Get 2024’s Best Travel Insurance for Cruises Right Here
Can't leave the work desk for too long? You can consider taking a short getaway on a cruise. Enjoy the calm and beauty of the open seas along with the fun amenities and activities your cruise has in store for you. But before you get on that cruise liner, be sure to get the right travel insurance plan. Check out the best travel insurance options in Singapore for your cruise.
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Cruises offer a unique experience, combining the luxury of a floating accommodation with the adventure of exploring multiple destinations without the hassle of constant packing and unpacking. However, the unpredictability of the sea and the complexity of international waters make it essential to have comprehensive travel insurance.
There are a myriad of reasons why travel insurance is important on cruise ships. From unexpected medical emergencies to sudden trip cancellations or delays, the right insurance policy can safeguard your vacation investment effectively. It's not just about health; lost luggage, missed port calls due to weather, and even onboard injuries are potential issues that can pose a challenge on your dream vacation.
That’s why if you’re thinking of going on a cruise to your favourite destination, we give you all you need to know about which travel insurance is the best and even cheapest in Singapore.
Table of Contents
- What Is Cruise Travel Insurance?
- Does Cruise Travel Insurance Have Annual Plans Too?
- Does Cruise Travel Insurance Only Cover For Cruise?
- Best Cruise Travel Insurance
- TIQ Travel Insurance
- Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance
- Allianz Travel Insurance
- Sompo Travel (COVID-19) Insurance
- DBS TravellerShield Plus
- How Do We Buy The Right Travel Insurance for a Cruise Holiday in Singapore?
- What Is Excluded from Travel Insurance for Cruise Coverage?
- How Much Is Travel Insurance for a Cruise?
What Is Cruise Travel Insurance
In recent times, especially following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the travel industry has witnessed a significant shift in trends. One of the most notable changes is the phasing out of the concept known as a "cruise to nowhere." Previously, these cruises offered a unique escape for travellers, allowing them to enjoy the luxury and amenities of a cruise ship without docking at any specific international destinations.
However, as travel norms evolve and destinations reopen their doors to tourists, the focus has shifted back to traditional cruising experiences. As such, visits to multiple ports of call have returned to being the norm, offering a blend of relaxation at sea and cultural exploration ashore.
Aside from the change in cruising experience, travel insurance has also become more pertinent than ever. As travellers eagerly return to the seas, the demand for comprehensive coverage that addresses not just the usual concerns but also the complexities introduced by the pandemic is on the rise.
Cruise travel insurance plans offer coverage for a wide range of expenses related to your voyage in the sea. This includes medical expenses and travel disruptions like medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and lost, damaged, or stolen luggage when you're on a cruise. Moreover, many travel insurance policies now come with COVID-19 coverage to provide travellers with the necessary health protections and financial safeguards against the illness’s unpredictability.
On top of that, there are certain specific coverages that cruise travel insurance offers like cruise cancellation and disruption by the company, satellite phone coverage and cabin confinement.
Does Cruise Travel Insurance Have Annual Plans, Too?
Most cruise travel insurance are regular travel insurance that have additional coverage for cruise-related expenses. This means that while the core benefits remain the same, such as coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, interruptions, and luggage issues, there is an added layer of protection tailored to the unique aspects of cruising. This ensures that travellers are protected against both general travel risks and those unique to the cruise experience, offering a safety net that allows for peace of mind while enjoying the high seas.
Since there are no specific travel insurance providers that offer travel insurance plans solely for cruise coverage, you can opt for an annual or single-trip travel insurance with cruise coverage. The choice between annual vs single-trip insurance depends on your frequency of travel and specific coverage requirements.
However, annual travel insurance can be a more cost-effective option compared to a single trip travel insurance if you travel multiple times a year, including cruises, providing you with a broader coverage.
Does Cruise Travel Insurance Only Cover for Cruise?
Since these types of travel insurance are regular travel insurance policies with a cruise coverage, they also cover other types of travel. As such, aside from cruise-specific events like missed port calls or cabin confinement due to illness, these policies also offer protection for general travel issues. These include trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and travel delays, ensuring you are covered both on land and at sea.
Furthermore, the inclusion of cruise travel insurance as part of a broader travel insurance package means that you can enjoy a seamless protection umbrella throughout their journey, regardless of the mode of transportation. Whether you're flying to the port of embarkation or even engaging in onshore excursions, the coverage extends to these activities as well, making buying cruise insurance worth it.
