anything else other than my time on the ship?

Yes! Depending on the policy and the add-ons you select, our cruise add-on can provide you with coverage when you’re travelling on land, flying in the air, and cruising across the ocean. To add this cover, the cruise add-on should be selected when purchasing your policy, and enter each of your destinations to ensure you get the right cover for your trip.

Will my insurance cover any medical expenses if I am on a domestic cruise?

The cruise add-on is not available on Domestic plans. If you’re cruising along the coast of Australia or in Australian Waters, you need to purchase an International or Annual Multi-Trip plan to be covered for medical expenses. If you require medical treatment on-land in Australia, , Medicare and/or your private health fund will be your port-of-call for any on-land medical needs whether you’re docked in Sydney or Cairns, or anywhere in between.

Note: Due to government legislation, travel insurance cannot provide any cover for medical expenses in Australia or Australian territories.

Will I be covered for any onshore activities or excursions?

Our cruise travel insurance policy includes a wide range of sports and activities, but it is important to check whether your intended activities are covered in the PDS. If you cannot find your activity, please speak with your Cruise Travel Advisor.

Have more questions? Contact your Cruise Travel Advisor on 1300 052 966 today.

Nobody likes to think about what could go wrong when you’re on holiday, but unfortunate things can happen. And that’s where travel insurance comes in. With Cruiseabout Travel Insurance, you can rest assured that if something does go awry, we’ll be here to help.

All levels of cover provide you with access to an expansive global 24/7 emergency assistance network, with points of assistance across all continents, and an easy online claims process.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for all overseas travel. This insurance is underwritten by the insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited (MSI), ABN 49 000 525 637, AFSL 240816. Europ Assistance Australia Pty Ltd (EAA) ABN 71140219594, AFSL 552106 holds a binding authority from the insurer, MSI to issue contracts of insurance and to deal with or settle claims on MSI’s behalf and as MSI’s agent. Flight Centre Travel Group Limited, ACN 003 377 188 AR No 228097, trading as Cruiseabout, is an Authorised Representative appointed by EAA to distribute and administer this insurance product.

The product information contained on this website is a brief summary only. Please refer to the relevant Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (Combined FSG/PDS) and consider the FSG/PDS/TMD  in light of your personal circumstances, prior to making any decision to acquire the product.

Please read all of our terms and conditions in regard to providing you with travel insurance coverage.

Protect your trip today – contact your Cruise Travel Advisor for a free, no-obligation quote for your cruise travel insurance.