Best Travel Insurance for Cruise in Singapore
Product |
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Buy Now |
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Tiq Travel Luxury
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Medical expenses: Up to S$1m (post-trip: Up to S$10,000) |
Medical expenses: Up to S$300,000
Quarantine allowance: Up to S$1,500 (S$100/day) Trip cancellation, curtailment or disruption: Up to S$5,000 Travel postponement: Up to S$1,500 |
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Starr TraveLead Gold Plan - Southeast Asia (Annual)
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Cruise coverage available as an add-on
Medical expenses: Up to S$1,000,000 Accidental death and disablement: Up to S$500,000 Trip cancellation or curtailment: Up to S$15,000 Trip postponement: Up to S$1,500 Personal effects: Up to S$7,500 Travel delay: Up to S$800 (S$100/6h) |
Medical expenses: Up to S$65,000
Trip curtailment and cancellation: Up to S$500 |
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SOMPO Travel Insurance (Superior)
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Medical expenses: Up to S$400,000 (post-trip: Up to S$10,000)
Accidental death and disablement: Up to S$500,000 Hospital allowance: Up to S$6,000 (S$200/day) Trip cancellation, postponement or curtailment: Up to S$10,000 Loss or damage of personal belongings: Up to S$2,500 |
Medical expenses: Up to S$200,000
Hospital or quarantine allowance: Up to S$1,400 Trip cancellation or postponement: Up to S$4,000 with S$100 excess Trip curtailment or disruption: Up to S$2,000, with S$100 excess |
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Cruise Benefits:
Up to S$1m for medical expenses, and S$10,000 for post-trip medical expenses Up to S$500,000 for accidental death and disablement Up to S$20,000 (S$200/day) hospital allowance Up to S$10,000 for trip cancellation, and up to S$5,000 for trip curtailment Up to S$3,000 cover for personal effects Up to S$500 (S$50/3 hours) for travel delay
COVID-19 Limits:
Up to S$300,000 for medical expenses Up to S$1,500 (S$100/day) quarantine allowance Up to S$5,000 for trip cancellation, curtailment or disruption Up to S$1,500 for travel delay
Premiums Before Discount (Single Traveller, Single Trip, 4-Day Duration to Thailand):
- Entry: S$27
- Savvy: S$39
- Luxury: S$47
TIQ recently extended insurance cover for COVID-19 for its TIQ Travel Insurance plan, earning it a spot on our list. The standouts here are the high claims limits for medical expenses while overseas, along with a modest benefit for follow-up treatment when you’re back in Singapore. Also included are benefits of up to S$10,000 for trip cancellation, and up to S$5,000 for trip curtailment, along with up to S$3,000 worth of cover for personal belongings and luggage. In terms of COVID-19 cover, you will get as much as S$300,000 overseas medical expense benefit, as well as up to SS$1,500 quarantine allowance, at the rate of S$100/day. Testing positive before your cruise, or having it cut short due to an outbreak, will entitle you to claims of up to S$5,000. As for travel delays caused by COVID-19, you can claim up to S$1,500 in benefits.
SingSaver's Exclusive TIQ Travel Insurance Promotion:
Single Trip: Use the promo code TIQSINGSAVER to get 50% off. Also receive $30 Free Travel Voucher. Valid till 30 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
Annual Trip: Use the promo code TIQSINGSAVER to get 80% off your COVID-19 rider. Valid till 30 November 2024. T&Cs apply.
Key in the promo code under the coupon code section on the next page after selecting your destination and dates. The prices shown are before discounts.
Receive coverage for trip cancellations, medical expenses, and more when you purchase the COVID-19 Rider. T&Cs apply.
Cruise Benefits:
- Up to S$500,000 for accidental death and disablement
- Up to S$1,000,000 for medical expenses
- Up to S$800 for travel delay (S$100/6 hours)
- Additional S$3,000 for trip cancellation and interruption
- S$6,000 for cruise cancellation and interruption
- S$1,000 excursion tour cancellation
- S$200 for satellite phone coverage
COVID-19 Limits:
- Up to S$65,000 for COVID-19 medical expenses
- Up to S$500 for trip curtailment and trip cancellation
Premiums Before Discount (Single Traveller, Single Trip, 4-day Duration to Thailand):
- Bronze: S$33.50
- SIlver: S$41.50
- Gold: S$50.50
Starr TraveLead travel insurance offers cruise coverage as an add-on, so it doesn't come with the plan you purchase.
If you’re looking for cheap and good travel insurance, this gives you a decent coverage of up to S$500,000 for accidental disablement and death. You can also get up to S$1,000,000 for medical expenses if you opt for the Gold plan.
If you get cruise coverage, you get additional S$3,000 trip cancellation and interruption, S$6,000 for cruise cancellation and interruption, and S$1,000 excursion tour cancellation. Moreover, it comes with a S$200 for satellite phone coverage in the event that the insured person must return directly to Singapore following their or their companion’s injury or sickness.
SingSaver's Starr TraveLead Exclusive Promotion: Get 60% off Single Trip and 35% off Annual Trip. Valid till 31 December 2024.
Also receive:
- Up to S$40 Grab voucher. Valid till 30 December 2024 5:30 pm. T&Cs apply.
- S$20 Paynow for Annual trip plans. Valid till 30 December 2024 5:30 pm. T&Cs apply.
- A chance to win a year's worth of free flights or up to S$160,000 in rewards. Valid till 30 December 2024 5:30 pm. T&Cs apply.
Increase COVID-19 medical expenses coverage and protection against trip cancellations due to COVID-19 when you select either the Gold or Silver plans. T&Cs apply.
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Cruise Benefits:
- Up to S$400,000 for medical expenses, and S$10,000 for post-trip medical expenses
- Up to S$500,000 for accidental death and disablement
- Up to S$6,000 (S$200/day) hospital allowance
- Up to S$10,000 for trip cancellation, curtailment or postponement
- Up to S$2,500 for loss or damage of personal belongings
COVID-19 Limits:
- Up to S$200,000 for medical expenses
- Up to S$1,400 hospital and/or quarantine allowance
- Up to S$4,000 (S$100 excess) for trip cancellation or postponement
- Up to S$2,000 (S$100 excess) for trip curtailment or disruption
Premiums Before Discount (Single Traveller, Single Trip, 4-day Duration to Thailand):
- Essential: S$49
- Superior: S$64
Sompo Travel (COVID-19) Insurance offers a good mix of overseas travel coverage as well as COVID-19 benefits.
For the COVID-19 coverage, the plan includes not only emergency medical expenses, but also hospital and/or quarantine allowance.
This travel insurance also provides coverage for trip cancellations or disruptions; under normal circumstances, these have decently-sized claims limits.
However, should your cruise be cut short or cancelled because for reasons related to the pandemic, you’ll need to pay a S$100 excess.
For policies issued on or after 20 July 2022, full vaccination is not required if the traveller fulfils the destination country's requirements and are not in breach of any government regulations. Travellers will need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and test negative within 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure date from Singapore.
What others are saying about this card?
Cruise Benefits:
- Up to S$1m for medical expenses, and S$75,000 for post-trip medical expenses
- Up to S$500,000 for accidental death and disablement
- Up to S$2,000 (S$100/6 hours) for travel delay
- Up to S$8,000 for personal baggage
COVID-19 Limits:
- Up to S$200,000 for medical expenses, and up to S$100/day, maximum 14 days for hospitalisation or quarantine
- Up to S$7,000 for trip cancellation or curtailment
Premiums Before Discount (single traveller, single trip, 4-day duration to Thailand):
- Classic: S$53
- Premier: S$63
- Platinum: S$87
DBS TravellerShield Plus is a travel insurance plan that offers both cruise cover, as well as benefits for COVID-19, which allows you to cover all your bases when taking a holiday cruise.
As highlighted above, this plan also has extremely generous claims limits for all the important areas, with up to S$1m for overseas medical expenses (S$200,000 for COVID-19), up to S$500,000 for accidental death and disablement, and up to S$2,000 for travel delay.
There is also a daily allowance of S$100/day in case of COVID-19-related hospitalisation or quarantine, for as many as 14 days.
And to top it all off, this plan is priced very affordably.
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How Do We Buy the Right Travel Insurance for a Cruise Holiday in Singapore?
When choosing a travel insurance with a cruise coverage for your holiday, you should consider the following:
Medical Evacuation
When going on a cruise vacation, securing medical evacuation coverage is essential. This is because the medical amenities available onboard may not be on par with those found in hospitals. And when a medical emergency happens, it’s critical to reach a hospital or medical facility promptly.
Bad Weather Protection Coverage
The unique nature of cruise travel exposes passengers to various weather conditions more so than other types of vacations. It's advisable to consider trip cancellation options well before your journey begins and to secure travel insurance immediately upon booking your cruise to mitigate these risks. You can also consider getting travel insurance with natural disaster cover.
Coverage for Island Stops
Cruising entails visiting various international destinations. It is crucial to ensure that your travel insurance extends coverage to every port of call on your itinerary, safeguarding your journey across different countries.
Amount of Coverage
When selecting a travel insurance plan, assess the maximum compensation for claims related to trip cancellation, interruption, and other potential inconveniences or losses. Identifying a policy that offers adequate coverage within your financial means is crucial for optimal protection.
Cost
The cost of travel insurance varies widely based on coverage scope, trip length, and additional benefits. Comparing prices from different insurers in Singapore can help you find a plan that offers the essential protections for cruise travel without overspending. Look for a policy that provides a good balance between comprehensive coverage and affordability.
Customisability
A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't apply to travel insurance, especially for cruises which have specific risks and requirements. Assess the extent to which a policy allows for customisation, enabling you to adjust coverage based on personal needs, such as extending protection for high-risk activities or including additional medical coverage.
What is Excluded from Travel Insurance for Cruise Coverage?
Your travel insurance may not encompass all activities or situations encountered during your cruise.
Exclusions, or items not covered, often feature, but are not limited to:
- Activities conducted while influenced by drugs or alcohol;
- Pregnancy-related issues;
- Travels for medical purposes.
Exclusion specifics vary across different policies, making it crucial to thoroughly review your policy before you buy one.
How Much is Travel Insurance for a Cruise?
Here is a comparison of each travel insurance provider’s premiums so that you can make an informed decision:
Travel Insurance Provider |
Premium Prices Before Discount |
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TIQ Travel Insurance
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Entry: S$27
Savvy: S$39
Luxury: S$47
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Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance
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Bronze: S$33.50
SIlver: S$41.50
Gold: S$50.50
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Sompo Travel (COVID-19) Insurance
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Essential: S$49
Superior: S$64
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DBS TravellerShield Plus
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Classic: S$53
Premier: S$63
Platinum: S$87
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